orange frames, and smaller details
like orange anodized triple clamps
and orange rear sprockets. The front
disc guard is a fancy factory touch
that the standard models don't have.
Everything else is the same as the
standard SX-Fs.
RIPPING AND ROOSTING
Pulling out onto the local track rid-
ing a 450 SX-F Dungey-replica with
large number ones adoring three
surfaces is a lesson in ignoring star-
ing eyes. It's an attention-getter—that
is for sure.
Again, everything, minus the
suspension upgrades and the slip-
on muffler is the same as the Cycle
News 450 MX Shootout-winning
2017 KTM SX-F, so the engine and
ergos felt very familiar. The revisions
to the suspension, however, are
noticeably different; we immediately
noticed that they help improve mid-
stroke comfort and improve overall
performance. It isn't a monumental
improvement, but any improvement
is worth noting, especially in the
suspension department. The AER
48 fork travels through the midstroke
more smoothly, providing great front-
wheel traction. The fork's action is
excellent and predictable, further
cementing our belief that the WP
AER 48 air fork is the best produc-
tion air fork out there and now rivals
most traditional spring forks.
The shock updates help further
improve overall balance of the bike.
The 2017 KTM 450 SX-F won a lot
of magazine shootouts this year, so
we know it was already a wonderful
motorcycle and thanks to suspen-
sion tweaks, it is even better. We
2017 KTM 450 SX-F / 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITIONS
FIRST TEST
P94
The 250 SX-F FE
benefits the most
from the suspension
upgrades.
The FE's really are
not much different
than the factory
bikes.
