Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/658612
2016 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION FIRST RIDE P70 air fork we've ridden. The AER 48 stays up in the stroke nicely while still absorbing small bumps and chop, both under braking and acceleration. Through the midstroke the AER 48 provides a progressive and predict- able feel. Unlike the 4CS fork that had a tendency to bottom easily, the AER 48 offers excel- lent bottoming resistance. All the way through the stroke the AER 48 is smooth without any harshness. They work as a fork is designed to work and every tester was very impressed. As the track developed bigger bumps we played with the air pressure in the AER 48, going down to 144 psi (9.9 bar) for our test riders in the 150-pound range. Our lightest tester also went out eight clicks on compression for a more plush and planted feel. Being able to easily adjust pressure depending on the track conditions and rider weight is a key feature of the air fork. The overall balance of the 2016 KTM 450 SX-F FE is ex- cellent and charging into brak- ing bumps never resulted in a twitchy front end or the back end stepping out unexpectedly. We are also very happy to report that the amazing cornering charac- teristics of the KTM have been retained and the smooth action of the AER 48 air fork provides excellent front-wheel traction. The reality is the KTM 450 SX-F FE feels and performs like a bike with excellent traditional suspen- sion. It doesn't feel like you're riding a motocross bike with an air fork. Home run for WP and KTM. BIG DOLLARS Even if you take away the orange frame, the Akrapovic Ti muffler, pleated Selle Dalla Valle seat cover and anod- ized bling, simply having the new WP AER 48 fork makes the $1000 increase in price well worth it based on the per- formance of the new fork. The rest of the Factory Edi- tion extras are just a visual bonus! If you can wait for the 2017 KTM 450 SX-F, which will more than likely come with the WP AER 48 air fork, but prob- ably won't have the sweet orange frame and for sure won't have the Akrapovic muffler, you could save a decent chunk of money. Even at $10,299 it could be tough to find a 2016 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition to pur- chase. KTM, as they do every year, produces about just over 400 to meet the AMA ho- mologations rules and they sell quickly! CN 2 0 1 6 K T M S X - F 4 5 0 F A C T O R Y E D I T I O N ENGINE: ................ Liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-stroke, single cylinder DISPLACEMENT: .........................449.9cc BORE X STROKE: ...........95.0 x 63.4mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ................. 12.75:1 STARTER/BATTERY: Electric starter/12V, 3Ah TRANSMISSION: ......................... 5-speed FUEL SYSTEM: ........... Keihin EFI, 44mm throttle body FINAL DRIVE: ...................................13:48 CLUTCH: ..... Wet multi-disc DDS clutch, Brembo hydraulics FRONT SUSPENSION: ... WP Suspension AER 48 air fork REAR SUSPENSION: ..... WP Monoshock with Linkage FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ............... 11.8 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: .................. 11.8 in. FRONT BRAKE: ........Single 260mm disc REAR BRAKE: .......... Single 220mm disc FRONT RIM: ....................1.60 x 21 Excel REAR RIM: ...................... 2.15 x 19 Excel FRONT TIRE: .. 80/100-21 Dunlop MX32 REAR TIRE: .... 120/90-19 Dunlop MX32 GROUND CLEARANCE: ..................14.6 in. SEAT HEIGHT: .............................. 37.8 in. TANK CAPACITY, APPROX: ...........1.9 gal. CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT: ........... 221.3 lbs. MSRP: .........................................$10,299 S P E C I F I C A T I O N S "Well, the WP AER 48 air fork is without a doubt the best production air fork available."