VOL. 50 ISSUE 21 MAY 29, 2013
E
very model in KTM's off-road and
SX lineup has been refined for
2014 but none more so than the 250
XC-F (pictured), which gets an all-new
250 SX-F-like motor that is slightly
retuned for off-road use. It also gets
a lighter frame and swingarm development, refined suspension setup
and new ergonomically enhanced
bodywork, as do all of the XC-W/EXC
models. Compared to the 250 SX-F,
the 250 XC-F's DOHC motor has a
2.7mm shorter stroke and a larger
78mm (formerly 76mm) bore, which
allows the use of larger intake valves.
P45
It also has slightly less compression
ratio. Other differences include the
XC-F using a six-speed gear box compared to the new SX-F's five-speed,
incorporates a back-up kickstarter,
has a more powerful generator, and
is fitted with a 35-percent heavier
crankshaft-fixed flywheel. The XC-F
also gets KTM's Damped Diaphragm
Steel (DDS) clutch with a wear-free
clutch basket and diaphragm spring.
KTM claims the new motor in the
250 XC-F produces more torque and
power. The 350 XC-F/EXC-F gets a
revised camshaft with optimized valve
timing of the auto-decompression
mechanism for improved starting, and
a new three-layer gasket. It also gets
improved valve-spring retainers and
spring seats for improved durability.
The 450 XC-W/500 XC-W/EXC feature
a lighter valve train, stronger cylinderhead gasket and lighter camshaft with
a beefed up automatic decompressor.
The crankshaft big-end bearing is
stronger with an increased service life
of 135 hours (up front 105 hours). A
new Auxiliary cooling fan is now standard on all four-stroke XC-W and EXC
models. The 350 and 500 EXCs
have a new thermo switch for
improve durability.
