2020 K TM 450 SX-F
R I D E R E V I E W
P82
For KTM, the significant change in performance
comes in Map 2 of the easily switchable fuel and
ignition system. Map 1 is the same as in 2019, mostly.
Leaders and test riders inside KTM's U.S.-based Re-
search and Development department have been tell-
ing the home office in Austria for some time now that
more aggression via the power management system
is required to compete with the snappier players in
the game. Now they have it. A bit.
Fundamentally faster or not, bike
reviews and shootout results across
the board tend to put smoother
power at a disadvantage. We're
egotistical and slightly delusional.
And KTM's have been smoother than
the Japanese competitors in recent
past. For the fastest KTM test riders,
there is rarely a limit to how gnarly a
bike can be at the first crack of the
throttle. With this ask and reason-
ing, KTM had Austria's attention, and
they've ramped up the map struc-
ture. For 2020, we get the first edi-
tion of this more aggressive power.
(Above) The 450
SX-F engine is
already proven,
so KTM is careful
about making
any changes,
which are minor
for 2020. (Right)
Blowing up berms
is a no-brainer on
the 450 SX-F.
