2009–2010 · Enduro · Buyer's Guide
The Pure Two-Stroke Weapon
The 2009–2010 250 EXC is KTM's carbureted two-stroke enduro in its purest form. The 249 cc liquid-cooled single makes 46 hp at 8,200 rpm and 29 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm. It sits in a steel double-cradle frame with WP suspension and Brembo brakes. There are no electronics: no ABS, no traction control, no ride modes. What you get is a 21-inch front, an 18-inch rear, 15.0 in (381 mm) of ground clearance and adjustable suspension at both ends. It's a focused, stripped-down tool for serious enduro riders, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. Ready to race, literally.
On the trail it does two things well. It'll lug through technical sections, and when you open it up the top end hits hard, so your right wrist decides which bike you're riding. It's light on its feet and shrugs off abuse. It's also simple to keep running at home, and the aftermarket is deep, which matters on a machine that's meant to be used hard. That makes it the bike for an experienced off-road rider who wants the most capability in rocks, sand and roots. The caveats are real: a 38.8 in (985 mm) seat and a 2.5 gal (9.5 L) tank. Skill required!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 46 hp (34 kW) @ 8,200 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 29 lb-ft (39 Nm) @ 7,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 249 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 260 mm |
| Front tire | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 140/80-18 |
| Wheelbase | 58.3 in (1481 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 15.0 in (381 mm) |
| Front travel | 11.8 in (300 mm) |
| Rear travel | 13.2 in (335 mm) |
| Seat height | 38.8 in (985 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.5 gal (9.5 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Hard starting when hot
Some owners report difficulty starting the bike when the engine is hot, often requiring a precise starting procedure or carburetor tuning to resolve.
Where this KTM 250 EXC pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the 250 EXC is actually built for.
This is your bike. It's light, has plenty of ground clearance and adjustable suspension, so slickrock ledges and sand washes become the fun part. Just plan your fuel around the 2.5 gal tank.
Made for Bar M / Kane Creek · Imperial Sand Dunes · Johnson Valley OHV Area
It'll run hard laps on its adjustable WP suspension, but it's an enduro at heart, built to be ridable in rocks and woods. If motocross is all you ride, buy a dedicated MX bike.
Made for Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area · Fox Raceway at Pala · Glen Helen Raceway
Honest answer: it's the wrong tool for loaded multi-day BDR runs. With a 2.5 gal tank, a 38.8 in seat and no luggage system, it's a day-trip scalpel, not a traveler.
Made for AZBDR — Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route · California BDR South · COBDR — Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Successor · 2011–2016
Race-Bred Two-Stroke Dirt Weapon
Competitor · 2009–2013
Two-Stroke Single-Track Specialist
Competitor · 2009–2013
Trail Weapon With A Plate
Same Platform · 2008–2010
Two-Stroke Traction You Control