Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1113817
2019 K TM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION F I RST REVIEW P130 to settle well in corners. Sag settings are crucial, and it can be a useful tool to set the bike up for specific tracks. We like the bike in the 105-109mm range, as it really settles in the ruts. The air fork reacts well here, too, applying down-pressure on the front wheel to give us cornering confidence even when we start sagging the rear more. Where air forks became deal breakers and hindrances pretty quickly on the Japanese moto- cross bikes in recent past, the same is not true for KTM's WP units. They are responsive to adjustments for personal prefer- ence or track conditions in very consistent ways and the pack- age with the shock, frame, fancy triple clamps and swingarm creates a stable and predictable ride across the board. To us, the KTM air fork is not a question- able buying decision, at all. If you're coming to KTM from a Japanese bike, you can expect a different feel, for sure. The 2019 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition is not immune to this. The steel frame takes some getting used to, but by the time you're chang- ing the oil for the first or second time, the bike will likely become very comfortable to you. SUM IT UP It's important to mention what comes on both the Factory Edition and standard models. KTM led the electric-start race and have the systems dialed. Both models provide quick air filter access for maintenance and have incredibly high-quality clutch and braking components that wear like iron and perform at the front of any class they compete in. The cockpit is mas- sively adjustable with handlebar position changes done eas- ily and switchable triple clamp offset. They have the simplest engine mode switch on the mar- ket that actually shows you, with a #1 or a #2, what mode you're in. It also has integrated launch control and traction control that's unmatched. Great foot- pegs, high-quality componentry throughout. You get it. No, you can't tune the ECU with your phone, which is sort of a shame because if you could, you prob- ably would, right? What the KTM SX-F Factory Edition series has done more than anything is showcase KTM North America's commitment to winning at the highest level. Austria straight brings the goods to this cause every year. This program keeps working. Look at what Cooper Webb is doing with the infusion of KTM engineer- ing combined with the massive focus of the entire team. That same formula for success is creating these bikes. That's something you can take a lot of confidence in when you start shopping for a new ride. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2019 KTM SX-F FACTORY EDITION ($11,099) ENGINE: .............. Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, SOHC, single DISPLACEMENT: .......................... 449.9cc COMPRESSION RATIO: ................... 12.75:1 STARTING SYSTEM: ......................Electric BATTERY: ........... Lithium Ion 12.8V 2 Ah FUELING SYSTEM: ...... Keihin EFI, 44mm throttle body TRANSMISSION: ...........................5-speed CLUTCH: .........Wet, DDS clutch, Brembo hydraulics FINAL DRIVE: .................................. 13t/48t IGNITION: ............................... Keihin EMS FRAME: .........Central, double-cradle-type Chromoly steel SUBFRAME: ...............................Aluminum HANDLEBARS: .............. Neken, aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION: ................ WP, USD, XACT, 48mm REAR SUSPENSION: ...... WP, monoshock w/linkage FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ................. 12.2 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ....................11.8 in. FRONT BRAKE: ......... Single 260mm disc REAR BRAKE: ........... Single 220mm disc FRONT WHEEL: ..................... 1.60 x 21 in. REAR WHEEL: ......................... 2.15 x 19 in. FRONT TIRE: ....................80/100 x 21 in. REAR TIRE: ....................... 120/80 x 19 in. RAKE: ..................................................26.1° TRIPLE CLAMP OFFSET: .....................9 in. WHEELBASE: ................................. 58.5 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: ................... 14.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ..........................1.85 gal. WEIGHT (CLAIMED): ..................221.8 lbs.