2023 KTM 250XC first ride impressions

[@Mockle07]

Late to the party, but outstanding video with genuine, well rounded information and opinions. Far too many KZbin reviews present their (usually uninformed) opinions as fact, thanks for not falling into that trap.

[@GeneMcEntire]

Have to echo what has previously been mentioned here. It's great to hear and honest open-minded review. Getting caught up in the hype is so easy to do and often just a costly mistake. Congrats on the new bike sounds and looks like a ripper.

[@duffyrides]

Forgot to mention. Your son rips !!! Good stuff. Fun to watch.

[@ridewithmike962]

Thanks. I have 3 sons and they're all way faster than me :)

[@onthethrottle7104]

Absolutely awesome! Great ride and you seem to gel really well with the bike - hope the race goes excellent for you. Excellent show, excellent tutorial on the bike, etc. two thumbs up! By the second lap your son was Ripping!!!

[@mrlarrybobjr]

Good video ❤ like the logical commentary

[@railduke68]

Best level headed TBI review I’ve watched. No hyperbole good or bad. I brought my 23 300xc home last night. Looking forward to the weekend.

[@ridewithmike962]

Sounds like it should be a great weekend!

[@JRideRR]

Great review! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Been loving my 23 250 XC so far.

[@ridewithmike962]

Glad you're enjoying the bike. Would love to hear your thoughts.

[@JRideRR]

@@ridewithmike962 I have just over 13hrs on mine and just completed my first Enduro on it. My riding is mainly flowing single track 2nd - 3rd gear. We have similar thoughts on the bike. Love the motor and chassis, still playing with suspension settings. Currently in the sport setting with 130psi in the forks. Probably need to soften it up a little bit but no complaints. My only real concern is I need to do a mileage test for my upcoming HS to make sure I can make the distance on a single tank. I'm in FL so our race season is just getting underway. I have some videos on my 250 as well as comparing it to my 300 TPI. Feel free to check them out. Enjoying your videos!

[@ridewithmike962]

@@JRideRR Great feedback. I like to hear some common themes among those who have the bike, because it helps validate my initial impressions. I will have mine out in some more technical terrain in the next few weeks. Enjoy the bike!

[@g_dawwg]

thnx for the HD video and commentary! 🔥🔥

[@ridewithmike962]

Glad you found some value in it.

[@Hendy711]

Love the bike reviews! Keep up the work. Would love to see you get on an xcw and run it through the paces on the desert, your races and the mountains!

[@ridewithmike962]

Thanks. I would love an XCW as well. If I wasn't racing, my bike of choice would probably be the XCW. It's not that they can't be raced as I know many many people who have proven they are entirely capable.....I just prefer the XC gear ratios and ignition mapping for racing.

[@offroadtrailrider77]

Great video. My 23 250xc is arriving next week for thanksgiving.

[@ridewithmike962]

What an awesome thing to look forward to next week. Enjoy!

[@BigDaveTALKS]

Great information. Thank you for putting this out there. Like you mentioned there is not much on the 250. JeBUS Christos, your son at the end was RIPPIN it!!😮👍

[@ridewithmike962]

Glad you found some value in it. Yes, I wish I could ride like my son :)

[@XploreEnduro]

Great video Mike!

[@ridewithmike962]

Thanks Jamen. Congrats on the addition to your family as well 😉!

[@nigelc2629]

Great video, I've had 4 xcf 350's since 2016, currently 2021. Thinking time for a change and really appreciated the time you spent talking though how you find the xc 250 which is the way I'm leaning.

[@nickfiorante1168]

Great honest review! My 2023 250xc should be arriving this week.

[@ridewithmike962]

I think you’ll love it, but would love your honest opinions after you’ve had some time on it.

[@chalo212]

Dude you really are sending it out there hahahahaha awesome bike. i love that KTM produces these engines now. Im still at my carbureted 250, i dont really miss TPI at all. And 4 strokes are no longer in the conversation hahahaha

[@247MX]

Great video and review.

[@code4performance]

Mike, excellent, honest review. Thank you

[@ridewithmike962]

Thanks for watching!

[@edxr250r]

A really good write up of your experience of the bike so far - very insightful indeed. I also have a '17 250XC that I'll be riding for at least another year due to lack of use over the last couple of years. I am also an over 50's Vet rider so find your opinions very useful and relevant for me. Loved the look of your track, that's a dream for me as in the UK we're getting lots of rain at the moment so it's a bit of a mud fest which seems to knock my enthusiasm to ride due to the significant time cleaning bike and gear after riding! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, much appreciated👍👍

[@ridewithmike962]

Hi Edward. I'm glad you found some value in the video. Your '17 250 XC is an incredible bike and with the kickstarter, counterbalanced motor, and carb, it really is one of the last best generation of the KTM/Husky two strokes in my opinion. I don't know how many hours you have on yours, but I'll bet it's just barely being broken in. Enjoy!

[@edxr250r]

@@ridewithmike962 Hi Mike, you're spot on - great bike for sure and with only 13.7 hours on the clock, it still feels factory fresh. Just fitting a VFORCE4 reed cage and changing a few jets as it seems a bit crisp at the moment (winter so cold) . Just wondered if you remember what you were running in your '17 250XC? I have the JD Jetting blue needle with the clip in position 3, 30 pilot and 430 main. Did you run the Mikuni carb or swap to something else as I know Lectrons are popular in the US. Thanks for your reply, keep up the good work with the videos, I'll be interested to see how you get on with the 250XC TBI and hope that maybe they start importing them into the UK in '24 or '25? Take it easy, have fun on the new bike😉👍👍

[@ridewithmike962]

@@edxr250r Wow....only 13.7 hours. That thing literally isn't even broken in yet. As good as the TBI is, I would hang on to that thing for sure. That would me a major "barn find" here in the U.S. with that few of hours. I had over 600 hours on my '17 and although I did multiple rebuilds on the motor, the stock clutch lasted that entire time. As for jetting, lots of guys raved about the Lectron and/or switched back to Keihim carbs. I never bothered with the expense and ran the Mikuni the entire time. I had a JD Jetting Kit and I used two primary settings. One was for racing (3,000 - 6,000 feet) and just about anything other than high elevation trail riding. For that setting I used the the 32.5 pilot, blue needle, 3.5 clip position and a 420 main. For summer high elevation trail riding I switched to the red needled, 32.5 pilot, clip position 2.5, Main jet a 400 or 390 main. But that was for riding 7,000-10,000 feet and really easy on the throttle.

[@edxr250r]

@@ridewithmike962- cheers for the detailed reply Mike - very much appreciated 👍. I'm going to shoot for a 32.5 or 35 pilot, 440 main and 3.5 clip on a blue needle and see what that feels like. Altitude for me is 0 - 900' ASL. Yes barely run in at best, just has a solid rear disc as I like the feel and it doesn't eat pads in the mud, GMX radiator braces (as I sometimes crash....😉), KTM front disc guard, Polisport case guards, Acerbis sump guard and white plastics/custom graphics (no orange, its a '17 France 6 Days Enduro replica so red, white and blue👍👍). I dream of winter riding in dry/dusty conditions 🤣😂🤣. Yes I've heard that they are very durable, Ady Smith who runs the KTM Off road Experiences in the UK has a '19 with hundreds of hours on it but still looks mint after a refurb. Really looking forward to riding it soon, take care - Ed😉👍👍

[@bearbeau13]

To sum this up overall. The motor is great and linear lol. Everyone else adjust your power valves on your tpi bikes and the motor works the same. No mixing gas. Never seen any hard enduro bikes with failed oil pumps. Never had one myself racing the tpi's thousands of hours over many years. And that was the only complaint but who knows my 22 my just be the one ;) lol

[@ridewithmike962]

Fair point, but trust me, the "linear" power delivery of the TBI compared to the TPI is not the same. My "butt dyno" would say it's like 20% more everywhere. I'm not hating on TPI's. I have no reason to, but the TBI is just a better running and more powerful motor out of the box.

[@bearbeau13]

For sure Mike. I think the chassis may interest me the most. Currently running 22 300 erz and 150 w with high comp head and think the 250 with chassis may be the best all arounder. 150 is a blast. I call it the hard core trainer bike for all 300 riders ;). You would know why....

[@ridewithmike962]

@@bearbeau13 sounds like you have your's sorted well, and other than the chassis, probably not much of a reason to make the change just yet. Regarding the small bores, yep, they're super fun and great training. I rode a 200 for a few seasons for that same reason.

[@bearbeau13]

@@ridewithmike962 you and me both. Loved my 200 but hands down 150 tpi with head job is a razor

[@duffyrides]

Great review. Just subscribed ! I've got my 23 250XC arriving soon and will share my impressions to my channel as well. Look forward to followong your progress with the bike

[@ridewithmike962]

I'm looking forward to it. I would love to hear what other people think and to be as objective as possible. I'll have another race/ride report up soon since I got a chance to race it this past weekend.

[@davidgrunklee8407]

Wow Mike that little headshake episode was sketchy!! Great review thanks!!

[@ridewithmike962]

Yes, I hate headshake. The weird thing is that was the only time it ever happened. I also discovered I had pretty low pressure in the forks (115) and have since corrected that.

[@jasonstevens4192]

Does this 250 Give up anything to the 300xc. I’m next door on the front range in Colorado, have a 19’300xc and 250’s just seem More playful and fun. Any worries with high country power? Thanks!

[@ridewithmike962]

To offer a fair comparison, I would need to ride one of the new TBI 300's, but I will say that I've owned several 300's in the past, and I've ridden a 250 XC for the past 5 years and I do a ton of high-alpine trail riding in Utah and Idaho and I've never missed the 300. That doesn't mean there isn't a difference in low-end, it just means that it's not significant enough that I've wished I was on a 300. My son rides a Sherco 300 (a '22) and as fast as this new 250 is, he did admit that it didn't have as much low-end torque as his bike.

[@brodiemartin5146]

Where exactly is this turn track!? Just moved into Utah and need places to ride!

[@ridewithmike962]

Delle. Not that great for riding, but good for some turn track action to get your moto fix in an afternoon.

[@The2006200]

Great review Ive been waiting for this one! So you have not had all the flashing code lights and fouled spark plugs that people have been complaining about on the internet? I guess maybe its is to early to tell. I was amused by the Slavens review also he makes it sound like the bike is unridable out of the box, I figured that wasn't the case. Im thinking about switching from a 250 xcw tpi to this bike! Your son is a ripper, what bike did he like more this or the 350xcf? That's another bike I am considering.

[@ridewithmike962]

Glad you enjoyed it. I’ve not had any of those problems yet but I admit I’ve had limited time on the bike. I should get a few more hours on it this weekend. My son loved the 350. It was a ‘22 Kailub Russell edition with full cone valve and Trax shock setup. He’s a AA/Pro rider and he admitted it was too stiff even for him but he made some adjustments and got it to where he loved it. In the desert he said that will be his next bike (it was a loaner). He has had a 450XC previously. For the mountain singletrack he still loves his Sherco. You can check out “RideWithTheKnights” channel. He’ll be doing a full comparison of that suspension setup on that bike compared to stock, in the next few weeks.

[@reineherrera8897]

Great review. With respects to the stock suspension, you mention that it’s good enough for you to go out a and race it as an A rider. Do you think the suspension is raceable due to your advanced skill set and being able to compensate for deficiencies in performance with better body positioning etc? And do you think the stock setting would work for slower less experienced riders racing hare scrambles as well?

[@ridewithmike962]

Since this review, I have had my suspension revalved by MotoXperts in Spanish Fork Utah. They did a great job, but I think the biggest benefit was getting the proper spring rate for my weight on the shock. As much as I think it is an improvement, I do think the stock setting would be just fine for B or C class riders, particularly for Hare Scrambles. If it was being used strictly for trail riding, that same rider may prefer the softer setup of the XCW.

[@Tlisotta2010]

Great review. Thank you. Been prepping my 2023 300XC for its first ride soon. Question - my forks came showing 3 rings. I ran 2 rings on my 2020 300XC. Curious what you run? I don’t race. I run flowy single track and we run slow technical terrain.

[@ridewithmike962]

I’ll double check my bike but I’m pretty sure it’s at 2 rings. If it’s not, I’ll follow up and let you know.

[@ridewithmike962]

I stand corrected. I just checked my bike and see that it is at the 3rd ring as well.

[@Tlisotta2010]

Thank you!!!

[@panic-revv85]

Mike, do you intend on putting a desert tank on it, or do you think the stock tank will do? My boys and I race here in Utah as well. Thx.

[@ridewithmike962]

Hi Guys. I will likely put a bigger tank on it, but just haven't done it yet (they were back ordered). So far it hasn't been much of an issue for racing, but I'm actually more interested in longer range for summer trail riding.

[@ibinpv]

How did the bike do at the Tecate enduro specifically on the third loop ?

[@ridewithmike962]

It did awesome. That's the type of loop and terrain I was really hoping to get to ride because I felt that it would best simulate the types of gnarly singletrack and trail riding that I like to do in the summer. Gearing was a non-issue and low end was great. I rode the whole thing in the green map, but if I was in those types of conditions for a longer time, I would probably try the white map.

[@jetdr]

I have been waiting for a 250xc review!! does the 250 have good low end grunt like the 300 for Easter tight woods, steep hills with slick roots and rocks?

[@ridewithmike962]

I've owned 3 different 300's and 2 250's. I put over 600 hours on my last 250 XC (a 2017) and this bike has just as much low-end as my 2017. If you watch my "final thoughts" video, I kind of address that. When i first got the bike, I was primarily riding it in faster, more open conditions and I wanted to wait to get it into tighter, slower conditions to assess how it did. I'm happy to report it did awesome (I rode it at the Tecate Enduro in Mexico last month which is very slow, tight, and gnarly in many spots). Never once during the past 7 years of riding a 250 have I wished that I had gone back to a 300. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXnGo4aJm5qhZrc&lc=UgyWdcvtAAVHuVThSgJ4AaABAg.9ka5QgWq1mt9kify8S9NVC

[@yingyang203]

You didn’t go over the launch modes and maps on the left side control

[@b_law949]

Those trails look awesome, where is that?

[@ridewithmike962]

This is the west desert of Utah (west of Salt Lake City).

[@philip5798]

How was the fueling on the 250? Any detonation or lean spots? The preproduction 250 had those problems earlier in the year. Wondering if it was fixed or better to get the 300.

[@ridewithmike962]

I ran regular pump gas (91) octane and it had zero issues. Even though these have an SX head on them, I think if you start modding the head you may need some higher octane race gas, but for the few hours I rode it, I had no problems with regular pump gas. I didn't notice any lean spots.

[@davidgrunklee8407]

60:1? What oil?

[@ridewithmike962]

@@davidgrunklee8407 I ran the tank from the dealer (not sure what oil) and then I used Lucas Oil this past weekend at my first race at 50:1. Seemed to be just fine.

[@darrellyazzie7664]

3:19 for the meat n potatoes

[@dnrg62]

Your no slouch on that bike but the way your son attacks the track lol ,to be young again .👍

[@ridewithmike962]

Yeah, all 3 of my boys remind me of that every day :) I've long since keeping up with any of them.

[@dnrg62]

@@ridewithmike962 lol gold.

[@AnthonyJay]

I was trying to learn on a 300xc and it was a little too much power. Would you recommend this bike for a beginner? I’m about 6ft & 165lbs

[@andrewpereira1117]

125 2 stroke

[@tylermoore3024]

Mike, have you ridden a 300tbi for comparison?

[@ridewithmike962]

I have not had the opportunity yet, but I would like to for comparison.

[@SourceADV]

Howd the race go on the bike Mike? Did you place in a similar spot to where you usually do?

[@ridewithmike962]

If you're referring to the race in this video, I had a pretty good ride. 2nd overall A rider and about 10th overall I think. If you're referring to the Tecate Enduro in Mexico, I was about 32 out of 300 racers, but definitely a lot deeper talent :)

[@raceprovisions]

@@ridewithmike962 that’s awesome Mike! Is that where you usually fall in races or better/worse? Had a bunch of buddies at Tecate, they said it was a blast! Cheers

[@ridewithmike962]

@@raceprovisions I would say that was close to a bit better than my usual results for a local race as well as a larger regional race. Yes, Tecate was a blast! Definitely a race every enduro racer should attend at least once.

[@raceprovisions]

@@ridewithmike962 awesome! Congrats! You hit the nail on the head too, these ‘23’s are spot on for XC racing in stock form, it’s pretty darn impressive!

[@minkusmcminkus7598]

Sand oh no its sand, slide way back, grab some throttle and pray, gets me through

[@Smor125]

Where are you riding?

[@ridewithmike962]

This is the west desert of Utah.

[@Smor125]

@@ridewithmike962 looks like fun there. Never been riding west of the Mississippi. Definitely want to ride in Utah now lol

[@duosable]

It looks like the XC has a stiffer suspension

[@marcussmith4913]

ya sure break my neck just as easy doing this as sitting on the couch watching it at home right? Pretty much the same risks involved I can do this.

[@heily-3806]

Slavens is a crybaby that just wants to sell you parts parts and more parts. It wouldn’t matter how good the stock suspension was , he would say it was terrible and tell you, you need 2k worth of suspension work.

[@patinaz6758]

Eagle Mike says similar things about the KLR.

[@Ozfreerider_adventures]

Dude you tuck the front wheel a lot . Be careful you look like you have zero control over that front end . 🤔

[@ridewithmike962]

Yep.....just learning to ride so still figuring this out ;)