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/1345660
2021 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION R I D E R E V I E W P88 one-piece design on the KTM. That is until we felt the compliance on the Fac- tory Edition. We feel that the split design reduces vibration to the handlebars and frees up the forks enough to make a difference on the bumpy Glen Helen na- tional course. The front end feels light but still maintains a scalpel-like sharpness that can be used to rail outsides or cut down in a tight inside rut. Paired with the ever-improving WP air fork, and this fac- tory front end is certainly a front runner. While the sticker shock of a new Fac- tory Edition can be a lot to take in, it's im- portant to remember what you get for the price. A standard 2021 KTM 450 SX-F is listed at an MSRP of $10,199 while the Factory Edition is another $1100 more at $11,299. From our calculations, adding on the clamps, wheels, exhaust, clutch cover, holeshot device and graphic kit / seat cover combo would run up a tab of over $2700 at your local dealer. For a rider who is likely to add on all these goodies anyways, it seems worth it for the extra one-time price bump. The 2021.5 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition is undoubtedly a cream-of-the- crop race bike right out of the box. Chock full of the KTM Power Parts catalog, this bike rolls off the dealer floor with nearly every add-on you could ever make; save for personal suspension set- tings. The addition of the new Connec- tivity Unit also gives KTM riders cutting- edge technology that was previously only available to Yamaha owners. What was once only available to factory race teams has now trickled down to the hands of the weekend warriors. KTM set the stan- dard for the ever-growing Factory Edition market (KTM Factory Edition, Husqvarna Rockstar Edition, Honda Works Edition, Yamaha Racing Edition), and continues to raise the bar year after year. CN SPECIFICATIONS 2021 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION ENGINE Single cylinder 4-stroke VALVETRAIN SOHC, 4-valve DISPLACEMENT 449cc BORE X STROKE 95 x 63.4mm COMPRESSION RATIO 12.75:1 STARTING SYSTEM Electric LUBRICATION SYSTEM Pressure with 2 pumps FUELING Keihin EFI w/44mm throttle body TRANSMISSION 5-speed CLUTCH Wet, DDS w/Brembo hydraulics FRAME Central double-cradle chromoly steel SUBFRAME Aluminum HANDLEBARS Neken aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION XP Xact fork, 48mm, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION Single WP Xact shock, linkage, fully adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 12.2 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 11.8 in. WHEELS D.I.D DirtStar FRONT WHEEL / TIRE 21 in. / Dunlop Geomax MX33 REAR WHEEL / TIRE 19 in. / Dunlop Geomax MX33 FRONT BRAKE Single 260mm disc, Brembo caliper REAR BRAKE Single 220mm disc, Brembo caliper RAKE 26.1° OFFSET 22mm WHEELBASE 58.5 in. SEAT HEIGHT 37.4 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 14.6 in. FUEL CAPACITY 1.85 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 234 lbs.