New KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION

KTM’s 250 SX-F has been a front-runner in Dirt Rider’s 250 Four-Stroke Motocross Shootout for several years thanks to its potent engine, highly tunable suspension, and neutral-handling chassis. The Austrian machine has been on the podium in our annual comparison since 2017-an impressive run indeed. It won two years since then (2019 and 2020), and looks poised to be a podium threat again this year. Can it reach the top step? We’ll find out as soon as the 2024 250F Motocross Shootout is complete. In the meantime, let’s dig into some of KTM’s motocross-focused quarter-liter thumper’s features detailed in the photos below as well as the full spec sheet at the bottom of this article.
All-new last year, the KTM 250 SX-F enjoys minor revisions for 2024 in the form of updated suspension settings and fresh graphics.
Its fuel-injected liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke 250cc single-cylinder engine uses finger followers to keep the titanium 32.5mm intake and 27.5mm exhaust valves under control at engine speeds up to 14,000 rpm.
The 250 SX-F rips on the track and dyno. We documented peak figures of 42.8 hp at 12,800 rpm and 19.8 lb.-ft. of torque at 9,300 rpm.
Of the three Austrian quarter-liter four-stroke motocross bikes (the others being Husqvarna’s FC 250 and GasGas’ MC 250F), the orange machine has the most airbox ventilation, as pictured here.
We’re still getting used to the kill button being on the right-hand side of the Neken handlebar.
The electronics suite offers two engine maps-mellow (white light illuminated) and aggressive (green light illuminated)-as well as traction control (TC), launch control, and quickshift (QS)
The radiator cap is difficult to remove when checking or adding coolant. Companies like Bullet Proof Designs and Nihilo Concepts offer a special tool that makes the job easier.
KTM moved to a WP Xact 48mm closed-cartridge coil-spring fork on its cross-country, enduro, and dual sport models for 2024. The full-size motocross bikes retain a WP Xact 48mm closed-cartridge air fork.
You can leave your tools at the truck when tuning front and rear suspension damping on the 250 SX-F. Compression and rebound adjustments are made by hand on both the fork and shock.