SECOND PLACE
VOLUME 59 ISSUE 3 JANUARY 19, 2022 P93
We had to split hairs
in determining first
and second places
in this shootout. The
difference between
the KTM and the
Yamaha basically
boiled down to their
forks—our testers still
prefer the feel of the
Yami's SSS spring
forks versus the
KTM's air forks.
250 SX-F
KTM
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Not far behind our winning
Yamaha—which you should
have figured out by now—in
second place is the 2022
KTM 250 SX-F. The KTM is
the highest-ranking Austrian
machine in the mix due to its
lively personality and overall
well-roundedness on the track.
This is also the second year in
a row the 250 SX-F has finished
in the bridesmaid position.
Once again, the KTM lives up to
its "Ready To Race" mantra.
There are possibly no two
bikes in the class that are as
different from one another as
the Yamaha and the KTM—spring
fork versus air, wider shrouds of
the Yamaha versus the narrow
ones on the KTM, the Yamaha's
hard-hitting power versus the
KTM's linear character. The list
goes on, and, interestingly, two
totally contrasting machines
finished 1-2 again.
The KTM is simply razor-thin
in every way—from its slim
bodywork to its agile chromoly
frame. This bike excels in tight
turns and flat corners. There's
just something about the
machine's flexibility that allows
the rider to point and shoot
with absolute precision. Our
testers noted that they could
make quick direction changes
without sacrificing any of the
comfortable "planted" feeling—
the best of both worlds in a
purpose-built racing machine.
We tested at both Glen Helen
and Cahuilla Creek. Both tracks
feature wide-open layouts
that favor a more stable bike.
Despite being so agile, the KTM
hung with the best of them but
would've likely taken the cake
on tighter tracks.
Power on the KTM is also
notable and is perhaps the
most usable in the class.
Again, a stark contrast from
the Yamaha, the KTM's engine
feels smoother and more
refined. If the YZ is a hotrod,
the KTM is a Cadillac. Yes, both
are fast and have roughly the
