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he KTM 250XC-F is one of about a zillion redesigned bikes in the combined KTM/Husqvarna fleet for 2023. We’ve already reported on many of them, including the KTM 450SX-F, The KTM 350XC-F, the Husky FC250, the Husky FC450, the Husky FC350 and the Husky FX450, Additionally, we rode the 2022 KTM Factory Edition 250SX-F, the 2022 KTM Factory Edition 450SX-F, the 2022 Husky Rockstar FC250 and the 2022 Husky RockstarFC450. Those bikes were technically 2022 models, but they were the advance scouts for all the new models that came later.The common denominator for all these bikes is a new frame. Additionally, the motors in the 250s and 350s are new, while the 450 motors are heavily updated. We can’t imagine how much work went into this combined project in Austria. Along with the new frame comes new rear suspension and new bodywork (which is different for KTM versus Husky). The fork is still the Xact air fork with minimal changes.
The KTM 250XC-F is the off-road version of the 250 four-stroke motocross bike. It has softer suspension, an 18-inch rear wheel, a kickstand, handguards, a skid plate and, most importantly, a six-speed gearbox. For 2023, all the gear ratios (including the primary and final ratios) have been altered with the bottom line of a wider spread.One of the most interesting roles for the 250XC-F is that it’s a four-stroke race bike that, in most off-road racing organizations, goes head to head with two-strokes of the same displacement. This provides endless debate for the two-stroke purists versus the four-stroke racers. We can’t put an end to that debate here, but there are some fundamentals that can’t be denied. First, the 250XC-F has a wider powerband than any two-stroke of the same displacement. It revs to well over 13,000 rpm, whereas a two-stroke 250 goes to about 9000. Second, the 250XC-F makes less peak power, although it’s closer this year than ever before. The new motor makes around 45 horsepower, which is maybe one horse more than last year. A KTM 250SX two-stroke makes around 48 horsepower. You just gotta shift it more to keep it at peak. The weight issue is a wash these days. On our scale, the 2023 250XC-F is 231 pounds without fuel. It gained a few pounds with the new frame. The 2022 250XC two-stroke was 226 pounds, but the 2023 model isn’t out yet. We expect it to gain some weight because it, too, has the new, heavier frame.Regardless, the 250XC-F handles like a lightweight. Despite being newly redesigned, the bike still has some of the same designing characteristics. It’s a screamer. You have to learn to give it full throttle–it doesn’t like half-hearted efforts. That makes the bike feel a little sleepy to most riders. If a rider says the 250X-F doesn’t feel very fast, it’s usually because he isn’t giving it full throttle, which is typical of riders who are used to two-strokes or 450s.
We also get feedback that’s similar to the other redesigned KTMs this year. The new chassis is a little stiffer. That puts more of the burden for comfort on suspension and reveals shortcomings with the WP air fork. It still handles all the big landings and impacts as well as ever, but small chop can provide a harsh feel. We are continuing to test the KTM 250XC-F and will come up with our best settings. Look for a full test in the December, 2022 print edition of Dirt Bike.
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