Inside Alex Martin’s TLD/Red Bull KTM 250SXF – Fant Files

Inside the pits of Troy Lee Designs KTM sits the #26 of Alex Martin. After a get off in Anaheim, Alex decided to sit out of Houston and heal up. We took the opportunity to meet up with Mechanic Jordan Troxell (@jordantroxell) and have him walk us through Alex’s TLD/KTM 250SXF .

WP supplies the suspension for Alex’s bike. They run a WP 52mm Cone Valve fork and bladder shock. They have made some subtle changes over last year’s set up for Alex.

A unique part of Alex’s set up is how he has his front brake lever and clutch lever positioned. The front brake lever is closer to the handlebar. Oddly enough, the clutch lever is out all the way. Jordan explained that Alex likes his clutch out all the way and rarely uses it compared to other riders.

Kite handles all the wheels for TLD KTM. DID Dirt Star Rims are held together by beefed up spokes and nipples for supercross.

Titanium axel and axel blocks sit on the rear of Alex’s motorcycle. Notice that the real wheel is neutrally positioned on the swing arm. In years past, we have seen riders slide the rear wheel all the way to the front or all the way to the back to help with cornering and stability.

WP supplies the radiators for TLD KTM. The spicket is reinforced with these welds by the race team.

A close up of the KTM engine that is done in house at TLD. Hinson supplies the clutches. Alex and his team mate Shane McElrath differ in clutch options as far as feel and actuation.

A factory bike wouldn’t be factory with all the bling pieces like this custom KTM gas cap. The TLD team actually runs a stock gas tank in both outdoors and supercross. The stock tank has enough capacity to handle the demands of racing.

Spec Dunlop tires are supplied to Alex’s KTM 250SXF. Last year he ran a production set of tires.

From the cock pit perspective you can see the Nekken triple clamps up top with oversized bar mounts that look much lower than some of the other riders. Alex’s Renthal bars are also a swept back and lower bend than what you might seen on other bikes. Look at the clearance from the handlebars to the front forks.

Protective pieces are littered around the motorcycle. These carbon guards have been popping up on both KTMs and Husqvarnas this year after some minor issues in outdoors. During the outdoor season rocks were getting flung into the housing and giving the riders issues. To avoid and problems on track, these carbon protective pieces were added.

Because Alex is a smaller rider, his holeshot device is actually deeper than normal to suck the bike even further down on the start gate. A lower bike and start blocks are two key parts of Alex’s gate drop necessities.

One of the pieces that change from rider to rider. Alex runs carbon head stays on the motorcycle instead of the stock aluminum that you see on a production model. This is a “feel” that they are achieving through adjustment on the flex characteristics of the bike.

FMF is the pipe supplier for the entire team. After the motors are built in house, FMF then gets to work to complete the package. Jordan brought up the fact that TLD has been way under the sound limit requirements on all their bikes. These bikes are quiet…but don’t let the subtle noise of the motor fool you. They are fire breathing factory machines.

Alex has a speical Nihilo +20mm titanium footpeg. They have tried +10mm all the way to +20mm to find a good spot for Alex to plant his feet. This helps move his legs further up on the motorcycle and get a little bit more space from his butt to the seat.

The riders on TLD KTM are allowed to make changes to gearing preferences. They don’t let them go too crazy but do have wiggle room to make changes when needed. Sometimes larger changes need to be made in gearing to adjust for high altitude like Thundery Valley in Colorado.

Alex and the TLD KTM team run a stock seat. Obviously the gripper material is made to match the color scheme but there is nothing on or done to this seat that isn’t on a stock KTM250SXF.

We’ve noticed these holes bored out into the Husqvarnas in the past to let them breathe more. TLD KTM has the same set up on Alex’s bike to help increase airflow and become less restrictive.

A Motomaster rear disc is mounted to the Kite wheels and all slowed down by the Brembo brake system out back.

Acerbis supplies all the plastics including the front disc guard you can find on Alex’s bike.

In the engine department, a base setting is created for the entire team. Athletes can make subtle changes but there is a group agreement on the direction of the power plant lay out. Once they come to an agreement of the motor, they apply it to all the bikes under the pits. Notice the stock shifter. KTM/Husqvarna are running a lot of stock components that come on their bikes off the showroom.The brake pedal, seat, and other parts are completely stock.

Protective pieces like this carbon skid plate ensure the longevity of the motorcycle on race day. A lot of the mechanics perform preventative maintenance to keep their riders on track and racing.