New to me KTM 250 XCF-W

[fishheadAZ]

Howdy everybody, I recently picked up my first dirt bike, a 2007 KTM 250 XCF-W. Here it is:



I have shaved the seat, as I'm only 5'7". Now I can get a toe down without having to scoot my butt off the side. I used an elctric fillet knife, some razors and some sand paper. The factory seat cover was a bit banged up, so I used some of the factory efx bulk gripper material. It's not going to win any awards, but I'm pretty happy for my first try.



Also, since it's street legal, I needed somewhere to put a plate. I saw the EE plate holder, but didn't want to pay $15 bucks for some plastice and nuts and bolts. So I used some scrap 1/4' polycarb and made one myself.





A little black spray paint and Voila!



Since all that was done, I took it for my first ever dirt ride on motorized two wheels! Needless to say, I like it!

Dirty!!

[Navin]

Did you set the race sag for your weight before you started cutting foam?

The seat to peg relationship is a seperate issue from the seat to ground. You may find it harder to move from sitting to standing now but regardless, you need to set race sag and get the correct spring for your weight if it isn't already in the bike. This would have possibly gotten you low enough while maintaining the correct steering geometry so the bike turns and tracks correctly.

If you need directions on how to do this just ask.

[fishheadAZ]

I set the static sag to right at 35mm per the manual. I haven't done the rider sag, but I weighed myself fully geared and watered and I came right in the range for the stock springs according to the manual. I will check the rider sag and see where it ended up.

[awshouse]

If you want to go lower, drop the triple tree clamps 1-2 inches and consider a z-bushing in the rear. I love my xcf-w. JD jet kit adds a lot of punch too. I'm going to up to the 300 kit at top end time for just a tad more low end.


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[guns_equal_freedom]

Get some sheet rubber (I found it in the plumbing section of Ace) and put some rubber between the plate and the holder.

If you don't the plate will start to crack.

If you have the money (or when/if you ever rebuild the suspension) you can have an inch taken out of the forks and rear shock.

I did that with my 07 XCF-W and it made a world of difference.

[fishheadAZ]

Originally Posted by awshouse

If you want to go lower, drop the triple tree clamps 1-2 inches and consider a z-bushing in the rear. I love my xcf-w. JD jet kit adds a lot of punch too. I'm going to up to the 300 kit at top end time for just a tad more low end.


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The PO had already worked on the jetting. It seems spot on with no stumbles or anything throughout the rev range. He's an aircraft mech and documented everything...ever. I may look into dropping the forks a little and this z bushing.

Originally Posted by guns_equal_freedom

Get some sheet rubber (I found it in the plumbing section of Ace) and put some rubber between the plate and the holder.

If you don't the plate will start to crack.

If you have the money (or when/if you ever rebuild the suspension) you can have an inch taken out of the forks and rear shock.

I did that with my 07 XCF-W and it made a world of difference.

I have some spare rubber sheet at work I could use for the plate. For now, I may just go with the el cheapo lowering methods, but am intrigued by the KTM low suspension kits that are supposed to be available next month. I'm sure a little bit of lowering woud help with my confidence, but it's not unmanageble as it sits now. A liitle tall sure, but not that bad. We'll see. Thanks for the suggestions ya'll!

[guns_equal_freedom]

You want to wake that puppy up?

The FMF Megabomb pipe and the 4.1 muffler system.

I think that FMF might still make it.

[fishheadAZ]

I think they do, but I am going to leave it alone for now. I just need to get more seat time and then I'll have a better idea of what needs modding and what can stay as is. Thanks though! I do really appreciate the suggestions and insight!

Originally Posted by guns_equal_freedom

You want to wake that puppy up?

The FMF Megabomb pipe and the 4.1 muffler system.

I think that FMF might still make it.

[Navin]

A JD jet kit gave my 07 250sxf unreal throttle response and it started alot easier too. You want to check that rider sag too. I've always liked progressive PDs springs but many don't, personal pref? The bike sag only thing was a notion KTM gave up on pretty quickly. One spring does not fit all.

[Ditch]

I make my tag holders out of the thick plastic truck mudflap material that is on the roadside all the time. One of these will get you a lot of plate holders.

[fishheadAZ]

I'm not sure what brand jets it has, but it has a 168 main, 42 pilot, 45 leak, and an OBETP needle 5th from top. It runs great and starts first try. The PO spent alot of time fiddling with the jets, and it seems to methat he got it spot on. As for rider sag, I'm going to check it this weekend.

Good idea about the mudflap material, but I've got lots of scraps of the 1/4" polycarb sheet laying around at work. The stuff is really easy to work and is almost indestructible.

[meijer's trails]

I got the same bike as you recently, but its an 08. i need to lower too some, but i hadnt thought of the sitting to standing energy increase by lowering the seat height
aw? i thought you didnt like the z-bushing?

any updates to new ride experiences?

[james1300]

How are the suspension mod's going?
I want one of these bikes. BUT< I only have a 28" inseam!
Keep us updated!

[fishheadAZ]

Sorry it's been so long. I haven't done anything to the suspension except put all the clickers back to the specs in the manual. Now I'm playing with those a tiny bit. As for the seat making it harder to stand, it's a non issue for me. I don't have a hard time going from sitting to standing, but ymmv. I did add a promotobillet kickstand. That thing is a brute. Far more sturdy than the oem stand and easy as pie to install. I also added an under bar mount fast way steering stabilizer. The stabilizer definitely helps as does the rise to the bar clamps. The increased height allows me to stand easier and be less hunched over if I desire. Again, ymmv. Overall I really like the bike. I just wish I had more time to ride.

[browneye]

I sold my '07 recently, had it for 3 years, about 135 hours total.

Did you have any specific questions on the bike?


Some things to consider...
At about 110 total hours seriously consider pulling the jug and measure for wear. The stock factory rings did not wear well. A wosner piston is not much more than a new set of oem rings and will give 50% to 100% more life. While the head is off test valve seating with solvent for leaks. Valves seem to go 250 or more hours on them.

Have the forks and shock serviced by 100 hours. A specialist will check bushings for wear, replace all the seals, change the fluid, and charge the shock.

Add a coolant overflow bottle. One of those model-airplane fuel tank ones will fit in the airbox abaft the subframe downtube.

If you need the bike lower have the forks and shock modded. They will work better that way. I have a good friend who had this done on a 200XC for his wife and it's great.

In my opinion this model is one of the best trailbikes ever made. It's light, powerful, and great suspension. 6 wide gears, will do 75 on stock gearing and still have a crawl first.

The real wake up mod is a 285 big bore kit. The one from Bill's is still reliable without going larger.

I had a Q4 on mine and it was a great can, nice sound but still quiet enough to not offend anyone.

Jetting is fussy. JD is a joke IMHO, put the XCF needle in it and go with appropriate main and pilot. Mine was 42 or 45 pilot, 168 or 170 main, depending on altitude and temp. they are easy to change out on this bike.

Don't leave fuel sitting in it, the pilot will plug. If it's going to sit for more than a couple of weeks, drain the tank to reserve, add fuel preservative to the remaining, then crack the bottom plug on the carb bowl and drain it.

If you're susceptible to tip-overs consider a set of Moose Racing raditor guards. If you crush a rad they're expensive.

The bike is a mountain goat with a MT43 rear and any soft to mid-terrain knob on the front. Back off the suspension a bit and it's a single-track champ.

Oh yeah, they need a Dirttricks or Hopkins cam chain tensioner. The stocker is a POS and they will rattle like a sewing maching when starting cold. An aftermarket tension eliminates this.

Here's a pic of the one I rode: