Black magic
New Zealand’s Levi Sherwood needs no introduction. The 29-year-old won X Games, Nitro Circus and X-Fighters and everything else there is to win in freestyle motocross before announcing his retirement about two years ago.
While no-one ever questioned Sherwood’s incredible skill, unmatched trick execution and style, the easy-going Kiwi had a secret weapon that hinged around his hunger to build FMX bikes that were lighter and more responsive than the competition’s.
As you’re about to discover, his 2017 KTM 250SX race bike is like nothing else you’ll ever see, even his practice machine (ADB #489). Every aspect of the bike was redesigned around Levi and what worked for him. It might not be practical but Levi says it’ll outperform any freestyle bike in the world, can withstand the heavy loads that freestyle comps produce, and, similar to the shell and suspension of a F1 car, is designed to snap and shed disposable parts if he crashes.
Loaded with fuel, coolant and oil, a stock 250SX weighs a hardly-porky 102kg. Levi’s version is a staggering 89.5kg soaking wet, which is made even more impressive when you consider most FMX bikes end up being heavier than stock due to the addition
