KTM announces new generation of 2025 KTM SX-E mini cross motorcycles – the SX-E 5 and SX-E 3 with better battery life, stronger frames and water-cooling but stresses “these bikes are not toys”.

Making the seamless flow from kids step-through-style powered bicycles onto motorcycles is so much easier these days isn’t it? We don’t want to get into that old, ‘the kids don’t know they’re born’ old routine but it’s true!

Holding a natural place in the evolutionary ladder for off-road kids, the KTM electric mini motorcycles, the SX-E 5 and SX-E 3, are strong candidates for a “those are too good for you” line from any parent who had to grow up with ratty field bikes and get used to gear changes, petrol spilling everywhere from a crappy carb and less power than a dog fart. We’re only jealous.

Drivetrain development

For 2025 the KTM SX-E 5 has a new fully electric, water-cooled permanent magnet motor that provides 30% more riding time compared to the previous version and peak power at 5.0 kW.

The power unit is dust and waterproof for a low wear and maintenance-free life.

The control unit (ECU) provides controllable power delivery to match confident kids and racing but to also tuneable as they learn what a throttle means to make it a real-world alternative to the petrol-powered 50cc engine they say.

The KTM SX-E 3 model meanwhile has an air-cooled motor pumping out a more manageable 3.8 kW rate but is ideal for smaller riders.

On both bikes a multifunctional instrument display shows the state and charge level of the battery and one of the six different ride maps to use depending on how strong and fast you want the power through the throttle.

“Go as you Grow”

One of the features KTM boasts on the SX-Es is the adjustable dimensions of the bike. The subframe is made from fiberglass reinforced plastic which can be mounted in different positions to suit the changing size of a rider.

The window is 634 to 682mm, moved up or down by easy changes to the seat and bodywork. An even lower seat height is possible by dropping the forks down in the triple clamps and changing the mounting position of the rear shock too.

The frame itself is forged, high-strength chromium-molybdenum steel with modifications on the ’25 model for “robustness, handling, and a tougher rear shock mounting point”, KTM says.

Versatile charge system

The new KTM SX-E 5’s charging time has been reduced, with 0-80% capacity achievable in 45 minutes and 0-100% in 70 minutes. The external worldwide charger supplying up to 900 W can be connected to any 110 or 230 volt socket.

The new KTM SX-E 3 is a little slower and charges from 0-20% in 20 minutes, 20-80% in 100 minutes and to 100% in 140 minutes.

Both bikes have a rollover sensor that cuts off the power in the event of a fall, while a wrist lanyard cut-off key stops the motor if things get a bit uncontrollable. Ride modes can be locked and saved with a dongle under the seat.

WP Suspension

KTM talk about “adult bike pedigree” with the suspension and for the KTM SX-E 5 that means it has fully adjustable, upside-down 35 mm WP XACT air fork and 205mm of travel. The air spring left fork leg can be adjusted to the rider's weight using an air pump. The WP XACT shock absorber is also adjustable for preload, rebound, plus high and low speed compression) and linked using the PDS system directly to the cast swingarm with 193 mm of travel.

The KTM SX-E 3 is slightly simpler with the non-adjustable upside-down 35mm WP XACT fork with 144mm of travel) while the shock has 129mm.

Parts list

The SX-E comes with a host of parts equal to the full KTM SX range: tapered aluminium alloy NEKEN handlebars, lock-on ODI grips designed for the bike, black anodised, aluminium rims (10” for the KTM SX-E 3 and 12” for the KTM SX-E 5) and shared parts like the hydraulic brake calipers, wavy discs front and rear, plus the latest in-mold graphics.

The new 2025 KTM SX-E's will be rolling off the Austria production line in November and will be available at authorised KTM dealers from December 2024. Prices not known.

More information: www.KTM.com