VOL. 54 ISSUE 13 APRIL 4, 2017 P103
BY CYCLE NEWS STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT PALMER
L
ooking for the best all-around dirt
bike? If you like to do diverse types
of riding, especially if any of that in-
cludes tight or technical riding, there may
not be a better choice than the KTM 250
XC (or possibly the 300cc option—the
KTM 300 XC). This bike is good for every
type of off-road riding and is also still a
very good option on a motocross track.
The 250 and 300 XCs have seen few
minor updates over the last several years
but for 2017, they got a significant make-
over. A completely new motor that moves
the electric starter inboard just behind
the cylinder and the addition of a counter-
balancer to reduce vibration are the most
significant updates. But it also has a re-
vised frame and comes with the WP AER
48 air forks among other updates. The
one update that may not be a step forward
in the minds of many is the Mikuni carbu-
retor that replaced the much-loved Keihin
used for several years.
THE KTM 250 XC
JUST MIGHT BE IT
Five-time AMA EnduroCross
Champion Taddy Blazusiak had
a blast rippin' around on our
2017 KTM 250 XC test bike.
THE ULTIMATE
ALL-AROUND DIRT BIKE?
