ASK THE MXPERTS: WHY IS MY 2017 KTM 250SXF SLOWER THAN MY BROTHER’S 2016?

The 2016 and 2017 KTM 250SXF’s use the exact same engine, but there is a simple reason why the 2017 doesn’t feel as fast as a 2016.

Dear MXperts,
I just bought a used 2017 KTM 250SXF to replace my well-used 2016 250SXF, which I gave to my brother. The 2017 doesn’t feel as fast as my 2016 did. I used to be able to clear the big jump at my local track on my 2016, but I can’t get over it on the 2017. Both bikes were rebuilt recently, so what changes did KTM make to slow the 2017 KTM down?

KTM made no changes between the 2016 and 2017 KTM 250SXF engines. The powerplants are identical, but you are not wrong about the 2017 KTM 250SXF feeling slower, especially for riders below Pro speed. The source of the slower sensation is that KTM exchanged 2016’s 13/50 gearing combination for a 14/51 ratio for 2017. Depending on the track layout, many Novice and Vet riders have trouble getting the 2017 KTM 250SXF and Husqvarna FC250 all the way to 14,000 rpm before they run out of straight track or, in your case, before a jump appears on the horizon. Thus, the jumps you were hitting at peak horsepower on your 2016 bike, you are hitting somewhere below peak rpm on the 2017 bike.

The solution is simple. Return to the 13/50 gearing you had on your 2016 model, or try leaving the 51-tooth rear sprocket on your 2017 KTM 250SXF and put a 13-tooth countershaft sprocket on the front. The tighter gearing will make it easier to get on the pipe sooner and develop enough thrust to get full use out of the high-rpm powerband. The current 14/51 gearing on your 2017 is the equivalent of running a much taller 13/47 on your 2016 250SXF.

 

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