P104
RIDE REVIEW I 2025 KTM 450 SMR
control and launch control, and
a quickshifter that allows clutch-
less, full-throttle upshifts from
second
to fifth gear.
The quickshifter is good, but
not great. It doesn't like shifts that
are
grabbed in a hurry, so you need
to slow your movements down
10 percent to get guaranteed full-
gas
gearshifts. However, doing a
back-to-back with my old-school
Husky, the KTM's quickshifter is
for sure worth the money.
Pin the 450 to the stop down
the straight, pull the Suter slipper-
clutch lever in and jam down
superb, not just in how much go
it's got but in how it puts it to the
ground. Thanks largely to the
revised rear suspension, the KTM
doesn't wheelie anything like my
Husqvarna would when marching
through the gears, even with the
2025 SMR's drastically increased
horsepower number over my
mid-50s horsepower Husky.
Just like the KTM 450 SX-F, the
SMR comes with a soft and hard
throttle map (both offer the same
horsepower, just a varied re
-
sponse at the twistgrip), traction
(Above) The SMR's
motor is exactly what
you'll find in the 450
SX motocross version.
(Top right) A new rear
linkage resides in the
SMR, giving more
feedback to the rider
under high cornering
loads. (Right) Metzeler
supermoto tires
replace Bridgestone
as the OEM-spec
rubber. (Below) Chris
Fillmore's brand-new
2025 SMR. Everything
is turned up to 11
with this ride!
