2017 KTM 450 AND 350 SX-F
FIRST RIDE
P76
line, we're glad KTM added trac-
tion control to the 350 and 450.
It's a great idea.
HITTING BUMPS
AND JUMPS
Since riding and testing the 450
SX-F Factory Edition, we've spent
a good amount of time with the
AER 48 fork on both KTMs and
Husqvarnas. We have to come
to like it a lot, especially when
compared to the WP 4CS fork
it replaces. The WP AER 48 air
fork is a split-function design. The
damping leg (right) is where you
find the compression adjuster
on top with rebound adjustment
on the bottom. The left leg holds
the air, which acts as a spring.
The air spring is encapsulated
and isolated from the fork seal
so even if the fork seal leaks, the
air spring pressure isn't affected.
We know this because we had a
fork seal leak on the air side on
one set and performance wasn't
affected. The standard setting for
the 450 SX-F is 157 psi (10.8 bar)
and is a great starting point. The
benefit to the AER 48 design is
the ease of use and adjustment.
As we've said before, the WP
AER 48 air fork is without a doubt
the best production air fork avail-
able. It is leaps and bounds bet-
ter than the 4CS it replaces and
is on par with many standard non-
Now with WP AER 48 air forks,
traction control and softer rear shock
spring, the 450 tips the scales at an
amazing 222 pounds.
