KTM 250 SX-F
By TMX Archives on 2nd Jul 08
You just have to open your eyes in any motocross paddock to see how popular the 250 SX-F is and read through the results from any British championship or GP round to see just how successful the bike is too, and its no surprise as the 250 SX-F is a superb motorcycle and one of, if not THE best 250F on the market currently.
And it is no surprise to find little different on the '09 model either.
Owner of a very powerful, incredibly torquey motor and a superb handling capabilities already, the 2009 version of the 250 SX-F continues very much in this trend and thus remains right at the top of the 250F tree.
As with its bigger brother, little has changed in the motor department of the 250 SX-F, but the one significant change - the addition of new camshafts - adds to motors strengths further still.
Very powerful yet incredibly smooth, tractable and torquey in its delivery, like a small 450 almost, the motor has always been probably the strongest perfomer in its class since its inception, and now thanks to the new camshafts the bikes responsiveness and low-end grunt has been enhanced just that bit further to keep it at the head of field. It's not a huge advancement but it is noticeable and helps fire you out of corners and pick-up on landing from jumps just that tiny bit better.
It is a very easy motor to feel comfortable with and one that flatters the rider, inspiring confidence and the riders willingness to push harder and longer. The smoother and more flowing you are on a bike in general the more rewarding the 250 SX-F is too and if you keep the bike in the meat of the torque range as you go up and down through the excellent six-speed gearbox rather than rev the crap out of it there is no other bike in its class that is more rewarding and responsive to ride.
Similarly to the 450, the small changes made to the suspension and chassis further improve the handling and ride of the 250 SX-F a small amount and ensure that it keeps up with the competition and remain of one the best cornering bike sin the class. The room the 250 SX-F affords you in corners and its very slim nature promote aggressive cornering and combined with how planted and stable the frame is the bike handles like it is on rails.
Again like the 450 it is very good indeed when you get the weight on the rear-end and power through sweeping corners, finding traction and holding the line superbly, and the new rear PDS settings have helped this considerably. The bike sits brilliantly in corners too, giving confidence to hit them harder.
The front too is improved, particularly in its ability to soak up the smaller stuff early in the stroke, allowing for a more confidence inspiring front-end ride than in previous years, and unlike the 450 SX-F it felt just about perfect on its dampening and rebound on the bigger hits making for a cracking all round suspension performance to match an already superb motor and true factory look. Take off the unwieldy handguards and you have my favourite 250F on the market.
It remains an MX2 leader.
Specification:
ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled single cylinder, DOHC 4-stroke
Displacement: 248.6cc
Bore x Stroke: 76/ 54.8mm
Compression Ratio: 12.8:1
Carbrettor: Keihin FCR-MX 39
Starter: Kickstart
Gearbox: Six-speed
Clutch: Wet multi-disc clutch, hydraulically operated
Lubrication: Pressure lubrication with two oil pumps
Primary Drive: 22:68
Final Drive: 13:48
Ignition: Kokusan
CHASSIS
Frame: Central double-cradle-type 25CrMo4
Subframe: Aluminium
Handlebar: Renthal, Aluminium 28/ 22mm
SUSPENSION
Front: WP-USD 48mm
Rear: WP-PDS shock absorber
Travel Front/ Rear: 300/ 335mm
BRAKES
Front/ Rear: Disc brake 260/ 220mm
WHEELS
Front/ Rear: Excel 1.60 x 21"; 2.15 x 19"
DIMENSIONS
Steering Head Angle: 63.5°
Wheelbase: 1,475mm
Ground Clearance: 380mm
Seat Height: 985mm
Fuel Capacity: 8 litres
Weight (without fuel): 98kg
