TWO-STROKE TUESDAY: SWISS-BUILT KTM 250SX ENGINE IN A HONDA CHASSIS

01/28/2025 02:20 PM

A KTM 250SX two-stroke engine in the Honda chassis.  

“In 2018 it started with the idea to build a modern 250cc two-stroke Motocross bike. I was looking to combine a lightweight aluminum chassis with the latest, best 250cc two-stroke engine on the market. So for me, it was obvious that a Japanese chassis and an Austrian powerplant would be the perfect match.

This is a KTM/Honda hybrid is a blastto ride.

“I wanted to show that such a merger (engine + chassis) between two big motorcycle manufacturers is possible. It would result in an easy to maintain, inexpensive motocross bike for everyone… So I started with the work.

“After about 3 months I had the bike ready to go. Already on the first test ride I immediately
noticed that all the effort had been more than worthwhile. The custom-made carbon airbox and intake made for an awesome powerband of the non-vibrating two-stroke engine. Already down low the engine picks up and is a joy to ride. It has great torque, much more so than the stock Austrian bike of its origins. Wheelies can be done with ease…the powerband is broad and torquey yet it still delivers that snap-up top.

“The handling was improved considerably and obviously it feels much, much lighter than any four-stroke. The Honda chassis has flex characteristics that are second to none. The lightweight yet planted feel of the front, the phenomenal handling and the enormous grip at the rear wheel are simply fantastic! Together the whole thing harmonizes so well that you might think the bike is a unity built by one manufacturer. Now if only the two major motorcycle manufacturers could find each other (Honda & KTM). This way they could offer an ingenious motocross bike at an affordable price.”–Arnold Irniger of Switzerland.

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