2020 KTM 250XCF Quick Ride and Impressions: Fun and Fast!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- Got a chance to ride a new 2020 KTM 250XCF recently. I was impressed! My favorite 4-stroke is a 350 and I currently have a 2020 Husky FX350. I am 6' 2" tall and weigh 195 lbs before I put on my riding gear. The first thing I noticed about the 2020 KTM 250XCF: it had more low to mid power than I expected. The low to mid power felt strong and on par with a 2019 YZ250F I had ridden. The engine has a very snappy throttle response and rev's quickly with a strong mid range and top end pull yet ran pretty smoothly at low RPM. There are (2) EFI maps and I preferred the more aggressive Map 2 overall. Traction control is also available in both maps though I did not use it. The low inertia of the 250XCF engine combined with the light overall weight makes for an agile and playful bike on the trails. The 250XCF is a fun bike to ride! The AER fork gives the steering a very light feel at the bars and the 2020 AER fork setting feels a little more plush over the small chop. Changing air pressure in the AER forks is a nice tuning option for different terrains and rider weights. I have found going +4 psi higher than my normal off road fork pressure works well for the Vet moto tracks I ride. The rear shock was plush and absorbing. The 2020 250 XCF suspension setting is a nice compromise between off road and easy Vet moto riding. The latest KTM ergos are really good with a thin overall profile and smooth sides to grip the bike. The seat is comfortable too. Brembo brakes have the usual strong braking power with an aggressive initial bite. 6 speed transmission, see through larger fuel tank that holds the extra fuel down low, kick stand, DID VT2 o-ring chain, 18" rear wheel...the 250XCF comes set up well off the showroom floor.
Snappy motor, plush suspension, lightweight, and agile handling all combine to make the 2020 KTM 250XCF a fun and playful bike to ride.
One of the best uncut reviews I’ve seen yet. Also your commentary is very informative and descriptive, I can tell you’re an engineer by the way you talk about the bike.
Thank you!
Great job on the video, good info. I currently ride a 2016 300XC and have been looking into the 2020 350 XCF. I've also watched a few reviews of the 250XCF. Since you ride the 350, what's your thoughts on the 350XCF vs this 250XCF? The 300XC is a great bike, and I've always been a 2 stroke rider on the trails, but those 350's have a lot of positive reviews over the past few years and I'm really leaning towards pulling the trigger on one. I mainly ride woods, some single track and some wider type trails along with a few hare scrambles a year. The XC has done a great job, but I've got the itch for these newer 4 strokes. I'm a little heavier than you at 220, (and 60 years old), riding for the last 40 years and not sure if the 250 would be a little underpowered, although it doesn't look it based on your video. Any input would be appreciated.
While the 250F's are fun to ride and agile but the engines require a lot more rpm to make peak power. The 350 has enough extra torque that takes a little less work from the rider yet still feel almost as agile as a 250F yet might lighter in motion than a 450F. The 350 is still my favorite combination of power/weight/handling in a 4-stroke dirt bike.
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The KTM 350XCF and Husky FX350 with 6-speed gear box, kick stand, bigger fuel tank that holds the fuel low, and softer suspension valving offer a versatile package that performs great in a broad range of off road riding. My garage always has a FX/XCF 350 and a KTM/Husky 300 2-stroke.
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How would you compare the 2020 250xcf to the Sherco 300 four stroke. Would the KTM be capable in the gnarly terrain with a fan kit and a Rekulse?
Rekluse and fan kit can make even hard core moto bikes very capable in the gnarly terrain so yes it would really make the 250XCF work better in the tight stuff. The 250XCF is lighter on the scale and feels lighter in motion compared to the Sherco 300. The Sherco has a smooth running engine even at low rpm and a little less stall prone than the 250XCF at low rpm.
I have a 2020 Sherco 250 SE Factory (2 stroke) and a '19' XCF 250 KTM.....the Shercos because of their beefier gear boxes are a bit heavier (2t is 232'ish lbs dry) and that's really my only dislike on Sherco (love the bike though). The Shercos ride with a very light feeling (great for quick paced trail riding), do any scramble racing or a long day of riding with a few fall overs, you'll feel that weight deep into the ride.
At the moment, the XCF250 is my perfect power to ground lighter (218 dry) hare scramble bike. The 250xcf has more than enough kahuna's (will still get one in trouble) for the races having tight woods and they can get up and go in the open. That old saying "less power enables faster riding" is actually true....really depends on skill, intention and ego.
In a hard enduro situation what would you rather be riding? This bike or a ktm 300?
Hard to beat a Husky/KTM 300 2-stroke in hard enduro situations:)
Nice bike, would definitely be my xc 4stroke of choice. Not a bad lil track either.
Grear MX in Zanesville, Ohio is a fun place to ride
Would it be good for me I am 14 and 5”7
That depends on a lot of factors! Generally 250F's have broad power that is easy to use for a wide range of skilled riders. Having said that the KTM 250XCF is a closed coursed competition bike designed for racing and it makes a little over 40HP at the rear wheel - very capable machine with more demanding maintenance requirements than a more recreational focused off road bike like a Honda CRF250F. If you are an experience off road rider and understand how to maintain an off road bike the KTM 250XCF may be a great choice. I'd recommend you and your parents visiting a few local motorcycle shops and talk with the experienced associates there to get an idea of different bikes that may meet your skill level.
What size handlebars does it have I am getting one and am about to order wrap around hand guards
Sorry I do not know the exact size but I would guess they are normal width which is typically about 805~810mm.
Does this bike do hood for enduro and motocross?
KTM XCF/Husky FX models have excellent off road versatility. If you are A-rider speed MX rider the suspension will be soft for moto otherwise it can be adjusted to work for a wide range of off road riding conditions
@@mxengineer1 I’m pretty good on both. Raced motocross and participated in enduro comps. Been doing slot of research thing the Husky 350FX is the go for me. Thanks for all the advice🤙🏼
@@joe_allen7742 At one point the KTM 350 was used to win the MXGP championship, the US GNCC championship (which was again won this year on a 350XCF), the Eudurocross Championship, and the US Enduro championship. I think the KTM/Husky 350's are the best combination of power/weight/handling in an off road 4-stroke.
Would you suggest this being a good starter bike for a beginning adult dirt bike rider?
No I would go for a 150 4 stoke, or a 100 2 stroke
250F's can be great starter bikes for beginning off road riders. The power is smooth but builds with engine RPM's. The 250XCF is a full size dirt bike so the seat height will be tall however the bike is relatively light (about 220 lbs before gas). If the rider already has some motorcycle riding experience that can make it easier to learn how to ride a dirt bike. Really depends on the new rider. Honda and Yamaha make very nice smaller displacement 4-stroke off road bikes that are smaller and require less maintenance. Visit some local motorcycle shops to check out some bike options. Good luck!