2002 KTM 250SX vs 2021 KTM 300 Erzberg Back to Back

Got to ride a like new 2002 KTM 250SX (thanks to Joel!) back to back with my 2021 KTM 300 Erzberg. Basically 20 years of development between the bikes. Alway fun to go back in time and ride older bikes and especially back to back with current bikes. The '02 250SX engine still runs very strong with a noticeable surge of pull when the power valve opens. The '02 250SX engine vibration is noticeable now that KTM adds counter balancers to the 250/300 2-stroke engines. The suspension was plush. The Brembo brakes felt strong. The seat is hard and slippery and the bike was very thin overall.
Even at 20 years old the 2002 KTM 250SX is still a fun bike to ride!

[@justinporter7446]

Rebuilding my 2002 250sx right now actually!

[@mxengineer1]

Such a fun engine!

[@hugoross7267]

Great video as always

[@mxengineer1]

Thank you!

[@exotics4life618]

Which one felt faster / more snappy? I’m 35yo and raced motocross competitively in High School, I am Not a fan of the new school 2-strokes. The powerband hit is soft & smooth, more like a tractor. The new bikes pull smooth an controllable from bottom 2 top. Im shopping for the most snappy, on/off light switch type power 2-stroke I can buy,? Your opinion would be very helpful! Great video.

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks - glad you liked the video! You are crazy to like that on/off snappy power - too cool! And yes the new bikes (even carb 300's) tend to all be fairly smooth and linear. For me the 250's tend to have a more classic powerband as you can feel the hit when the power valve opens. The 300's smooth this out a little. My 2019 Husky TX300 had a fairly strong surge in the mid range when I installed the short body Keihin 38mm carb (replacing the stock 38mm Mikuni). The 19~22 KTM 250SX 21/22 Gas Gas 250 carb 2-strokes have a fairly strong low to mid hit of power. The 22 YZ250 is more old school power (softer initially but pull longer up top) bit still very responsive. As far as the 2002 250SX vs 2021 KTM 300XCW - the 300 had a sharper and quicker initial throttle response while the '02 250SX was a bit more softer then had the classic 2-stroke hit when the power valve opened. I like the lack of vibration on the new counter balanced KTM/Husky/GG 250/300 2-stroke engines.

[@jginga315]

I had a 1999 250 exc. Great bike, lots of power the only down side for me was the bike was very top heavy and when I got into the more technical stuff you could really feel the weight.

[@mxengineer1]

I do not recall the weight of the '02 250SX but it did not "feel" noticeably different weight wise to the 300 Erzberg (which is around 228 lbs before gas). The 2008 KTM 250SX was about 210 lbs before gas - very light! The vibration stood out to me on the non-counter balanced '02 250SX engine. Amazing how good the power is on a 20 year old bike!

[@jginga315]

I agree about the power, even the older models had great power plants. As a dirt bike rider I feel we are extremely lucky that companies are will to push the envelope to create better and better bikes.

[@mxengineer1]

@@jginga315 Yes we have some nice variety in 2-stroke dirt bikes to choose from today - mostly European brands but nice that Yamaha updated the YZ 2-strokes recently.

[@lippser]

Funny I've heard the term slippery used with that 02 seat. If you aren't coming from a gripper seat, I wonder if it still feels slippery if you are used to slippery. LOL. My seat cover has no grip whatsoever, and I like the look of that 02 seat for my 02 250SX, so I picked one up to have OEM look.

[@mxengineer1]

Seat covers have changed over the years - fun to got back and ride a bike from 20 years ago!

[@justinrice8509]

I had a 2000 one. Interesting thanks

[@mxengineer1]

Very cool

[@Dashriprock4]

It's funny that you mentioned how beefy the new bike is because I found my old 400 EXC and 300 EXC to be much more durable and robust than my modern 150. I honestly believe that KTM has taken steps backward and build quality relative to the early 2000s. If I'm wrong I'm not afraid to be corrected but it just is a perception of mine

[@mxengineer1]

For sure KTM has made the 400EXC and 300EXC engines much smaller and lighter and perhaps durability is less with less weight. The chassis/frames on the older bikes use much smaller tubing which would seem to be less durable. The new bikes chassis (and swingarms) are much stronger compared to the older bikes - better for Supercross but perhaps not as good for real world riders?

[@Chris-mu1xt]

Have a 2001 ktm250sx I love the bike so fuckin sick

[@mxengineer1]

That is cool! Really is a fun bike to ride and still works well today!