2016 KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION
FIRST RIDE
P58
to the WP AER 48 fork. It
clearly outperforms the 4CS
in every track condition and
is, worth mentioning again,
three pounds lighter. Stock
pressure is 154 psi (10.6 bar)
and is crazy easy to set up
compared to other air forks
thanks to only one fill valve.
Like the AER 48 we tested on
the 450 SX-F FE, the first few
inches of travel from the AER
48 are plush, way better than
any other air fork. The AER 48
performs more like a well setup
spring fork, especially compared
to any other air forks we've rid-
den and stays up in the stroke
nicely while still absorbing small
bumps and chop. Through the
midstroke the AER 48 provides
a progressive and predictable
feel, unlike the 4CS fork that had
a tendency to bottom easily. The
AER 48 offers great bottoming
resistance. All the way through
the stroke the AER 48 is smooth
without any harshness, the
way a fork should perform.
For our light test riders we
went down to 145 psi (10 bar)
and out a few clicks on com-
pression to improve overall
comfort. The WP AER 48 is
cool because it performs con-
sistently at different air pres-
sure settings (like changing
spring rates). Changing pressure
on other air forks affects overall
tuning, requiring more adjust-
ment of damping settings. The
short version, WP AER 48 air
fork work great and is very user
friendly.
We were impressed last year
by the 2015 250 SX-F's stability
while exhibiting excellent corner-
Not much has changed in the
motor department, but it didn't
really need any.
Troy Lee Designs/Lucas
Oil/Red Bull KTM's Jessy
Nelson isn't superstitious
but the numbers are easily
removable if you are.
