KTM 85 SX 17/14 specifications
KTM · Youth motocross
KTM lists a 43 mm WP XACT USD fork with 278 mm (10.94 in) of travel and a XACT PDS shock with 289 mm (11.38 in). The seat is 845 mm, ground clearance 308 mm, tank 1.43 gal and claimed weight 68 kg (150 lb) without fuel. The 17/14 designation refers to the small wheel set, in contrast to the 19/16 big-wheel 85 SX.
KTM 85 SX 17/14
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2027 |
| Displacement | 84.9cc |
| Fuel system | Keihin PWK 28 |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Final drive | 428, Non-sealed |
| Front suspension | XACT 43 WP Upside-Down fork, Ø 43 mm |
| Front suspension travel | 278 mm |
| Rear suspension | XACT WP PDS mono shock |
| Rear suspension travel | 289 mm |
| Seat height | 845 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 1.43 gal |
| Ground clearance | 308 mm (12.13 in) |
| Weight without fuel | 68 kg |
| Starting MSRP | $6,949 |
| Class | Youth motocross |
| Engine | 1-cylinder, 2-stroke engine |
| Front brake | Disc brake |
| Frame | Central-tube frame with double-cradle |
| Destination charge | $425 |
Against the 65 SX and the full-size line
The 85 SX costs $6,949, $1,050 more than the 65 SX and $1,500 less than the 125 SX at $8,449. It is 13.7 kg heavier than the 65 and 24 kg lighter than the 125. It is the last bike on the youth ladder before the full-size SX range and its 845 mm seat is 113 mm below the 125's 958 mm.
KTM's own 2025 changes matter for anyone shopping used: an earlier 85 has a heavier engine and a different exhaust. So a used bike's model year decides which of these notes apply. The 85 SX 17/14 suits a competitive junior rider who has outgrown the 65 but is not yet tall enough for the 19/16 version, and it is the class of bike race series for juniors are run on.
Buyers should check the wheel size and the seat against the child's inseam before ordering.
85 SX against the 65 SX and KX85
KTM's 65 SX is the step below, and Kawasaki's KX85 is a direct rival in the 85 class.
KTM 85 SX 17/14 — specification referenceThe small-wheel alternative is Kawasaki’s 2027 KX85. Its listed $4,999 base price is $1,950 below the KTM’s $6,949. Wheel format and the actual rider’s control reach still matter alongside that price.
KTM · Youth motocross
The 85 SX is KTM's top junior motocross bike, and the 17/14 version has 17-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels for smaller riders. Cycle World says it was heavily updated for 2025 with a lighter engine, a new transmission and a new exhaust, and KTM asks $6,949 before destination.
Where the 85 SX 17/14 and the 85 SX 19/16 differ, from the two KTM listings
- Model-year range
- 2025–2027
- Compared editions
- 3
- Specification entries
- 22
- Entries that differ
- 2
- Engine oil
- Motorex Topspeed 4T 15W50; Motorex Formula 4T 15W/50; Motorex Formula 4T 15W/50.
- Rear subframe design
- Aluminum-reinforced polyamide; Aluminium / Polyamide Glass Fiber; Aluminium / Polyamide Glass Fiber.
2027 KTM 85 SX 17/14 questions
What does 17/14 mean on the KTM 85 SX?
It is the wheel-size version with a 17-inch front and 14-inch rear wheel for smaller riders, a smaller set than the 19/16 version of the same 85 cc bike.
What changed on the 2025 KTM 85 SX?
Cycle World lists a lighter-weight engine, an updated transmission and a new exhaust. Total Motorcycle says handling and low-to-mid rpm performance were improved.
How heavy is the KTM 85 SX engine?
Total Motorcycle says the engine weighs only 39.3 lb (17.86 kg). KTM lists the complete bike at 68 kg without fuel.
Cycle World says the 2025 85 SX received major updates, starting with a lighter-weight engine, an updated transmission and a new exhaust system.
Total Motorcycle says the engine weighs only 39.3 lb (17.86 kg) and keeps its high-revving character, that the bike was updated significantly for 2025 to improve handling, rider confidence and low-to-mid rpm engine performance, and that the ultra-lightweight 43 mm USD forks have exceptional damping and comfort, allowing the rider to push the limit confidently.
The report also says the frame material reduces weight while adding engineered rigidity for handling and rider feedback.
Other models in this reference: KTM 890 Adventure R, KTM 790 Duke.