VOL. 50 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 10, 2013
P59
COUNTDOWN
T
he KTM was a big hit with our
test riders. From its powerful –
yet controllable motor – to its
light-pull clutch, and just about everything else in between, they were
very impressed with the orange bike.
They felt like the KTM's motor was
like having two motors in one – you
could lug it and ride it a gear high
around the track with good success
if you want, or hold the throttle wide
open and wring it out, but that method requires a strong grip on the bars
and some you-know-what. But most
of our riders preferred taking advantage of the KTM's excellent and
smooth bottom-to-mid power curve
that would get them around the track
as fast as anything else. They also
had nothing but good things to say
about the KTM's ergos, trim layout
2ND PLACE
KTM 450 SX-F
and great turning characteristics,
and no bike gets you slowed down
for the turns better than the KTM.
Our testers also praised the KTM
for its light-pull clutch, easy-to-turn
throttle, comfortable levers and
handlebars, cushy seat and lightto-the touch shifting. The KTM is,
however, a little on the heavy side,
suspension could be better (though
it's still pretty good), and we'd like to
have an easier way to adjust mapping. Overall, though, the KTM is
an outstanding piece of work, only
its suspension kept it from knocking
the next bike off the podium.
