2017 KTM 250 SX vs 2017 Yamaha YZ250 | Dirt Rider 250cc Shootout

Who doesn't like a good ol fashion head to head battle between two pre-mixed moto machines? In this video we took our 2017 KTM 250 SX and 2017 Yamaha YZ250 two-strokes and let our test riders ring them out at a few different tracks. Both machines have several standout strengths and our more than a blast to ride. Listen to the sweet two-stroke sound and hear what each tester had to say about the differences between each machine. Check out the July issue of Dirt Rider Magazine for the complete test.

[@tomchryplewicz1360]

The beauty of all this is, we all like what we like, and it makes for great competition and friendly smack-talking. I owned a YZ125 then and YZ250 and now I have a 250SX. They have all been great bikes. Yamaha reliability is unquestionable and the YZ is arguably the most popular among smokers. Having said that, my 2013 KTM 250SX pulls like a freight train and the build quality is top-notch. I'm 6'4" 260 and the bike has NO problem haul'n ass, yet does a great job lugg'n through slow technical trails. Buy what you can afford, in-cash (f#$k debt) ride hard and have fun. Try many bikes till you find the one that fits you best. Keep this awesome sport alive and let the two-strokes live on. BRAAAP!!!

[@HondaCrf450r.]

Yz250 2 stroke vs your sx250 which one had more power? I'm gonna assume the sx250 the way you said it pulls. But by how much? How noticeable was it? Both in a drag race with the same weight rider both stock both are professional riders which one is winning?

[@VinnyJi]

Just got the 2018 Yz250 last week and im loving every second behind the bars on that thing, great bike.

[@KSI_Revelations]

YZ250 is an awesome bike. I have a 2017 model I bought over 2 years ago and it has given me no trouble and has been an amazing bike

[@joee8795]

So basically both bikes are the same (give or take) but the tech on the YZ is 11yrs old....and yet the SX is more expensive. Ummm, okay. I'll stick with the Yamaha.

[@neilpincus4667]

There IS no tech to speak of on a 2 stroke dirt bike. They're super simple. It's just that Yamaha had it right eleven years ago and KTM took years of "development" and several complete redesigns to build a marginally better stock bike that's easy to beat with a slightly modified Yammy.

[@ghostcell030]

Ktm has electric start, brembo brakes, And hrydaulic clutch. All better options

[@thrasher2094]

Get a used 2006-2012. Gor 5gs you can get a badass, fully modded YZ on craigslist. Then have the suspension set up for you and a port and polish job with the remaining money

[@Unintent1onal.]

@@ghostcell030 have you felt the yz's clutch though in my opinion it is just as light and a smoother pull since it is cable I fell as if the ktms clutch almost feels like it's all in or all out and even though the yz doesn't have brembos they still brake amazing but one plus to not having the brembos is since it's a softer compound pad it won't constantly squeak which is true for cars and bikes with brembos and the ktm 250 sx doesn't come with electric start although the endouro model does

[@finnaoutdoorandindoor4049]

The bikes arnt the same. Obviously for racing the ktm is a faster and lighter bike

[@Seth505Seth]

As someone who has gone from a YZ 250 to a 2013 250sx and then to a 2017 250sx, I think this is a good (quick) review. Other than saying they turn similar, I disagree with that. The new KTM carves turns so much better. The YZ with 22mm offset clamps carved better but my YZ would push a lot with the stock clamps. The new KTM has almost no vibration compared to the 2012-2016 version SX, really nice for not tiring you out. Also, you really can ride it like a 4-stroke and lug it or carve inside ruts into abrupt jump faces.

[@da5863]

Seth 505 is it slow

[@Seth505Seth]

The 2017? Not slow at all, just more refined and controllable compared to the previous version 250sx

[@da5863]

Seth 505 have you ridden any 2016 or 2017 250F's

[@Seth505Seth]

Only one day, but I rode the KTM 250f factory edition. Awesome bike as well but the 2stroke still has more power.

[@neilpincus4667]

So basically buy a good used YZ, slap on a pipe and reeds and maybe some faster turning triple clamps and save a lot of money.

[@davehoyt8965]

That lack of low on the KTM could be fixed with another tooth or two on the rear sprocket

[@jeffdarkness666]

I Don't care what anyone says, the YZ 250 is still KING of the 250 2 strokes!

[@motorr4319]

Nope kx

[@jeffdarkness666]

hard to be King when they haven't made KX 2 Stoke since 2007.

[@davezanin1863]

So TRUE!!!!!

[@jakehanus3536]

I wish they still made the rms

[@gdv4612]

King? Wow, they had to beat such great competition didn't they lol

[@kickstartkrew9924]

Basically the unchanged since 2006 YZ250 is the GOAT. Better bikes will come and go, but it's still the GOAT

[@gdv4612]

Unchanged and outdated motor and chasis since the last 10 years. Didn't Honda still make the CR250 in 2006? Nuf said.

[@chadclark1842]

As the proud owner of a 92' kx250, it baffles me why KAWASAKI doesn't get in on this, anyone who has owned this particular year of kx's understand why 'I' consider them a standout year. Re-release the 92!

[@paulmarshall8774]

chad clark great bike I had a new one back then👍

[@2strokeforlif3]

So if you like a good ol screaming two stroke get the yami.

[@howardwoods342]

So a bunch of pro riders say they are basically the same, yeah this is why i went with the yamaha. Plus I've ridden both including the ktm 300 and still like the yamaha better. I went with the 2021 yz 250x, thing is amazing

[@DHolmquistDesigns]

Kinda funny how an 11 year old bike still has better suspension than the KTM and is so close to the KTM in overall performance. Why 2 strokes haven't started improving a whole lot until just now is funny to me, I feel like there is so much potential. Just glad to see KTM finally answering the call to put more research into the 2 smoker! But I think I'll stick to my 2003 yz250 with SSS suspension and 325 kit until something drastic happens haha

[@savagesalvage4957]

dane holmquist they're only allowing 50 fuel injected 2 strokes into the states, it's a publicity thing, they're keeping pretty much all of them in Europe

[@DHolmquistDesigns]

Savage Salvage yeah but they will be coming to the states in the next few years believe me. I think they just want to test the market for now but eventually it will happen. Could possibly make for a current green sticker two stroke which is needed in the states especially California. Other than that KTM solved the 2 stroke counter balancer on their exc models and reduced vibration by 50%, to do this they redesigned the engine from the ground up and made some other small changes as well. You don't see any other manufacturer putting tech into 2 strokes so seeing them actually doing so is nice to see.

[@savagesalvage4957]

dane holmquist What is a green sticker? I live in the Midwest where emissions are more of a joke and people drive diesels so they can blow smoke at people when they drive by, I don't think they're testing the market, they know it'll do well but they want a publicity stunt to get demand way up so if they do bring them to the states in 2019 or 2020 the people that want them will be salivating to have one. It's a good move but I think they could make more money by just bringing them to mainstream in 2018 instead of having one bike per state. I'm a four stroke guy because I like the throttle response to be linear, It's just my riding style, but it's cool to see some modern tech in the 2 strokes, because my riding style isn't the only riding style. I might give the fuel injected ones a try if they have a throttle response that two smoker riders don't like, the classic feel of a two stroke just isn't my thing

[@DHolmquistDesigns]

In California a lot of woods riding spots require a green sticker to ride year around, and 2002 and under 2 strokes are only green sticker and exc model four strokes and dual sports it's bullshit and a lot of other states are going that rout too to for pollution purposes which is complete bullshit. I'd leave Cali but I surf so that's not an option. 2 strokes are just so much better for really technical riding terrain, they are normally about 20lbs lighter, and when a four strokes piston fires the mass of such a large piston and the stroke makes them much more top heavy which is not ideal when going through rock rock gardens and maneuvering through really gnar terrain when tipping the bike is easy to do. 2 strokes you can flick around much easier and also bogg way lower so you can crawl at a very slow speed and the motor won't die abruptly like a 4 stroke does. I always say 4 strokes for track and 2 strokes for trail, nothing beats a 4 stroke on the track, the liner power and the torque is unbeatable for fast cornering, straights, and jumping. I have a 2011 450sxf for the track but that thing is a handful in the technical trails, almost unridable even. It does fine on trail until you get into the real crazy hard tech stuff then it just tips over and stalls out all the time, not to mention it overheats when a 2 stroke run a lot cooler. There is a reason 90% of hard enduro riders ride two strokes.

[@savagesalvage4957]

dane holmquist Interesting, most people here ride their bikes to the trails (as In on the road, since off-road vehicles are street legal here because of the amount of farmers that use them) so being able to have a reasonably high top speed is important. I'd say majority of trail bikes here have a recluse clutch so dying isn't an issue. Weight isn't much of an issue for me personally, being roughly 210 pounds the difference between a 240 pound bike and a 220 pound bike is almost unnoticeable, but for lighter guys I can see where it could be a problem. You're right that 4 strokes are king of the track and 2 strokes (specifically 300 2t) are king of pro enduro stuff. But even in technical stuff, I prefer the linear throttle of a 4t over the snappiness of the 2t, even though the 450 is a beast, I personally just prefer the riding style of the 4t, especially since I use engine braking so often, it'd be a hard habit to brake (pun intended)

[@2_strokesmoke]

First guy is definitely sandbagging in the intermediate class.

[@Scandle68]

With the YZ being essentially unchanged (other than plastic) since 2006, it seems to me that the KTM should be significantly better than the YZ. That's 11 years where KTM continued to develope their 2 stroke bikes. The motors and the chassis. Yet the YZ is essentially on par in every area despite development ending 11 years ago. I just would have thought the KTM would have had a significant edge. I guess not.

[@neilpincus4667]

Exactly. The KTM has been completely redesigned about 7 times in the same period and any differences are not significant enough to declare it superior, in fact the most expensive thing to fix is better on the Yamaha- the suspension. A few cheap mods and the Yammy will shit on the KTM.

[@Scandle68]

Neil Pincus it looks like I've got a pretty savvy guy that agrees. I don't know your history, but I'm 48 years old. When I started racing I was 10 yrs old. I raced YZ 80's from 1979 through 1982. The difference from one year to the next in terms of power, suspension, and handling was so great that you literally could not compete in the faster "A" class on minis with a 1 year out dated bike. The difference between my first YZ 80 (1979) and my last one (1982) was unreal. Totally different bikes visually and in performance. No amount of money on the motor or suspension of the 79' model could have made it competitive against a stock 1982 model. Not even close. When I moved up to 125s in 1983, it was still almost imperative to get a new model each year to stay competitive in the local expert class. Over the next several years, the developments/improvements from year to year became less significant, but from the mid-late seventies until the mid-late eighties, the difference between motocross bikes is night and day. I raced through 1995 on a local expert level and then quit. My last bike was a 1994 KX 250. In 2001 I bought a barely used 2001 CR 250 to play around on and maybe even race from time to time. It had a pro circuit pipe, aftermarket bars, etc. It was quick as hell, but I don't know suspension was any better than my last 94' KX. The motor did hit harder, but it wasn't night and day better. Other than an aluminum frame, I saw no technology or new shit on the CR that wasn't on my KX. It looked more modern and a little sleaker, but wasn't as overall improved over my last bike as I would've thought. I rode a friend's brand new 2002 YZ 250 for a few laps at that time just to compare to my CR. My CR felt slightly quicker or snappier, but it was close. The YZ felt plusher and more stable. I actually preferred the YZ overall and overall it was a little better. With the 2017 YZ 250 being very little improved or changed over that 2002 model I rode, I couldn't fathom that the 2017 KTM 250 SX wouldn't at least be noticeably better in all areas than the YZ. (KTM has been updated so many times and KTM continuing with 2 stroke development as you obviously know). It's as if engine power, handling, and suspension ability reached its limits in the late 90's or early 2000's. By the late 80's to early 90's, all motocross bikes had water cooling, front and rear disc brakes, the same rear suspension set up you see on today's bikes, inverted forks, power valves, etc. Other than the development of the modern 4 stroke engine, sleeker/more modern styling, today's bikes are essentially the same as early 90's bikes. It's just tiny refinements in tiny increments over the years. Obviously the speed at which motocross bikes are getting better has tapered off to where it's nothing like the 70s to 80s to 90s, but still...15 years after i rode that 2002 YZ 250, i read that the KTM 250 that has "continued to develope" is essentially no better....or not much better than that 02 YZ I rode. That's surprising. KTM should quit wasting that money on two stroke motocross bike R&D. It doesn't seem to be leading to any improvements that would justify it. Just sink that money into their 4 stroke development and just update the plastic from time to time like Yamaha. The boys at Yamaha realized that all the juice that can be squeezed from an orange (250 two stroke motocross bike) has been squeezed and to focus on other bikes. KTM probably should do the same. You can't race the 250 SX in the lights class, and no fool would choose it over the 450 SXF in the 450 class at any half ass level, so what's the purpose in that bike let alone the continued expense in development that hasn't produced any significant improvement in 15 years? I just don't get it. If the 250 SX were half the price of the 450 SXF then I could see a legit reason to buy one. In Europe EMX 125 AND EMX 300, you will see more YZs than you do KTMs and Husquavarnas despite that the YZs are the ones that stop developing 15 years ago. That says something. Yeah I believe you. If I were gonna get a new 250 two stroke, I'd go with the YZ. If I were young and gonna race mx, I'd still get the YZ and just spend a little to tweak the motor for a h.p. or two before I'd buy the KTM.

[@neilpincus4667]

+Scandle68 Thanks man. I'm 45, never really raced dirt but played a fair bit. Did a bit of road racing back in the day. Better for my fitness levels... 😂. In the eighties technology was almost viral. Not just dirt bikes but all bikes. We went from air cooled, twin shock dinosaurs with no brakes to liquid cooled, single shock, upside-down forks, discs on both ends, power valves etc in a decade. In the nineties it kinda plateaued. There's no discernable difference between a 2007 and 2017 2 stroke besides slightly better brakes and nicer plastics. Even a decent condition steel framed CR250R like a '96 would be a nice bike, but obviously a little dated. They're still fast by today's standards and handle pretty OK all things considered. Sadly most of them are tired now.

[@Scandle68]

Neil Pincus indeed. No better way to put it. As crazy expensive as a new motocross bike is today, can you imagine trying to just race competively on a local level if the bikes were improving from year to year as they were in the 70s-early 90's? The positive thing in this is that you can find a 10 year old bike on Craigslist for a fraction of the cost of a new model, spend a little refreshing/modifying, still have way less invested in it than a new one, and still compete on a local level even in the expert class. Hell....it won't even look outdated to speak of. That's the good side of it. Can you imagine it being 1990 and trying to even race in a local expert class on a 1980 model bike? Lol. If you had a perfectly tuned, exotic WORKS BIKE from 1980, you'd get majorly spanked by the guys in 1990 on stock bikes lol. If you lined up on a local track today with a duplicate of the 07' RMZ factory bike Carmichael raced in his last event, you'd probably have the fastest, best handling bike on the gate lol. I swear I can't fathom who would buy the 2017 KTM 250 SX or why. What class would it be legal in that where their aren't better options? For enduro, grand prix, old age classes, etc the 300 ex/exc are gonna be better, easier to handle, less tiring, and no more expensive. In 450 motocross class, the 450 fourstrokes are gonna be faster, less tiring, and just better period. Yes they are slightly more expensive, but damn. A good, fresh, 1 or 2 year old 450 is gonna be cheaper than a new 250 SX AND BETTER. Again....it can't be raced in the 250 lites class in motocross where the h.p advantage of the two stroke could pay off. For the life of me, I can't see a class of racing period where that would be the best bike to have, or optimum. Yet....they keep producing it and trying to develope a bike that is not either optimum or legal for anything. Lol all this thought when it doesn't matter really. KTM Obviously sells enough of them or has a reason they feel is legit to keep going with them. Like the 150 SX. What SX class is it legal AND optimum in? None. For off road I'd guess a 200 is as fast while requiring less RPM and less shifting. Even a 250 SXF would make more sense. Apparently enough people like them and buy them wether they're optimum for anything or not lol. Oh well.

[@squishyfartz9280]

+Scandle68 you make a ton of sense. Im only 20 and your wise words are very helpful. Respect

[@taylorwaenga833]

the first guy said the yamaha was more comfartable for him and the motor was better and that the ktm felt flat but overall thought ktm was the better one???? i dont get it??

[@elcucuygarage]

I think KTM sponsored this one... More than Yamaha did.

[@yvonnegrandson]

Just got a yz250 I’m in love

[@Mopargocar]

Would've been nice to see a Husky TC 250 and a Beta 250RR in this video.

[@assman199491]

why don't you guys test thies two bike in the 450 reviews? ? they can race with 450 so review them with the 450s....IV seen the 350 reviewed with the 450s...so do the 2strokes aswell

[@SenorDennis]

Rider 1: Ktm signed off early, outstanding midrange. Rider 2: Ktm more of a 4 stroke ride, don’t have to be on the top end like a YZ. Rider 3: Ktm mid to top is really exciting and revs further..???

[@stevestiffler9120]

Imagine where the Yamaha would be with R&D and yearly updates

[@savagehandzzz3153]

Tiny Johnson bike hasn’t changed since 2006 and still runs just about even with new bikes. Goes to show that Yamaha knows what they are doing. If they did actually put time and efforts into redesigning the yz, they would completely destroy the competition. By not changing the bike for 14 years, the other manufacturers still have somewhat of a chance. Lol

[@maverick2242]

Still gave a thumbs up, but need more testers who know 2stokes and what is tunable stock, get the impression unless Dad or a mechanic sets up they're bike they can't say much about anything other than some fluffy ride comments!

[@GsJetskiAdventures]

i have bought a ktm 2017 250sx... great bike .. much more suitable ..

[@wee535]

They literally contradict each other.

[@stevestiffler9120]

They’re like NASA, all contradictions. They say something, than they discount what they just said

[@tedpaszko8274]

I agree

[@iikavanaghii]

6 years too late but the first test rider said “I don’t like the KTM suspension” then in the next breath said “the KTM corners much better so I’d pick the KTM” lol wut? Which is it? That lad must be a nightmare to work with to dial in his bike 😂🤦‍♂️

[@glock1inthetop45]

god damn it yamaha update the yzs already

[@davezanin1863]

Yes!

[@OffRoadingSteve]

Yamaha: Its got newer plastics....

[@Phil-bv4dh]

doesnt need anything its perfect

[@MR-04]

Yamaha all the way !!!

[@yteb08]

2017 Yamaha YZ250 Dyno Test

[@Shrapnel-sq2uk]

What if yamaha is purposely not updating the two strokes because they are saving money to bring back a perfected version of the 490????

[@jamacado2142]

This just sucks for me who bought a brand new yz250 3 days ago

[@jarredfloyd8943]

Jamacado21 01 I love the yz250 and you will find a lot of people do, not a bad bike by any means trust me

[@lukebradford195]

Jamacado21 01 don't be like that bro the ktm will break down in a couple of hours and your little yz will just carry on ripping for years

[@jamacado2142]

Luke Bradford haha thanks man 👍☝

[@jakan756]

Jamacado21 01 The yz is built like a tank. They should test these bikes after a couple of years. and then see. The YZ is better.

[@dylancoric3734]

Jamacado21 01 why, the Yamaha is still a great bike

[@michaeljkasnter]

KTM development every year, Yamaha development 1985

[@finnaoutdoorandindoor4049]

Why do all of y’all hate on ktm so much

[@FNFAL175]

I feel like they was paid to say the ktm was better just because they updated there models. Yz 250 for me

[@the-bt6lc]

Bruh that’s really dumb no offense. The yz is better for more average riders which is why ppl like it so much and the ktm is the best for people who really want to race it hard.

[@yteb08]

2017 KTM 250 SX Dyno Test

[@MR-04]

Blue 4 Life !!!

[@joztunes69]

I'd be taking the KTM

[@michaeljkasnter]

Brembo for me!!! I like to stop!!

[@nostradamned]

This year I witnessed 3 ktm 250 017' broke in half. No thanks,

[@michaeljkasnter]

If you jump it off a cliff

[@mikeysuperfly1997]

Say "sware to god"

[@jermainephillips5179]

Few yrs back the ktm had almost 5hp on the yz.why are they trying to declaw the 250sx?03 ktm was 50hp

[@damiangrisoli5592]

Jermaine Phillips I had the 03 sx would rip a new one in any yz 250 had pro power for the masses.

[@sebastianvelez8807]

The bikes, are they the same height?

[@YuvrajSingh-wb8nr]

Which one is faster ??

[@patrickmorrissey8243]

Hollywood Vevo ktm 250 sx

[@ilcapitanoalexandr8698]

Sx all days.. ✔️

[@benstrobel5598]

awsome bikes!

[@madsjrgensen9173]

The YAMAHA IS BEST

[@stevenloyer7491]

KEEEFERRRR!!!!!

[@123123boobies]

I own a 2013 250 sx and i dont really care what anyone thinks cuz the bikes an absolute monster. Only problem is the garbage tier handlebar mounts. I hate those fuckin aluminium pieces of shit.

[@calangofrota]

Braaaaaaaaaasp

[@andreasstefanou5898]

If you are a revver and you like to ride 2 strokes buy the Yamaha. If you want to ride a 2 stroke like a 4 stroke buy Ktm.

[@smoke2stroke597]

yz250

[@EpicGamer-xb1hb]

Yamaha✊

[@hamish2202]

They don't say it right it yaymaha lol

[@tomj6941]

I’ll I heard was the Yamaha is too powerful it’s too hard to learn how to ride!! Challenge yourself get out of your comfort zone

[@madsjrgensen9173]

YAMAHA MAKE THE BEST BIKES IN THE WORLD LIKE THE YAMAHA YZF 250cc

[@madsjrgensen9173]

2 STROKE

[@MR-04]

Mads Jørgensen i have a YAMAHA Dirt Bike