VOLUME 56 ISSUE 42 OCTOBER 22, 2019 P105
T
he minor changes KTM made to the
2020 450 SX-F proved to have a subtle,
yet polarizing effect on our field of tes-
ters, with several naming it their favorite, and
just as many leaving it out of their top-three
picks altogether. Nonetheless, the KTM made
it onto our 450 shootout podium in third.
On account of its well-finished platform
alone, the KTM deserves to be at the pointy
end of the field. It remains a refined package
with everything from the grips to the foot-
pegs at an aftermarket level. The handlebar-
mounted controls with the TC and engine map
switches in a clear and compact interface are
a welcome contrast to Honda's flashing lights.
The best hydraulic clutch and most powerful
brakes of the group also give bonus points to
the KTM, along with the lightest overall weight.
But those bonus points add up to a heftier
price tag—only outdone by its fellow Austrian
counterpart.
The KTM's potent 449cc engine gets a bit
of an analog boost for 2020 with the simple
addition of a vented airbox cover. (The SX-F
now comes with two airbox covers, stock and
vented, meaning you no longer have to hand-
drill yours full of holes.) We ran our shootout
with the vented unit, allowing the KTM to
breathe deeper. The second of two available
engine maps also features a more aggressive
hit, making the most of the extra airflow. The
result is a punch of power across the board,
and particularly at the top of the range. But the
KTM has not lost its manners.
KTM
450 SX-F
3
rd
Place
