Last time KTM teamed up with a world motocross champion from Belgium (Stefan Everts) it resulted in the development of the highly successful 350SXF which went on to win back to back world motocross championships and was the base engine for various off road versions of the 350.  Now they are working with another former world motocross champion from Belgium (Roger DeCoster) in the development of the 450SXF as they pursue the US Supercross and outdoor motocross championships.   As Ryan Dungey would say I was Super Pumped when I got the call my new 450SXF Factory Edition was in.  I was also excited that we had a nice 49F sunny day in Ohio (rare for February) and I got a chance to ride my new bike today.  For reference I am 6’2” tall and 190 lbs in street clothes and vet rider.  During the past year I have spent a lot of time on an ‘11 350XCF, ‘11 CRF450, ‘11 RMZ450, and rode quite a few laps on the 11 and 12 450SXF.  My initial impressions follow:

++ love the button (electric start)…the engine starts quickly and revs freely, light flywheel feeling.  Stalled it a few times riding around the neighborhood until I turned the idle adjuster in ½ turn (this adjuster in located on the back of the throttle body on the right side and you turn CW to increase the idle even though the manual tells you to turn in CCW)

++ seems quieter than the previous model at the muffler and also seems to have a more muted intake sound

+ + the engine has a smooth power response down low which allows you to modulate the throttle and gives a nice throttle to rear wheel connectivity.  Some may prefer more initial bark or hit.  I had the map switch but left it in the stock map position.  The mid range is solid and broad and the engine really starts to pull in the upper mid range into a nice top end.  I did not rev it out too far as the engine is new and still tight.  This engine encourages you to turn the throttle harder every lap.  It feels smooth without the normal deep “thumps” of a 450F – just very smooth and as much power as you dial in with the throttle.  Perhaps the “oval” 44mm throttle body helps modulate the power.  Also there is not a lot of engine braking feel off throttle.

+ + very light clutch pull and easy to modulate.  Never stalled it today and even went for a short loop in the woods and it was easy to control the engine at slow speeds with the tall moto 1st gear

+ the ergos feel good for me as the new bar bend is higher, the front fender looks good from the seated position, and the all new grips feel good too

+- this is the most firm (not harsh) suspension I have felt on a stock KTM 4-stroke.  The forks have the most progressiveness I have felt in stock WP’s.  There rear worked well and I did not notice it so much (that is good for me).  I went to the comfort settings and could notice the few click difference.  These are moto focused settings from the factory and firm.  The bike rides higher in the stroke and feels lighter.  I’ll have to get a good 5~7 hours on the fork and shock on some different tracks before I really know how they work for me.  For now I am cautiously optimistic they will break in and feel really good for motocross.

+ + The cornering and overall handling is very good.  The steering is light and overall the bike feels very light and agile.  I did not feel like I was wrestling around a big 450F in the corners.  It feels noticeably lighter in motion compared to the carburetor 450SXF.  Overall it feels light and responsive.  The tech sheet hanging on the bike says 237.2 lbs with all fluids except gas.  This bike feels heavy when putting it on the stand but the Factory Edition is light in motion.  Maybe that lightweight crankshaft and con rod and single overhead cam design makes the bike “feel” and turn lighter.

++ Details are normal KTM: great Brembo brakes, cool billet triple clamps with adjustable bar mount positions, optional EFI map switch, cool new KTM grips, nice “wave” gripper seat cover, MX51 rear tire is good but MX51 front tire is just average, nice Regina chain but wish it was the DID VT2 narrow o-oring like the XC’s come with, needs a skid plate, nice front rotor cover, orange frame and the factory team graphics look better in person.

A few things stood out to me at the end of a fun day of riding.  I like the new responsive and light feeling engine.  It is quick to rev and has smooth power that hooks up and the EFI mapping seems very good with no lurching at slow speeds.  The super light clutch pull is wonderful.  The handling and overall feel of the bike is light and agile.  I actually kind of forgot I was riding a big and powerful 450F moto bike…a Factory Edition one at that.  I was simply having fun on a really good dirtbike.  Looking forward to more seat time soon.

A few pictiures of my new bike:

thanks for this.

maybe you can help me on this.  seems nice enough, are you seeing anything revolutionary on this bike? do you feel its justified for the  $1000-2000 price increase over other 450's?

thanks for your post

KTM2012, on 26 February 2012 - 09:50 PM, said:

Good question.  Performance wise I think the engine character is unique (low inerta and quick revving) combined with the chassis make for a very easy to ride and fun 450F moto bike.  From a parts perspective the Factory Edition does come with the KTM EFI mapping software which allows for the usual changes to fuel and ignition timing and also something that mimics an accelleration pump so you can really tune the engine response to your liking.  Also came with the hole shot device for the forks, a high quality graphics kit including the seat cover, and a nice front brake rotor protector.  The orange frame looks really good with the black rims.  So there are some actual parts that that I normally buy that help justify some of the price difference.  I think each buyer has to decide for themselves if these extras justifies the exta cost.

KTM2012, on 26 February 2012 - 09:50 PM, said:

Wow.  Beautiful.  Lots of luck with it man.  What offset are the triple clamps?  Just wait until you run a Pirelli MT32 up front!  I think the whole package is amazing but what separates this bike from all other KTMs is the engine.

any one else see one at the dealers yet??

Our bikes in OZ retail for around $ 11,500 and $ 12,000 and our dollar is 1.07 USD !! and you yanks still complain !!!!!!!!!

It looks like it might have the kick start option?

I just got the call that my bike came in!!

Got a chance to ride the 450 Factory Edition this afternoon at my favorite test track.  Had everything from hard pack chop to slippery soft stuff and lots in between.  A few more insights:

+ - the suspension is stiff.  I kept opening up the clickers to plush things out and it kept feeling better.  Ended up fully open on the rear and I could really apply full power on some the rough straights....the rear was settled under power and braking.  Forks ended up 4~6 clicks above the comfort setting.

- the new grips are thin and offer less cushion than the current Renthals

++ the engine power is stong and responsive and easy to modulate.  I could take tight corners in 3rd.  The smooth engine combined with very light clutch effort allows the engine to go to zero rpm's and never stalled it today

++ the bike rides light and feels agile.....easy to control yet powerful

+- tried the different EFI map switch settings and could not notice much difference

- wish it had the DID VT2 o-ring chain like the XC's as I have adjusted the chain twice already....never an issue on o-ring chains

++ love the button...electric start is great!

- seat was stiff when new but I can already feel the foam breaking down

Looking forward to more seat time outdoors soon if this weather holds out...53F and sunny in Ohio in February is rare!

Since you have owned a newer Honda 450 and Suzuki 450, how would you rate the KTM strictly against those two bikes.

I started out riding MX 3 years ago on 06 CRF 450r and then last year got a 2010 RMZ 450. Love both bikes, very easy to ride. Do a little off road but mostly track riding and Vet racing. Just moved from Novice to  Intermediate class. All the guys that have been riding forever say KTM's suck for the track and they push front ends. These are die hard Honda guys. I believe just about any of the 450's can work for any one of us mortals, but still like to hear an un-biased opinion.

I want a "Brand" new MX bike next year. I was considering the Honda 450,but KTM is in back of my mind if I hear enough rave reviews. My only concern is if parts availability is tough. I used to road race a Suzuki and Kawi and could get parts all day long. Once I started racing a Ducati 1098s parts prices doubled and they were hard to get. You cant beat Ducati or KTM's fit and finish, but are parts issues with KTM the same?

would a skidplate for a 2012 xcw 450,500 fit ?

mxengineer4, on 28 February 2012 - 07:09 PM, said:

Try  putting the fork clickers back to stock and going in 2 clicks... ya I know it means stiffer , but for some reason on wp stuff is sometimes makes it feel softer... if still hard take 10 cc out of each fork and again go back to stock settings...   mine will be here on fri I hope!

So I was looking at the one that came into my dealership.( already sold) and the plastics fit right on to the 11-12 bikes. I wanted to buy a set and I looked it up,  if you want to buy the shrouds you have to return your damaged ones when you get the new set.

I wonder if it is a red bull thing or a Ktm thing?  I've heard red bull doesn't let anyone run their logo.

Ramrod450r, on 29 February 2012 - 09:59 AM, said:

I have not ridden the Dungey replica yet. But as  former CRF guy I can tell w/ absolute certainty that KTMs have turned better than Hondas since MY 2007. In fact a LOT better. The '09+ Hondas got much better however.

There are no parts availability issues at all w/ KTMs. My dealer stocks everything I need for my 2 KTMs. Occasionally I order a part which takes 2 days or so.

pk6n, on 29 February 2012 - 03:35 PM, said:

I guess the frame is pretty much the same then except for the engine cradle.  good info. Cheers

mxengineer4, my cam chain tensioner is about half the length of yours and is silver, anyone else have a different looking chain tensioner on the factory edition?

Edited by ktm231, 01 March 2012 - 04:34 PM.

mikerides33, on 01 March 2012 - 03:18 PM, said:

That would come under the heading of being just that... a guess....

racerxx276, on 01 March 2012 - 08:49 PM, said:

It was actually a deduction.  But thanks for the love and good luck with yours sweetheart

Ramrod450r, on 29 February 2012 - 09:59 AM, said:

I thought my 11 RMZ450 was an excellent bike.  Great overall handling and smooth long pulling power.  The new KTM 450SXF Factory Edition has a different feel than the RMZ.  The SXF FE engine character is light flywheel and quicker revving with little of the old school "thump" normally associated with big bore 4-strokes.  Less engine braking than the RMZ.  The new KTM also corners well and the overall handling is really good.  While they are probably close in weight I think the SXF FE feels a little lighter in motion.  The RMZ is a little thinner through the mid section ergo wise.  The e-start is very nice and the light clutch pull on the SXF FE is perhaps an advantage in off road situations.  I do not think one is better than the other...simply different.   I do think the SXF FE looks better off the showroom floor with those Red Bull graphics and orange frame!