ADB reader Garreth Elliott gives us a tour of his 2017 KTM 250SX-F which looks more like a Suzuki...
WHY’D YA BUY IT?
I wanted something with low hours so it would last longer. I also wanted something relatively new but I also had a budget. Fortunately, I found this 2017 KTM 250 SX-F on Gumtree with all of the above and it was cheap too, at $6000, so I snapped it up real quick as deals like this don’t last long on Gumtree.
WHAT YA DONE TO IT?
Well, as you can see, it doesn’t look that much like a KTM – I did heaps to it. Most of the stuff was cosmetic and I think it was one of the best-looking KTMs in the pits. It had a Pro Circuit linkage to boost the rear-end. I also purchased an FMF exhaust system, which was simple to fit, picked up a set of my favourite Renthal ’bars and slipped on a set of ODI lock-on handgrips. I’m pretty hard on plastics so I had four different sets and, of course, a custom graphics kit done by SKDA.
HOW’D IT GO?
For a 250F, the 2017 KTM 250 SX-F went like a rocket with the FMF exhaust on it. That system helped extract the gases, which helped with power.
I absolutely loved the bike but, unfortunately, I had to sell it after a huge crash at Manjimup.
I’m only 16 so, once I get a job, I’ll go out and get a new bike but, in the meantime, I have to lay off racing for a little bit.
RECOMMEND IT?
I’d highly recommend any KTM, because you get all the luxuries of a European bike that you just don’t get with some of the other machines. I had no problems with my 2017 KTM 250 SX-F but I was strict with my maintenance and always kept up to date with servicing and cleaning. If you look after a KTM well, you can’t go wrong.
5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT GARRETH ELLIOTT
1. Garreth was born in Bali! What a lucky bugger to be born in the place we all go to for holidays.
2. He lived in Bali for half his life before moving to Australia.
3. Garreth’s first bike was a Husqvarna CR65.
4. He drives a black Holden Commodore ute with black steelys (we assume for single-peggers while leaving Maccas) and absolutely loves it.
5. Garreth enjoyed tearing it up in the sand dunes on his 2017 KTM 250 SX-F.
