2020 KTM 250 SX

The KTM 250 SX is intended for motocross riders who are lifelong two-stroke fans and those who want a bike that features much of the same technology as the Austrian manufacturer’s new-generation four-stroke models, but is cheaper to maintain and repair than the valve-and-cam-equipped machines. Unlike KTM’s off-road and enduro two-stroke models, which feature Transfer Port Injection (TPI), the 250 SX still utilizes a carburetor in 2020.

The 250cc two-stroke motocross bike market is much smaller than it was in the early 2000s, but in 2020, there are still a few options to choose from aside from the 250 SX including the Husqvarna TC 250, Yamaha YZ250, and TM MX 250. With its suggested retail price of $8,299, the 250 SX costs $100 less than the TC 250, $800 more than the YZ250, and $896 less than the MX 250.

In 2017, we attended the 250 SX intro at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. After logging more testing time on the bike, we put it up against its blue rival, the YZ250, and wrote a comparison test of the two machines.

When it comes to motocross bikes, many motorcycle manufacturers have put their sole focus on the development of four-strokes. However, there still are a couple of manufacturers that not only continue to produce two-stroke MXers, but improve them year after year as well. Such is the case with KTM, and its flagship two-stroke motocross bike, the 250 SX, is a shining example of that.

In 2019, the bike received a stiffer frame, updated suspension settings, a new cylinder, and a new diaphragm steel (DS) clutch. For 2020, the 250 SX returns with revised settings in the WP Xact fork and WP Xact shock, and new graphics.