For years, dirt bikers had been taking their 250cc two-stroke motocross bikes beyond the track and out to the deserts, dunes, and trails. KTM was the first manufacturer to observe this trend, and cater to it with a “cross-country” (XC) version of its 250 platform. With only a handful of small modifications aimed at making these lightweight competition bikes a little more comfortable to ride off-road yet stopping short of turning it into a full-blown enduro or “trail bike,” the cross-country trend was a success, one that KTM continues to dominate.
The 250 XC is a versatile stalwart in both off-road racing and trail riding, also maintaining its capabilities on the motocross track for a well-rounded bike that can do it all. It features a Keihin EFI system with throttle body injection (TBI), electric start, handlebar-mounted engine map switch, and Brembo clutch and brake hydraulics much like its SX counterpart. The cross-country touches include a six-speed gearbox, 18-inch rear wheel, and a coil-spring WP Xact fork rather than the air fork of the SX models. The 250 XC is also equipped with a kickstand, skid plate, hand guards, and a generous 2.4-gallon fuel tank. For 2025, the KTM 250 XC receives an updated frame, revised suspension, new linkage, and new bodywork and graphics.
The 2025 KTM 250 XC is available in orange for $11,199.