2017 KTM 250, 350 AND 500 EXC-F
FIRST RIDE
P104
WHAT MAKES THEM TICK
Put the 2016 KTM EXCs behind
you, because the 2017 EXC-F
models are all-new motorcycles
and have very little in common
with last year's models. All the
2017 EXC models are built on
the same basic platform, outside
of engine size and design. The
2017 engines are nearly identi-
We recently got the chance
to spend the day riding and com-
paring all three of KTM's new
EXCs side-by-side-by-side, while
logging 115 miles over asphalt,
dirt roads and single track along
the way. We then spent another
full week and an additional 500
miles aboard the 500 EXC-F.
(KTM offers a 450 EXC-F, but
as a Six Days Edition, which has
more bells and whistles and a
larger price tag.) We rode the
three EXCs exactly as you would
get them off the showroom floor;
no mods, nothing. Though we
did take advantage of any avail-
able adjustments that each one
offers.
cal to the 2016 SX (motocross)
models, which means they are
much lighter, more compact
and produce more power than
the previous EXC engines. All
three engines use a Keihin
42mm throttle body; the SX-F
motocross models use a 44mm
throttle body. To help meet strict
EPA noise regulations, the airbox
design is a first of its kind, in that
KTM installed noise-suppress-
ing reed valves placed in the in-
take tract between the air filter
and the throttle body. Picture
the reed valves you know from
a two-stroke and that's what
is in the tract. KTM found that
the reeds not only substantially
reduced intake noise like they
were supposed to, but also, to
their surprise, improved engine
performance! They found that
the reeds actually improved
torque.
The entire emissions system
in the EXCs is well-designed
and out of sight. Even the
evaporative canister is hidden
in the frame's downtube.
The revised chassis provides
more torsional stiffness and
less longitudinal stiffness, help-
ing to absorb bumps without
These bikes aren't cheap but, like
they say, you get what you pay for.
250
350
500
