2017 KTM 250 SX
FIRST RIDE
P54
a home in the KTM 250 SX,
KTM 250/300 XC, and KTM
250/300 XCW. It is also in
the Husqvarna TC 250, TE
250/300 and TX 250/300.
For 2017 the trusted power-
plant is completely new with
the clutch and crankshaft
closer to the center of grav-
ity. The cylinder has new
transfer and exhaust ports, a
reworked exhaust valve system
and an optimized water-jacket. A
big addition to the two-stroke en-
gine is a counter-balancer, which
KTM claims reduces vibration
by more than 50%. Feeding the
new engine is a Mikuni TX 38
carburetor. KTM two-strokes
haven't run Mikuni carbs
since 1988.
PIN IT TO WIN IT
KTM set out to create a two-
stroke engine that felt more
like a four-stroke in both
power delivery and vibration.
They did an amazing job. The
2017 KTM 250 SX is pure
fun to ride. It rolls on smoothly
and pulls through a meaty mid
into a decent top end. Over-rev
isn't mind blowing but it doesn't
fall on its face when it gets into
the highest rpms. While the pow-
er is very smooth, it still wants to
stand up and lift the front wheel
through corners if aggressive
(Top)The KTM 250 SX is
all new for 2017—and we
mean all new. (Bottom)
Everything about the
motor is new, including a
Mikuni carburetor, a trick
cylinder-head mount and
a counter-balancer.
