2023 KTM 250-350-450SXF Back to Back Comparison
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- Back to back ride today on a 22.5 KTM 250SXF Factory Edition, 23 KTM 350SXF, and 22.5 KTM 450SXF Factory at the Briarcliff C-track. Riding bikes back to back is a great way to understand the characteristics of different bikes. The 250 Factory Edition and 350SXF both had identical WP6500 cartridge spring fork kits installed while the 450 Factory Edition has WP Cone Valve spring forks. The 250 Factory Edition also has a full FMF titanium exhaust system. I am 10 weeks out on a total right hip replacement so riding easy on the C-track and no jumping but still able to get a feel for the different characteristics of each bike on this track today. My thoughts on each bike.....
The 250SXF is all about compliant chassis and plush suspension. The engine makes smooth broad power that needs lots of RPM's (like all 250F's) to go fast, especially in the soft dirt. The FMF exhaust gives the bike a slightly quicker rev compared to the stock pipe and is loud, even with the insert installed. The 250FE is playful and feels agile and lightweight in motion.
Next up was the 350SXF. Nothing stood out on the 350SXF which means it does everything well and matches your inputs with expected outputs. The new 350SXF engine has more low to mid power and feels more mini 450 like than previous 350's yet still pulls strong way up top if you feel like revving. Less agile than the 250SXF but a little more agile than the 450SXF. Maybe still the best overall combination of Power/Weight/Handling and the perfect Vet rider bike.
Finally the 22.5 450SXF Factory Edition which is all about the engine. How does 60hp feel so easy yet fun to ride. Responsive and almost barky (especially in Map 2) yet controllable and so connected to your right hand. The WP Cone Valve forks are plush with a friction free movement that absorbs the chop. The WP CV forks are so good it makes the rear shock feel a bit over damped. 450's are the flagship motocross models with lots of engineering and development focus and it shows. This 450 Factory Edition is very fast, fun to ride, and feels impressive even at slow Vet rider speeds.
Things that stood out to me today:
The 250FE suspension is plush and the chassis felt compliant - the same chassis as used on the 350SXF and 450SXF.
The 350 is usually my easy favorite yet today nothing stood out to me on the new 350 which could mean it simply works so well as an overall package
The 450FE motor changes really stand out on this bike and it still amazes me how fun and easy a 60hp dirt bike can be to ride
Yea I love the new KTMs an this zero agenda reg guy review Is cool.
Thanks! Had them all in one place yesterday so good time for a back to back ride
What’s was done to the rear shock of the 250?
Rear shock is stock on the 250
Another cool video,, that 450 looks FUN love to try a Jday race with it.. Go easy jumping,nurse that hip..
Thanks! Yes the all new KTM 450 motor is a velvet sledgehammer and so fun to ride. I think it would be great for JDay race!
Can't say I'm a fan of all the white on the 23 models, plus the orange frame looks much better than black.
Cheers for the comparison
Thanks! Yes the Factory Editions with orange frames tend to look the best...I think KTM should make all the frames orange
Man awesome back to back. Would love to see you do this same comparison on your woods track. I just picked up my 22.5 rockstar 450 and love it. And I rode woods in Michigan
Congratulations on your new 22.5 450RE! That is a great bike! I hope to do a similar back to back on a woods loop soon. I also enjoy riding my 22.5 450FE in the woods - the motor is so controllable.... ua-cam.com/video/_aVvYeC7APs/v-deo.html
@@mxengineer1 Thanks man! would be curious if you ever get to do a back to back of a KTM Factory Edition vs Husky Rockstar to see how they compare on track and on trail.
@@barrthom603 I think those bikes are basically identical with this new chassis that uses the same subframe and these special editions even use the same suspension and setting (the 23 Husky's FC models have the 10mm lower suspension). If I get a chance to ride a Rockstar 450 there will be a video on the channel!
Do you know if the myktm will work with the 23 since they have the plug behind the plate
I tried to connect the myKTM app to my 22.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition and while the unit would not communicate with the bike's ECU. There is no option to choose a 22.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition or 23 SXF yet in the app. My guess is the capability is there since it has the coupler. I have heard the factory that built the myKTM connectivity units had an issue (someone said it burned down) and KTM has not sourced another supplier yet or has very limited production capacity so those units are going to street side.
Thank you for the great review, nice that all 3 bikes have modified forks (250 and 350 with the 6500 spring conversion kit and the 450 with the $$ cone valves!), I would like to see your thoughts on these 3 bikes on your trail loop someday just to see how the ratings may change as the trails get tighter.
Thanks! I hope to have these bikes together for a trail loop back to back soon
I believe the motor (as a stressed component) plays in big role in the chassis feel. I noticed this a few years back when the 500afx's had stiffness issues the 250x didn't, despite being the same frame (apart from motor & cradle). Now with so many of the manufacturers running the same frame for the 250/450 we're seeing testers saying one is plush and the other stiff. I noticed you said the 22.5 250SXF-FE was planted and plush which got me interested in the 250, but then all the mags tested the 23 4T models and said that they were much stiffer than their predecessors. But now I'm starting to think it could just be a displacement thing as the testers were mostly on the bigger bikes and also i noticed your camera shaking alot more as soon as you got on the 350. Also interesting - if you check out the dirtrider '23 ex350f test they say it's better than the 23 KTM's they rode (the gas gas is the previous generation chassis).
I have been back and forth on the '22 chassis and all new '23 chassis the past few weeks. The new '23 chassis has a more globally firm feel even at my slow Vet speed. My son is fast and he really likes the new chassis and engine on my 22.5 450FE. This '22.5 250FE belongs to my buddy Dave and we all rode these bikes back to back and all of us agreed this particular 250FE rear suspension combined with the WP6500 spring forks felt amazing. His 23 350SXF has identical suspension and did not feel as good in the rear (neither did my 22.5 450FE). It is the rear suspension that feels a little less compliant on the 350/450 bikes. More power is more load on the rear suspension. I rode a 21 KTM 250XC yesterday....really fun! After riding the moto bikes recently the off road 250XC felt so compliant and absorbing and felt smaller than the new chassis. The new chassis did not obsolete the old chassis - just different characteristics and some riders will prefer the older chassis (still available on the GG bikes)
Whats your opinion on the 6500 kit in comparison to stock air forks?
Air forks can be dialed in to work for various riding conditions with clickers and air pressure. However like most riders I have been on springs for so long I tend to prefer the feel of spring forks. The WP6500 kit is very good and I prefer it over the stock AER forks.
I've been considering a suspension upgrade on my 2021 TE 250i. Do you recommend a bladder conversion in conjunction with the 6500 fork kit. I definitely like the stock shock better than the forks. They are plush, but don't hold up. What should one expect to pay for the 6500 kit installed?
@@northeastoffroad4909 I would not spend the money on the bladder kit for the rear shock if it is working for you now. I have heard anywhere from $1500~$1900 for WP6500 cartridge kits installed with springs (more if you want special valving)
Interesting to hear you talk about the 450s inertia feeling being similar to the 350s. I think the 350s have more bottom and midrange than they once had which may contribute to that?? Also the newer 450s seem smoother than they once were. I find a modern 250f is outstanding if you are relatively lightweight. Nice comparo!
To me the 23 350SXF has more low to mid power and also what feels like more inertia in the crank - it feels more like a mini 450 than a big bore 250F. I still have my '21 KTM 350XCF and it has that lighter overall feel. The OEM's spend a lot of time developing 250/450F's and it shows - both are outstanding bike. Wish Yamaha would make a 350!
The way your casing those jumps u might as well just clear it. Would be a lot less stress on ur hip
Yes you are probably right! It looks worse on the video - just using my legs to absorb to landing. I should be OK to jump by mid October.
Where do you get all these bikes lol
Well today my buddy Dave and his son JD were riding (they own the 22.5 250 Factory Edition and the 23 350SXF) and I had my 450FE with me so we lined them all up and rode them! Fun time!
@@mxengineer1 nice! I like it. Will be nice when you get your hands on the new 2023 yz450f 🤤
@@bobbymoonboots4200 Yamaha is tell the dealers mid October timing. I jumped on a buddy's 2019 YZ450F for a few laps to get a feel for the current chassis and engine.... ua-cam.com/video/Hh0UB9hM-t0/v-deo.html
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Wish we could put them all on your dyno!
best vet bike is kx450
I like the KX450 and have ridden my buddy's 22 KX450SR - impressive engine and suspension.
@@mxengineer1 no other bikes has same bump absorption
@@mxengineer1 what’s the favourite bike
@@adamrochester1 I still like the overall balance of Power/Weight/Handling of the 350.