| April 7, 2016
The KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition is remarkably light and agile, and, not to mention, f-a-s-t!
Story and Photography by Adam Booth
Superstitious? You can rest easy if the sight of a 13 makes you cringe with fear and anxiety. The 2016 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition doesn’t come with the numbers molded into the graphics, KTM offers them in a separate envelope so you don’t have to apply them if you are scared. Troy Lee Designs is the official factory 250 KTM team, hence the replica look of the 250 SX-F Factory Edition.
You can read the original magazine story by clicking HERE.
Like the 2016 450 SX-F Factory Edition, the 250 SX-F Factory Edition is home to some cool additions when compared to the standard 2016 250 SX-F, starting with the highly anticipated and well-received WP AER 48 air fork. The AER 48 fork is three pounds lighter than the 4CS fork it replaces. An FMF 4.1 slip-on muffler drops nearly a pound and adds a little boost in power when compared to the standard 250 SX-F muffler. An orange frame is always a welcome addition and helps separate the FE from the standard version. Orange triple clamps, an orange sprocket, ODI lock-on grips and a trick front brake rotor guards finish the list of differences between the Factory Edition and the standard model. Of course, as the past has proven, this is an early look into what the 2017 KTM SX-F machines will feature. The WP AER 48 air fork will mostly likely be the biggest addition for 2017 while much of the bike will stay as it was in 2016.
The new WP AER forks are light, perform well and are easy to adjust. They are air forks done right.
Pump It Up
KTM was one of the few companies still rocking the spring fork in 2015 and while the 4CS was slowly improving, it wasn’t on par with the Kayaba SSS fork. The writing is now on the wall and the 4CS will be gone from the 2017 KTM motocross bikes. The 4CS won’t be horribly missed, especially since WP has done a great job with their air fork. The new WP AER 48 only uses one air chamber, meaning only one air valve to adjust and fill. The air spring is in the left leg and the right leg is home to a new damping cartridge, designed to handle the single damping leg requirements. Compression adjustment is on the top, rebound on the bottom. With the change to three-pound lighter AER 48 fork and the addition of the one pound lighter FMF muffler, KTM claims the weight of the 250 SX-F FE without fuel is an astounding 217 pounds.
Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Red Bull KTM’s Jessy Nelson isn’t superstitious but the numbers are easily removable if you are.
Feather Weight
We recently spent a full day testing the 2016 KTM 250 SX-F and 450 SX-F Factory Edition at Cahuilla motocross track. Like the 450 SX-F FE, the 250 SX-F FE is pretty darn sweet looking. Performance-based changes to the Factory Edition include the AER 48 air fork, valving changes to the shock, an FMF slip-on muffler and a slight gearing change. Otherwise the 2016 250 SX-F Factory Edition mirrors the 2016 SX-F standard model very closely on paper. Out on the track handling is improved thanks to the WP AER 48 fork. It clearly out performs the 4CS in every track condition and is, worth mentioning again, three pounds lighter. Stock pressure is 154 psi (10.6) and is crazy easy to set up compared to other air forks thanks to only one fill valve. Like the AER 48 we tested on the 450 SX-F FE, the first few inches of travel from the AER 48 is plush, way better than any other air fork. The AER 48 performs more like a well set up spring fork, especially compared to any other air forks we’ve ridden and stays up in the stroke nicely while still absorbing small bumps and chop. Through the midstroke the AER 48 provides a progressive and predictable feel, unlike the 4CS fork that had a tendency to bottom easily. The AER 48 offers great bottoming resistance. All the way through the stroke the AER 48 is smooth without any harshness, the way a fork should perform. For our light test riders we went down to 145 psi (10 bar) and out a few clicks on compression to improve overall comfort. The WP AER 48 is cool because it performs consistently at different air pressure settings (like changing spring rates). Changing pressure on other air forks affects overall tuning requiring more adjustment of damping settings. The short version, WP AER 48 air forks work great and are very user friendly.
We were impressed last year by the 2015 250 SX-F’s stability while exhibiting excellent cornering characteristics and the 2016 250 SX-F FE is even better. Front wheel traction throughout the corner is predictable and overall the bike is incredibly easy to change direction, both on the ground and in the air. This doesn’t feel like a bike with an air fork, it feels like a feather light, high-strung race machine with well-tuned suspension.
The 250 SX-F FE does an excellent job putting the power to the ground which translates into fast exits.
Wring It Out!
Not much has changed in the motor department, but it didn’t really need any.
What the 250 SX-F engine lacks in off-idle hit it more than makes up for through the mid and all the way up to the incredible 14,000 rpm rev limiter. It owns the title for the max horsepower in the 250F class but to make use of the impressive power it has to be ridden high in the rpms. It is an engine more suited for experience and aggressive riders willing to live life well about 10,000 rpm. The FMF 4.1 muffler is lighter than stock and offers a slight bump in off idle response.
The 2016 250 SX-F Factory Edition final gearing is 14/51. The 2015 250 SX-F used 13/50. This change is essentially like going 1½ teeth smaller on the rear sprocket, a change only really fast and light riders liked, thanks to the KTM’s amazing ability to rev, allowing pro-level riders to stay in each gear a bit longer before upshifting. For riders over 150 pounds and not at a pro level, the gearing change required more shifting between second and third. In certain sections of the track where the 2015 250 SX-F would have been able to coax third gear, the 2016 needed to be down shifted to second earlier. This was only an issue for heavier riders who didn’t carry the same amount of momentum as light pro riders. Gearing is often a very personal preference and is often dependent on the track. We only had a day on one track so our findings could possibly change depending on the track and the prep.
Is the limited-edition 2016 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition a preview of what’s to come in 2017? Most likely.
Worth The Wallet?
KTM is doing something no other manufacture is even thinking about, offering up limited runs of specialized models. Yes they are doing it to meet homologation rules so their riders can race the latest and greatest creation from the factory, but they are doing it with serious style and performance. The Factory Edition price is higher than a standard SX-F but KTM decks out the bikes to look amazing while providing cool aftermarket goodies all while showing the public what the next years models will look like long before the other manufactures. If you have $9,399 burning a hole in your pocket and need one wicked 250F, the 2016 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition is waiting.
Trevor Stewart 6’/155 lbs/Pro
The new Factory Edition 250 SX-F comes straight out of the box ready to race and visually makes you look like a pro! The bigger front sprocket and one tooth bigger rear sprocket let me ride each gear longer and rev to the sky without loosing power, but it also took some power away from the bottom end, forcing me to keep it in a lower gear to gain back the power in some sections. The lightweight makes a huge difference in being able to put the bike where you want it and to throw down some clean whips. The FMF slip-on exhaust offers good looks and a bit more power. The new WP air forks are improved a lot from last year, making the bike feel more plush and smooth entering breaking bumps and on hard landings. I took out some air to soften them for my weight and went out two clicks on compression, improving the action over breaking bumps. Although the new air forks have made many improvements, I still prefer the original spring forks for their easy tuning and feel. This bike is amazingly light and ready to rock and roll with minimal suspension set up.
Kai Mukai 5’5”/130 lbs/Pro
The first thing I noticed on the 250 SX-F FE was how much power it has. It felt as if second gear was enough power to get you around almost the whole track. Like with the 450 SX-F FE, the 250 SX-F FE is also very light feeling, as if it were a 125. The FE handles well, and works on every aspect of the track. They changed quite a few things on this bike, but what stood out the most was the suspension. I usually find air forks irritating and hard to work but the AER 48 is great! It works well all the way through the stroke on everything Cahuilla had to offer.
Pros love this bike, and so will you (even if you’re not a pro).
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SPECIFICATIONS: 2016 KTM SX-F 250 Factory Edition
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Engine:
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Liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-stroke, single
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Displacement:
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249.9cc
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Bore x Stroke:
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78.mm x 52.3mm
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Compression Ratio:
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14.4:1
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Starter/Battery:
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Electric starter/12V, 3Ah
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Transmission:
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5-speed
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Fuel System:
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Keihin EFI, 44mm throttle body
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Final Drive:
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14:51
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Clutch:
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Wet multi-disc DDS clutch, Brembo hydraulics
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Front Suspension:
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WP Suspension AER 48 air fork
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Rear Suspension:
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WP Monoshock with Linkage
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Front-Wheel Travel:
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11.8 in.
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Rear-Wheel Travel:
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11.8 in.
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Front Brake:
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Single 260mm disc
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Rear Brake:
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Single 220mm disc
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Front Rim:
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1.60 x 21 Excel
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Rear Rim:
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2.15 x 19 Excel
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Front Tire:
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80/100-21 Dunlop MX32
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Rear Tire:
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120/90-19 Dunlop MX32
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Ground Clearance:
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14.6 in.
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Seat Height:
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37.7 in.
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Fuel Capacity:
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1.85 gal.
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Claimed Dry Weight:
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218 lbs.
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MSRP:
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$9,399
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There really isn’t much to not like about the 250 SX-F FE. Well, it’s not exactly cheap at $9,399.
You can read the original magazine story by clicking HERE.
For more Cycle News Motocross motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
For more KTM motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
