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/798489
2017 KTM 450 SX-F / 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITIONS FIRST TEST P96 expect the 2018 KTM 450 SX-F to receive the same suspension updates as the Factory Edition, which will make it even harder to knock off the top step of the po- dium as the best 450 in the class. The 2017 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition looks more like a factory race bike than some actual factory race bikes. It is almost too pretty to get dirty. Changes to the 250 SX-F Fac- tory Edition mirror that of the 450 Factory Edition changes; simple, yet effective suspension revisions. Our testers felt like the suspension updates made a big- ger difference to the 250 than they did to the 450. The perfor- mance and action of the suspen- sion, had it been on the 2017 standard KTM 250 SX-F, would have more than likely pushed it to the top position in our 250F Shootout. The KTM was edged out by the Yamaha YZ250F. There is no longer any midstroke harsh- ness from the WP AER 48 fork and the shock works great in conjunction, providing a bike that eats up any sized bump and carves corners with ease. Overall, the little changes to the suspension on both the 2017 Factory Editions show that a little can go a long way, especially when it comes to something as important as suspension. A great performing chassis is way more important than squeezing another horsepower out of the engine. If you were ready to pull the trigger on a 2017 KTM 450 or 250 SX-F and didn't, but still have an urge to own one, buy a Factory Edition with an orange frame, improved suspension and super cool awe-inspiring graph- ics. You will have a class-leading machine, no matter which one you choose. If you don't care about fac- tory replica graphics and orange frames, wait until the 2018 SX-Fs come out, they will undoubtedly receive the updated suspension and battery, and will again be some of the best of the best. CN 2017 KTM 450 SX-F FE ($10,399) 2017 KTM 250 SX-FE ($9499) ENGINE: .....Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, single .........Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, single DISPLACEMENT: ........................ 449.9cc .................................................. 249cc BORE X STROKE: .......... 95.0 x 63.4mm ..................................78.0 x 52.3mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ................... 12.7:1 ................................................... 14.4:1 FUEL DELIVERY: .........Keihin EFI, 44mm .............................Keihin EFI, 44mm, STARTING SYSTEM: ....................Electric ................................................Electric TRANSMISSION: .........................5-speed ............................................... 5-speed FINAL DRIVE: ...................................13/48 .................................................. 13/50 FRAME: .............................................Steel .................................................... Steel FRONT SUSPENSION: .......... WP AER 48 ......... WP AER 48 air fork, fully adj. air fork, fully adj. REAR SUSPENSION: .... WP monoshock, ................WP monoshock, fully adj. fully adj. FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: .............. 11.81 in. ............................................... 11.81 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ................ 11.81 in. ............................................... 11.81 in. FRONT WHEEL: ................ 80/100x21 in. .................................... 80/100x21 in. REAR WHEEL: ....................120/90x19 in. .................................... 100/90x19 in. FRONT BRAKE: ....................260mm disc .......................................260mm disc REAR BRAKE: ......................220mm disc .......................................220mm disc GROUND CLEARANCE: ................. 14.6 in. ................................................ 14.6 in. SEAT HEIGHT: .............................. 37.8 in. ................................................ 37.8 in. WHEELBASE: ............................... 58.5 in. ............................................... 58.5 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ........................ 1.85 gal. .............................................. 1.85 gal. WEIGHT (DRY): .........................221.3 lbs. .............................................217.2 lbs. S P E C I F I C A T I O N S