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15458
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12/28/2008
Location
Wildomar, CA
US
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45th
Edited Date/Time
1/15/2018 3:43am
Hello all! This year we really wanted to open up our eyes and ears by taking on your questions about Vital MX's 2018 250 Shootout. Pretty simple in here, if you have a question about the test itself, fire away. If you have a question to a specific test rider about their opinions, I'm here of course (Michael Lindsay) but I'm in Italy all week so excuse me if my responses are lagged or at weird hours. Shelby Paget and Joe Carlino are regulars on the forum as well, while the other testers (Matix Soto, Chris Hay, Zach Peddie, and Kusti Malloninen) they're but a text away for me. I can forward on those questions and see if I can wrangle up an answer.
Btw, here's the link to the article, in case you haven't seen it: http://www.vitalmx.com/features/2018-Vital-MX-250-Shootout,5636
Lastly, we're curious what you, the reader, think of the actual Shootout. Too long, just right, too short (I doubt that, ha)...and what the context in which we cover it. We appreciate any feedback you might have.
Btw, here's the link to the article, in case you haven't seen it: http://www.vitalmx.com/features/2018-Vital-MX-250-Shootout,5636
Lastly, we're curious what you, the reader, think of the actual Shootout. Too long, just right, too short (I doubt that, ha)...and what the context in which we cover it. We appreciate any feedback you might have.
Personally i like watching video versus reading text, you just get more emotion and feeling than plain text on a page. Plus im lazy lol
Although having a comparable engine design as the KTM, what would you say why the CRF is so far off of it on the dyno?
The Shop
Very surprised that the CRF250 was able to rank so high being the heaviest in class and down on the dyno charts so heavily. Goes to show how important a strong top end is in that class, along with proper balance and comfort.
So i was wondering if anyone could give me a small, direct comparison between those two bikes? Like what one does better than the other and vice versa?
I read through the whole shootout (great work @ML by the way), but i couldnt really find the specific answers i am looking for.
Thanks in advance
Edit: ML, where in italy are you going to go? Doing some riding?
Looking just at the dyno numbers, it's a disappointment. Sadly one cannot see how easy the rpms rise, that seems to be the defining character of that bike.
Same with the KTM and Husky, they look almost identical yet build power different.
I'm 45 years old, 6'2" & 225lbs
250F's really are an option for me as they don't tire me out as fast.
My biggest question is always rider compartment size.
EVERYTHING else (motor & suspension) can be fixed but rider compartment can only be massaged by lowered pegs, bars, clamps & seat foam.
I'd like to see some 6'2" up to 6'4" guys in a capacity tests to give a more rounded result.
Pit Row
And since you are testing for the masses who actually buy bikes, why no 2 strokes in the mix? After all, they are in the same class everywhere but the pro ranks here.
Perhaps other tester would like to chirp in with their thoughts also, feel free:
Do you think people that ride and like the traits of the previous model (17), would jump on the new model and like it, or do the differences translate into a totally different feeling bike (generalising)?
you kinda touched on that saying you rode the 17model back to back with the 18 and they were so different.
You mentioned the new model doesn't quite handle the tight stuff as well as its predecessor. In your opinion, what changes have contributed to this?
Does the new model feel as light and nimble as the previous bike on the dirt?
Thanks.
My concern with going up too far with the rear sprocket is that you will it make you have to shift more often? I asked the Honda mechanics at the test and they are starting to try other combinations.
The Kawasaki is a smaller feeling bike, easy to get off the back of...the KTM is a little tall in comparison, but still comfy in the saddle for a smaller rider. But you will feel like you're a bit higher up off the ground.
The KTM's stock suspension is much more active feeling than what the Kawasaki has, which is more dead and planted at times...but can also beat the crap out of you in repeated chop. The KTM handles repeated hits much more consistently.
Brakes on the Kawasaki are pretty strong since they went to the 270mm front rotor, but they're kind of grabby...the KTM has a longer front brake lever pull but is so much more progressive and usable.
I can take or leave hydraulic clutches, cable clutches have a bit more feel in my opinion.
Anything more direct you'd like to know about?
I'm here for the EICMA show, the world's largest motorcycle expo.
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