06 KTM 250SXF Reviews

[Aus_Rider_22]

Ok, I thought it would be of some interest to people if I put all the current reviews together in one place for easy reading. I am sure there are people out there who have already read some, but for those that haven't, here they are.

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Gotta love the spark-plug positioning! (TWMX article pic.)

[Mr.Boof]

those are 05 reviews aus... sick bike

[psycho393]

Hey I've heard that those spark plugs are easy to remove but I'm wondering why I haven't seen any pics showing how easy...

[Aus_Rider_22]

Originally Posted by psycho393

Hey I've heard that those spark plugs are easy to remove but I'm wondering why I haven't seen any pics showing how easy...

Is this what you were meaning?

[twelve02]

Originally Posted by Aus_Rider_22

Ok, I thought it would be of some interest to people if I put all the current reviews together in one place for easy reading. I am sure there are people out there who have already read some, but for those that haven't, here they are.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Gotta love the spark-plug positioning! (TWMX article pic.)

Funny,

I posted a Reviews section over at thumpertalk.com as well...

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Since the SXF 250 is such a new bike and people seem to have a lot of questions and/or issues with it, perhaps we should create a sticky thread for it the way that Wrooster did for the YZ250F...

I've started by making PDF's of the tests from 3 of the magazines so far, MXA, Transworld and Dirt Rider. I've also started collecting hop-up articles on the SXF as well. So far there is 1 by MXA.

Perhaps we can compile all the info we have on the bike so far into one easy to use FAQ and break it down into different sections as far as Jetting, Suspension, Motor Mods, Misc. Issues, etc...

If anyone would like the original articles the way they appeared in the magazines, please feel free to download them here:

Magazine Tests

Dirt Rider:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] ~5.7mb

MXA:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] ~5.7mb

Transworld:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] ~3mb


Hop Ups

MXA:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] ~800k


Online Reviews:

CycleNews:
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TRANSWORLD:
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RACERX:
01: - [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

02: - [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Dirt Rider:

Team Intro:
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MX Offroad.com
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EMU - Eat My Dirt - Australia Nice Images of the motor
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I will happily host this for now, though if this gets popular, the articles should be moved to a TT server so I don't get slammed with bandwidth...

As Far as Bike setup goes, perhaps this is a start...

Jetting: General - (Not Location Specific)

INTHEWAY says:

Leave it stock until you have at least 10hrs on it-
High temp sil. seal head pipe-
check idle level
adjust squirt timing, so it doesn't hit the slide


Handling:
switch to the 18mm offset

-Tom

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[Aus_Rider_22]

Tom, that's an awesome compilation of info and data!

Maybe we could sticky such a thread on the KTM thumper forum here.

[twelve02]

Thanks. I am really interested in this bike and finally had a chance to test ride one at a local track... I wrote up a little review over on ThumperTalk...

Can you say 'works' bike??? I was very, very impressed after riding the little thumper that could. The little thumper has BIG power. I think Kirk said that he had about 6 hours on it so far. That puppy THUMPED and seemed to get only better the more you rode it. I couldn't believe how much power that thing has. It felt like I was riding a mini-450. Not only did it have awesome low-end power but it had really good top-end as well. I don't think it pulls as long as a YZ250F but I think the 6 speed tranny has more to do with that than the motor. The SXF Rips!

What I was also very impressed by was how it handled. I would say it only took about 2 laps to get really comfortable. It was very stable and cornered excellent. Jumping it was also a very good experience, it felt very light and nimble in the air and jumped very neutral.

It was probably the best cornering bike I have ever ridden. It craved the inside line and you could put it anywhere you wanted, I was so sure it was going to do something weird, but in never did.

Another thing that really surprised me was the suspension. It actually felt good. I know Kirk hadn't done anything to it yet but it worked pretty good. The rear got a little busy in some of the rougher stuff, but the bike tracked nice and straight. I think once the sag is set individually and set up for your weight and riding style it will only get better. The track wasn't very rough and I wasn't pushing it 100% (I didn't want to wreck his brand new ride) but it was very comfortable and it felt very, very good.

So how does the SXF live up to all the hype? I would say that it exceeds it! It was a blast to ride.

Here was another review from ThumperTalk:

First ride, hard to start / stalling > Played with jetting. Answer: Like Intheway (ITW) says... Increase idle. This helps the rather tight motor run until it gets broken in and reduces stalling by insuring squirt doesn't hit slide. I have tried every idle jet from 35-45, moved my needle clip, increased main jet and modified the AP with the BK mod to adjust AP duration. 10 hours on the motor and I am almost back to stock (42 idle jet works best) and starting is actually very easy now. The BK mod works great though (smooths out and more consistent power delivery) so if you have the confidence to do that, it is worth it. Once again like ITW says.. leave jetting alone for 10 hours.

I lowered the fork oil level and added a tooth to the rear sprocket (per MXA suggestion) both worked GREAT. There were some issues with the forks as they came delivered but wont get into that right now.

I needed a spark arrestor and didn't want to spend a bunch of money (no Ti for me please). There is a limited number of arrestors available for this bike but I heard through the forum the 05 450SX was the same so I purchased a FMF Powercore 4 that almost slipped right on. (It didn't fit as well as I had hoped). There is a noticeable power increase, it looks good and is legal. It even is a little quieter which I find strange.

The gas cap started to leak, just a little bit. I installed a viton 2-223 o-ring and the leak is gone. Someone on this forum said KTM is aware of the issue and is offering a replacement.

Had to back off the adjuster on the front brake. It will throw you over the bars.

Apparently there have been issues with connecting rods failing on some engines and KTM is recalling 22 motors.

Seal the head pipe (if you can get it off) and silencer . It will help with popping on decel. (ITW again)

I swapped the triple clamp offset. It still wiggles a little on decel but better than with the stock 20mm offset which wiggled on accel as well. (ITW)

There is a KTM tech bulleting out to the dealers that some oil screens were installed incorrectly at the factory asking them to inspect the screens before selling. This bulletin came out after quite a few bikes had already left the shops.

There are a bunch of goodies I still want but they will have to be one at a time over time (sticker shock still has the wife upset)
They include:
- Skid plate (KTM hardparts or Works Connection)
- Boyesen quickshot
- Handguards (KTM hardparts has several choices)
- Pipe heat shield (under side number plate. KTM hardparts has a cool plastic one)
- Longer kickstarter (KTM mechanic at Washougle told me YZ250F bolts right on)
- Exhaust header (HT racing or Bills pipes. Added performance and easier to R&R)
- Eliminate backfire screen in airfilter (Twinair)
- JD jetting kit (maybe)

I think it would be a good idea to make a sticky about the KTM 250 SXF seeing how popular of a bike it's becoming...

-Tom

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by Aus_Rider_22

Tom, that's an awesome compilation of info and data!

I couldn't agree more. Very nice.

[Deano249f]

The KTM 250 SXF is Awesome!

I saw one for the first time last weekend (well I saw about six actually) they've popped out from no where there was none around here, and now there's loads of em'

They look really nice!..
infact I'm honestly having second thoughts about buying the 06 YZ250F...
Naa, I doubt it lol, I'll always own at least one blue bike
They are Sweet though these new katoooms.

[RICHIE500]

I agree, IMO KTM is a very nice bike and one of the best lookers out there. I`ve also heard they are a very reliable bike with many riders who rode them are very pleased.

Deano when you get the 300 I`m coming to have a blast, right Bro?


Catch you later,

Richie!

[Deano249f]

Originally Posted by RICHIE500

Deano when you get the 300 I`m coming to have a blast, right Bro?

Yea, no problem!

As soon as it's broken in. I will be coming down Wales to have a blast up in the mountains
I'll meet you there, and you can have a go.

[RICHIE500]

you`ll love it down here bro, you can ride for miles! Hopefully then I`ll have my CR250 which you can have a blast or I`ll still have my arm ripper, you`ll like that ..you just have to dodge the sheep and thier "kamikazee" style antics


Later bro,

[Deano249f]

Originally Posted by RICHIE500

you`ll love it down here bro, you can ride for miles! Hopefully then I`ll have my CR250 which you can have a blast or I`ll still have my arm ripper, you`ll like that ..you just have to dodge the sheep and thier "kamikazee" style antics


Later bro,

Ha'ha!

I'll PM you as soon as I get it.

[westladog]

Enough reviews already! We already know what the outcome will be:

1st - Honda (improved power everywhere)
2nd - KTM (power and much improved suspension/handling)
3rd/4th - YZ250F/KX250F
Last - RMZ250F (just because it doesn't have a new frame like the rest)

I was thinking of getting the KTM 250SXF but I now have second thoughts now that the 06 CRF250R dual exhaust is out. The CRF looks lean. Suposedly, it's more quiet which I love. I hate loud bikes. It kills our sport.

It's so hard. I love both bikes.

[Aus_Rider_22]

Originally Posted by westladog

Enough reviews already! We already know what the outcome will be:

1st - Honda (improved power everywhere)
2nd - KTM (power and much improved suspension/handling)
3rd/4th - YZ250F/KX250F
Last - RMZ250F (just because it doesn't have a new frame like the rest)

hmmmmmmm.

And who will be making these outcomes?

[westladog]

It's all the same every year. It's useless reading these mags to find out which is the best.

I'd rather hear real reviews from real people on this forum and others like thumpertalk. That's what counts.

I can't trust those mags.

So the KTM 250SXF is out already? How much are they going for OTD?
How much are they going for OTD in California versus other states?

[DPW]

Originally Posted by westladog

So the KTM 250SXF is out already?

There was one at Nocona yesterday...the owner was all giddy with a dumb grin on his face!

[Satch0922]

Originally Posted by DPW

There was one at Nocona yesterday...the owner was all giddy with a dumb grin on his face!

yeah and he stalled in on the last lap of his moto and did not get it re-lit.....

[Aus_Rider_22]

Originally Posted by Satch0922

yeah and he stalled in on the last lap of his moto and did not get it re-lit.....

May be weird question, but how did it sound??

[Satch0922]

sounded like a 250F I guess. Nothing jumped out at me ...