Cycle News

2017 KTM 250 SX FIRST RIDE P56 with the throttle, it is, after all, still a two-stroke motocross bike. Using third and feathering the clutch rewards the rider who doesn't want the explosiveness a two-stroke can provide. The great attribute of the engine is that it can be enjoyed by all skill levels. Aggressive riders who want a lot of snap can still ride and enjoy it while riders who were turned off or intimidated by the hit of a two-stroke no longer have to worry about it unexpect- edly wanting to launch them off the back. Even our older senior vet riders who love their 450 four- strokes felt comfortable with the 250 SX power delivery. It doesn't explode into the pow- erful mid; it pulls predictably throughout the rpm range. Our younger pro riders pulled in with a smile after each moto, loving the strong engine and flickable chassis. We experimented with the power valve and half-turn adjustments change the power character noticeably, adding to the versatility of the bike. The switch to a Mikuni carb so far is a non-issue. Stock jetting was pretty close around sea level. Of course, depending on altitude, humanity and ride style, jetting changes will be necessary. KTM tells us the Mikuni is less sensi- tive to atmospheric changes than the Keihin. The new coun- ter-balancer does an excellent job of reducing vibration. After spending a few hours riding this engine, anything without a counter-balancer is going to seem archaic. The bottom line is that the new engine is a big improvement in power delivery and in vibration. PLANTED AND STABLE A common characteristic of two-strokes is that they are busy and nervous. Typically a two- stroke motocross bike doesn't feel nearly as planted as a four- stroke. The 2017 KTM 250 SX rewrites those stereotypes. It is surprisingly stable, planted and predictable. We jumped back and fourth between the 250 SX and four-strokes, finding the KTM 250 SX was just as planted and stable. A pleasant surprise. Turning is a strong trait but it is also very dependent on the rider's use of power. Smooth throttle and clean clutch work keeps the bike laid over in ruts and overall the 250 SX turns effortlessly in all types of cor- ners. It will want to stand up in ruts if erratic and impatient with the throttle, a common trait for two-strokes. Turning technique has to be adjusted when com- ing from a four-stroke to take full advantage of what the 250 SX has to offer. Diving into corners and slowing the 250 SX is ultra easy thanks to its weight—only 212 pounds without fuel. The rear brake pedal is now 10mm longer and the brake pad mate- "AFTER SPENDING A FEW HOURS RIDING THIS ENGINE, ANYTHING WITHOUT A COUNTER- BALANCER IS GOING TO SEEM ARCHAIC."

• Cover