VOL. 53 ISSUE 12 MARCH 29, 2016 P63
IN THE DIRT
We spent a day at Cahuilla
Motocross track riding the
easy-on-the-eyes 2016 KTM
450 Factory Edition with a
variety of riders, ranging in age
and skill level. The 2016 450
SX-F Factory Edition is nearly
identical to the 2016 standard
450 SX-F model, minus one
big difference, the AER 48 air
fork. The Factory Edition does
have some sweet additions,
but the major performance
difference comes from the WP
AER 48 air fork. A full day on
a fairly rough track proved that
KTM made a great decision in
ditching the 4CS fork for the
AER 48 air fork.
On the track the lightweight
feel of the 450 Factory Edition
is instant and throwing around
the 450 SX-F FE feels more
like riding a 250F. The ultra
light weight makes initiating
direction change easy and the
silky smooth power delivery
provides awesome traction in
any condition. 250F riders who
are intimidated by 450s should
give the KTM a try; 450s
aren't as mean and scary as
they once were. This doesn't
mean the KTM 450 SX-F FE is
slow, just the opposite, it has a
friendly bottom-end pull, then
makes huge power through
the mid and top-end. It delivers
the impressive power in a very
(Above) It doesn't get any closer to
a production works bike than this.
(Right) A few of the perks of the
FE are the Akrapovic muffler, the
orance frame, factory graphics
and, of course, the WP air forks.
(Left) The 450 FE has tons of
power but it's all ultra manageable.
