The 2024 KTM 250 EXC-F is not just a beginners’ bike, even big boys can have fun on it. We take one for a spin to see how it goes.
With the wholesale changes made to the 2024 KTM 250 EXC-F, the quarter-litre maestro becomes more powerful, more agile and better balanced. Everything was overhauled on this model with 90 per cent of the bike sporting new parts. The 2024 KTM 250 EXC-F gets an all-new hydro-formed, laser-cut, and robot-welded frame, an all-new 48 mm WP XACT Closed Cartridge spring fork, an updated and optimized PDS shock – which is the first enduro bike to come with suspension at both ends that’s fully adjustable for compression and damping by way of hand clickers, without the need for any tools, and easy set preload adjustability on the rear.
It gets an all-new lightweight two piece subframe, constructed from a combination of polyamide and reinforced aluminium. All electronic components, including an all-new Offroad Control Unit, are now fully integrated into the subframe. There’s loads of other changes across the entire EXC range but we’ve covered those in previous 2024 KTM EXC bike tests.
As for the 2024 KTM 250 EXC-F specifically, the centre of gravity was improved by tilting the engine 2-degrees backwards and repositioning the front sprocket 3mm lower. This formed what KTM have been calling improved anti-squat behaviour of the chassis. Improving the anti-squat behaviour was supposed to improve traction on extreme inclines and powering out of corners in special enduro stages.
BEGINNERS OR BEASTS?
With all these changes for 2024 you’d expect drastic improvements to the bike and I think that’s what we got. The power is better everywhere, from the bottom to the top and everywhere in-between. I wouldn’t even say it is more linear because the previous generation was incredibly linear. The curve feels the same, which is extremely predictable and smooth, but there’s just more torque.
The extra torque doesn’t necessarily make it any snappier or harder to hold onto, it just has stronger power. At 100kg with all my gear on, the 250 EXC-F rarely felt underpowered compared with the bigger bikes. And unlike we’ve said in the past, just because it is smaller, it doesn’t mean you have to rev it harder or change gears more often. It still has the torque to carry someone of my trailrider capability up a snotty hill in first or possibly even second.
I can hear you asking, so what is the difference between a 250F and a 500cc four-stroke then? A bigger capacity will still lug me up hill in the same gear and probably at the same speed but if I wanted to do it at 10 times the speed, a 500 EXC-F could do that. The problem is I’m not good enough to do it at that speed, so as hard as it is to believe, the MY24 KTM 250 EXC-F has all the power a regular trailrider needs!
But, if asked which bike I would buy if I had to buy a four-stroke, Id’ probably say a 450 EXC-F or maybe a 350 EXC-F just for the fun factory when I did want to try and launch it up a hill. I wouldn’t do it any faster but it may allow me to pull a wheelie easier coming up the crest of the hill or race my mates in the open stuff a little better.
I was also impressed with the bikes top speed. I managed to pull over 150km/h and I think it had more to give. Sixth gear on the MY24 KTM 250 EXC-F is a great highway or transport section gear and while the bike lacked arm-stretching power and response when already revving at over 8000rpm, it would still climb and get faster as you opened the throttle.
The rest of the bike is a major improvement over previous models with the new closed cartridge WP XACT suspension feeling firmer and less likely to blow through in braking bumps than the previous model. And the stiffer frame helps the bike feel more balanced. The best example I can give of this was when I didn’t see a large tree root that had a mean kick to it on the trail we were testing on. Instead of the bike wallowing it just popped straight up and absorbed the bashing.
IS IT A BEGINNER BIKE?
I’d like to say no to this question. A true beginner would still find the MY24 KTM EXC-F too powerful if they’re hooping off a scooter they rented in Bali. There are bikes made by other brands that are better for riders who literally need to learn how to use the clutch.
But if you’re a rider who has ridden in the dirt before and can confidently punt a Yamaha TT-R230, Honda CRF230 or Kawasaki KLX230throuhg the bush then the MY24 KTM 250 EXC-F would be the perfect next step. But they’re not just for riders graduating from underpowered bush bikes.
I was blown away by how strong the motor was in this bike and how I could hold first or second gear up any hill like I would a 450F and get to the top in the same time. Most average trailriders will go just as fast on a KTM 250 EXC-F as they will on 500 EXC-F and while they may not have the same fun on the fire road as they would on a bigger bike they will still get to their destination in the same time.
WHAT COOL GADGETS CAN I GET?
ROLL OVER SENSOR
The inclusion of a Rollover Sensor (ROS) has been carried over from the KTM Motocross range and shuts the engine off in the event of an extreme crash.
MAP SWITCH
An optional Map Select Switch finds its way onto the 2024 KTM EXC range. On the four-stroke range, you can use it to toggle between engine maps, Traction Control, and Quickshifter options. Map 1 is the standard more mellow map, while map 2 is an aggressive map.
TRACTION CONTROL (EXCLUSIVE TO FOUR-STROKE)
Traction control is selected to an on- or off position from the switch and functions by analysing throttle input from the rider and the rate at which RPM increases in the engine. If the RPM increases too quickly, the EMS registers a loss of grip and reduces the amount of power to the rear wheel
QUICKSHIFTER (EXCLUSIVE TO FOUR-STROKE)
The new optional Quickshifter function can be activated or deactivated via the new map select switch, allowing for clutch-less upshifts, with the throttle fully opened. A sensor on the shift drum notices the force on the shift lever, sends the signal to the ECU, and the ignition timing is interrupted. To prevent unintended shifts and false neutrals, the function is only active from second to fifth gear.
2024 KTM 250 EXC-F
ENGINE
Type Single-cylinder, four-stroke
Displacement 249.92cc
Bore & Stroke 81mm x 48.5mm
EMS Keihin
Starter Electric starter
Transmission Six-speed
Clutch Brembo hydraulics, wet, DDS multi-disc clutch
Tank capacity (approx.) 8.5-litres
BRAKES
Front 260mm disc, Brembo
Rear 220mm disc, Brembo
SUSPENSION
Front WP XACT-USD 48mm, 300mm travel
Rear WP XPLOR PDS shock , 310mm travel
DIMENSIONS
Ground clearance 347mm
Seat height 963mm
Weight 106.2kg (dry)
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar Neken
Tyres Maxxis MaxxEnduro
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP $17,085 (Ride Away)
Warranty Six months
Browser www.ktm.com/en-au
WORDS | MITCH LEES
PHOTOS | SEBAS ROMERO