KTM 2017 Motocross Test: Orange appeal
By TMX Archives on 29th Jun 16
For the 2017 KTM Motocross test we headed over to the beautifully prepared Buttercup Farm MX track to give the new range of orange steeds a try.
As thunderstorms closed in on all sides it seemed as though the gods were against us in our mission the give the new KTMs the test they deserve. However our anti-rain dances seemingly paid off as we were left unmolested by the gods of thunder all day long we even enjoyed hints of sunshine.
As with the 2017 Husqvarnas, the 2017 KTM range doesnt feature too many massive changes, with the exception of the all new 250cc two-stroke (which we actually got to ride this time but more on that later).
After the revolutionary 2016 range launched last year featuring massive changes to the chassis and engines across the board KTM have only really made a few detail upgrades to the 125, 150, 250F, 350 and 450, while the big 250cc two-stroke has finally enjoyed the same upgrades the rest of the range encountered for 2016.
These detail upgrades include a new map switch set-up on the handle bars for all four stroke machines.
This new handlebar set-up also includes a new traction control feature (more on that later as well!)
The exhaust systems on the new machines have been revised slightly to comply with FIM regulations.
These systems on the four stroke machines have been designed to provide snappy power and add to the overall mass centralisation of the bike.
A few of the more minor changes include a redesigned fork tube for smoother action, a fine-tuned rear-brake set-up the pedal being 10mm longer for better ease of use and an hour-meter installed as standard to keep a clock on ride time.
So with these small modifications made to the massively redeveloped 2016 models just how does the 2017 KTM range perform on track?
Lets find out shall we.
Two-stroke 250
Without a shadow of a doubt the 2017 250 two-stroke was the most impressive bike of the day.
The big two-stroke has finally received the massive updates the rest of the range received last year.
This means that the 250 SX has got a new engine and a new chassis, and my word are the results impressive.
The bike is so light that its actually difficult to distinguish a difference between this and the smaller 125 machine.
This means that the power to weight ratio is immense. Weve had a few comments on our test video of the bike saying that it looks slow, but I can, hand on heart, say that it most definitely doesnt FEEL slow when youre actually riding it even in deep, power sapping conditions.
Like the rest of the range the bike/ engine has been designed with mass centralisation in mind.
Meaning that the bike handles excellently. This, combined with the silky smooth, yet eyebrow-raising power delivery, means that using the wide, sweeping two-stroke lines you can keep this thing lit around the entire track. Its so fun.
If youve ridden a 250 two-stroke in the past youll know that they can often be a bit of a handful, almost difficult to tame, with some serious vibrations and rattles.
The latest 250 SX has put a stop to all of that. A new counter balance shaft in the engine reduces vibrations significantly.
If youre a regular 250 two-stroke warrior thisll be amongst the first thing you notice.
This lack of vibration makes the bike an absolute pleasure to ride.
Together with the awesome power delivery and excellent handling it makes for me the bike of the day, and possibly the year.
450F
The 2017 KTM 450 SX-F has demonic power, yet the chassis and the handling of the bike is downright angelic.
What Im trying to say here is that the 450 is a freaking monster but it just doesnt seem like it.
Its the big bad wolf dressed up as little old grandma.
The bike is ridiculously light, its easy to forget that youre riding a 450 and thats exactly what I did.
On several occasions the lightweight feel and streamlined ergonomics performed some sort of Jedi mind trick on me and I thought I was riding the 250F hence why I found myself over-jumping a few things by a bit of a distance.
The power at your finger tips is palpable. You smoothly roll on the throttle around the corners before you straighten up and give it a handful.
That handful sends you rocketing down the next straight.
The 450 is fast, perhaps too fast in places.
In the lead-up to our test we had some massive downpours.
But luckily for us the guys at Buttercup Farm prepared the track gorgeously.
However a few of the harder bowl berms were very slick at the start of the day.
I repeatedly found myself washing out both the front and back end in these corners.
This was only heightened on the big 450 as I squirted on the power out of the corners.
Therefore I took this as the perfect opportunity to test out the new traction control system.
We tried out the traction control onboard the Husqvarnas, however the grippy conditions on that day didnt really provide us with the best feedback.
Easily operated via the handlebar map switch when the traction control was switched on while riding the 2017 KTM 450 SX-F the results were remarkable.
I no longer had to worry about the back end sliding out.
I could simply just focus on keeping the front end under control.
Quite honestly the traction control could save you some valuable seconds on your lap times in slick/ wet conditions such as this.
It was that good.
125 SX
The little 125cc two-stroke has probably received the least amount of attention from the KTM R&D team for 2017.
But thats okay, I mean if it aint broke dont fix it as the saying goes.
The 2016 KTM 125 was a pretty bad-ass bike as far as 125s go, so why go about changing a proven race winner when you dont have to?
The 2017 model features the new outer fork design and the fine-tuned rear brake.
As always the little 125 was incredibly fun to ride and oh so easy to throw around.
The same goes for every single bike in the KTM range they are all super lightweight and they all have that distinctive KTM feel, which, for me, is a feeling of unison and harmony with the bike.
You really have to work the gearbox when riding the 125 to get the most out of her, but thats all part and parcel of 125 riding.
I have to say that the 2017 125 didnt feel quite as snappy off the bottom in comparison to other 125s I have ridden in the past.
But that was more than likely because the jetting was slightly off for the conditions on the day of our test.
I think that this is where the KTM 150 SX would really come into its own, being able to drag me out of the deeper corners a little easier.
But unfortunately we didnt have the 125s bigger sibling on hand to play with.
Handling and suspension-wise the 125 felt like a dream.
As I said the bike is insanely lightweight and even I a guy not really known for his whipping prowess was able to get a little sideways and a little rad over the jumps.
Overall my love for the 125 continues, I cant get enough 125 action in my life and the KTM 125 SX may well be the best of the bunch.
350 SX-F
Ive said it before and Ill say it again, I freaking love 350s.
For an average Joe like myself the 350 four-stroke is the perfect mixture of MX2 rideabilty and MX1 power.
I like to ride smoothly and in control, the 2017 350 SX-F really enables that particularly in the softer map setting.
Im never going to get the most out of the 450 and I dont always feel 100 per cent riding the 250F as hard as you need to. But the 350 fits right in the middle and for me thats absolutely fantastic.
The power delivery is gorgeously smooth and she never stops pulling as you work your way up the gear box.
As with all the KTMs, the bike is outrageously light, meaning that even a smaller rider like myself can man handle this big MX1 machine no problem at all.
I think if I were racing on a regular basis in an open class event Id definitely put my money towards a 350 machine, shes got the power to be competitive yet not too much that I find myself in trouble.
I know the case is different for riders of a higher level, those guys want as many ccs as they can get.
But for me the 350 is just perfect.
250 SX-F
The biggest change for the 2017 KTM four-strokes is the revised map switch on the handlebars.
Moving from the right to the left side the map switch may well be a bit bulkier but its so much easier to use and operate.
The old switch was an annoying, fiddly little thing that was difficult to decipher. Those problems have now become ghosts of the past.
The new set-up is super user friendly with big buttons and a light display that tells you exactly what setting youre in.
You can now switch up maps with ease on the move as track conditions change throughout your ride. This is truly a massive improvement from what we have seen in the past.
On track the 250cc four-stroke really does feel like the littlest brother, much like the 125.
Its insanely lightweight, incredibly nimble, and handles so well.
Performance-wise the latest KTM SX-F is fast as far as 250 four-strokes are concerned.
As with all 250F machines to get the most of it you have to ride it hard and make the most of the rev range.
The WP AER 48 air forks that come as standard across the entire KTM range worked well, providing good feeling on our adventures around the Buttercup farm circuit.
