2016 KTM XC-Fs AND SX-Fs
FIRST RIDE
P70
2016 KTM 450 SX-F
The 2016 KTM 450SX-F is simply an
amazing motorcycle. It's light, fast and
remarkably nimble for a full-size four-
stroke motocrosser that pumps out
50-plus horsepower. It weighs about
10 pounds less than its predecessor
and, like with the current Factory Edi-
tion, you can certainly feel that lighter
weight on the track.
There are a few small differences
between the 2016 450SX-F and the
Factory Edition. Unlike the FE, the
SX-F is not fitted with a holeshot
device or front disc brake guard, bum-
mer, but look on the bright side; the
bike is lighter without them. Visually,
they are obviously different, with the
"standard" model (all of them, for that
matter) getting tamer (kind of bland,
frankly) graphics and a black frame as
opposed to the FE's eye-catching or-
ange paint, but there are some other
performance-minded differences,
too, mainly suspension. Since the
limited edition FE models are some-
what rushed into production for the
KTM factory team riders to race at the
beginning of the season, the standard
models—the ones we get in much big-
ger supply—get more attention to de-
tail. Factory R&D test riders have more
opportunity to dial in the suspension
for us, and all of their testing comes
on U.S. soil. As a result, we found the
WP 4SC fork to be more supple initially
and just plain better overall, as is the
rear shock, than the FE we rode earlier
this year. However, the verdict is not
completely out yet, on the new sus-
pensions, since the Ironman track was
groomed dirt-track smooth. What we
would call "real" bumps never got the
chance to form.
The SX-F's motor is simply awe-
some, but we knew it would be, hav-
ing already ridden the FE. It's exactly
the same—extremely fast yet remark-
ably manageable. It revs like a 250,
but you don't have to ride it that way,
in fact, it's best that you don't. It's way
better and more fun to use its big-
time torque and awesome midrange
horsepower.
The 2016 KTM 450
SX-F is based on the
current limited edition
Factory Edition 450
SX-F, and that means
it's really good. Like
the Factory Edition, the
"standard" 450 SX-F
gets launch control.
