KTM threw out the old chassis and started over with a completely new design. It’s the same steel perimeter frame you will find on the ’07 & ’08 SXFs and it is like comparing night and day when you compare it to the old one. It’s a very light, robust frame that has stood up well on the SX models and it suits the EXC range very well, giving a much racier feel to the orange enduros.

Turning prowess is improved due to the frame and the bikes now have a more flickable feel to them and are much easier to turn and steer than ever before. The swingarm is also all new and it’s another part which has been stolen directly from the SX range; it’s a die cast alloy unit which houses the linkage-free PDS shock. The suspension hasn’t missed out, also copping an upgrade to a specification very similar to what you will find on any SXF.

The new 48mm closed cartridge fork is a top notch unit and set up directly for the bush. Valving and spring rates are all aimed at those who love shooting through the bush rather than trying a triple on for size. At the back end the shock has been revised and has also seen its fair share of upgrades. It comes standard with high-speed compression damping control, and a 10mm longer shock shaft. This allows for higher piston speed and much better valving control. Once again the shock is well matched to the fork and works well in the ruts and bumps that our Aussie bush trails are littered with.

The ignition system has also been swapped for a dual curve plug-in/un-plug system. There is no switch taking up room on your handlebars instead there is a plug on the side of the bike along the frame near the radiator which you simply unplug or plug in according to your personal preference. One curve is mellower and one is more aggressive.

On the 250 EXC some of the changes are shared with the ignition and crankcase mods carried over to improve the larger engine. The crankshaft has also been changed on the 250 with a new connecting rod and bearings helping to improve reliability and reduce vibrations. If you’re over kick-starting, the new crankcase design on the 250 also allows for a bolt-on electric start system which is available directly through KTM. Very nice!

Two brand new KTMs, a picture perfect day in a lush green paddock with some fast, fun trails. Yes, this was looking like it was going to be a very hard day at the office!

The power delivery is very user friendly and is easy to ride at either end of the powerband. On the tight stuff you can cruise around using the torque of the engine and just go from corner to corner without having to rev the freckle out of it. On the more open flowing trails don’t be scared to open the throttle up and give this thing a few more revs. We tried both of the ignition settings using the plug-in/un-plug system and definitely found a difference in both bikes’ power characteristics.

The suspension was just as we expected on the 200, it was plush and supple on the small stuff but it still handled a few harder hits very well. Between the new frame and suspension the nervous feeling that has plagued the oil burning Katos in the past is now gone and they feel much more predictable in the front end.

Climbing aboard the 250 we were expecting the usual punchy powerband most 250 two-strokes are armed with. How wrong we were, the 2008 250 EXC is a very enduro style engine with a smooth sedate power delivery. We continued on and gave the 250cc a bit of a blast on the grass MX track. The power was nice and friendly and never gave us any scares but you could tell this was more of a bush racer’s weapon.

With the heavier spring installed we soon discovered a whole lot more of a motocross feel to the engine. The power was more aggressive and there was more top end and over-rev. There is also a lighter spring than standard and this makes the power curve even more mellow which may be good for those greasy, snotty, slippery types of terrain that some of those enduro boys live for. The suspension on the 250 was similar to the 200 but it was just stiffened up a little bit. The bigger bike and generally bigger rider are the obvious reason for this and the package works well over all the terrain we could find over the course of the day.

Yet again KTM has delivered excellent products with quality written all over them. Hydraulic clutch, Renthal fat bars, black Excel rims, wave disc brakes, WP suspension – the list continues as you keep looking over the bike. The 200 and 250 EXC are both very good bikes and we would love to have either of them sitting in our shed waiting for some pre-mix burning fun. If we had to pick one or the other we would probably go with the 200 simply because of the fun factor of revving the bejesus out of this little number and feeling like we were going as fast as Flash Gordon.

But if revving is not your thing then you cant go past the 250, it just does its thing and tractors you along without having to stretch the throttle cables and ride like a maniac.