latest 250 four-strokes even come with hand cream , a hairnet for the man bun and some Vaseline for the pimples . Am I right ? Please send all complaints in writing ...
TIME-PROVEN FORMULA Now , let ’ s stop taking the proverbial , put the nonsense aside and get to the 2021 KTM 250SX and truth reveal . I ’ ve seldom ridden two-strokes in the last 20 years and truly love my KTM 500 EXC four-stroke , but I was instantly at home on the 250SX . It took me right back to my twostroke days ; it felt so right , so light , quick and very familiar . So much so that later I compared spec sheets between the 2021 KTM 250SX with a 1989 Honda CR250R – the standout model of the time . And guess what ? Not that much has changed . The same 249cc , identical 72mm stroke and 66.4mm bore , the same 96kg dry weight , similar power output of around 41hp , a similar sized 7.5 litre fuel tank . Both have Kokusan ignitions . The list goes on . The only real engine changes are the move to
a nicely light , hydraulically actuated Brembo clutch and the addition of a balancer shaft ( that certainly means the modern bike has the barest hint of vibration compared to the old smokers ). Even the chassis are alike with double cradle chrome-molly frames , USD forks and a risingrate linkage rear end .
CHASSIS However , obviously , the new ergonomics are miles ahead and suspension action is unbelievably good compared to the 33-yearold Honda . The much flatter riding position is brilliant , although seat comfort has gone backwards ... oh well . The two huge improvements in suspension action are plushness and bottom-out resistance . Early USD forks were as supple as a brick and the shocks were kind of harsh ... then they bottomed out . The KTM SX glides over squareedged holes that would have the Honda headshaking the bars out of your hands , and nicely absorbs massive jumps and landings that would
50 KIWI RIDER