Need owner reviews of KTM 250sx

[jmet]

Hi Gang, Newbie here. I'm looking for reviews of the KTM 250sx from owners. I've never owned a KTM so I'm curious about their reliability if proper maintenance is performed. I really like the 2013 and I'm considering picking one up. To those that know, give me the in's and out's of this bike. What you like / what you hate, etc. Thanks.

[_X_]

welcome jmet, i have no info for you, hondas here mate.

[metal_miracle]

I own a sx 250 11

is real stable in ruff terrain.

power seem to be more middle to top,
but that can be because that i use the red power valve spring and ignition curve 1

i have no problem whit the rear shock but the front forks, they got a little harsh middle on small jumps.

if you buy one watch the swingarm bolt the first 10 hours and rear wheele bolt
not come loose after that.  seat bolt needs checking until it seats

1 note if you service your own front fork...  get a air pump whit needle to pressurize the bladder for the inner chamber


For me its the best 250 i have ridden.

[Moto451]

I have a '13.

It was a bit difficult to get used to the bike sitting slightly taller in the seat then my old honda. Also, the fact that it turns with the much more flexible steel frame was kind of a trip but awesome.

I had my suspension initially done by Race Tech, and they did ok, but then Van Tech did it and it was WAAAAY better and they kept the gold valves in.

Problems I've had, like the first day I got it the kill switch stopped working. Ive had the throttle cable come off of the throttle housing wheel and stick the throttle in a rev. After that happened both times, I broke the cable a few rides later. This problem has been recalled, I just ride too much and I dont feel like taking my bike to the dealer.

I switched to a Renthal twin ring 50 T sprocket and a Renthal O ring chain as well as a Renthal Twin Wall handle bar after a fairly bad wreck where I bent my bars. The stock pipe is snappy, but weak walled. I like riding a bit off of the bottom end so I put on the FMF Gnarly pipe with a powercore 2 silencer. I am contemplating switching to the Factory Fatty FMF pipe but I havent decided yet.

Hope that helps.

[racer142]

Any transmission issues? I had a friend buy an 11, 12, and 13 and said all the were tough to shift after 15 to 20 hours on the bike

[Moto451]

I guess rolling off the throttle is a little more necessary on up shifts. I never really thought much of it, I just figured i was demanding more of the bike. I change my tranny oil like every hour so I don't know what the deal is.

[evo550]

Had a 2010 250 sx and now running 2013 300, no reliability issues anywhere, gearbox fine although oil is changed after every race day, or every second practice.
The one thing I've noticed about KTM's is that the jetting is more sensitive to atmospheric changes to YZ's I've owned previous, they where pretty much set and forget, the KTM's require a little more attention between tracks and seasons.
I love 'em...just ask Ford
My throttles where replaced before any "Incidents" occurred.

[Larry63r]

I have been riding KTM 250s since 1983. I currently have a 2006 250sx and a 2011 250sx. They have all been great bikes. I had a 1987 250 that I raced 14 years on the stock top end just to see how long it would last. After 14 years I sold it, with the stock top end on it. The kid who bought it lives down the street from me and still rides it. They seem to be bullet proof if you take care of them. I have had zero problems with my last four KTM250s. 2001, 2003, 2006, 2011.
There are a few things to watch out for. The top shock bolt, the kick starter bolt and the shifter bolts need to be checked often. The chain adjuster bolts need to be removed and greased once a year to keep them from getting stuck in the swing arm. The air box is great for air flow but in a CC race they let water in to easily. Get an airbox cleaning cover for washing the bike or just bag the filter before you wash the bike.
I like the slim body of the 2006 much better than the wide body 2011. The 06 is much narrower than the 11. I hate the black gas tank, it sucks!! It looks old and you can't see the gas when you are filling the tank. The orange tanks were better looking and you could see the gas as you fill it up so you don't over fill the tank.

[citabjockey]

Kill switch failure AND stuck throttle failure. Nice they didn't happen at the same time!

I have a '13.

It was a bit difficult to get used to the bike sitting slightly taller in the seat then my old honda. Also, the fact that it turns with the much more flexible steel frame was kind of a trip but awesome.

I had my suspension initially done by Race Tech, and they did ok, but then Van Tech did it and it was WAAAAY better and they kept the gold valves in.

Problems I've had, like the first day I got it the kill switch stopped working. Ive had the throttle cable come off of the throttle housing wheel and stick the throttle in a rev. After that happened both times, I broke the cable a few rides later. This problem has been recalled, I just ride too much and I dont feel like taking my bike to the dealer.

I switched to a Renthal twin ring 50 T sprocket and a Renthal O ring chain as well as a Renthal Twin Wall handle bar after a fairly bad wreck where I bent my bars. The stock pipe is snappy, but weak walled. I like riding a bit off of the bottom end so I put on the FMF Gnarly pipe with a powercore 2 silencer. I am contemplating switching to the Factory Fatty FMF pipe but I havent decided yet.

Hope that helps.

[2SEVEN3]

I have a 2013 250 sx. now 300 sx. First off for a faster moto rider i thought the wp forks in stock trim were HORRIBLE.  My stock pipe cracked w only 5 hr and it is a common issue, but after the stocker cracked i started paying more attn to the pipe bolts and i havent cracked one since. This bike is a blast to ride and i love it with the FC suspension, but you have to constantly check your fasteners.. common ones just like above: shifter/kicker/pipe bolts/swing arm bolt/upper shock bolt/motor mounts/spokes... I guess its worth adding that it did this in stock trim also, not just w 300kit. keep plenty of loctite on hand and check your fasteners before/during each ride day and its a blast.

[Moto451]

Oh another thing, I broke a couple rear spoke nipples. Dont know why. Werent loose.

[art.olivier.7]

Any transmission issues? I had a friend buy an 11, 12, and 13 and said all the were tough to shift after 15 to 20 hours on the bike

The tensioning spring sacks out if you leave your bike in neutral while it is in the garage. You can pull on it or buy a new one for $3.

[art.olivier.7]

I have a 2011. It feels like it has 10 more HP than my 2007. It has a ****'s carb and ProCircuit pipe.

Ha, Duck's with an I instead of a U was censored.

[yota]

I have a 12 250SX.  great engine and superb handling, suspension did not make me happy.  I put on an Ohlins TTX shock and took the Showa A kit front end off one of my Hondas and stuck it on there and now the suspension is sweet.  I put a PC silencer on the stock Ktm pipe, put in the red powervalve spring, rejetted and used the NECJ needle and love the power characteristics.   does have a bit of hit in the midrange but I like that.

[TotalNZ]

I have a 2011. It feels like it has 10 more HP than my 2007. It has a ****'s carb and ProCircuit pipe.

Ha, Duck's with an I instead of a U was censored.

woah, whats up with that seat? how tall are you 8ft?