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/487891
VOL. 52 ISSUE 13 MARCH 31, 2015 P95 the KTM adapted well, thanks to its smooth power delivery and crisp throttle response. We found the aggressive mapping—which we switched to right away, of course—worked well for most situations that we faced on this day, but it was nice to tone things down just a bit later in the day when things got rough, choppy and slippery when more precise throttle control is needed. Like the 450 Factory Edition, you can customize the 250's mapping with KTM's User Setting Tool, which KTM sells separately. The KTM handles well, too. It feels good between your legs, and we applaud the lower handlebars, seat and new foot- peg location. You feel a bit more at one with the bike, giving you more confidence as you throw it around, and the Selle Dalla Valle gripper seat cover does a great job keeping you in the right place. As mentioned, the 250 SX-F Factory Edition feels extremely light—250cc two-stroke light (well, almost)—and super ag- ile. Don't like the line you're in, no problem, just point it where you want it to be and you're there. Quick line changes are a breeze. The KTM turns well, too. It'll go inside, outside, middle, or simply plow through a soft berm with the best of them, but will pop out of a choppy rut every now and then if you give it a chance to do so. Once you're lined up for the straight, just hammer the throttle and let the KTM rev to the moon with each shift, and you'll be at the next turn before you know it. Luckily, the KTM still has outstanding brakes. They're super strong, but the front brake is pretty much all you'll ever need. Even though the Factory Edition is the lightest bike in its class, it still feels very stable at speed; it has a solid and very confident-inspiring chassis. KTM has come a long way in the suspension department. The WP 4CS fork, which it received last year, has been a huge asset but it's still not perfect. There's still a slight mid-stroke harsh feeling that needs to be ironed out, but the forks, overall, are very good. They do a fine job resisting bottoming and soak up the small stuff like they should. The back end is typical KTM— set the sag and you're pretty much set. We didn't feel the need to make any changes on this day. It didn't take us long to figure out that the Factory Edition is a step above the standard. It's faster, lighter, handles better and has better suspension than the standard 250 SX-F. Had this bike been around for our 2015 250F Motocross Shootout, the results most likely would have been much different. Is it better than our Shootout winner, the Yamaha YZ250F, though? That's a tough question and perhaps too tough to call without riding them back to back. Sounds like a two-bike showdown might be in the works. CN SPECIFICATIONS 2015 KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION ENGINE: ..................Liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-stroke, 4-valve, single DISPLACEMENT: ..............................249cc BORE X STROKE: ......... 78mm x 52.3mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ..................... 14.4:1 FUEL DELIVERY: ......Fuel-injection, Keihin CLUTCH: ........... Wet multi-plate, Brembo hydraulic TRANSMISSION: ...........................5-speed FINAL DRIVE GEARING: ................... 13/50 FRONT SUSPENSION: ......WP 4CS 48mm Spring Fork, compression and rebound damping adjustment REAR SUSPENSION: .......WP Monoshock with linkage, low-speed and high-speed compression damping, rebound damp- ing and adjustable spring preload FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ..................11.8 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ................... 12.9 in. FRONT BRAKE: .................... 260mm disc, double-piston caliper REAR BRAKE: .......................220mm disc, single-piston caliper HANDLEBAR: ................................... Neken FRONT TIRE: .......Dunlop Geomax MX32 80/100-21 in. REAR TIRE: ..........Dunlop Geomax MX32 100/90-19 in. WEIGHT: ...............222 lbs. (without fuel) WHEELBASE: ................................. 58.5 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: ................... 14.6 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ................................ 37.5 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ............................ 1.9 gal. MSRP: ............................................$9,299.