2019 K TM 250 SX-F
FIRST TEST
P92
your corner speed and enjoy those
gears a little longer with a KTM.
Yes, we'd like to have massive
torque and pull out of the bottom
to go along with this impressive top
end—but we could get a 350 for
that. Or, we may even want to shift
the whole power allotment down
toward the lower rpm range a bit
more. Aftermarket exhaust sys-
tems, including the KTM Power-
Parts FMF slip-on units, will do this
exact thing. Just remember, you'll
likely have to shift more down the
straights.
The stock exhaust system
deserves some comment here.
It's redesigned to provide better
power and sleeker implementation
into the bike. Also, you don't have
to remove it to get the shock out
anymore. That's convenient.
How about the maps? Well,
they are controlled by the same
map-switch system as before, and
honestly, we simply leave the 250
in number "2" all the time. Launch
control for starts is great and the
traction control, while not used as
often on this smaller-displacement
model, still makes a big difference
when the tracks get dry and hard.
This system was years ahead of
KTM's competitors when it came
standard on KTM's SX-F lineup in
2017. Now, other manufacturers are
getting closer, but none have inte-
grated dual map switching, traction
control and launch control all rolled
up into one switch. It's clear, intuitive
and just another example of high-
quality KTM componentry.
GETTING A HANDLE
ON HANDLING
I'm at the point in my life where I'm
very much out of the stock shock-
spring range on most 250Fs. I'm
not on a diet or training for anything,
to put it bluntly. I've ridden this bike
with the stock spring and a stiffer
spring, and let me tell you, that
modification is definitely worth it, at
It's still a
ripper! The 250
SX-F loves it
when you grab
a handful of
throttle and
leave it there.
