GasGas has raised the bar in terms of two-stroke performance for 2024 and MotoOnline flew to Italy and Tested the next generation MC 125 and MC 250, which include exciting new features such as electronic fuel injection and an electric start, combined with an overhauled chassis and engine package.

Added key changes for 2024 include a high-performance Braktec brake system and hydraulic clutch, upgraded steel frames, new aluminium sub-frames and swingarms. Detailed provides a more extensive rundown of the updates for this year.

Like usual, I stuck with my plan of starting at the bottom (smallest capacity) and making my way up the range of bikes. I must say, being a two-stroke guy at heart, I was super-excited to rip the MC 125. There’s always something about stepping back down to a 125 that brings you so much joy.

My first outing on the MC 125 was on a freshly-watered track, so maybe not optimal riding conditions for a two-stroke, but what it did do was allow me to ride this bike in some heavier, muddier conditions, which was a blessing in disguise.

Image: Supplied.

One of the standout features of the 2024 MC range is the ability to switch between different mapping options with the touch of a button. Each bike has two maps to choose from – the white-coloured map makes the bike leaner and smoother, while the green, aggressive option provides a noticeable increase in power from the bottom-end.

With a fair amount of uphills at Citta di Castello, it was important to make sure you nailed your turns to maximise your drive for the run up the hill. Starting off in the white map, I was impressed at the power delivery, because it’s crazy how far they’ve come and how rideable they are in the low-range. If the white map was the only option available, I had no problems leaving it like that. I was happy.

Thanks to GasGas, there’s another option available. Being a little heavier than your typical 125 riders, I was curious to try this different map option, since the more power the better, right? Well, that couldn’t be any truer, as in switching to the green map, I could instantly feel a more responsive feel off the bottom. It gave me that added power to boost out of the turns and attack the climbs and sections that were a little heavier with mud after the track crew watered in the lunch break.

As I said before, I’m a little heavier than your typical teenager that would ride a 125, so admittedly, I didn’t play around with any suspension adjustments on this bike. It was definitely a touch on the soft side for me, which is to be expected. I was more interested in the engine side of things and seeing what they’d come up with, which I was impressed with.

Image: Supplied.

It’s been a long time since I’ve swung a leg over a 125 and it became apparent to me pretty quickly that times have changed. Yes, you’ve still got to be on top of your gear selection, it’s a 125. But, there’s something different about the power delivery, about the way these bikes get into the desired rev range, as opposed to the old carbureted models.

We’re so used to that flat feeling off the bottom on a 125 that if you select the wrong gear or don’t give it enough clutch in a turn, but these bikes are different. It’s a lot more like a four-stroke, where it’s more consistent or more predictable. There’s not that up-and-down feeling when you miss a gear or make a mistake and have to get going again, which makes it easier to ride.

Moving onto the MC 250, this bike is an absolute powerhouse. It’s designed for more experienced riders who are looking for a bike that can handle anything they throw at it. I felt like I threw everything at it and I couldn’t fault it. The low-end torque on this bike… Insane. I can’t describe it clearly, because it’s one of those things where you have to really try it for yourself to understand.

Being a long-time 250 two-stroke rider, I’m always eager to jump on these bikes when we get updated versions and see how far they’ve come. I would take the 2024 GasGas MC 250 in stock trim over my 2014 and 2015 modded 250 two-stroke race bikes, easily.

I still can’t wrap my head around why you wouldn’t race one of these as a privateer in the MX2 class if that’s an option for you. It’s legal cheating, literally. The power delivery of this bike is unbelievable, so gone are the days of the 250 two-stroke being a beast or hard to ride.

Image: Supplied.

It’s essentially a lot more like a four-stroke now, as I said earlier about the MC 125. That applies to this bike as well, but with more power. Some might say, ‘well if it’s like a four-stroke, just get a four-stroke’. Don’t get me wrong, these are still very much two-strokes, but they’re arguably the funnest motocross bikes you can ride. I just believe you can now ride it for longer, because it’s easier to operate.

The standard gearing on the MC 250 was awesome and third gear was perfect for me. Sometimes I needed a little flick of the clutch just to get going, but in the slow-speed sections, I felt third gear was perfect – it gave you that sense of having really good throttle control.

Moving onto some suspension. I was really impressed with the standard setting. I was more so intrigued about what some little changes to the geometry could do and how it would affect the bike in different areas. After a little warm-up on the MC 250, I decided to come back in and check sag, because I had a feeling we were running a little low in the rear. Someone had already set the sag on this bike before I’d hopped on it, potentially someone that was a little heavier than me.

The sag tool told us that we were at 110mm, so we brought that up to around the 103 mark, after riding the MC 450F and trialling some different heights, that was my benchmark number for the rest of the bikes. Raising the ride height around seven millimetres, straight away I noticed a difference in my ability to steer the bike, but I did also notice that descending down some of the big hills into straight-line ruts with breaking bumps, it definitely didn’t feel as planted.

Image: Supplied.

Now we know you can never set a bike up perfectly, so I was happy to forego a little bit of aggression down the two hills that had these straight-line ruts and bumps and make my time up in all the turns.

A PSI of 142 in the 48mm WP XAXT fork seemed to be a good number for me. I did go to 155psi just to try it, but with the air fork, it made me feel as though I’d pushed my forks through the triple clamps as if I was setting my bike up for sand. It felt taller, and I think it was because it made that initial part of the stroke so much stiffer. Even just trying to get the front wheel into the ruts, I found it a lot harder, so back to between 140 and 145psi I went… Keeping in mind that I’m around 74kg and I do like a softer feeling in my fork.

One thing I have to make special mention of is the new footpeg. If you’ve read my previous Tested review on the MC 450F, then you can skip this part. But, I do feel the need to make mention of this updated footpeg. For 2024, the surface area is much bigger, you have so much more feel on the peg compared to the previous year. Between foot position and gripping the bike with your knees, it all becomes so much easier when you have this added feel.

Overall, I’m a huge fan of these current 2024 GasGas two-strokes. As I said, with these bikes you can still have all the two-stroke fun that you’re used to, plus more. They’re easier to ride, easier to maintain, easier to start and you don’t have to mess with jetting anymore. That’s a plus from us!

Specifications

MC 125
Engine type: 124.8cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, two-stroke
Bore/stroke: 54×54.5mm
Transmission: Six-speed
Starter: Electric
Clutch: Braktec hydraulic
Traction control: No
Launch control: No
Front suspension: WP Xact 48mm
Rear suspension: WP Xact shock
Front brake: Braktec 260mm disc
Rear brake: Braktec 220mm disc
Tyres: Maxxis Maxxcross MX-ST
Weight: 93.1kg (without fuel)
Availability: September 2023
Further information: www.gasgas.com

MC 250
Engine type: 249cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, two-stroke
Bore/stroke: 66×72mm
Transmission: Five-speed
Starter: Electric
Clutch: Braktec hydraulic
Traction control: No
Launch control: No
Front suspension: WP Xact 48mm
Rear suspension: WP Xact shock
Front brake: Braktec 260mm disc
Rear brake: Braktec 220mm disc
Tyres: Maxxis Maxxcross MX-ST
Weight: 100.1kg (without fuel)
Availability: September 2023
Further information: www.gasgas.com