MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2025 GASGAS MC350F

Unlike a lot of 2025 bikes, the GasGas MC350F powerband is incredibly manageable, broad, and fun, fun, fun to race.

Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2025 GASGAS MC350F BETTER THAN THE 2024 MC350F?

A: Yes and no. GasGas made several upgrades on the 2024 model, which took some the firepower out of the release of the 2025 version, but there are evolutionary improvements.

To access the air filter, you have to remove the complete left-side panel (from the radiator to the rear fender).

Q: HOW DID THE SPANISH BRAND END UP IN AUSTRIA?

A: GasGas, founded in 1985, was a small Spanish motorcycle brand that specialized in two-stroke trials bikes and eventually enduro models. They did not make motocross models. However, over the last two decades, GasGas had fallen on hard times and briefly changed hands to a series of new owners, but they were always on the brink of bankruptcy no matter who owned them. 

Finally, in 2019, GasGas’ last bailout company, Black Toro Capital, went looking for a potential buyer. That is when KTM owner Stefan Pierer stepped in to buy the Spanish brand—actually, only its name. This followed Stefan Pierer’s purchase of the Husqvarna brand name from BMW in 2013 when then-owner BMW decided to wash their hands from manufacturing off-road motorcycles.

The best economy-of-scale decision for GasGas was to duplicate the existing KTM frames, engines, suspension, hubs, swingarm, throttle bodies, transmissions, electronics and subframes—and wrap the end product in red plastic. This is called “platform sharing” and is common practice in the automobile world and even between models at most motorcycle brands. Need examples? Virtually every Honda CRF250 is based on most of the components from the existing CRF450 big brother, and the same holds true for the Kawasaki KX250, Yamaha YZ250F and Suzuki RM-Z250. Additionally, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki off-road bikes are not stand-alone products; they are in-house motocross bikes that are modified with 18-inch rear wheels, larger gas tanks, softer suspension and different gear ratios.

There is no resonance chamber on the GasGas exhaust pipe, but it doesn’t seem to affect peak horsepower.

Q: IS GASGAS IN A PRICE WAR AGAINST THEMSELVES?

A: When first introduced for the 2021 season, it was no secret that by taking advantage of KTM’s large parts inventory, a GasGas motocross bike could be produced much quicker and cheaper by utilizing KTM’s ready-made stockpile of frames, engines, wheels, and suspension components that had already gone through R&D and endurance testing. 

The GasGas’ marketing plan was simple—buyers could get 90 percent of a KTM for the same price as the “Big Four” brands. For example, the 2021 GasGas price was set at $9399, which was right in the ballpark of the 2021 Honda CRF450 and Yamaha YZ450F, $200 less than a Kawasaki KX450, $700 less than a KTM 450SXF and $800 less than a Husky FC450. Of course, compromises had to be made on the production line to hold the price, but those were limited to the map switch, exhaust system, tires and forged triple clamps. GasGas was originally priced to steal customers away from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki. 

But GasGas’ parent company couldn’t hold the price. By 2023, the MSRP of the GasGas MC350F jumped up to $10,199, and by 2025, the price jumped to $10,499. That is an $1100 price increase over five model years. Worst of all, Honda only raised the MSRP of the CRF450 by $100 from 2021 to 2025. GasGas was no longer worthy competition at the cash register against the CRF450 ($9699), YZ450 ($9999) or RM-Z450 ($9299). It was only competitive, price-wise, against the 2025 Kawasaki KX450 ($10,499). In short, GasGas ended up in a sales war against the KTM 350SXF and Husqvarna FC350, but was still hamstrung with some low-cost components.

In a strange twist, GasGas ends up in a sales war against the KTM 350SXF and Husqvarna FC350, but is still hamstrung by some low-cost components.

Q: HOW DOES THE 2025 GASGAS MC350F RUN ON THE TRACK?

A: The 2025 GasGas MC350F may have started life as an entry-level budget version of the upscale KTM 350SXF, but it is a friendlier version. The 2025 GasGas MC350F pumps out as much horsepower as a 2025 Honda CRF450, but with the ability to keep revving into the stratosphere. 

A motocross engine can only make horsepower three ways: (1) Increased compression, which enhances mid but hurts top; (2) larger displacement, which ups the overall powerband but can gets brutish; or (3) more rpm, which borrows from the bottom to add to the top. Given that the 2025 GasGas only has one map, and it is the mellow map, it is forced to build its power at an unbelievably progressive rate from 8000 rpm to its peak at 13,4000 rpm. 

Thankfully, GasGas took a page from the gearing that local racers have embraced from day one on the original orange 350s—they have gone to larger rear sprockets on the rear. The GasGas MC350F comes stock with a 52-tooth rear sprocket, which makes it hit harder off the bottom, broader in the middle and yet still offers enough rev to pull big numbers. It has great throttle response without violence, amazing midrange drive, and plentiful over-rev that is there and never seems to sign off.

MXA’s advice to all first-time MC350F riders is, “Don’t shift.” Peak horsepower is way, way, way up on top, so shifting early is the same as giving up horsepower. Wait for the rev limiter to kick in, and then wait another beat before shifting.

The easiest way to fine-tune the MC350F’s cornering or stability is by sliding the forks up or down in the forged triple clamps.

Q: HOW DOES THE 2025 GASGAS MC350F HANDLE?

A: For some reason, as a group, the MXA test riders love the GasGas MC350’s handling. The 2025 GasGas MC350F chassis is not a one-trick pony. The total envelope is all-encompassing perfection. It turns in without a hint of oversteer, doesn’t head-shake at speed and feels supremely connected to the ground. In large part, this is due to the fact that GasGas has backed off on the softer suspension settings that they had from 2021 to 2024. The 2025 fork-damping specs are just a  hair’s breadth softer than KTM’s OEM 2025 settings. By going a little stiffer than their previous damping, the front end exhibits more hold-up in tight corners and big hits. 

Unlike the current crop of Japanese bikes, who have co-opted traditional Suzuki handling, which is short-hand for steeper head angles and introduces a tad of oversteer and a boatload of high-speed instability, the 2025 GasGas MC350 has an organic frame geometry, which exhibits built-in stability, ease of use, and an almost rhythmic tempo from corner to corner.

All the GasGas models get the more resilient shock linkage arms.

IS THE 2025 MC350F COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONNECTIVITY UNIT?

A: Yes, but as it sits on the showroom floor, the MC350F is the least electronically controlled bike on the track. It comes stock with only one map choice. Although its ECU has launch control, traction control, Quickshift and the aggressive map already embedded, the GasGas needs the missing $180 PowerParts map switch to access the added features. You have to buy the switch separately, while the Husqvarna FC350 and KTM 350SXF come with the map switch already installed.

There are two levels of electronic wizardry above and beyond the missing map switch. First, GasGas offers the Connectivity Unit Offroad (CUO) for $249.99. It enables a wide range of engine updates, mapping tools and lots of snazzy features that are fun to play with but aren’t necessarily necessary. 

Additionally, owners of the 2025 GasGas MC350F can access GPS-derived data about top speed, average speed, gear selection, acceleration, deceleration, average speed, G-forces, air-time, jump height, gear selection, rpm, throttle position, water temperature and traction control. Best of all, LitPro can use its front fender-mounted GPS unit to map the track you are riding on and play back the lines you use on every lap. However, LitPro requires you to subscribe to its service for $69.99 a year from Apple’s App Store and Google Play. You can also order the special LitPro-compatible front fender that the GPS unit fits on from your local GasGas dealer. 

Since neither the GasGas Connectivity Unit, GPS-ready front fender, LitPro feature or the basic map switch come stock on the 2025 GasGas MC350F, you might as well add the $250 Connectivity Unit, LitPro’s $69.99-a-year subscription, $180 map switch and the special Connectivity Unit fender to the actual sales price. The total comes to an over $500 upcharge. This makes the $10,299 base price jump up to $10,799.

Is it worth it? The map switch is worth it, but the rest of the e-stuff is mostly a play toy for people with too much spare time on their hands. The MXA test riders only use two features from the Connectivity Unit: (1) The most common is the setting that can increase or decrease engine braking. (2) The second feature is the map tool to increase the rate of acceleration. The rest of it an experienced rider can live without. 

The front and rear brake systems are by BrakTec, a subsidiary of Brembo. They have improved pucker power for 2025but lack modulation. Additionally, they are subject to recalls.

Q: WHAT DID WE HATE?

A: The hate list:

(1) Gas cap. The gas cap sticks—sometimes to the extent that you can’t get it off at the gas station.

(2) Radiator cap. The plastic radiator cap is a pain to remove. Nihilo Concepts makes a removal tool to make it easier.

(3) Plastic fitment. The stock red plastic fits like a set of baggy jeans.

The right-side panel covers up access to the low- and high-speed compression clickers. What is the point of having shock clickers that can be adjusted by hand if you can barely get your hand on them?

(4) Shock clicker access. We like the no-tools suspension clickers, but we don’t understand, why the designers would cover up the majority of the clickers with  the number plate.

The front brake master cylinder and lever are different from the ones on KTM and Husky.

(5) Brakes. The 2025 GasGas uses BrakTec brakes, levers and clutch slave unit. They are manufactured by Brembo and have vastly improved pucker power but lack modulation, but have been subjected to recalls.

(6) Start/stop buttons. If you don’t like having the kill button on the right side of the handlebars, Nihilo Concepts and Ride Engineering make separate start and stop buttons that retro-fit, so the kill button will be on the traditional left side of the handlebars.

(7) Chain slack. On the 2025 GasGas MC350F, you need 70mm of chain slack. That translates into four fingers under the chain at the back of the buffer pad. Yes, we know that you have always used three fingers to check your chain tension. The chain is not right if it doesn’t look too loose.

(8) Finding neutral. Getting the transmission into neutral on the starting line is very hard. It resists being snicked into gear. Our solution is to rev the engine with the clutch pulled in, and when the rpm peaks, we shift into neutral before the rpm drops.

(9) Spokes. GasGas’ spokes come loose all the time. If you don’t want to check all the spokes, be sure to check the spokes closest to the rear rim lock; if those spokes are loose, you need to tighten all the spokes.

(10) Handlebars. The 2025 handlebars are 12mm taller than KTM’s bars. They take a while to get used to, but not more time than it takes to replace them with a lower bend.

Q: WHAT DID WE LIKE?

A: The like list:

(1) No-tools clickers. It’s nice that you can adjust the WP shock and forks without ever using a tool. It would be helpful if the right-side panel didn’t hinder access to the shock clickers. The fork clicker could use slightly longer adjustment arms to make it easier for them to be clicked with gloves on.

(2) Frame guards. Most MXA test riders like GasGas’ fancy black frame guards, but we have test riders who remove them because the thickness of the plastic pushes their feet outward (if you remove them, you will be surprised by how much narrower the bike feels at your boots).

(3) Shock collar. WP’s latest shock collar is much easier to use and more durable than it was in the past.

(4) Washing. We run Twin Air’s plastic airbox covers to avoid getting water in the engine when cleaning the bikes.

(5) Powerband. It is like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going and going. It has an incredibly broad powerband.

(6) Red rider. Everybody loves a red bike, but the red plastic pieces don’t fit very well, and they lean towards the ugly side of the equation.

(7) The overall package .The big news is that the 2025 chassis is a massive improvement. We also know that the 2025 GasGas would be better with Brembo brakes. Of course, we miss not having the map switch, which would give us access to both maps, launch control, traction control and Quick Shift, but we readily admit that we don’t like Quickshift and rarely run traction control. What we really wish is that if we are stuck with only one map, why isn’t it the aggressive map?

Q:WHAT DO WE REALLY THINK?

A:If you are trying to decide between buying a 250 four-stroke, 450 four-stroke or 250 two-stroke and can’t make up your mind, consider the 2025 GasGas MC350F. We firmly believe that the GasGas MC350F is the best all-around motocross bike made, as it bridges all the gaps.