MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023-1/2 GASGAS MC250F FACTORY EDITION

THE GEAR: Jersey: Moose Racing Qualifier, Pants: Moose Racing Qualifier, Helmet: 6D ATR-2, Goggles: Viral Brand Signature Series, Boots: Sidi Atojo.

Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2023-1/2 GASGAS MC250F FACTORY EDITION BETTER THAN THE 2023 GASGAS MC250F?

A: Yes, as a whole, the bike is better, but it’s not necessarily better for everyone. The 2021–2023 GasGas models will always hold a special place in our test riders’ hearts because of how easy they were to ride. They were dummy-proof when it came to finding comfort on the track, while the new-generation Austrian bikes are more finicky.

Q: IS THE 2023-1/2 GASGAS MC250F FACTORY EDITION JUST A RED KTM?

A: When KTM and Husqvarna jumped to all-new bikes in the 2023 season, GasGas stayed behind for one more model year, continuing to produce bikes using the 2022 KTM platform. Now, GasGas has jumped back in line with KTM and Husky for their 2023-1/2 Factory Editions and 2024 bikes. 

So, is it a red KTM? Technically, no. It has its own VIN number, it has a different sub-frame and its own unique bodywork. However, because it’s a “Factory Edition” and because they only produced 400 units of this MC250F to meet the AMA homologation rules, the pencil pushers at GasGas decided to put KTM suspension on this bike. 

Q: WHY DIDN’T KTM AND HUSQVARNA MAKE FACTORY EDITION 250F MODELS THIS YEAR?

A: Because of the rules mentioned, GasGas needed to build and offer at least 400 MC250F Factory Edition bikes for sale so that the factory GasGas riders—Michael Mosiman and Pierce Brown—could race the new bikes in AMA Supercross. However, since KTM and Husqvarna already have the new-generation bike, and they weren’t making any major changes to it for 2024, Factory Edition 250s weren’t needed to meet any AMA homologation rules. 

KTM and Husky still made 2023-1/2 450SXF Factory Edition four-strokes, because they are hot-ticket items that sell quickly, but the 250 four-strokes don’t carry that same weight. Thus, GasGas was the only Austrian brand with both 250 and 450 four-stroke Factory Edition models. The Factory Edition looks sharp with the Red Bull graphics.

Q: WHAT DIFFERENTIATES THE 2023-1/2 GASGAS MC250F FACTORY EDITION FROM THE 2023 GASGAS MC250F?

A: Compared to last year’s GasGas, the 2023-1/2 GasGas MC250F is wildly different. Here’s a quick run-through of the most notable updates. 

(1) Engine. It has a new engine with a bigger bore and shorter stroke than before (up from 78.0mm by 52.3mm to 81mm by 48.5mm), and the engine is 8mm shorter. Plus, to centralize mass and reduce chain torque, the engine was tilted 2 degrees backward and the countershaft sprocket is now 3mm lower. Additionally, the compression ratio was upped from 14.4:1 to 14.5:1.

(2) Exhaust. The GasGas Factory Edition comes with a KTM head pipe/mid-pipe and an Akrapovic muffler. The stock GasGas exhaust does not have a resonance chamber like this one, and it has a stock muffler. 

(3) Frame. The chromoly steel frame and aluminum/injection-molded polyamide carbon sub-frame are new. The frame’s backbone and top shock mount aren’t connected anymore. The forged shock towers connects to the downward frame spars to help absorb the energy transferred from the rear shock. The steering head has also been reinforced with forged plates for improved strength and rigidity. 

(4) Swingarm. The 2023-1/2 GasGas MC250F also received a stiffer die-cast aluminum swingarm. And, to add traction, the rear axle was downsized to 22mm.

(5) Electronics. The stock 2023 GasGas MC250F came with the same electronics as KTM, only it didn’t have a map switch to access Map 2 and traction control. This Factory Edition has all-new electronics, with the map switch, QuickShift and hour meter. 

(6) Suspension. The GasGas gained an all-new WP rear shock and updated WP front forks. It matches the 2023 KTM 250SXF components, only with slightly different internals. The fork and shock valving are technically the same as the 2024 KTM 250SXF setting. It’s stiffer and more racy than the 2024 GasGas suspension will be. 

(7) Cosmetics. The GasGas Factory Edition has its own unique plastic kit, completely different from last year and different from KTM and Husqvarna. It requires its own fuel tank and sub-frame for the plastics to mount up correctly. It also has Troy Lee Design’s Red Bull GasGas team graphics and a red plastic fuel tank cover that surrounds the fuel cap.  

(8) Seat. The GasGas Factory Edition has a two-tone red/blue gripper seat cover to match the TLD graphics. It also is mounted with a small 8mm bolt, which is accessed by removing the airbox cover/side number panel. Because of the red fuel-tank cover mentioned above, the seat bolt can’t be mounted at the front of the seat, like it is on the white and orange bikes. Additionally, the GasGas seat base is also uniquely different from the KTM and Husky seat bases. 

(9) Wheels. The GasGas Factory Edition wheels feature red-anodized, CNC-machined factory hubs laced to black D.I.D DirtStar rims (with a cross-three spoke pattern on the front wheel). The MC250F Factory Edition comes with Dunlop MX33 tires, while the stock GasGas MC250F has Maxxis Maxxcross tires on silver-anodized hubs laced to silver Excel rims.

(10) Triple clamps. The red-anodized, split-design Factory triple clamps offer adjustable offset (20mm or 22mm). The production GasGas MC250F comes stock with forged-aluminum triple clamps that are neither split nor adjustable.

(11) Clutch cover. Although there are no Hinson parts inside the GasGas Factory Edition engine, there is a Hinson clutch cover that is engraved with the GasGas Racing logo. 

(12) Miscellaneous. The GasGas Factory Edition comes with a holeshot device, black Neken handlebars, gray ODI grips, a semi-floating front brake rotor, Power Parts polyamide composite skid plate, Power Parts Factory front rotor guard and a larger crossbar pad.

(13) Price. It has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $10,999, while the stock 2023 GasGas MC250F retails for $9199.

Q: HOW DOES THE GASGAS MC250F FACTORY EDITION RUN ON THE TRACK?

A: Because GasGas uses KTM’s engines, the MC250Fs have been blessed with great 44-horsepower engines; however, you have had to rev them to the moon to access all of the horsepower. “The moon” on this new bike is 13,700 rpm. The Austrian engineers have tried hard to create more bottom end (hence the bigger bore, shorter stroke and increased compression), but this new model still needs to be revved. The low-to-mid range is improved, but we thought there would be more. Instead of hitting harder down low, the 2023-1/2 GasGas MC250F has a very similar powerband to the stock 2023 model from off idle all the way to 9500 rpm. There is a small difference that fluctuates between only 3/10ths to 1/2 of a horsepower over last year’s bike up until 9500 rpm; however, the new engine kicks in another gear after 9500 rpm and pulls a full horsepower ahead of the 2023 bike at sign-off. On the dyno, the new engine showed 44.4 as its peak horsepower number.

Our test riders preferred Map 2 (the green map). It was more exciting, more aggressive and snappier off the bottom end. The Austrians wanted a bigger difference between maps for 2023, and we’re happy to say that they achieved it. However, we barely used the TC (traction control) button. The TC map detunes the engine too much, and it makes the bike run horribly.

Q: WHAT’S NEW ON THE 2023-1/2 GASGAS MC250F FACTORY EDITION FORKS AND SHOCK?

A: The forks and shock on the MC250F Factory Edition are a carbon copy of the 2024 KTM 250SXF production forks and shock, which will have different valving when compared to the 2024 GasGas MC250F. WP felt that their clickers offered too wide of a range of adjustments on the 2023 KTM/Husky bikes. They reworked the forks and shock for the 2023-1/2 Factory Editions with the goal of increasing comfort and adjustability. WP tried to make the suspension less sensitive to changes, so riders wouldn’t stray too far from the intended manufacturer settings.

(1) Forks. WP says they made “minor refinements” to the compression shim stack in the mid-valve to make the damping feel more fluid and comfortable. They did not touch the rebound side of the fork’s damping. The recommended air pressure and clicker settings are still the same as the 2023 KTM 250SXF as well.

(2) Shock. On the new WP shock, the high-speed compression damping settings were updated. WP’s goal was to get the high-speed compression dial to make smaller adjustments per dial movement. Now, each change has been reduced by 50 percent. This allows the rider to fine-tune the compression changes in much smaller increments. On last year’s shock, it was easy to go too far with each adjustment; now, it’ll be easier to find your favorite setting.

Q: HOW DOES THE 2023-1/2 GASGAS MC250F HANDLE?

A: The new GasGas MC250F is stable in rough straightaways, and it soaks up the sharp braking bumps well. Riding it back to back against the stock 2023 GasGas MC250F, this bike is much stiffer, and the suspension holds up a lot more. Our testers loved the resilient chromoly steel frame and the plush suspension of the previous GasGas models, and it took some time to get used to this new-generation chassis. 

The stock 2023 GasGas suspension is tailor-made for Novices and Vet riders with a lighter 42 N/mm shock spring and lighter valving front and rear, but the 2023-1/2 GasGas MC250F Factory Edition has a 45 N/mm spring on the shock and stiffer valving for more hold-up. Plus, the new geometry of the frame, swingarm, sub-frame and WP shock also create a taller ride height as well. This frame was designed to squat less under acceleration, which makes the seat ride much higher around the track, with less pitching front to rear. Our testers didn’t like the taller seat height at first, but now we’ve realized the added straight-line stability benefits that come with it.

The new GasGas engine is new to GasGas, but it is the exact same fuel injected engine as  the the 2023-2024 KTM and Husqvarna engine.

Q: WHY DID GASGAS FOLLOW KTM’S FOOTSTEPS? 

A: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we wish GasGas would’ve kept the old bike. It was a genius idea for GasGas to stick with the same platform in 2023, while KTM and Husky went all new. Many KTM and Husqvarna privateer riders switched to GasGas for the 2023 season, just because they knew the bike worked well and they wouldn’t have to get rid of their souped-up engines or A-kit suspension. With KTM and Husky working out their first-year kinks, riders had the ability to buy the tried-and-true Austrian platform in the GasGas.

Yes, it took some time, but eventually, our test riders got on board with the new Austrian platform and began to see the benefits of it. However, there are already two brands—KTM and Husky—on this same basic bike. Why couldn’t GasGas go off on its own path? Of course, it’ll never happen. It’s far more cost-effective for the Pierer Mobility Group to platform-share the same basic bike three different times, due to the economy of scale. And, we sympathize with KTM, too, when they say, “Why would we intentionally hurt GasGas riders by not offering them the latest and greatest?” To that, we respond with a request for a budget bike. Sure, it might not be the newest technology, but it would have a more affordable price point for riders getting into the sport. We can only dream.

The GasGas MC250F Factory Edition comes with updated 2024 XACT air forks.

Q: WHAT DID WE HATE?

A: The hate list:

(1) Weight. The new 2023-1/2 GasGas MC250F is considerably heavier than the standard 2023 model, which was the lightest bike in the class at 217 pounds. Now, it weighs in at 224.

(2) Seat height. The 2023-1/2 GasGas Factory Edition is taller than the 2023 MC250F.

(3) Push buttons. The push buttons for the electric starter and kill switch, along with the buttons for the maps, are difficult to press. Also, if you get the start/stop switchgear wet, it can short out the ECU. We never spray the start/stop button when cleaning our new-generation Austrian bikes.

(4) Chain slack. The GasGas Factory Edition’s chain slack should be measured at 65 to 70mm at the rear of the swingarm buffer pad. Works Connection just came out with a new gauge to easily check slack.

(5) Buffer pad. Where the chain bends downward onto the countershaft sprocket, it will eat through the swingarm buffer pad in 20 hours. Watch it closely, because after it eats through the buffer, it starts eating through the swingarm.

(6) Airbox cover. The new ultra-long GasGas airbox cover/side number panel reminds us of the Husqvarna airbox covers of 2016–2018. The cover doesn’t fit very well, and it has fallen off our test bikes on the track. Thankfully, GasGas knows this, and the 2024 GasGas side panels are stronger.

(7) Break-in. We’ve complained about the long break-in period required on the newer Austrian 450 four-strokes due to the more rigid frame. It’s still on the dislike list for this bike, but the 250Fs haven’t been as difficult as the 450s to break in.

The Akrapovic muffler lasts forever.

Q: WHAT DID WE LIKE?

A: The like list:

(1) Chain torque. GasGas moved the countershaft sprocket down 3mm to reduce rear-end squat under full power. This is most noticeable in whoops, consecutive bumps and under hard acceleration in a rut. 

(2) Frame backbone. The 2023-1/2 GasGas MC250F Factory Edition’s frame backbone and shock tower have been separated to reduce the effect of square-edge bumps and whoops.

(3) Airbox. The GasGas comes with a Twin Air filter, and it is ultra-easy to install. 

(4) Crossbar pad. The 2023 crossbar pad was tiny. Thankfully, they put a real one on the Factory Edition. 

(5) Brembo. We can’t get enough of the Brembo brakes and Brembo slave cylinder for the hydraulic clutch. 

(6) Aesthetics. The bodywork took some time to get used to, but we always love the GasGas’ cherry red frame. 

You won’t find an hour meter on the 2024 GasGas models—juts on the Factory Edition.

Q: WHAT DO WE REALLY THINK? 

A: Overall, the 2023-1/2 GasGas MC250F Factory Edition is a lot of fun to ride and race. Sure, we wish that KTM would let GasGas split off and do its own thing, but that’s just a pipe dream. We also wish that the AMA wouldn’t have killed the two-stroke and that Carlsbad Raceway wouldn’t have shut down—no cigar. 

The MC250F Factory Edition offers a preview of the 2024 GasGas MC250F, only that bike won’t have the factory triple clamps, wheels, map switch, Akrapovic muffler, gripper seat cover, red fuel tank cover, holeshot device or graphics. But, thankfully, the 2024 GasGas MC250F will have its own suspension settings to set it apart from its KTM and Husqvarna brethren. 

The 2023-1/2 Factory Edition MC250F is a preview of the 2024 model with aftermarket parts.

MXA’S 2023-1/2 GASGAS MC250F FACTORY EDITION SETUP SPECS

This is how we set up our 2023-1/2 GasGas Factory Edition suspension for racing. We offer it as a guide to help you find your own sweet spot.

WP AER FORK SETTINGS
These GasGas MC250F Factory Edition WP XACT air forks are stiffer than the 2023 and 2024 GasGas forks because they are Factory Edition forks and are only made in a small quantity (so they copied the KTM setting). Our test riders like the WP air forks, but you have to be diligent to check the air pressure and bleed the air screws each day that you ride. For hardcore racing, we recommend this fork setup for an average rider on the 2023-1/2 GasGas MC250F Factory Edition:
Spring rate: 10.7 bar (155 psi), but vet and novice racers often run as little as 140 psi.
Compression: 12 clicks out
Rebound: 18 clicks out
Fork-leg height: Second line
Notes: Like the frame, the forks need time to break in. At least put five hours on the WP XACT air forks before sending them to your local tuner and installing a spring conversion kit. 

WP SHOCK SETTINGS
Most MXA test riders like the overall feel of the WP rear shock, but WP did make some technical changes to the 2023-1/2 Factory Edition shock to make high-speed compression damping less finicky. We run the low-speed compression on 12 clicks out, the high-speed compression 1-1/2 turns out, the rebound on 14 clicks out, and set the sag at 105mm. For hardcore racing, we recommend this shock setup for the 2023-1/2 GasGas MC250F Factory Edition:
Spring rate: 45 N/mm
Race sag: 105mm
Hi-compression: 1-1/2 turns out
Lo-compression: 12 clicks out
Rebound: 14 clicks out
Notes: The rear end rides much higher with the new chassis than it did on previous GasGas models. Still, set the “race sag” to 105mm and, once that’s set, make sure your static sag is within 30–40mm. If it’s lower than 30mm, you might need a stiffer spring. If static sag is higher than 40mm, you might need a softer spring rate.

 

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