Growing up, 250cc two-stroke motocross models played a huge part in my racing career. The 250cc two-stroke class was regarded as the premier class and more often than not the fastest racers at everything from World Enduro to World MX were riding a 250cc two-stroke. As soon as I was sixteen and old enough to race one myself, I jumped at the chance. Now, over 35 years later I also find myself jumping at the chance to test this 2024 GASGAS MC250.
From the first moment I got the chance to race one in 1998, the 250cc motocross two-stroke did not really receive many technology updates. As the years ticked over, small things like ignitions, compression ratios, frame designs and carburettors all got refined and updated but that was about it. Luckily for two-stroke fans, like myself GASGAS also saw value in the two-stroke motocross machine and have given their 2024 GASGAS MC250 a very large list of updates for 2024.
Starting with the most significant update GASGAS chose to drop the carburettor that has been feeding the 250cc two-stroke engine for decades and replaced it with a far more technically advanced EFI Keihin throttle body system. GASGAS didn’t stop there either as there is a huge list of updated features and parts.
The bodywork is all new and fully redesigned from front to back, to give better grip and feel as you get on the throttle. New Neken handlebars are clamped into redesigned bar mounts, which are less resistant to twisting. A new generation frame has taken the best traits from the old frame and combined them with anti-squat technology behaviour for maximum traction. The all-aluminium subframe is new and designed to centralise mass.
New forged triple clamps offer calculated flex thanks to a more forgiving steering stem. The 48mm WP XACT fork has a revised setting to work with the new frame and the redesigned WP XACT rear shock is shorter and lighter while still offering the same 300mm of travel. On top of dropping the carburettor the engine has received an electronic exhaust control system.
Having so many fond memories of racing and winning on 250cc two-strokes I made sure the first motocross model at the GASGAS launch in Italy I jumped on was of course the MC250. I have never found it hard or difficult in any way to kick start a 250cc two-stroke so when I only had to press the electric starter button on the 2024 GASGAS MC250 to fire it into life, I felt like I was being lazy.
It is no secret that when KTM switched their two-stroke EXC range from carburettors to the EFI TPI system they lost a few peak horsepower and the power mellowed out. This is generally the opposite to what you want on a motocross engine so jumping onto what is GASGAS’ first attempt at a EFI motocross two-stroke I was reluctant as to what they had done. Straight away it was evident that the ergonomics of this new model has it feeling very seamless and roomy, the seat has a flatter profile that makes movement forward and rear easier, the handlebar seat foot peg triangle also give the bike more room and that will be a plus for riders taller than my 178cm.
The motocross test track we had access to in Italy was nice and safe with most jumps being tabletops, however the undulations made it quite a physical track to ride. Once I got a feel for the track and felt comfortable sailing up and down some of the blind jumps, I decided to let the MC250 rip. Straight up I was very surprised with the feel and power. I feel the MY24 MC250 has gained power over its previous carburetted version unlike other enduro two-stroke models when they went to EFI and lost power.
From the instant you crack the throttle it responds instantly and builds revs as fast as you like, and continues to build power further than most riders will dare to rev it. The exhaust note it produces is what I grew up listening too, it sounds like a factory 250 being warmed up at a round of the Australian Motocross Championship.
What I liked most about this engine was its versatility in the way it could be ridden. I was most at home short shifting the gears and riding it in the low to midrange of the revs, but the few times I rode it like a young motocross rider would and revved it to the moon, it was also very comfortable in doing so.
Handling wise, this bike easily put the biggest smile on my face out of all the motocross models. The shock had quite a forgiving comfortable action that made launching big tabletops and entering choppy corners effortless. At first the anti-squat technology GASGAS has introduced took me a bit of getting use to as it felt weird exiting corners and not feeling the rear end squat. Once I got used to it I made the most of being able to get on the noise harder exiting corners for this exact reason.
Up front the WP air fork never did anything wrong however it felt a tad harsh for my overall liking. It was great on big hard landings as it never went close to bottoming, but on the high-speed small, choppy bumps it didn’t absorb everything as much as I would like.
Picking lines on this bike is where everything got exciting, thanks to the super light and responsive feel. I found it possible to get onto lines that I had no chance at getting to on a four stroke. This meant I could chase the smoothest lines and carry more speed into tricky sections. This trait alone would make it right at home on a technical tricky track.
GASGAS has also gone with a new Braktec system at both ends on this bike. From what the GASGAS technicians said at the launch about Brembo owning a percentage of Braktec definitely shows as the new Braktec worked flawlessly at both ends. I also like the lever profile the best of these Braktec levers over anything I have ever used.
Overall it was quite exciting to ride this new 2024 GASGAS MC250, it would have been easy to think that two-stroke motocross machines were on the way out technical advancement wise but riding this weapon and feeling the steps forward that GASGAS has made gives me hope that the MX 250cc two-stroke still has plenty of life in in yet.
WHAT I’D CHANGE
The bike we rode had the GASGAS technical accessories map switch fitted, so I got to test this bike in both the standard and more aggressive green map and both were very affective. I liked the standard map the best where the ground was hard packed or slippery. When it was sandy or traction was not a issue the more powerful green map was definitely the better option as it made the power more zippy. The first mod I would make is to add this map switch.
Even though I had so much fun riding this bike in technical, rough terrain I would still look at changing the action of the WP air fork. Most likely I would just switch it over for a WP spring conversion to get a more consistent settled feel. Other than that, this bike is ready to tackle all kinds of races and keep me smiling the whole time.
2024 GASGAS MC250
ENGINE
Type Liquid-cooled two-stroke
Displacement 249cm3
Bore & stroke 66mm x 72mm
Compression ratio N/A
Fuel metering Fuel injection Keihin throttle body 39mm
Tank capacity 7.9L
Transmission Five speed
Clutch Wet, DDS multi-disc Braktec hydraulics
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 1493mm
Seat height 956mm
Ground clearance 354mm
Claimed Weight 100.1kg (dry)
SUSPENSION
FRONT 48mm WP XACT-USD, 310mm travel
REAR WP XACT with Monoshock linkage, 300mm travel
BRAKES
Front 260mm hydraulic disc
Rear 220mm hydraulic disc
RUNNING GEAR
Front tyre Maxxis 80/100-21
Rear tyre Maxxis 120/90-19
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP Ride away $13,534
BROWSER www.GASGAS.com
Warranty Six months
WORDS BEN GRABHAM
PHOTOS SEBAS ROMERO
