Bike Tests

What's new? Updated rear linkage, new fork and shock settings, a lighter spring rate on rear shock and new delta-shaped piston shims in the fork and revised engine mounts
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Back in 2014 the Kawasaki KX450F was a BNG bike that didn't even get BNG, but the KX450F engine was a thing of beauty. It iswas smooth down low, rolled on with authority and was the best all-around race engine of 2014.
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Marvin & Mosiman getting it twisted into a host of really cooled outside berms
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The brand-new 2025 Husqvarna TC85 isn't based on last year's minicyle, but is instead borrows its design tweaks from the proprietary layout and look of the full-size TC125
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If you can feel the issues with the 2024-'25 Kawasaki KX450, here are a few clues and tips to make the most your issues go away
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This is a classic example of all that can go wrong with a hopped-up bike
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The Factory Edition KTM 250SXF is $1200 more than the stock 2024 KTM 250SXF, and the GasGas MC250F Factory Edition is almost $2000 over the 2024 MC250F price. Still, the extra money buys you the much-improved frame and a healthy list of…
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Why would an MXA test rider want a 2014 Yamaha YZ250 when he could just race MXA's 2024 YZ250? Read on
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As proven by the Husqvarna acquisition, the best economy-of-scale decision was to take the frames, engines, suspension, hubs, swingarm, throttle bodies, electronics and subframes from KTM, and wrap them in red plastic.
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For 2025, the KX250 ditched the KYB suspenders for Showa and followed many of the footsteps of its big brother (but not all)
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The Italians answered the call! Significant updates were made for 2025, addressing our complaints
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Plus there will be a Works Edition of both the CR250 and CRF450
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GasGas adds two new two-strokes to the lineup while the other five returning motocross models receive a facelift
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Beta has been around since 1905, and has remained family owned the entire time. Beta made two-stroke motocross bikes in the ’70s and ’80s, but since then Beta has focused on trials bikes and off-road bikes—until now.
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This is only the second time that Husqvarna has offered a 250cc Rockstar Edition. The big plus is that it is a souped-up version of the 2025 Husqvarna FC250 with lots of aftermarket goodies
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If someone gets to ride the champ's bike — it might as well be MXA
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Although no longer imported to the USA, TM had a colorful history under U.S. Importers Pete Vetrano and Ralf Schmidt
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If you’re looking for the best 125 to race the Amateur Nationals or 125 money classes, like the Pasha 125 Open races, the new-generation KTM 125SX isn’t ready for the big time yet
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The 2014 winner versus the 2014 loser rematch, but which is which & could you tell the difference
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KTM’s engineers did a very good job of addressing the bad things about the 2024 production KTM 450SXF and enhancing the good stuff. And, yes this is the 2025 model.
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One important caveat in the dream-bike scenario is that the bike cannot have a 450cc four-stroke engine. Why would it? Four-strokes are readily available and thus not dreamy enough.
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A special kit designed in 2000 to transform a CR250 motocross bike into a freestyle bike. First step, buy a hacksaw
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Thankfully KTM picked up the two-stroke gauntlet thrown down by Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki and their efforts kept the two-stroke alive
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If there are no cam, valve, piston, throttle body, fuel pump or crank differences between the FC350, MC350F and 350SXF. Why do all three engines run so differently on the track? The answer lies in four simple parts.
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In 2004 Kawasaki had just launched its all-new KX250F. The team offered the four-stroke to James, and he tried it during the pre-season. He decided to stay with the KX125 two-stroke instead
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This isn't the economy model — this is the full pop version of YZ250F National-ready machinery
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