Last of a DYING breed?! '22 KTM 250SX Project Build

Our latest project build is a 2022 KTM 250SX. The last of the carbureted two-strokes in the KTM lineup, with old school vibes and modern day tech, this bike brings back memories of racing in the "good ol' days" - Is this the last we'll ever see of a kick start carb'd 2 stroke from KTM?
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[@yamahaxs6501]

As a 250sx owner, this makes me smile. I ride for one reason, to have fun, and nothing has been more fun so far as my 250sx, and I'm 50 years old.

[@brentcarr8365]

Nice of you for the shout out 😉🏁

[@Ranger4444]

The jury is definately still out in regards to fuel injected 2 strokes. Different yes but better overall...not so far. Call me old school but nothing puts a smile on my face like my tried and true YZ250. Long live the 2 stroke!

[@jeremyclarkson-69]

Heck yeah

[@chrisvillarreal2752]

I got 21-22 125 and 250 ktm smokers these are the last of the best two strokes ever made before being another complicated electrical piece of shit with over priced everything. Long live the classic smokers my 250sx actually belonged to Travis Pastrana he autographed the front number plate so it’s even better!

[@MrJeffharper47]

I’m just happy there are manufacturers still making two strokes

[@chrisvids1820]

I'm glad to hear the KTM is bigger than the YZ, because I'm 6'4". Looking to try one of these hopefully

[@fox13z400]

Beautiful bike and a fantastic review

[@cleanmachineautodetailing]

Another awesome build

[@jannep6772]

I like more these carburetor models than the newer too linear and not as snappy FI ones. My own bike is a 2018 Husqvarna TC 250. It has FMF Fatty pipe and Pro Circuit R304 shorty silencer, Boyesen Rad Valve intake/reeds, stock cylinderhead is milled down a bit (0.3-0.4 mm if I remember correctly) to increase the compression ratio. It has Wiseco 1-ring piston and some very minor mods to transfer channels only not the ports itself. Cylinder is raised a bit with thicker base gaskets to get a bit more transfer and exhaust port duration. Airbox has been opened up to get it breathe better too. Original Mikuni TMX 38 carburetor has been jetted well and it has two small mods to improve how it works. Throttle slide mod and main jet feed mod. I use red power valve spring and power valve spring adjuster is currently screwed in from flush 1.5 turns. Stock gearing is 14-50 and I have now 13-49. This bike is my dream bike really. I have only two stroke bikes but if I ever bought a four stroke mx bike it would be then KTM SX 350F or Husqvarna FC 350.

[@dylanmoody88]

Work of art! Sick setup ping

[@SreidMX]

God that sounds so good!

[@juliusevola8806]

That race gear looks sweet. Nice work with the bike. Sounds great.

[@shmirdonkin]

I've had two yamahas suspension done. One with enzo and one with factory connection. I don't know about "plush" being used to describe enzo suspension. The factory connection stuff for me is way more plush and all around a better setup. I feel like with the enzo suspension I'm always adjusting it where the factory connection stuff I only occasionally adjust a clicker or two on compression and that's it.

[@DTM45]

Awesome beautiful

[@joenobody2580]

Danger zone runs Enzo 🤙🏻

[@georgecarmel6114]

EFI is nice but, I think a carb give a motor a personality. You can making hit hard or mellow.

[@440mxc]

For bikes that are sold as, and are intended for, closed course offroad (& MX/SX), KTM’s (and hence Husky & GasGas) rational to remove the option of having a kick starter and a carburetor can only be for one reason: To sell more parts when the components needed for EFI & electric starters break! I realize some people desire the “latest & greatest” tech, and I don’t fault KTM for making bikes for those people. But I also remember a time when they made an electric start and kick start version of the same XC or XCW model. That was great, give people options!! That used to be KTM’s HUGE advantage over the others, giving people options!! Fast forward to 2020 or so, & they now totally ignore those of us who value reliability, ease of maintenance, lighter weight and lower cost of ownership, and that has definitely rubbed me, and many others, the wrong way. That’s coming from someone who already owns 3 KTMS (a ‘95, ‘09, and 2011). I’ve had a few talks with KTM USA about this issue, and they either flat out do not care, or have no influence over what KTM Austria does. I thought about buying a ’22 250SX (after seeing the new models for 2023) while they were still available. But I eventually decided against it. Why support a company with my hard earned $'s who doesn’t give a shit about a large portion of their previous customers?? In other words, my advice is, stop buying their crap, apparently that is the only way they will learn.

[@eugenespreutels8305]

Great looking bike. I have one also and just love it. My favorite bike I've owned in 40 years! Running mine pretty much stock so far, put on the PC shorty silencer which really helped. Looking forward to trying the Enzo suspension.

[@chrisvozza6530]

Love those graphics with the orange frame very sexy. More like this

[@fallingover]

At least you can buy a Beta 300RX!

[@shaunsavage1726]

I noticed over the years that my 96 cr250 was very high level engine wise. My bike smokes most modern modified engines bone stock but it's a light switch lol.

[@JokersWild70]

Which track is this at? Just my preference but I like Ping's bike reviews much better than Keefer's. This bike seems like a very good build, so nice job! If you want more "excitement" Ping, you're free to ride my 2018 250SX 😂. As far as the power valve, you can either use a square end adjustment tool or a flat blade screwdriver, or you can install a Kreft Moto Power Dial, which is what I did. I run the powervalve at 3/4 turn in with the stock yellow spring, and an FMF shorty silencer with the stock pipe. It gives me more than enough power! Definitely get the suspension dialed in for YOU. I like the WP Air Forks once they're set up properly. I'm a 5'11", 185 lbs with no gear on, 52 yr old vet intermediate rider, and I'm currently running my forks at 6 out on compression, 8 out on rebound, and the air pressure at 10.5 bar (or 152 psi). They feel plush in the chatter, but stiff enough to not bottom if I over jump something and land flat

[@davidpingree9254]

Cahuilla creek… great track, especially in the winter

[@JokersWild70]

​@@davidpingree9254Thanks. I really enjoy your tests and reviews. Riding the 250 SX definitely takes more energy, but just to hear that exhaust note and feel how hard it hits makes that extra expended energy worthwhile

[@josephcapps7325]

Definitely not the last of a dying breed. The c class at Lorettas was dominated by 2 strokes again this year. Everyone from their local areas, especially supermini dads saw that and the benefits of it. The lighter bike and the rolling speed really helps. Also proves to be the ultimate bike for riders who have to practice and race the same bike. A gas gas 125 even won a 450 c class moto. I know some people don’t care about the c class even though there been pros come out of it.

[@mikebrown41182]

Last dying breed means in this case means carb will be gone in the future and they go efi, so the 250 sx 22 is definitly a last of a dying breed.

[@garyalexander2480]

Definitely not dying. Legit timeless. Carbs and two strokes aren’t going anywhere ❤

[@harrypeterson9287]

Obviously 125/250 two strokes are fast, but 250/450fs are faster. The only way a 125 is going to win against 450s is if were talking about weekend warriors on 450s amongst a skilled rider on a 125. Put a prime Carmichael or Stewart on a 125 against mid pack pro riders on 450s and even the best riders are gonna get lapped.

[@mikebrown41182]

@@garyalexander2480 Yamahas?

[@garyalexander2480]

@@mikebrown41182 Beta, Yamaha, Tm & Rieju 😉 or just put a carb on the new Ktm bike lol delete the crankcase censor get an after market ignition anyone done that it yet for shits and giggles ?

[@derek3107]

Okay, which would you choose, the ‘05 RM 250 or ‘22 KTM 250

[@cadillacmoto]

I've got a '20. Gonna break my heart when I get a 24 or 25 (I think)

[@ryanlorance6168]

Salute Ping

[@joelballard4955]

Do you know exactly what Enzo did to the forks? Just a revalve? I feel like calling them and asking for the Ping revalve

[@ET50rippha]

Nice

[@chalo212]

The beginning didnt go well hahaha could've been smoother and that way of warming up the engine is just weird! I guess we all have different theories to warming up a 2 smoker hahahaha the bike is just sick! I have one myself :D I think shes a keeper, just add parts when she need them and it'll keep on ripping. No way im going back to 4stroke. Maybe in the future the fuel injected but not any time soon.

[@gunsgeargodandcountry6609]

I want to buy it

[@davidd5302]

jetting spec?

[@EverythingisFire]

General nooby question: Is a 250 2-stroke too much bike for a Novice?

[@jinoziniosti5633]

Nah .. the 200SX was last of a DYING breed ..

[@ottokirk2325]

Truth, my 200SX upgrades are '06 chassis, '24 300SX front end(hybrid air/spring) and the STIC Super X carb. My '22 YZ250F collects dust!