VOL. 52 ISSUE 24 JUNE 16, 2015 P73
2016 450 XC-F
The 2016 KTM 450 XC-F is just
as amazing as the 450 SX-F, if not
more. It feels just like the SX-F but
with a slightly softer edge to it, if
you catch our drift. Suspension
is noticeably more cushy (but far
from being overly soft), giving it a
slightly smoother ride overall. The
only other real indicator that you're
on the XC and not the SX-F is the
width between your legs, since the
XC's tank is slightly larger at 2.25
gallons versus the SX's 1.85-gallon
cell. Only the most sensitive riders
will notice the difference.
The 450 XC-F is a lot of motorcy-
cle, for sure, but ridden correctly,
the XC-F is a lethal weapon on
the single-track. The key is to take
advantage of the XC's awesome
bottom-end power and torque, and
leave it in a gear higher than you
normally would. Done right, it's
super easy to maintain momentum
from tree to tree on the 450 XC-F,
and you're actually saving energy
since you're not shifting so much.
The XC's ultra-light-pull clutch
makes it super easy to control the
initial power delivery to the rear
wheel. If you ride the 450 XC-F like
you would on a motocross track, it
just doesn't work as well. You'll end
up fighting the bike and wearing
yourself out.
The 450 XC-F handles like a
dream. It's very predictable, stable,
and very agile, and front and rear
suspension work extremely well
right out of the crate.
The 450 XC-F also works fantas-
tic on the track. It performs just like
the 450 SX-F but with slightly softer
suspension, which we actually
liked. If you're looking for a do-all
big-bore four-stroke, the 450 XC-F
just might be the perfect choice.
The 2016 off-road 450
XC-F gets all of the Factory
Edition mods, as do all of
the new XC-Fs.
