First Impression: 2013 KTM 250 SX-F

Katoom takes it to the next level!

Katoom’s New Two Five O

First Impression: 2013 KTM 250 SX-F
By: Kris Keefer, Photos: Max Mande

The new 2013 KTM 250 SX-F

Today we just received delivery of the all-new 2013 KTM 250 SX-F. Yes, I said all-new because like the 450, there are very few parts taken over from the 2012 lineup. The 2012 Katoom 250F suffered a tad in the motor department compared to the Japanese machines and the engineers at KTM did not take that lightly. With a new engine for 2013, KTM claims they pumped up the ponies by 5HP. Suspension on the new tiddler has also been updated with new settings. Also notice the new styled plastics just like Ken Roczen races with. We were excited to spin some laps on the new steed and offer up a quick first impression on the bike.

The 2013 still likes to rev but there is more power to rev with the new engine. Aggressive riders that like to twist it to the stops will love the package.


Once on the track the first thing I could immediately notice was the healthy dose of roll-on power out of corners. Yes, the bike still likes to be revved out (more on that in a bit) but

The chassis and the suspension is very balanced, one of the best stock 250F Katooms we have ridden to date.

rolling on the throttle you can really feel the added pull of the 2013 KTM 250 SX-F. Even coming into tight 180-degree corners I could almost use 3rd gear! Second gear felt like it was too quick and the bike wanted 3rd gear really soon. Once into 3rd heading down a straight, the bike begged to be revved out! Having only ridden a couple new 2013 250Fs to date, the KTM seems to be the only one that likes be revved to the moon in 3rd and 4th gear. It is amazing in those gears—this bike is fond of fast tracks. However, the engine is not the best in the lower RPM range, it likes to be ridden around 7000RPM and up. Usually this is the optimum place to be, but with regard to the KTM, it really yearns to be in that sweet zone. If you’re a rider with a healthy fat bottom end, you may have to do some gearing changes or maybe some mods or tuning to achieve that bottom end grunt you’re looking for. The KTM is definitely not a lazy person’s 250F, it likes to be ridden hard and put away dirty.

Another little hiccup that KTM has had in previous years was in the suspension department. Even though the track wasn’t too hammered, it did have a few bigger bumps to evaluate and get some nice feedback on the updated settings. To me this is the most balanced stock KTM 250F I have felt in years. Both ends seem to work together and not against one another. Under heavy braking and larger bumps, the fork felt a little soft for my speed and 165lb body weight. We added 10cc of oil to the fork and it helped the front to stay up in the stroke under braking. With the fork in check, I played with the high speed on the shock to help prevent it from blowing thru the stroke on long, fast rolling whoops. Also KTM informed me to only go 1/8-turn increments vs 1/4 turn like in year’s past. They were right because just an 1/8 of a turn on the high speed does drastically change the attitude of the bike on the track. I came away happier at the end of the day with the suspension settings compared to previous years with this model bike in stock trim.

Aesthetically, as always, the bike is appealing and attractive. Brakes and clutch are quality and, to me, even the lines on the bike are better this year. I can do without the soft foam feeling from the seat but then again I am a test rider and can get picky from time to time. KTM looks to be back in the shootout game this year with this all-new 2013 250 SX-F. I am looking forward to getting on a variety of tracks and really breaking down the nooks and crannies of the orange little 4 banger!

Overall the 2013 KTM 250 SX-F is very much an improvement over the 2012 model. It has more power and the suspension updates create a very well-balanced package.

Related Posts:

Add a Comment

By submitting a comment you grant Motocross.com a perpetual license to reproduce your words, name and web site in attribution.
Comments may be removed at an administrators discretion. Your email is used for verification purposes only and will never be shared.

Fantasy Corner