Ktm SX 250 2018/19/20 reviews

MZ193
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Edited Date/Time 11/30/2021 5:11pm
Hello,
During quarantine i’ve been thinking to my next bike.
Even tho i haven’t still put my legs over a sx250 (18/19/20) i’ve ridden a 2015 sx 250 and i liked it (engine/chassis side) except for the forks.

So, at the end of the year i’m probably going to buy this bike.
Any reviews, bad/good experiences?
How many hours does a top end last?
How many hours before a full rebuild?
I’m a top 5 B rider coming off a 2019 kxf 250
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cody41
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4/13/2020 4:52am
The 19+ is way better than the 18
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MZ193
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4/13/2020 6:02am
cody41 wrote:
The 19+ is way better than the 18
What are the main changes?
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AJ565
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4/13/2020 6:19am
cody41 wrote:
The 19+ is way better than the 18
How so? The only real difference was the frame and its more ridged, which I doubt anyone on here can even tell. Same engine and bad jetting, same suspension with minor adjustments that is a moot point when you have them revalved to your ability all the shops put in the upgraded parts.


OP, I have a '18 with a little over 70 hours on the stock top end. I'm keeping an eye on compression at this point, but there are a lot of people getting 100+ hours out of a stock top end.

Once the bike is jetted right and set up its a rocket. I've had no problems with it and I ride it hard. You can't go wrong with any of the '17+ bikes (if the '17 case has been upgraded for the kick start problem).
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seth505
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4/13/2020 7:00am
I'll disagree that the 19+ is "way better". I did a top-end on my 2017 at 50 hours and everything looked close to perfect inside, one of my ring end gaps was .001" from the limit.
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The Shop

opyguy
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4/13/2020 7:23am
2017
Top end at 52 hours, shop said it was time, ring gap was at limit
I’m a 53-year-old shitty MX rider, But I am a revver, generally use only third , occasionally 4th on mx tracks
Most fun I’ve ever had on a bike
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GoldenKTM
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4/13/2020 7:36am
2017 (same as 2018)

84 hours on top end and still fires up first kick with no performance loss. Haven't touched engine yet.

It's a good bike I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again or buy another one if the price is right.

It's a very fun bike but if racing is your priority I wouldn't recommend it. I would spend the extra 800 bucks and get a 250f.
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MZ193
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4/13/2020 8:41am Edited Date/Time 4/13/2020 8:41am
Thank you for the reports guys!
Racing and fun is at 50% for me.
I like to win races but also to have fun.
The point is that i already have a kx250f and wanna switch to the 2smoke, which here in italy, is more expensive than the sxf250. It’s not a money problem.
Also gotta consider the 2smoke is less cheap, but i would do the top end in my garage, while on the 4 strokes i can barely change oil, lol!

When the lockdown ends a friend of mine is letting me rip his 2019 ktm sx 250.

Can’t wait this year to end so that i can change my actual bike. Lol
4/13/2020 10:14am
Went from a ‘13 to a ‘19 this winter, haven’t properly ridden it on a track since getting it set-up right. But it’s a rocketship and easier to ride then the pre-17s



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YZed250
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4/13/2020 10:33am
Definitely a rocketship. I just sold my 2017 250sx at 100hrs and rode a 2005 CRF450 over the weekend. I've never ridden a 450 and been so disappointed at the pwr. There is no other bike that's more exciting to ride, IMHO.
cclay47
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4/13/2020 10:39am
I’ve got a 19 and it’s the best best I’ve ever had. I’ve got 18 hrs on it so good to see a lot of ppl on this thread are getting good life out of the pistons. Power is unreal on it, only recently put a pipe on it and that just sweetened it even more. I run stock jetting 60:1 and it is unbelievably crisp. I’m at sea level, Northern Ca. Definitely recommend the HUS or KTM as your next bike.

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navalseabee
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4/13/2020 10:41am
YZed250 wrote:
Definitely a rocketship. I just sold my 2017 250sx at 100hrs and rode a 2005 CRF450 over the weekend. I've never ridden a 450 and been...
Definitely a rocketship. I just sold my 2017 250sx at 100hrs and rode a 2005 CRF450 over the weekend. I've never ridden a 450 and been so disappointed at the pwr. There is no other bike that's more exciting to ride, IMHO.
You rode a dinosaur of a 450 to be fair.
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JohnMatrix
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4/13/2020 11:08am
I do prefer the body of the 19-20 over the 17-18. When I ride my 17 150sx it feels wide in the shrouds compared to my 19 250sx. That's the only chassis difference I can feel between the two generations. I can't tell that the 19 is 'stiffer' in any way. Two of my buddies have 17-18's with pro circuit pipes and I have a 19 with a bills system. My bike is jetted well with the leaner slide and such, but their bikes still seem pull harder up top by seat of pants feel. I don't know if it's the difference in exhausts or what but I'd go with a PC system next time around. Any way you cut it, you can't go wrong with any of these bikes from 17 and up.
4/13/2020 11:22am
I had a 17 in 17-18, an 18 150 in 19 and now an 18 250 in 20.

This chassis is amazing. I love everything about the way this bike works. Power is supreme. Total hours logged on this chassis is around 250. You won’t be disappointed.


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MZ193
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4/13/2020 11:25am Edited Date/Time 4/13/2020 11:27am
Thanks again for the infos.
My cousin got a 05 crf 450 and as navalseabee said, it’s a dinosaur of a 450, lol.
Can’t really wait to test the 250 sx.
Also, what % oil/gas are you running on this beasts?
And also which oils?
The guy who would let me try his 250 sx uses Motul 800, (3,5% here, 28:1 in american ratio i guess), his bike doesn’t smoke, and he lugs it, but 28:1 seems too much (but he is very fast, top 3 A Class)
Your opinions?

Also, i’m probably going to buy it new, and i think there are no 2018 leftover, so it’s going to be a 2019/2020.
Anyway we will see how this corona hits my wallet.
AJ565
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4/13/2020 11:50am Edited Date/Time 4/13/2020 11:51am
MZ193 wrote:
Thanks again for the infos. My cousin got a 05 crf 450 and as navalseabee said, it’s a dinosaur of a 450, lol. Can’t really wait...
Thanks again for the infos.
My cousin got a 05 crf 450 and as navalseabee said, it’s a dinosaur of a 450, lol.
Can’t really wait to test the 250 sx.
Also, what % oil/gas are you running on this beasts?
And also which oils?
The guy who would let me try his 250 sx uses Motul 800, (3,5% here, 28:1 in american ratio i guess), his bike doesn’t smoke, and he lugs it, but 28:1 seems too much (but he is very fast, top 3 A Class)
Your opinions?

Also, i’m probably going to buy it new, and i think there are no 2018 leftover, so it’s going to be a 2019/2020.
Anyway we will see how this corona hits my wallet.
What kinda dirt are you riding in? I run mine at 55:1 Amsoil domonator, but if you're riding more sand I'd be more in the 44:1 area just because of it being more wide open longer. Thats just a personal preference though, it won't make or break anything.
MZ193
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4/13/2020 12:32pm
MZ193 wrote:
Thanks again for the infos. My cousin got a 05 crf 450 and as navalseabee said, it’s a dinosaur of a 450, lol. Can’t really wait...
Thanks again for the infos.
My cousin got a 05 crf 450 and as navalseabee said, it’s a dinosaur of a 450, lol.
Can’t really wait to test the 250 sx.
Also, what % oil/gas are you running on this beasts?
And also which oils?
The guy who would let me try his 250 sx uses Motul 800, (3,5% here, 28:1 in american ratio i guess), his bike doesn’t smoke, and he lugs it, but 28:1 seems too much (but he is very fast, top 3 A Class)
Your opinions?

Also, i’m probably going to buy it new, and i think there are no 2018 leftover, so it’s going to be a 2019/2020.
Anyway we will see how this corona hits my wallet.
AJ565 wrote:
What kinda dirt are you riding in? I run mine at 55:1 Amsoil domonator, but if you're riding more sand I'd be more in the 44:1...
What kinda dirt are you riding in? I run mine at 55:1 Amsoil domonator, but if you're riding more sand I'd be more in the 44:1 area just because of it being more wide open longer. Thats just a personal preference though, it won't make or break anything.
Northern italy, from the deep sand of Ottobiano International, to hard packed tracks like Maggiora (actually closed) or Malpensa.
Good damn... 55:1 is really lean.
AJ565
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4/13/2020 1:03pm
MZ193 wrote:
Northern italy, from the deep sand of Ottobiano International, to hard packed tracks like Maggiora (actually closed) or Malpensa.
Good damn... 55:1 is really lean.
Stock they recommend 60:1. I've run it and had no problems with that either.

Technically thats a rich mix as its a higher fuel to oil ratio compared to the old 32:1 mix would be leaner because there is less fuel to burn.
cclay47
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4/13/2020 1:16pm
AJ565 wrote:
Stock they recommend 60:1. I've run it and had no problems with that either. Technically thats a rich mix as its a higher fuel to oil...
Stock they recommend 60:1. I've run it and had no problems with that either.

Technically thats a rich mix as its a higher fuel to oil ratio compared to the old 32:1 mix would be leaner because there is less fuel to burn.
Your correct that 60/1 is a richer burn than 32/1. I run 60/1 since that’s what it calls for in the manual and it runs flawless.
MZ193
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4/13/2020 1:16pm
MZ193 wrote:
Northern italy, from the deep sand of Ottobiano International, to hard packed tracks like Maggiora (actually closed) or Malpensa.
Good damn... 55:1 is really lean.
AJ565 wrote:
Stock they recommend 60:1. I've run it and had no problems with that either. Technically thats a rich mix as its a higher fuel to oil...
Stock they recommend 60:1. I've run it and had no problems with that either.

Technically thats a rich mix as its a higher fuel to oil ratio compared to the old 32:1 mix would be leaner because there is less fuel to burn.
Mmm...
Don’t quite get it.
Last question, do you buy fuel to the pump gas or do you use VP or that kinda stuff?
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MZ193
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4/13/2020 1:19pm
AJ565 wrote:
Stock they recommend 60:1. I've run it and had no problems with that either. Technically thats a rich mix as its a higher fuel to oil...
Stock they recommend 60:1. I've run it and had no problems with that either.

Technically thats a rich mix as its a higher fuel to oil ratio compared to the old 32:1 mix would be leaner because there is less fuel to burn.
cclay47 wrote:
Your correct that 60/1 is a richer burn than 32/1. I run 60/1 since that’s what it calls for in the manual and it runs flawless.
Wait...
60:1 = 1,6 %
32:1 = 3,5 %
I guess i’m missing something in the transmission from x:x to %
sandman768
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4/13/2020 1:22pm Edited Date/Time 4/13/2020 1:39pm
I have an 18 with about 65-70 hrs, hr meter gave up at 50hrs. Original top end..Once jetting is sorted, the work has been done already.....it is the best 250 2t you will ever ride... I alternate between my 450 & this bike.... to be honest, I don’t even know why I have a 450 anymore. My 18 250 Sx has an answer for every kind of riding I do. I keep saying I need to do a top end, but it fires right up and runs like a top. They only get better with the right pipe & gearing changes. I tried to sell mine in the fall for 5k...super clean SR owned bike... no offers or even any interest. I was going to buy an XC300 to ride down in Florida this winter, GNCC type riding. I said screw it, I”m taking it down to Florida for the winter, I bought a stock XC tank and hand guards. ran the Florida GNCC, the bike worked flawlessly... just rode it last week at a friends track, intermediate, tight Sx type of track... remove XC tank & hand guards.... no other changes.... bike worked perfect.. I”m keeping the dam thing....
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JohnMatrix
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4/13/2020 2:45pm
MZ193 wrote:
Wait...
60:1 = 1,6 %
32:1 = 3,5 %
I guess i’m missing something in the transmission from x:x to %
Typically in engine tuning when we say lean/rich we are talking about air/fuel ratio. Technically if you're running a lower % of premix, you're delivering more fuel (gasoline) so it is more rich in that sense.
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4/13/2020 3:07pm
MZ193 wrote:
Wait...
60:1 = 1,6 %
32:1 = 3,5 %
I guess i’m missing something in the transmission from x:x to %
JohnMatrix wrote:
Typically in engine tuning when we say lean/rich we are talking about air/fuel ratio. Technically if you're running a lower % of premix, you're delivering more...
Typically in engine tuning when we say lean/rich we are talking about air/fuel ratio. Technically if you're running a lower % of premix, you're delivering more fuel (gasoline) so it is more rich in that sense.
Would you say that more gasoline helps the bike to run cooler,as the premix oil is only used to lubricate the moving parts
JohnMatrix
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4/13/2020 3:18pm Edited Date/Time 4/13/2020 3:19pm
Would you say that more gasoline helps the bike to run cooler,as the premix oil is only used to lubricate the moving parts
I'd say that all depends on how well the bike is jetted. If you are at a lean or borderline lean condition, then yes it should run a bit cooler. If the bike is already jetted overly rich, then it probably isn't cooling the motor any more.

My experience comes from tuning high hp turbo cars, so this is where I get muddy on tuning concepts behind a 2 stroke. Let's take for example a brand new bone stock 250sx with stock jetting. These bikes have rich jetting from the factory. From what I've read in magazine reviews and such, the bikes seem to run better with a higher premix ratio (60:1 being higher than 40:1 for example), which would make them more rich in terms of fuel. Why an already overly rich jetted bike runs better at a higher premix ratio, I cannot tell you for certain. Maybe better combustion of the air/fuel mix, maybe fewer misfires that the rider can't detect, I'm not certain but I am curious.

I don't want to derail this thread but I'm always down to geek out on tuning talk if you'd like to PM me.
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4/13/2020 3:23pm
Would you say that more gasoline helps the bike to run cooler,as the premix oil is only used to lubricate the moving parts
JohnMatrix wrote:
I'd say that all depends on how well the bike is jetted. If you are at a lean or borderline lean condition, then yes it [i]should[/i]...
I'd say that all depends on how well the bike is jetted. If you are at a lean or borderline lean condition, then yes it should run a bit cooler. If the bike is already jetted overly rich, then it probably isn't cooling the motor any more.

My experience comes from tuning high hp turbo cars, so this is where I get muddy on tuning concepts behind a 2 stroke. Let's take for example a brand new bone stock 250sx with stock jetting. These bikes have rich jetting from the factory. From what I've read in magazine reviews and such, the bikes seem to run better with a higher premix ratio (60:1 being higher than 40:1 for example), which would make them more rich in terms of fuel. Why an already overly rich jetted bike runs better at a higher premix ratio, I cannot tell you for certain. Maybe better combustion of the air/fuel mix, maybe fewer misfires that the rider can't detect, I'm not certain but I am curious.

I don't want to derail this thread but I'm always down to geek out on tuning talk if you'd like to PM me.
This is one of those rare times on vital you see somebody explaining a topic that they clearly know an extensive amount about.

Well said John!
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AJ565
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4/13/2020 7:17pm
MZ193 wrote:
Wait...
60:1 = 1,6 %
32:1 = 3,5 %
I guess i’m missing something in the transmission from x:x to %
60:1 is 60 parts gas to 1 part oil. So 32:1 is 32 parts gas to 1 part oil.

I’ve run VP u4.4, T2, C12, and 90 octane ethanol free pump gas (what I’m currently running). The bike does make more power on u4.4 and T2 and it’s noticeable, but for normal riding C12 or pump works just fine.

I have a jetting thread on here with a good setup for the bikes with jetting specs for oxygenated race fuel and pump gas. I’ve already done a lot of homework and testing with all of the jetting and fuels and there are a lot of guys on here running it with zero issues.
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ktmdan
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4/13/2020 8:03pm Edited Date/Time 4/13/2020 8:10pm
I rode a vet owned 2018 250sx yesterday and the thing ripped. It had a Lectron carb and a rekluse but I just used the clutch like a normal bike. Gearing was 13-49 and it still wanted to lift the front end on me. The air forks were awesome even with the vet set up (I’m a decently quick A rider off-road).

I race a 2016 250xc with the forks from my 2012 150. The 2018 sx blows my bike out of the water. Front brake is unreal. A 250sx will probably be my next bike unless I can splurge another grand on the xc with the electric start for those less than ideal situations.

Edit: How could I forget the counter balancer!? It’s amazing.
ktmdan
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4/13/2020 8:05pm Edited Date/Time 4/13/2020 8:10pm
Y‘all go a long ways on those pistons. I go like 30-35 hours just to be safe even though they look decent when I pull them.
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MZ193
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4/14/2020 12:51am
Thank everyone again!
Before, by say lean/rich, i wasn’t talking about jetting but the % of oil/fuel.
cody41
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4/14/2020 4:26am
cody41 wrote:
The 19+ is way better than the 18
MZ193 wrote:
What are the main changes?
The entire shroud area....

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