Cycle News

2020 K TM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION R I D E R E V I E W P60 S U S P E N S I O N This is probably the biggest story with the Factory Edition this year. Major fork component up- dates, changes, upgrades and mods abound. With the most significant being a new mid-valve damping system that opens the door to a future of more tunable, more compliant suspension ac- tion. The damping leg (opposed to the air, or "preload," leg), gets new oil management tweaks as well. There's a new oil bypass —stay with me here—inside of the outer tube to reduce pressure spikes as the fork moves through its range. The air (preload) side of the fork also gets updates via a longer bypass on the–stay with me again–outer of the inner tube to encourage an easier transition in fork action. All this adds up to KTM's ongoing commitment to the WP Xact AER fork technology. They aren't giving up on the fork, and I don't think they should. I like the front-tire pressure it gener- ally has, and the small-bump complaints aren't as big of a deal to me. Still, KTM is aiming to improve feel across the board and that means a few dynamic fork changes and accompanying shock updates/settings to the package. It all works in their goal to provide a more compliant feel and smoothness to the suspen- sion system, but I think they went too soft, overall. I ended up stiffening the suspension and slowing down the rebound to get the bike to settle in turns better. It worked, and I think it's obvious KTM's stock settings are made to bring comfort to the bike first, and then be adjusted stiffer as riders start setting them up for their tastes and weights and speeds. If you've been a fan of KTM suspension in the past, this will be good. If you're a Yamaha KYB-only type of guy or gal, you're going to be closer to the free-moving feel of that setup. P A R T S Having all the latest and great- est engine maps and suspen- sion settings KTM can provide is nice. But there's something to be said for Red Bull Graph- ics, still. And what about these insanely rad triple clamps!? And the skid plate, and disc guard, and orange frame, and Akrapo- vic slip-on muffler, and Hinson clutch cover, and Factory D.I.D DirtStar Wheels, and anodized hubs and spoke nipples, and Selle Dalla Valle Factory Seat, and orange freakin' sprocket!? To cap it all off you get a rear fender full of sponsors you don't have to impress everyone. Part of going all-in on any special edition anything is hav- ing what others can't or won't. And that's still a lot of the appeal here. Did I feel cool having this bike in my garage? Yep! Would a stock version make me feel as cool? No! Do cool dirt bikes make me happy? Yep! If you can swing it, and want the coolest KTM available, this is the ticket. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2020 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION ($11,099) ENGINE: ................ Liquid-cooled, 4-valve, SOHC, single DISPLACEMENT: ...........................449.9cc BORE / STROKE: ................ 95 x 63.4mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ................... 12.75:1 STARTER/BATTERY: ....Electric / 12.8V, 2 Ah TRANSMISSION: ..................5-speed Fuel SYSTEM: .......................Keihin EFI, 44mm Throttle Body LUBRICATION: .......... Pressure lubrication with 2 oil pumps PRIMARY RATIO: ................................31:76 FINAL DRIVE: ................................. 13T:49T CLUTCH: .......Wet Multi-Disc DDS-Clutch, Brembo Hydraulics IGNITION: ................................Keihin EMS SILENCER: .................Akrapovic, titanium FRAME: ........ Central Double-Cradle Type 25CrMo4 Steel SUB FRAME: .............................. Aluminum HANDLEBAR: ............ Neken, Aluminum Ø 28/22mm FRONT SUSPENSION: .........WP Xact USD Fork, 48mm REAR SUSPENSION: ....................WP Xact Monoshock with Linkage FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: ..................12.2 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: .................... 11.8 in. FRONT BRAKE: ..... Brembo, disc, 260mm REAR BRAKE: ....... Brembo, disc, 220mm FRONT WHEEL: ........... 1.60 x 21 in. Excel REAR WHEEL: ...............2.15 x 19 in. Excel

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