Cycle News

Cycle News Issue 50 December 19, 2017

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/917325

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After being named the runner-up in 2017, KTM had a year to go back to the drawing board, make the changes needed improve the performance of its 250 SX-F, and come back ready for battle. The Austrian company painted the frame orange, gave the lightweight SX-F bold-new graphics, and revised the internal damping settings of the WP AER 48 front fork. The result? Yet another second-place trophy; finishing just behind its cousin, the Husqvarna FC 250. Second place or not, the changes to the front end proved beneficial, according to our test riders. Last year's fork was known to have a harsh feel at the top of the suspension's stroke, while not being stiff enough to support the bike on hard landings, often blowing through the travel. The changes to the 2018 model fix the issue well enough to make riders happy with the box-stock settings. At 232 pounds, the KTM is the lightest bike of this year's bunch (even one pound lighter than the Husky), which gives it a lively feel on the racetrack, while requiring the least amount of physical exertion to ride. Our bodies thank you, KTM. KTM 250 SX-F 2 ND Place VOL. 54 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 19, 2017 P95

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