VOL. 53 ISSUE 46 NOVEMBER 22, 2016 P97
And, the WP AER 48 air fork
is very simple to set up and
adjust.
Cornering and overall stabil-
ity are amazing on the KTM. It
doesn't matter if it is a rutted
corner, a hard slippery corner
or a big berm, the KTM carves
through it effortlessly. The
front half and the rear half of
the bike are truly in harmony
through all corners.
The KTM is lightest bike in
the shootout by a few pounds.
The addition of the WP AER 48
air fork is a major contributor.
If not for the AER 48 air fork,
the KTM would tip the scales
about the same weight as the
Yamaha and be heavier than
the Kawasaki. Knocking off
3.6 pounds in the fork alone is
huge. The slim design and light
weight makes the KTM so easy
to throw around. It is truly one
of the most nimble four-stroke
motocross bikes ever.
Every tester rider loved the
awesome brakes, light-pull
hydraulically operated clutch,
smooth-shifting transmission
and awesome looks of the
KTM. It is hard to not give
the Austrian brand the win
(Husqvarna or KTM actually),
especially with electric start,
hydraulic clutch, great com-
ponents, highest horsepower
and being the lightest bike in
the shootout. KTM's manta,
"Ready To Race" is on point
with the 2017 KTM 250 SX-F.
2
nd
PLACE
KTM
250 SX-F
NOTABLE FEATURES
•WP AER 48 air forks
•Handlebar Mapping
Adjustment
•Launch Control
•Electric Starting
•Hydraulically Operated
Clutch
•Chromoly Steel Frame
•Dunlop MX3S Tires
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Weight: 228 lbs. (full gas)
Seat Height: 37.8 in.
MSRP: $8499
That's not to say beginner riders
can't enjoy the KTM; it delivers
power smoothly, it just doesn't
provide the off-idle torque and
response like the Yamaha, Ka-
wasaki and Honda. It should be
noted that the KTM, way up near
the rev limiter, is clearly the most
powerful 250F in the class. It
doesn't take a dyno to figure that
out.
Gearing is a little different for
2017, we actually preferred the
lower 13/50 gearing of 2016;
changing to a 13 countershaft
sprocket would benefit non-pro
riders. Really fast guys—pro
level riders—didn't mind the
2017 14/51 gearing.
Without wearing out the
KTM and Husqvarna com-
parison, the suspension on the
KTM performs like that of the
Husqvarna FC 250—it's awe-
some. The WP AER 48 fork is
light years ahead of the 4CS
fork it replaces, and shock revi-
sions for 2017 made for a very
balanced machine. The KTM
works well on small chop, ac-
celeration bump, and handles
big hits nicely. It stays planted
and is predictable with great
front-wheel traction, everything
suspension is supposed to do.
