2-stroke retro: Ultra rare factory KTM 250 reborn and ridden again

It's one of the rarest two-stroke motocross bikes ever, with only three ever being built. It's the 1988 KTM 250 reed-valve motocross bike ridden by Peter Hansson and Heinz Kinigadner. And this one was left in a shed for 30 years until it was totally rebuilt by Matthias Faelt who gave it its one and only race outing this year at the VMXDN at Farleigh Castle.
Check out the bike's incredible story, what was done to get it 100% perfect and race ready and of course watch it in action at the hands of Faelt.

[@mecalpsha4473]

When Motocross was FUN and family sport where 2 strokes ruled.

[@themoonissquare323]

That is the best routing of a pipe ever, inspired.

[@RAD_Family]

2 strokes forever, the sound, power and smile on your face NEVER gets old.

[@graysinclair6572]

Agreed, never! Brraapp! 🤙

[@jinoziniosti5633]

When bikes had character.. Silver or Gold rims, different engine sizes had specific sounds too.

[@bentonrodeheaver2596]

That pipe! True craftmanship and the WP suspension is like a refreshed memory of these bikes.

[@robtaylor6849]

I watched it race on the Sunday and had a good look at it in the pits, beautiful bike.

[@garrett3234]

never thought i would see a cool old school Ktm that i would want to own. I was and still am a Honda fan and they dominated the 80s and 90s for factory 2 strokes but this Ktm is beautiful good job on the restoration

[@tome.302]

In 89 , KTM came out with the inverted forks. That year they beat everything in Europe, then came to the US and beat every bike over here. So how can you say Honda dominated ?

[@tome.302]

@arborcidal maniac I was referring only to the one year 1989

[@tome.302]

@arborcidal maniac I Love Honda's my first bike was a 1972 SL 70, very reliable. When I first rode a 1973 CR 125, absolutely loved that bike. I also rode a 480, and a CR 500. I have an 81 XL 500 S, three 1974-1975 MT 250's, a 87 CR80R , a 1973 CL 350 Scrambler, I also had a 1977 CR 125 R, and a 1972 CB 350 four that I put dual points in, that bike screamed after that. I Love Honda's, and always will. When I was referring to my 1989 KTM MX 250, the guy I bought it from said, that year KTM came out with the inverted front forks. That year ,that bike beat every bike in Europe, and every bike in the US. Well it wouldn't be the bikes but the riders. I'm only going by what he told me, so like you said, maybe I should look in to what he said. Anyway out of all the bikes I have, that bike is my favorite. That bike for a dirt bike rides like a Cadillac, and I can ride a wheelie in all 5 gears.

[@tome.302]

@arborcidal maniac I don't know all the ins and outs of the like you do. I remember Honda got beaten badly because they were in to the four strokes. The owner came in and asked his engineers what they were doing. They said designing a two stroke. He said O.K. if your going to do that, it has to be the best. They came out with the Elsinore. The first one I rode I think was a 74 CR 125 M, I absolutely loved that bike . Loved them ever since.

[@vetb882]

That is the TRICKEST COOLEST BADASS Factory bike. I can HEAR the heartbeat of my factory replica 2003 KTM250SX in this machine. 👍🏽🤩🔥 Wow, lucky guy got to race that thing. Braaaap. I got to ride John Dowd's factory KTM250 in 2001. I was blown away. The bike was very very fast but as a factory bike for a 30 lb lighter National Pro it worked well for me, a 205 lb intermediate. That was the first 250cc I ever rode that could pull a solid 3rd gear start. Only my KX500s could do that. The 2003 260SX is a replica of that bike. It read so that SX legend Jeremy McGrath only added a pipe to smooth the low mid to high mid transition. I did the same on my bike and added a 6 oz. Steahly flywheel. Once in a while the companies lose their minds and actually give us what we think we want, A FACTORY BIKE. 🙏🏽👍🏽🤩🔥👊🏻 (Ossa Phantom, Puch 250 Everts replica, Montess VR 250_VR is Vehkon Replica, as in Pekka's Uncle Kalevi, 1982 RM250_Doug Dubach used his for 4 years, Can Am Black Widow 250, TM400, and of course the 2003 KTM250SX.) KTM 4 Life. Dirt Bike Magazine test dirtbikemagazine.com/amp/dirt-bike-test-ktm-250sx-nov-6/

[@garrett3234]

vetb882 Ktm for life LOL

[@aiden6184]

vetb882 hey so I have that exact bike it needs work but I’m working on it but I can’t find it anywhere like for pricing I have no idea how much it’s worth can you help me

[@vetb882]

@@garrett3234 I must be an alien cos I bleed orange 👍🏾💪

[@vetb882]

@@aiden6184 Hey buddy. Here are a couple of places. If you have a local deals that's the best place for parts and help fixing it. Otherwise try these places to get pricing ideas. www.smartcycleguide.com/motorcycles-for-sale/2003-ktm-250-sx thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/833104-should-i-buy-2003-ktm-250sx-for-1800/#comment-8613124

[@MMACHMP]

That bike is amazing great job on restoration

[@yotoboshi2545]

Woaaah.. look how the pipe is wrapping around and tucking in...

[@janinchristophe9598]

Amazing bike...Gongratulations...

[@jamesstewart7224]

Crankcase induction and the pipe is like no other. masterpiece. I'm sure world champ Kurt nickel would love a blast on that .

[@Sn0w1981]

Amazing restoration! I agree, it would be a shame (and quite pointless) to put any modern, improved parts on her.

[@youtubeaccount9058]

Wow that belongs in a MUSEUM, but only when it's not out on the track!!

[@bikerman6907]

Wow awesome bike!😎 and ditto resoration job!👏 Have met Peter Hansson many times, during enduro training and stuff great guy, and a true master on any motocross/endurobike. He used to have his 1990 enduro world championship winning KTM 300 home in Sweden but now I think it is at the factory in Mattighofen. It had the following written on the flywheel cover: Peter "The Champ" Hansson

[@marcusfistarol8270]

Still a beauty....and Tackla gear in the background😇

[@MMACHMP]

Such a beautiful bike looks amazing

[@alvaro7ish]

Beautiful bike !

[@jessarellanes6648]

Awesome bro.

[@randymarsh-Tegridy420]

I ride a 2016 300xcw and have two vintage bikes. A 2001 380EXV and a 1995 440EXC. I love my 16 300xcw and will ride two smokers till I die. But man... I sure wish that 300 had that mean old bark.

[@MitzvosGolem1]

I had 1983 first KTM modern water cooled white power shock looked just like this. Raced it in NY.

[@1969cmp]

Beautiful

[@AjackLee4]

It bothers me that several spec websites claim the 87-89 KTMs of every size from 125 to 406 made 16BHP 😆 Especially when the 88 KTM 250 made 42HP on their brochure.

[@krulleman]

That bike is sooooo cool

[@guadalupepulido2978]

what a nice bike

[@Motoinc]

Respect......

[@markkus1134]

Cool bike power valve equipped looks like it

[@christianstrom6130]

Dope 😎

[@SupercarEngg]

I used to really like white/blue KTMs and white/red Yamahas. Then they turned orange and blue and I haven't wanted to own one since. I bought 2015 Husky TC250 and a 2015 white/red YZ450F instead.

[@Nannestadboy]

I had a 87 125ccm , looked allmost the same 😀

[@juukelispuukelis2640]

i had 1986 ktm gs and it was wery powerfull but heavy but nice bike to ride

[@atjthe2nd]

That sounds like a 1986 CR250!

[@grabir01]

2 strokes are so much faster than the 4 strokes.

[@lmtada]

grabir01. Wrong.....

[@grabir01]

@@lmtada Even when I think I am wrong, I am usually right.. The next time you go to race in the 250 class, enter with your new 2 stroke 250. Let us all know how that goes for you.. lol

[@lmtada]

We will never agree, on this argument. Stamp it!

[@alexandrakingi8502]

As fun and fast as the 2 strokes feel they are destroyed by todays 450 4 strokes. Its why the pros mainly ride the 450s nowadays they wanted a bike with less vibration and a more smoother consistant power. Its the torque ! that the 450s have that the pro riders love. And they got sick of the bogging issues and regularly needing to check and replace things on 2 strokes. Dont get me wrong i love 2 strokes its awhole different buzz !!! lot of fun to ride.

[@MrKdr500]

@@grabir01 2 strokes are quicker if they grip, 4 strokes are quicker on track because of the traction and easier for girls to ride.

[@boostedboys2342]

I have the exact same bike

[@vitorbarbosa6732]

Exaust akrapovick top D+

[@Sleepy.Time.]

beautiful bike but i got arm pump just watching that WP jack hammer suspension chattering about

[@elmuerthotjoficial2254]

WOAOOOOO,,,,,,KTM,,,, MI AMOR PLATONICOOO,,,,, KE BELLA MOTOCICLETA,,,,, FACEBOOK EL MUERTHO TJ OFICIAL ROCK CONSTRUCCTIVO NO FIFÍ ABRAZO

[@harryscrotum007]

Suspension looks like just springs lol

[@sessiontelemetric5618]

Hopefully the frame doesn’t break on a big jump 😜

[@Racer57]

2:00 Is that typical to lay the bike over to get fuel to the pick up?

[@sicknick5882]

Did you repaint the frame?

[@sickspeed10]

I bought a brand new 88 250. As a decent vet rider back then it was horrible on the braking bumps... The stock suspension sucked but otherwise it was fun.

[@dannelson3432]

Yep, and the stock ktm suspension continues to suck to this day.

[@codenamenoob4973]

@@dannelson3432 KTM currently produce the best stock air suspension money can buy, the only other stock suspension that beats it is the KYB SSS suspension. Perhaps their suspension doesn't suit you but there's alot of people out there that would disagree with you

[@benaspavilonis2101]

Where do you buy parts for it?

[@MartinHubbard1]

Why is the race footage speeded up....?

[@thetimmylane5229]

Just bought one earlier today, anyone know how many were actually made

[@stevestiffler9120]

Didn’t Mike Healey race one? Or was his a 125

[@hcjammers1759]

I have 1986 ktm 250

[@isaactimbrook1591]

I just got one, having a hell of a time finding parts for it. Any advice?

[@jeffdean7623]

That rear shock was not helping you out! I realize it was period Correct but, what a pogo stick!

[@motofarmer82]

Isn't that a 1988 model not 1998...

[@MotoHead]

Yes, it's 1988.

[@michaelmays9292]

i hate that green back ground for the numbers .should be white , or black that's the best colors to see the numbers

[@GoatRoper911]

Beautiful bike but the rear suspension is all wrong. It is bucking like a horse.

[@salvadorscortina2655]

I have the same bike for sale 1988 ktm 250 stroke

[@aiden6184]

Ghostkillerhunt -the randoms so do I I cant find it anywhere how much are you selling it for I can’t find out how much to sell it for anywhere like I don’t wanna over charge or undercharge

[@melcockell45]

hi Salvador i have one i need parts for i need a kickstart and a gear lever

[@brechinhawkey164]

That thing is a shibox. Cant find a worse bike than an old ktm

[@bmdbigfeet1031]

But it's just nice to look at. That would be good enough for me. I've got a 2000 CR 500 that I've completely restored and have no interest in riding it. Its just nice to look at.