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MXA'S 2013 KTM 450SXF-FE "RYAN DUNGEY REPLICA" MOTOCROSS TEST: SOME COMPANIES BARELY MAKE ANY BIKES, LET ALONE WORKS REPLICAS There is an inherent “hope gene” in every person that believes things will get better, that tomorrow is a better day, that good things come to those who wait, and that this year’s new model is better than last year’s new model. And so it goes with motocross bikes. Even when we have positive proof that a bike hasn’t gotten better, people still run out and buy the new bike because it must be better—it just must be. Take the 2009 Honda CRF450 as an example. It was not as good as the 2008 CRF450—or the 2007...
MID-SIZED SHOOTOUT: HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A 125 TWO-STROKE, 250 FOUR-STROKE OR 250 TWO-STROKE Not every rider is alike. There are riders who like the snap of a 250cc two-stroke, those who prefer to wring the guts out of a wide-open 125cc tiddler, and a third group that craves the abundant vibes of a 250cc four-stroke. The MXA wrecking crew decided to round up all three of these bikes and compare them head to head. Now, you might be wondering why we didn’t include a 450cc four-stroke in the comparison. The answer is simple: very few riders are trying to decided between a 450cc bike and a s...
FIRST LOOK: ALL THE 2014 KTM MOTOCROSS MODELS – 85SX,125SX, 150SX, 250SXF, 350SXF, 450SXF Here is some of the Euro spec news—which could be slightly different in America (remember that the European KTM 450SXF has a four-speed gearbox in Europe and a five-speed in America). Plus, Euro bikes run Pirelli tires and American bikes get Dunlops. 2014 450SXF The KTM 450 SX-F has new engine case to reduce weight. The piston has been mod i fied for more durability, the DDS clutch get a 280 Nm clutch spring and a new three-layer cylinder head gasket to increase durability. The 450 SXF also featur...
HOW TO BUILD THE ULTIMATE KTM 250SX TWO-STROKE: YES, IT DOES HAVE WORKS SHOWA SUSPENSION ON IT By Billy Musgrave I must admit that I inherited MXA ’s KTM 250SX project bike by default. I was third in line, but eventually the end user. Jody had started the project originally, but he had other assignments and handed it over to my father, Willy Musgrave. I took over the project when my dad crashed at Glen Helen and broke his collarbone. It might seem mercenary, but it was a lucky break for me. I have been racing MXA ’s 125 and 150 two-strokes for many years. Occasionally, I would get assigned to a 2...
FRIDAY'S USED MOTOCROSS BIKE GUIDE: HOW TO SETUP YOUR 2010 KTM 450SXF: This is the 2010 KTM 450SXF the way the MXA test crew raced it. As a rule, we don’t go for exotic or expensive mods, but if push comes to shove, we will seek competent help (no matter how much it costs). Use MXA ’s mods as a guide. Tires: We don’t know where KTM found a stockpile of old-school Bridgestone M59/M70 tires, but we find them acceptable. The M59 front is much better than the Dunlop 742 that comes on many other bikes. If we were the product manager at KTM, we’d be looking at spec’ing the bike ...
MXA TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT! THE 2013 KTM 125SX VERSUS THE 2013 KTM 150SX Q: WHAT’S BETTER A 125SX OR A 150SX? A: The MXA wrecking crew can promise one thing with this shootout—KTM is going to win. But, we aren’t sure that there is an outright winner because each bike is designed and built for a different reason, consumer and purpose. Who you are makes a bigger difference than the performance of either bike. 2013 KTM 125SX: At 34.66 horsepower, the KTM 125S X is a classic shriek machine. Q: WHY DOES KTM MAKE BOTH A 125 ...
MXA’S 2013 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: WE AREN'T TELLING YOU WHAT TO BUY – JUST WHAT WE WOULD BUY (PLUS VIDEO) It has been a long and winding road, fraught with peril and surprises around every corner. But, the MXA wrecking crew managed to get through testing the 2013 250 four-strokes with nary a scratch. As for our six bikes, they took the brunt of our countless hours on tracks around the United States. It was all in the name of finding out the good, the bad and the ugly of each bike. What’s so unique about our 2013 shootout? You might have noticed that Husqvarna has joined the party. We welcome the Italians an...
MXA'S 2013 KTM 250SX TWO-STROKE MOTOCROSS TEST: BEST IN CLASS...YOU BET! Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 KTM 250SX BETTER THAN THE 2012 KTM 250SX? A: Yes, wholeheartedly yes. It is hard to keep track of all of the changes that KTM keeps making to the 250SX two-stroke. But, the changes they made for 2013 are all on the good side of the ledger. To understand the changes to the 2013 model, you need to trace the last four years of the 250SX’s development. Q: WHAT WAS NEW ON THE 2010 KTM 250SX TWO-STROKE? A: Equipped with no-link, single-sided rear suspension, the 2010 wasn’t ...
WE RIDE CYLINDER WORKS’ KTM 365SXF BIG BORE It’s no secret that we were disappointed with the 2011 KTM 350SXF. It wasn’t bad; it just wasn’t what we expected. We knew we could embrace the 350cc design philosophy if it were executed properly, because the Austrian company’s basic idea is sound: produce a mid-size, Open-class engine and tuck it into a lightweight 250cc chassis. The ideal 350cc motocross bike should produce around 50 horsepower and weigh 222 pounds. The resulting power-to-weight ratio would make it the ultimate motocross weapon. It s...
MXA TEAM TESTED: SHORAI KTM 250/350/450SXF LIGHTWEIGHT LITHIUM LFX BATTERY WHAT IS IT? The Shorai battery is 33 ounces lighter than the stock KTM Yuasa YTX battery. It uses lithium iron phosphate technology, instead of the traditional lead-acid construction. The recommended Shorai battery for a KTM motocross bi ke is the LFX14L2-BS12. It has more cranking power than the battery that MXA preferred, the LFX09L2-BS12. Why did we choose the LFX09L2-BS12. ? It was lighter and cheaper. However, even though we had no problems starting our test bikes with this battery, Shorai's ...
MXA'S 2013 KTM 450SXF MOTOCROSS TEST: IF YOU ARE LOYAL TO YOUR BRAND, IT IS TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT A SHIFT IN ALLEGIANCES Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 KTM 450SXF BETTER THAN THE 2012 450SXF? A: Wholeheartedly yes. Q: WHAT DID KTM CHANGE ON THE 2013 ENGINE FROM THE 2012 MODEL? A: It is much simpler to explain what hasn’t changed between 2012 and 2013. The fork externals, brakes and hubs pretty much encompass the leftover parts from the Keihin carb-equipped 2012 450SXF. Q: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 2012-1/2 RYAN DUNGEY REPLICA AND THE 2013 KTM 450SXF? A: There are ten differences between the mid-season 2012-1/2...
MXA'S 2013 KTM 350SXF MOTOCROSS TEST: THE LITTLE BIKE THAT COULDN'T, BUT NOW IT CAN FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 KTM 350SXF BETTER THAN THE 2011 AND 2012 350SXF? A: Awesomely so! Q: HOW DOES THE 2013 KTM 350SXF COMPARE TO THE PREVIOUS TWO KTM 350SXF EDITIONS? A: We have always been of the opinion that KTM had been sandbagging on the first generation of the 350SXF. The first edition in 2011 was overly rich and not especially fast. Making matters worse was a top-end-only powerband that pumped out a meager 46.94 horsepower at a skyscraper 12,200 rpm. Consumers expected a mid-size 450, ...
MXA'S 2013 KTM 250SXF MOTOCROSS TEST: THE MOST POWERFUL PRODUCTION 250 FOUR-STROKE EVER Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 KTM 250SXF BETTER THAN THE 2012 KTM 250SXF? A: It would be hard-pressed not to be, because the 2012 KTM 250SXF was the slowest and heaviest 250 four-stroke made in 2012. Q: WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THE 2012 AND 2013 MODELS? A: The MXA wrecking crew admires KTM’s technical staff for holding their tongues during the berating they took over the doggy 2012 KTM 250SXF. At the time, we thought that they were suffering in silence, but now that we’ve seen the changes they ...
MXDN IRON! WE RIDE RYAN DUNGEY’S FACTORY RED BULL KTM 450SXF When wanted to ride Ryan Dungey's KTM 450SXF works bike we had a plan. It was a simple plan. We called KTM team manager Roger DeCoster and asked if he would give us Dungey's bike. Roger asked, “When would you like it? What track do you want to ride it at? Who will ride it? Do you want his Supercross suspension or his outdoor suspension? Do you need me, or will Carlos Rivera and Tom Moen do?” To which we replied, “Thursday. Glen Helen. Jody, Dennis, John and John. Outdoor. Carlos and Tom are fine.” That ...
WE RIDE LANCE VINCENT’S MUNN RACING KTM 250SXF... SADLY BECAUSE LANCE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO RACE MUCH THIS YEAR It is often said that the only difference between funding a race team and throwing money in a bonfire is that you’ll actually stay warm if you burn the money. That comparison isn’t far off. Fielding a professional motocross race team is a money pit. There’s a gross misunderstanding about the expenses needed to even get to a single race. Motorcycles cost money, as do team personnel, parts, travel, transportation, fuel, food, and rider salaries. It doesn’t take a genius accountant to realize that funding ...
FIRST LOOK! 2013 HUSABERG MODEL LINE-UP WITH A 250 FOUR, 350 FOUR, 450 FOUR, 501 FOUR, 125 TWO, 250 TWO & 300 TWO From the new frame and the second generation of the polyamide subframe to the new bodywork and new WP closed-cartridge fork with patented four-chamber technology, no stone remains unturned when it comes to the chassis. The new double-cradle central tube frame made from lightweight chrome-molybdenum steel profiles impresses with high torsional stiffness for precise cornering characteristics and high tracking stability and, at the same time, supports the rear suspension by absorbing energy created by rear...
2013 KTM 125SX & 150SX PHOTO SHOOT: A GREAT DAY HAD BY ALL Daryl Ecklund (left) and Kurt Caselli go front end high in tandem fashion. By John Basher When it comes to working at MXA there are good days, and then there are great days. Yesterday fell into the latter category. Why? It’s about impossible to be bummed out when you’re going out to a secret desert track and shooting your buddies slaying berms and slapping hands on brand-spankin’-new KTM two-strokes. Add in the fact that these riders have more style than all of Milan and you know it’s...
IN SEARCH OF MORE POWER WE BUILD A 280cc KTM 250SXF MOTOCROSS BIKE This story is much more about an engine than about the bike itself. More specifically, it is about the trend that this engine represents. KTM’s 2012 250SXF engine is an advanced, 248.6cc, water-cooled and fuel-injected mechanical marvel. It was developed to incorporate Keihin fuel injection, digital mapping, electric starting and a hydraulic clutch. It is a trendsetter—in more ways than one. Can you tell that it is a big-bore? We can, but to the casual observer there is no clue. However, the guy in the ...
2013 KTM MOTOCROSS BIKES: 50SX, 65SX, 85SX, 125/150SX, 250SX, 350SXF & 450SXF 2013 KTM 125/150SX Benefiting mostly from the plastic, chassis and running gear changes (shared among every model), the 125SX and 150SX do not get any engine mods for 2013. 2013 KTM 250SX The 2013 two-strokes get U.S. spec suspension settings, including the shorter shock lengths for the first time. Additionally, the 250SX get stiffer fork springs, DDS (Damped Diaphragm Steel) clutch, Moto Tassinari VForce4 reed block and all-orange plastic. The two-strokes do not get the stiffer head tube reinforcing or...
MXA TEAM TESTED: KREFT KTM 250/300 POWERDIAL POWER-VALVE ADJUSTER WHAT IS IT? The Kreft PowerDial is an easy-to-install KTM 250/300 power-valve adjuster. It replaces the stock KTM system so that adjustments can be made in seconds. WHAT’S IT COST? $89.95. CONTACT? www.kreftmoto.com or (970) 403-2715. WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Kreft PowerDial. (1) Function. The Kreft PowerDial makes it possible to adjust the spring preload on the KTM 250/300 power valve without tools. In fact, we could pull over to the side of the track and adjust ...
EXCLUSIVE LOOK INSIDE THE KTM 450SXF-FE: THE BIKE THAT ROGER DECOSTER BUILT AND RYAN DUNGEY WON FOUR AMA SUPERCROSSES ON! There is an inherent “Hope Gene” in every person that believes that things will get better, that tomorrow is a better day, that good things come to those who wait and that this year’s new model is better than last year’s new model. And so it goes with motocross bikes. Even when we have positive proof that a bike hasn’t gotten better—people still run out and buy that bike...because it must be better...it just must be. We demand it! Which leads the MXA wrecking crew to the 2012 KTM 450SXF “Factory Edition...
2012 250 DYNO SHOOTOUT! HOW MUCH HORSEPOWER DO THE 2012 250s REALLY MAKE: WE REVEAL THE INNER SECRETS OF THE 2012 POWERBANDS The MXA wrecking crew spends the majority of its test time racing and riding brand-new production motorcycles, but early on in each test session every bike gets its day on the dyno. It really isn’t all that revealing because by the time its strapped down it has already been ridden to break in the engine, seat the muffler packing and get a feel for where it rates. Test riders form their opinions in the saddle and rely on the dyno numbers to reinforce what they already know. When the dyno numbers are spit...
MXA’S 2012 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: OUR BRUTAL & HONEST OPINIONS OF THIS YEAR’S 250 CLASS Let’s face it, not everyone is in the market for a 2012 250 four-stroke. That’s okay with us. There are many choices when it comes to purchasing a motorcycle—two-stroke, four-stroke, 125, 250 and 450. Depending on your wants and needs, a 250F might not be your cup of tea. But whatever you decide to spend your hard earned cash on, don’t overlook the positive attributes of a 250 four-stroke. The MXA wrecking crew can attest to the utter delight of holding a motorcycle wide open and blas...
MXA'S 2012 KTM 250SX TWO-STROKE MOTOCROSS TEST: THIS IS THE KING OF ALL SMOKERS 2012 KTM 250SX: There was a time when the Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke could compete on equal terms with the KTM 250SX, but in the last two years the six-year-old YZ has been surpassed by KTM’s superior engineering. Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2012 KTM 250SX BETTER THAN THE 2011 KTM 250SX? A: Yes and no. Yes, because it is new, has linkage and benefits from KTM’s yearly upgrades. No, because the 2011 KTM 250SX works virtually the same (and some MXA test riders preferred the ’11 to the ’12). Q: WHAT IS THE ...
TWO-STROKE VERSUS FOUR-STROKE: 2012 KTM 250SXF VS 2012 KTM 250SX And in this corner...the 2012 KTM 250SX two-stroke. The MXA wrecking crew can make one promise with this shootout: a KTM is going to win. In truth, this is the best two-stroke versus four-stroke comparison possible. Why? Both the KTM 250SX two-stroke and KTM 250SXF are brand-new models. They have been updated every year for the past five years—and they aren’t apples and oranges. This is as clear-cut and as accurate a head-to-head comparison can get. These are both brand-new, modern, up-to-date machines....
2012 KTM 450SXF "FACTORY EDITION": WHAT IT'S LIKE TO RIDE THE "RYAN DUNGEY REPLICA" MOTOCROSS BIKE There will be 400 of these bikes made (in two batches of 200). This is not the 2013 KTM 450SXF, but it must have stay in a Holiday Inn Express. There is an inherent “Hope Gene” in every person that believes that things will get better, that tomorrow is a better day, that good things come to those who wait and that this year’s new model is better than last year’s new model. And so it goes with motocross bikes. Even when we have positive proof that a bike hasn’t gotten better—people still run out and buy ...
JODY'S QUEST FOR A MOTO-READY KTM 300XC TWO-STROKE RACER YOU LIVE AND YOU LEARN, ONE DOLLAR AT A TIME By Jody Weisel The vast majority of my racing life has been spent on two-strokes, but I’m a realist. When the four-stroke revolution came along, I didn’t feel a need to fight it. I have said many times that, if I weren’t a motorcycle test rider, I would be racing a Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke. However, my lot in life is to race and test what’s put before me, and, increasingly, since the four-stroke revolution began in 1998 and went full complement in 2006, the bi...
DIGITAL BROCHURE: TAKE A CLOSE UP LOOK INSIDE THE 2012 KTM 450SXF "FACTORY EDITION" DIGITAL BROCHURE KTM is excited to announce the release of its first-ever digital brochure highlighting the new 2012 450 S-F Factory Edition motorcycle. The new model which has been showcased by Red Bull/KTM Factory rider, Ryan Dungey, is now on dealer floors and available for sale. To learn more about the new model that has already collected 7 AMA Supercross podiums including two 450 Supercross wins To view the brochure, go here: www.ktm450sxf-fe.com .
TWO-STROKE TEST: A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT MXA'S FULL-RACE KTM 300XC MOTOCROSS BIKE The MXA wrecking crew started out testing he stock 2012 KTM 300XC. That test is out in the February issue of MXA. It is an alll-encompassing look of the stock bike (but it will cover the basic mods needed to turn the 300XC into an 300SX). Then, new March issue, we have a test of our completely modified 300XC. We have been racing the bike in various forms since October and have learned a lot about the jetting, suspension, gearing, spring rates, bar mounts, fuel capacity and setup. We learn a little bit m...
MXA'S 2012 KTM 125SX MOTOCROSS TEST: AN OLD FRIEND RETURNS Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2012 KTM 125SX BETTER THAN THE 2011 125SX? A: We don’t know, because KTM stopped importing the 125SX to the USA four years ago. Still, we know that KTM has made quantum leaps forward since 2008. Q: WHY IS THE KTM 125SX BACK? A: When KTM debuted the original KTM 144SX in 2008, its sales quickly eclipsed those of the 2008 125SX. KTM took one look at the sales numbers and decided to cut their expenses by only importing the more popular 144SX, which was soon to be called the 15...
TWO-STROKE TEST: 2012 KTM 150SX IS ALL ABOUT HAVING FUN ON A DIRT BIKE Q: IS THE KTM 150SX STILL THE ONLY KTM TIDDLER SOLD IN THE USA? A: No, the KTM 125SX motocross bike is back for 2012. Three years ago, KTM made the 125SX obsolete by introducing an identical motocross bike with more power—the 144SX. After a quick glance at sales figures for the 144SX versus the 125SX, KTM decided to shelve the 125SX and only import the 144SX, which would later morph into the 150SX. For 2012, KTM decided that the market for a true 125cc two-stroke was big enough to put it back into the l...
TWO-STROKE TEST: WE TURN OUR KTM 250SX INTO A KTM 300SX BIG-BORE As the niche marketing specialist of dirt bike manufacturers, KTM has a wider variety of models than Baskin-Robbins has flavors. However, the model you won’t see at your KTM dealership is a motocross-specific Open class two-stroke. The KTM 300XC (cross-country) model is close, but ultimately not as good as the 300SX kit for racing. After spending a couple years holding our own against 450s and blowing the doors off 250Fs on our aged 2010 KTM 250SX , the MXA wrecking crew’s primitive instincts took...
WE RIDE THE LAST CARBURETED 450 WORKS BIKE EVER: MIKE ALESSI'S KTM 450SXF Mike Alessi’s KTM 450SXF was the last of the carbureted Mohicans. The petcock will become a thing of the past on the National circuit and KTM SXFs. When KTM asked MXA if we’d like to test the last carbureted 450cc works bike they would ever race, Mike Alessi’s KTM 450SXF, we got a little teary-eyed. We felt like we were about to throw roses on the grave of a favorite uncle. Make no mistake about it, we understand the limitations of a Keihin FCR carb better than almost anyone because we have teste...
WE RIDE DUBACH RACING DEVELOPMENT’S KTM 350SXF You’ve probably heard so much about the 2011-12 KTM 350SXF that your mind is on overload. By some pundits, the KTM 350SXF has been heralded as the second coming, and the ballyhoo was accompanied by a successful race debut in the hands of 450 World Champion Antonio Cairoli. Historically, aftermarket hop-up companies don’t put KTMs on their “must-do” lists when it comes to making project bikes. Not so after 2011. Every company immediately started working on KTM 350SXF parts, pieces and paraphernalia. Why?...
MXA 250 MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT: 2011 KTM 250SX VS. 2011 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE 2011 KTM 250SX. No offense to Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda, but they aren’t included in this 2011 shootout because they don’t make 250cc two-stroke motocross bikes ( although Suzuki does sell its 2008 RM250 overseas...and has it listed on their American website for 2012 at $6099 ). Husqvarna, Gas Gas, TM and Maico do, but in the battle for showroom dominance, the Yamaha YZ250 and KTM 250SX are the main players. So, it was only natural that the MXA wrecking crew would take these high-profile 250cc two-stro...
MXA TEAM TESTED: FMF 2012 KTM 250SXF FACTORY 4.1 EXHAUST WHAT IS IT? It’s the latest version of FMF’s premium race exhaust system for the new 2012 electric-start KTM 250SXF—a bike that needs horsepower help. WHAT’S IT COST? $899.99 (full system with MegaBomb). CONTACT? www.fmfracing.com or (310) 631-4363. WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with FMF’s KTM 250SXF Factory 4.1 exhaust. (1) Updates. FMF has recently made some improvements to their Factory 4.1 systems. Thanks to the gained experience with their RCT (Resonance Chamber Technology...
MXA'S 2012 KTM 350SXF MOTOCROSS TEST: HAS THE 350 EXPERIMENT BEEN A SUCCESS? FIND OUT HERE Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2012 KTM 350SXF BETTER THAN THE 2011 350SXF? A: Yes. Most MXA test riders took a quick glance at the 2012 spec sheet and thought that it was the same-old, same-old. Not true. After their first race, every test rider felt that the 2012 KTM 350SXF was significantly better than the 2011 model. Q: IT IS CONTROVERSIAL, BUT IS THE 350SXF A SUCCESS? A: You bet. Regardless of what the keyboard commandos say, the American public has embraced KTM’s 350cc, mid-sized engine philosophy....
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2012 450 SHOOTOUT: WE TELL YOU THE THINGS THAT EVERYONE ELSE PUSSYFOOTS AROUND The Honda CRF450, KTM 450SXF, Yamaha YZ450F, KTM 350SXF, Kawasaki KX450F and Suzuki RM-Z450 are all major players in what consumers might well think of as a $8500 crap shoot. It is the MXA wrecking crew’s goal to take the gamble out of buying a 2012 450cc motocross bike. We are going to tell you what we think is the best bike in the 450 lottery, but not even the MXA test riders believe that there is one perfect bike for every person. Even among MXA ’s test crew you will find riders ch...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2011 450 SHOOTOUT: WE DON'T CARE WHAT BIKE YOU BUY, BUT WE DON'T WANT YOU TO MAKE AN UNINFORMED DECISION Pity the poor fool who enters headstrong and dimwitted into the 2011 motocross fray. For the uninitiated, the motocross world is a confusing maelstrom of conflicting information—made all the worse by the rapid expansion of avenues of personal expression (and most of what is expressed is wrong). If every product is the best, which one really is the best? If every bike is the fastest, which one is really the fastest? If every suspension is the plushest, which one is really the plushest? Pity the buyer who...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2010 MXA 450 SHOOTOUT: REAL TESTS THAT GO STRAIGHT TO THE CHASE Let’s cut to the chase, which in Hollywood parlance means let’s skip ahead to the action-packed part of this horse opera. You don’t need to be the Amazing Kreskin to realize that motocross racers read shootouts for three reasons: (1) Guide: To find out what the best bike is before they plunk down the filthy lucre they earned in the corporate sweat shop. (2) Confirm: To confirm that the bike they already own is as good as they th...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S BITE-SIZE 2010 450 MOTOCROSS BIKE SHOOTOUT: NUMBER ONE: 2010 KTM 450SXF There is only one bike in 2010 that can claim to have the most peak horsepower, most top-end rev, best handling, strongest clutch, most powerful brakes, a no-tool airbox and an electric starter—and that is the KTM 450SXF. Even with all of that, it is lighter than the YZ-F, KX-F and RM-Z. The KTM powerband has the hard-to-find combination of an easy-to-use low-end and a top-end that just keeps pulling. It’s mellow in the ruts and then turns into a monster as...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2009 450 SHOOTOUT: ALL THE FACTS WITHOUT THE WHITEWASH! EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW Historically, choosing shootout winners is easy for the MXA wrecking crew. We race the bikes every weekend for six months, switch back and forth (sometimes between motos), try every possible gearing and suspension combination, and then, by universal acclaim, anoint the bike that was the standout performer. It’s easy! Never has it been so hard as in 2009. When asked to pick the 450cc four-stroke of the year, most MXA test riders just stared back with a blank look of...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2011 KTM 350SXF VERSUS KTM 450SXF SHOOTOUT: There is a point in every motocross racer’s life when he believes in magic. No, not voodoo, psychic readings or David Copperfield. Motocrossers cling to the idea of the “magic motorcycle”—the machine that will change them from an also-ran into a front-runner; the bike that will make all their dreams come true; the single motorcycle that will change their lives. For obvious reasons, the idea of a “magic motorcycle” is ludicrous, but there are plenty of stories about riders who got off a KX450F and onto a...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S 2010 KAWASAKI KX450F VS. KTM 450SXF SHOOTOUT No offense to Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Husqvarna, but in last year’s 2009 450 Shootout, the Kawasaki KX450F and KTM 450SXF finished one-two . And, with a full year of R&D behind them, the MXA wrecking crew wanted to take the latest 2010 versions of the KX450F and 450SXF and shoot them out again. Don’t confuse MXA ’s KX450F versus KTM 450SXF shootout with the full-blown, 2010 MXA 450 Shootout. This shootout only focuses on two of the highest-profile race bikes sold. We have raced these two bikes hea...
MOTOCROSS ACTION'S BITE-SIZE 2009 450 SHOOTOUT: RIDE 'EM. RACE 'EM. WRECK 'EM. REVIEW 'EM: NUMBER ONE: 2009 KAWASAKI KX450F Unlike the other fuel-injected bikes, which stumble at 8000 rpm, the 2009 Kawasaki KX450F keeps pulling to 9400 rpm. The ‘09 KX450F has the second most horsepower in the class and decent suspension. Its handling is mediocre. It needs to go on a serious diet, because at 238 pounds it weighs 12 pounds more than a CRF450. PLUSES: The only fuel-injected bike that can compete in the mid-and-up range. MINUSES: Gappy gearbox, missed shifts...
MXA PERFORMANCE GUIDE TO THE 2011 KTM 450SXF The MXA test crew spends months racing every test bike in our stable. We don’t just spin a couple laps, we try to find out every possible detail about every bike we test—and we race them to ensure that they are pushed to the limit. As cruel as it may sound, we go all out to find the flaws in every bike, and then we fix them. So, if you own a 2011 KTM 450SXF , take a close look at MXA ’s comprehensive performance guide. We break down all the areas where we applied tender loving care. MXA ’s performance g...
MXA PERFORMANCE GUIDE TO THE 2011 KTM 350SXF The MXA test crew doesn’t just spin a couple laps and jot down a bike test on the back of an envelope. We spend months testing the latest in motocross iron (and we race the bikes to ensure that they are pushed to the limit). As cruel as it may sound, we go all-out to find the flaws and then, we fix them. So, if you own a 2011 KTM 350SXF, take a close look at MXA ’s comprehensive performance guide. We give you a complete breakdown of what we did to enhance our 350SXF. It’s all the information you’ll ever...
MXA'S 2012 KTM 450SXF MOTOCROSS TEST: THE BIKE THAT BLOWS HOLES IN THE FUEL-INJECTED THEORY Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2012 KTM 450SXF FUEL INJECTED? A: Nope, and unlike the mob majority of a world sold on technology, the MXA wrecking crew is glad. Why? History has proven that fuel injection, for all its hype, does not make an engine better in the first year of its development. Think about how awesome the 2008 Honda CRF450 engine was and how one-dimensional the fuel-injected 2009 CRF450 was. The same scenario has replayed itself with a host of bikes that go from awesome to mediocre with the...
MXA'S 2012 KTM 250SXF MOTOCROSS TEST: DID KTM GRAB FOR TOO MUCH OF THE BRASS RING? Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2012 KTM 250SXF BETTER THAN THE 2011 KTM 250SXF? A: No. Electric start does not make a bike go faster; it just makes it start easier. Q: WHAT CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE 2012 KTM 250SXF? A: Before we jump headlong into the list of 2012 changes, it’s worth mentioning that last year’s KTM 250SXF underwent four major updates. The biggest mods on the 2011 model were made to the shock linkage, electronic fuel injection, chassis and engine. MXA wasn’t expecting the 2012 model...
2011 KTM 250SXF MOTOCROSS TEST: THE BIKE THAT WON THE 250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP; WITH LINKAGE AND FUEL INJECTION Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2011 KTM 250SXF BETTER THAN THE 2010 KTM 250SXF? A: Yes. The one aspect of past KTM 250SXFs that we always hated was the linear, No-Doz powerband. It made lots of horsepower, but you had to wait for it. It was a no-hit, long draw-out, high-rpm powerband. In the hands of a really fast rider it could go really fast, but in the hands of an average rider it wasn't so fast. Thankfully, the new fuel-injected 2011 KTM 250SXF doesn’t require any patience. It has an actual you-can-f...
2011 KTM 250SX MOTOCROSS TEST: NOT A WARMED-OVER BNG BIKE, BUT A TOTALLY NEW TWO-STROKE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2011 KTM 250SX BETTER THAN THE 2010 KTM 250SX? A: Yes. KTM has consistently modernized their two-strokes with chassis updates, stylish aesthetic changes and two-stroke-specific tweaks. Q: WHAT CHANGES DID KTM MAKE TO THE 2011 250SX? A: Here are the six areas that KTM focused on for the new model year: (1) Cylinder . KTM redesigned the cylinder with a lower exhaust port (about 1mm) to improve bottom-end power. The lower flap height of the power valv...
2011 KTM 450SXF MOTOCROSS TEST: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BIG-BORE KTM MOTOCROSS BIKE Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2011 KTM 450SXF BETTER THAN THE 2010 KTM 450SXF? A: Yes. Why? Because it has the same great brakes, superb handling and incredible powerband as last year in a smaller, shrink-wrapped package—all the good stuff in fancier attire. Q: HOW DOES THE KTM 450SXF ENGINE DIFFER FROM THE 350SXF? A: With the addition of the 350SXF to their line, KTM offers two bikes that are legal in the 450 class. On the whole, the two bikes share a lot of parts (plastic, wheels, brakes, suspension c...
2011 KTM 350SXF MOTOCROSS TEST: THE MOST ANTICPATED MOTOCROSS BIKE TEST OF 2011 IS WORTH READING CAREFULLY...TWICE Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2011 KTM 350SXF GOING TO CHANGE THE MOTOCROSS WORLD? A: No. In truth, the 2011 KTM 350SXF is just another piece of the matrix of motocross. It is not going to wipe the 450cc motocross bike off the face of the Earth. It is not going to bring in a new era of mid-size engines. It is not a revolutionary idea (and if it is, then several other manufacturers got there first—including, but not limited to, Husqvarna, ATK and the original Yamaha YZ400). It is essentially a niche moto...
2011 KTM 150SX MOTOCROSS TEST: PERHAPS THE BEST BIKE FOR RIDERS LOOKING TO MAXIMIZE THE FUN OF RACING Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2011 KTM 150SX BETTER THAN THE 2010 KTM 150SX? A: Yes. KTM continues to refine its two-strokes, in spite of what the other manufacturers do. The traditional KTM practice of including the 150SX in all the common changes and then throwing in a few model-specific refinements still applies—although 150-specific updates are minimal this year. Q: WHAT WERE THE KTM 150SX UPDATES FOR 2011? A: There were eight refinements. (1) Frame. Last year, KTM made the head angle half a ...
WE RIDE MAX NAGL'S GRAND PRIX-WINNING KTM 450SXF WORKS BIKE: With the 2011 Grand Prix season set to start in Bulgaria in April, the MXA wrecking crew decided to take the time to ride what may be the last of the KTM 450SXF's to race the World Championships. It is a unique bike and worth looking at. The 2010 Grand Prix season will go down in the record books as a victory lap for Italian Antonio Cairoli and his mid-sized KTM 350SXF. With no production rule to contend with in GP racing and an enormous marketing push behind the 350SXF, Cairoli enjoyed unequaled techno...
WE RIDE ANDREW SHORT’S FACTORY KTM 350SXF Perhaps no bike in recent history has engendered as much controversy, idle chatter and uninformed speculation as the KTM 350SXF . The mid-sized Open class bike is really not a rare bird when viewed across the spectrum of motocross history. Many of the iconic Open class bikes raced over the years have been way below the maximum displacement. Included in this list of diminutive race bikes are the 360cc and 370cc machines used to great effect by Roger DeCoster during his heyday, the 360 Huskys of the Swedi...
WE RIDE ROCKET EXHAUST’S KTM 350SXF Don Leib has been around the motocross industry his whole life as a racer, exhaust pipe builder, ad exec and father of former Grand Prix rider Michael Leib. When he started Rocket Exhaust , he had a vision of offering the most affordable exhaust systems possible. To implement this, Don sourced a manufacturer in China to build exhaust pipes to his specifications. Even with shipping from China, Leib hoped to bring his Rocket Exhaust systems in for under $500. On paper, it was a brilliant idea, but in prac...
MXA TEAM TESTED: MX-TECH KTM 350SXF FORK/SHOCK MODS WHAT IS IT? MX-Tech is one of a handful of suspension companies that specialized in fixing WP components. WHAT’S IT COST? $250 (fork revalve); $250 (fork Huck valve); $50 (fork sub-valve); $109 (fork springs); $250 (shock revalve); $109 (shock spring); $200 (shock Head Check system). CONTACT? www.mx-tech.com or (877) 850-5114. WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with MX-Tech’s KTM 350SXF setup. (1) Huck valve. MX-Tech’s Jeremy Wilkey doesn’t just change shims on a WP fork; he reinven...