VOLUME ISSUE APRIL , P97
After riding so many different KTM
models this year, the cockpit on the
new 450 SX-F feels comfortable and
neutral, which I've become happily ac-
customed to. This generation features
a flat seat, wider pegs, and a standard
bar bend that's not too far in either
direction. In years past, the Austrian
machines felt obviously different from
the Japanese, and I still feel confident
in saying this style of KTM makes it
harder and harder to tell. This is a bike
you can feel comfortable on before
you even make it to the starting line.
The engine is its standout feature.
If a Honda CR500R two-stroke is
equivalent to a 1932 Ford rat rod–
loud, aggressive, and raw–then the
KTM 450 is a Mercedes AMG, but
-
toned up and still fast as hell, but gets
you up to speed without spilling your
$15 latte on the inside. The SX-F does
