#250cc

Valentino Rossi could complete the remarkable feat of riding the equivalent of a lap around the world this weekend at Jerez. Of all the things the nine-time MotoGP champion has accomplished over the years, riding around the world on a MotoGP bike is definitely unique (and surely painful at times!). But hearing this news got us thinking – how long has Rossi been racing at the world championship level, anyway? Think you know the answer? Then tell us what you think below.

New for the 2018 model year, Suzuki has released its quarter-liter sportbike, the GSX250R. Some may say Suzuki is a bit late to the game and ask: Why not a 300? In fact, everywhere I have ridden the GSX250R, fellow motorcycle enthusiasts have asked that question. Suzuki reps tiptoed around that elephant in the room and were quick to mention performance isn’t the main selling point with 250cc motorcycles, even to the point of not providing horsepower or torque numbers. They insisted price, style, practicality, and ease of ownership are where customers are making decisions when purchasing these bikes.

When I was invited to the 2018 Suzuki GSX250R introduction I had mixed feelings. I have only owned one personal motorcycle under 995cc. Small bikes just aren’t really my thing. While I have plenty of reasons for my bias, I was willing to go into this bike launch with an open mind and I am glad I did. This lightweight bike was tons of fun.

CSC is quickly expanding its model range. In late 2014 we tested the 250cc adventure-touring RX3 Cyclone, and gave it a favorable review. A year later CSC announced the dual-sport TT250. We’re still waiting to see the TT250 in the flesh, but have been told it shouldn’t be much longer. Today, CSC announced a third 250cc motorcycle, the very sporty looking RC3.

Things don’t change very often in 250cc cruiser land, but that doesn’t make the players any less important for a newer rider looking for something other than a 250cc sporty-type bike. And so, we decided to conduct a MO shootout. While we attempted to gather all three of the models currently in production, the Honda Rebel wasn’t available. When a bike has been unchanged for as many years as the Rebel, there’s no incentive for a manufacturer to incur the expense of putting one in the media pool. So, despite their best efforts to scare one up from other departments within American Honda, it wasn’t possible. Without the 250cc parallel-Twin, this shootout became a battle of the quarter-liter V-Twins. That’s okay. The Hyosung GV250 Aquila ($3,999) and the Star V Star 250 ($4,340) both have enough to offer to make this an interesting experience.