Cycle News

VOL. 52 ISSUE 7 FEBRUARY 18, 2015 P45 rides on a longer linkage result- ing in more linear curve and wheel travel (up 10mm). The WP 4CS fork, which the standard SX-F has, features new settings that KTM is quick to point out came from hours and hours of testing on U.S. tracks. The FE's suspension is a big improvement over the standard without question. The fork is more compliant out of the box and has better resistance to bottoming, but the rear suspen- sion comes set up a little on the stiff side, especially for the smaller bumps. You feel every one of them. Luckily, the shock responds well to small adjust- ment changes; just a few clicks here and there make a world of difference. We found the FE's suspension easy to tune for the track initially, then it was just a matter of fine-tuning things as the day went on. In the big pic- ture, though, the KTM's suspen- sion is tuned for the pros out of the box. G E T T I N G A H A N D L I N G O N T H I N G S In spite of the steeper steering and shorter wheelbase, the KTM hasn't lost any stability at speed; in fact, it may have gained some. It's an even more solid-handling machine than it already was. Even if it does get away from you a little bit, its lighter weight makes it easier to manhandle it back to where you want it. As usual, the FE's Brembo brakes are outstanding; they are strong and offer excellent feel. T H A T M O T O R ! The FE's motor is simply amaz- ing. It has tons of power, revs quickly and is just plain fast. But the linear powerband, that has no peaks or valleys anywhere, keeps everything in check. In spite of its massive power, the motor is remarkably easy to manage. There's no hard hit anywhere, just super-smooth, electric-like power from top to bottom. It has tons of bottom- end with gobs of torque, result- ing in a smooth transition into midrange, where the motor no- ticeably kicks into gear—again, without any abrupt arm yanking. RPM maxes out at 11,500 and it pulls hard all the way there— there's no signing off prema- turely. Throttle response from the 44mm Keihin throttle bodies is superb. The KTM 450 SX-F has SPECIFICATIONS 2015 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition MOTOR: .. Liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-valve, 4-stroke, single DISPLACEMENT: ......................... 449.3cc BORE X STROKE: 95mm X 63.4mm EXHAUST: Flow Design Header (FDH) w/ integrated sound resonator STARTING: .......................Electric starter FUELING: .....................EFI, Keihin Engine Management System w/44mm throttle bodies TRANSMISSION: ..........................5-speed PRIMARY RATIO: ............................... 31:76 FINAL DRIVE: ..................................... 13:48 ENGINE LUBRICATION: ............. Pressure circulation lubrication with two Eaton pumps CLUTCH: ..... Wet multi-disc clutch DDS/ Brembo hydraulics IGNITION: ............................... Contactless controlled fully electronic ignition with digital ignition adjustment FRAME: ........Central double-cradle-type, 25CrMo4 steel FRONT SUSPENSION: ......WP USD 4860 MXMA 4 Chamber System (4CS) REAR SUSPENSION: .... WP single shock, 5018 BAVP DCC w/linkage FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ................11.8 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ................... 12.9 in. RIMS: ....................................Excel (black) TIRES: ..................Dunlop Geomax MX32 FRONT BRAKE: ........ Disc, 260mm Galfer Wave rotors, floating brake calipers REAR BRAKE: ...........Disc, 220mm Galfer wave rotors STEERING HEAD ANGLE: ..................26.1° HANDLEBARS: ............... Neken aluminum WHEELBASE: ........................ 58.5±0.4 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: .................. 14.6 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ...............................37.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ........................... 1.9 gal. CLAIMED WEIGHT (no fuel): ... 226.2 lbs. Everything about the FE's motor is new. It's four pounds lighter and much more compact than the standard 2015 450 SX-F model. The Flow Design Header exhaust system is lighter and shorter in overall length.

• Cover