Going to purchase a KTM 450, what aftermarket add-ons to do?

Titan1 wrote:

Are you a fast intermediate or faster (A, AA/Pro) rider? If not, take all that money you'd spend on aftermarket add-ons and spend it on as...

Are you a fast intermediate or faster (A, AA/Pro) rider?

If not, take all that money you'd spend on aftermarket add-ons and spend it on as many riding schools as you can afford.

If you're trying to go faster, its your technique-or lack of it-holding you back far more than the motorcycle...so fixing your technique will let you go faster than any bike mod will.

If you aren't trying to get faster and just want the bling...or if you can afford all the bling and the riding schools, then do you're thing. Swing for the fence with the add-ons and support the industry.

Preston412 wrote:

I don't do bling nor do I need to add more HP to the bike. I have no clue what to expect from a KTM or...

I don't do bling nor do I need to add more HP to the bike. I have no clue what to expect from a KTM or steel frame 4 stroke, therefore I ask what you all have done to improve the bike to your liking and I will make my decision on what to do to the bike from the suggestions as a I ride it.

My skill level does not matter but to reply to your comment, I do spend my time at WW Ranch with Club 57.

Rickyisms wrote:

Do you know Jimmy Setzer?

Preston412 wrote:

Yes. I saw him this past Saturday at WW.

Rickyisms wrote:

Acerbis frame guards a nice add on for sure. I really like the Fasst Co. rear brake return spring as well.

PJRAUS wrote:

Yeah it seems abit srange to be worrying about what upgrades to make to a new 450 before you even ride it..especially the KTM. If you...

Yeah it seems abit srange to be worrying about what upgrades to make to a new 450 before you even ride it..especially the KTM. If you were buying a125 then yeah..looking to make more power ...understandable...
When I bought my 2020 yz 450, my only thought was should I gowith a 110 rear tyre, or stick with the 120...Ihavea friend that swears by the Pirelli soft terrain rear in the 110 .....
At the track that he rides...I get the reasoning....at the track I ride...it hasn't worked for me...much better on the stock 120 Dunlop....
Im a good fit for the stock Yamaha setup...
I like KTM 's...attracted to their light weight....
If I were about to purchase a new KTM 450...my only considerations would be to replace the chain immediately with a nice RK U ring chain, then see if I like the bars or not..
After that....if I could somehow channel the talent of Jeffrey Herlings....I doubt that there is anything about the bike that could prevent me from dominating the Australian mx championship...
I would say that it's a brave man that would argue that Herlings wouldn't dominate our national series on a bone stock bike.
For sure it would be harder for him to do so in the USA series...or The GP'S..
In short...unless you are way over or under the aveage weight that the bike is set up for..or you are faster than Herlings, save your money for tyres..

fullysicmate wrote:

Why change anything? What is the goal you are trying to achieve by changing parts? No aftermarket does more testing than the factory, aftermarket parts are...

Why change anything?

What is the goal you are trying to achieve by changing parts?

No aftermarket does more testing than the factory, aftermarket parts are mostly a gimmick and unless you can tell a suspension exactly what you want they may make it worse. Suspension is a personal preference, you can't just send it away and hope they make it better for you.

Preston412 wrote:

The goal is to change the bike to the way I like it for it to feel. WP may have a top notch air fork but...

The goal is to change the bike to the way I like it for it to feel.

WP may have a top notch air fork but I don't like the way air forks feel. I will run the air forks for break in but will do the spring conversion.
I got 3 months to ride and dial the bike in before I start hitting the races that count, so I have noted some of the things you all have suggested and will consider each one after the frame is broke in. I guess around 7 hrs from what I have read.

Question wrote:

Just thinking out loud, but it would be so cool to buy just 80% of the engne and just the frame, for let us say, 4...

Just thinking out loud, but it would be so cool to buy just 80% of the engne and just the frame, for let us say, 4 or 5k, like they do in the mountain bike industry. That would free up quite enough budget to make our own factory editions

anthonyrodriguezmx@gmail.com wrote:

Here is my first vital forum post! So all though I race for factory KTM Brazil we don’t get factory parts and here is all my...

Here is my first vital forum post!

So all though I race for factory KTM Brazil we don’t get factory parts and here is all my race bike has and to be quite honest I’m very happy with my bike:

450 sxf 2021

I have the brazil bike so it only has four gears

The parts I choose are the following:

Stock wheels are plenty good
14/50 sprockets
Vortex ignition
Vertex high comp piston
Dwr head
Pro tork slip on
Xtrig tripple clamp ( I run them in the 20 mm set up as it helps tons in the tight turns in brazil )
I liked the stock foot legs over the titanium ones better
thrill seekers seat cover ( a most )
I run stock linkage and subframe
49 mm cone valve suspension is also a nice upgrade
I Got the all orange Acerbis plastic kit because looking good equals to a second a lap faster lol
I'm picky with grips so I run the rental full diamonds ( soft ) and I glue the donuts so I don’t grip over them
11.8 tire pressure for brazil hard pack
I do like the renthal 539 better than the oem handlebars

Preston412 wrote:

[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/06/09/497105/s1200_0C9F58AD_CE4E_4231_AC65_1AFE37ABDE34.jpg[/img] I picked the bike up this afternoon and I now I have a big me to go with my son’s mini me. Supposedly KTM did...

I picked the bike up this afternoon and I now I have a big me to go with my son’s mini me.
Supposedly KTM did not send the box with the tool kit or manual which has happened before when I worked at a KTM dealer. Anyways, how do you get the screen out of the muffler?

anthonyrodriguezmx@gmail.com wrote:

Here is my first vital forum post! So all though I race for factory KTM Brazil we don’t get factory parts and here is all my...

Here is my first vital forum post!

So all though I race for factory KTM Brazil we don’t get factory parts and here is all my race bike has and to be quite honest I’m very happy with my bike:

450 sxf 2021

I have the brazil bike so it only has four gears

The parts I choose are the following:

Stock wheels are plenty good
14/50 sprockets
Vortex ignition
Vertex high comp piston
Dwr head
Pro tork slip on
Xtrig tripple clamp ( I run them in the 20 mm set up as it helps tons in the tight turns in brazil )
I liked the stock foot legs over the titanium ones better
thrill seekers seat cover ( a most )
I run stock linkage and subframe
49 mm cone valve suspension is also a nice upgrade
I Got the all orange Acerbis plastic kit because looking good equals to a second a lap faster lol
I'm picky with grips so I run the rental full diamonds ( soft ) and I glue the donuts so I don’t grip over them
11.8 tire pressure for brazil hard pack
I do like the renthal 539 better than the oem handlebars

chasetwo79 wrote:

What do you think of the 14/50 gearing? I have used 14/52 and think it’s fairly solid, but recently tested 14/51 and found it to be...

What do you think of the 14/50 gearing? I have used 14/52 and think it’s fairly solid, but recently tested 14/51 and found it to be terrible.

How does the 14/50 work for you? I’d love your insight.

Preston412 wrote:

[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/06/09/497105/s1200_0C9F58AD_CE4E_4231_AC65_1AFE37ABDE34.jpg[/img] I picked the bike up this afternoon and I now I have a big me to go with my son’s mini me. Supposedly KTM did...

I picked the bike up this afternoon and I now I have a big me to go with my son’s mini me.
Supposedly KTM did not send the box with the tool kit or manual which has happened before when I worked at a KTM dealer. Anyways, how do you get the screen out of the muffler?

Brent wrote:

Wow Congratulations! definitely get the parts box, it has the fast turn throttle cam, the vented side cover, and an extra fuel filter. Check your fork...

Wow Congratulations!

definitely get the parts box, it has the fast turn throttle cam, the vented side cover, and an extra fuel filter.

Check your fork air pressure every time before you ride it.

As you get to know the bike you will want to change some things, but for right now make SURE your race sag is set to 103 in full gear and stand up on the bike in the in a neutral position to get an accurate measurement.

KTM 450 SXF handling is night and day different when you set the sag correctly.

Preston412 wrote:

[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/06/09/497105/s1200_0C9F58AD_CE4E_4231_AC65_1AFE37ABDE34.jpg[/img] I picked the bike up this afternoon and I now I have a big me to go with my son’s mini me. Supposedly KTM did...

I picked the bike up this afternoon and I now I have a big me to go with my son’s mini me.
Supposedly KTM did not send the box with the tool kit or manual which has happened before when I worked at a KTM dealer. Anyways, how do you get the screen out of the muffler?