I was due for an upgrade. I was on the lookout for a KTM 250 for a while. When this one came up, I jumped on it right away. The bike was set up for racing but it had low hours. It was a good bike to train on, but it ended up becoming my race bike anyway. I entered the Finke Desert Race and set the bike up for that race.
WHAT I DID TO IT
There is a lot that goes into racing Finke, and no one tells you how much there is until you have already committed. I installed new DID DirtStar rims, Dunlop AT81 tyres and ultra-heavy-duty tubes to avoid flats on the rocky sections. I also put on a Scott steering damper, a set of Steg Pegz, an Acerbis 11-litre tank, custom Topline ribbed and more-padded seat and foam ’grips to prevent arm pump. Of course I also changed the gearing for the high speeds of Finke and added a lighter chain. And the most important change was having the suspension tuned by Finke legend Stephen Greenfield from GDR Suspension. Zero MX Graphics did the sticker kit.
HOW DOES IT GO?
The bike is awesome in stock trim, but after changing the entire setup, it handles like a dream. I have Stephen Greenfield and Rodney Black, from NT Powersports, to thank for that. NT Powersports gave the bike a top-end rebuild and a final test and tune before Finke. I also have to thank my chief mechanic, a.k.a. Dad, who puts the bike back together every time I break it.
SHOULD I BUY ONE?
I would definitely recommend the KTM 250SX-F. I completed Finke in the allotted time and the bike performed like a dream. Out of the box it is an awesome bike, but with a few tweaks and modifications, it is the perfect desert racer. with Dylan Ruddy
WHAT 2014 KTM 250SX-F
WHO? Bianca Connor
WHERE I GOT IT Second-hand
HOW MUCH About $5000
