Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/249466
SHOOTOUT P42 2014 250F MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT >> QUICK REVIEW The 2014 KTM 250 SX-F took on an array of changes for the new year but nothing too drastic, though the transmission went from a six-speed to a five-speed - a move to shave weight, which is an area where the KTM has been struggling as of late. Not long ago, the KTM was the lightest bike in its class, now it's the heaviest. Over the years, the KTM has put on the pounds with the addition of electric starting, fuel-injection and rear suspension linkage, but managed to lose some of it by eliminating sixth gear from the transmission this year. (Gear ratios, however, did not change.) Still, at 241 pounds (wet), the KTM is a porker. And it feels that way in motion, but, at the same time, the extra weight makes the KTM feel quite stable and planted between your legs at speed. It's not the quickest handling 250F around, but the KTM is still a well-balanced machine that also turns better than you'd think. Suspension is good, not great. The WP fork holds the KTM back a little in this department. It does a pretty good job soaking up the bumps in general but has a slight harsh-feeling mid-stroke that we could never get rid of completely, not via clickers alone at least. We had no real issues with the rear shock, which performs best over the big rollers and larger hits. It doesn't react quite as well over the square edges, but it does an admirable job keeping the rear wheel close to the ground and digging for traction over the acceleration bumps. The KTM is very fast. Our dyno reveals that it pumps out 38-plus horsepower. That's pretty good for a 250. But the bulk of the power is located pretty much in one area - way up top in the rpm range, not so much down low. To take advantage of the KTM's powerful motor, you have to scream it and constantly hold the throttle wide open. This is fine on fast tracks with long straights, hills and soft soil, but not so much on tight tracks with a lot of turns and double jumps with short run-ups. On tracks like these, the clutch gets a lot of use. Luckily, it has one with a light pull but is a little grabby. The motor also has excellent throttle response, shifts well, and is relatively quiet, but it does make a lot of engine noise. Electric starting is nice but when you consider the extra weight it adds on, maybe the 250 having the button isn't as advantageous as it is on its bigger brother. The KTM has many other great attributes, like powerful brakes, comfortable ergos, tapered aluminum handlebars, adjustable handlebar mounts and in-molded graphics. Overall, the KTM is a very good 250F motocrosser but there are some give and takes: It's super fast but lacks bottom-to-mid punch; it handles and turns well but agility is compromised by its weight; electric starting is convenient but adds pounds; suspension has its strong and weak points, and ECU mapping is adjustable but not expedient (you must have a laptop). In an effort to lose some weight, the KTM's went from a six-speed to a fivespeed gearbox.