VOL. 56 ISSUE 18 MAY 7, 2019 P129
The bottom line when it comes
to power? While our top-level test
rider wants more punch or ag-
gression, our mortality conscious
test riders like the power just the
way it is, and we think the combi-
nation of dialing in mapping and
the Akrapovic muffler make a nice
power package for consumers all
over the world. KTM has a more
aggressive throttle cam you can
drop on the twist grip to ramp up
the throttle body opening if you
simply must have more excite-
ment, as well. These come in the
bag of goodies when you get your
bike. For most of us, we like it
stock and just enjoy the ride.
GETTING A
HANDLE ON IT
Every year KTM updates its air-
sprung fork. It just gets better.
Initial movement and mid-stroke
smoothness are improved over
the previous editions and the
regular 2019 450 SX-F. This is
what you get when you get the
absolute latest updates from
the factory, and that makes the
whole package really solid,
again. There's no denying the ad-
vantage of the lightest fork setup
possible, you can really feel and
enjoy the light front-end feel in
the air and while lofting the front
over out-of-corner cross ruts and
such. It just has a great feel that
only shows signs of harshness
on slap-down landings or those
pesky, repetitive stutter bumps
that test the transition from initial
stroke to midrange movement.
The more you ride it, the better it
gets.
The KTM shock has been
predictable and performs well
for us consistently. Its linkage
ratio seems great at absorbing
chatter and holding up to big
landings, and it allows the bike
