X models on track?

2025 FE450, ride track and desert, 6 speed, 60 years old btw

Remember last year when Baggett brought out the 500exc to a track?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1912926923698655720

I ride a KTM XC-F 350 everywhere, track, tight woods, off road, desert. It's basically an SX with a 6 speed, bigger tank, 18" rear and spring forks. I changed the springs for my weight added an XPR tuned vortex ecu and a fan. It's really the best all around bike for me. I have had them all, KTM 300, SX450, KX450 and the XC-F has been the best do it all bike. I spend 70% of the time on tracks the rest of the time racing some NORCS and riding single track etc. The bike is more capable than I am, if I'm not wining it's not the bike's fault.  I think it's the same for most "X" models, at my age, "vet" and skill level they are all good options for a one bike stable. 

 That being said I did already secure a '27 KX327 at my dealership because why not...lol. But I won't get rid of the XC-F it's just too good everywhere for me.  

I race a cr250fx in moto once in a while - coming off a 450 is a big change however and you must learn to rev into the sweet spot of the power and carry momentum on the 250 - whereas the 450 has power and speed on demand

 I miss the grunt of the 450 but I don't miss the grunt of the 450 - if you know what I mean.  

It depends.   

The KTM 450xcf has a six speed transmission.   Kawi and Honda use five speed transmissions in the kx450x and crf450rx models. The x and rx models also have an 18 inch rear wheel, kickstand, and softer suspension valving, which would probably be the biggest difference you'd notice.

What's stopping you from riding your current mx bike off-road?

Drop a tooth on the counter sprocket to tighten the gear ratios.

Aside from first gear being useless they’re actually really good. At faster tracks like GH I almost prefer it as they tend to be a little more planted. 

I ride a fx350 and it works great on the main and vet tracks I ride (mostly vet). However, when I dont clear big tabletops my back really hurts the next day. Not sure if that is my bike or me since I've never had a track bike

I've been parked next to him on a handful of occasions and I can safely say I've never seen a bike with blinkers and a horn go that fast. Before I got the Beta 450RX I would regularly ride my 500RS at the track and I was basically just as fast on it, license plate and blinkers still on it. That said, the 6 speed trans is a bit lost between gears sometimes.

Really enjoyed my KX450X at the track the times I took it. The 18 inch rear wheel is great at everything despite being heavier than the 19. Makes me wonder why teams dont try 18s other than simply the weight aspect. Only downside is spare tubes, and extra tires arent as easy to get for 18 inch rears. Currently running a YZ450F MX bike for a do everything bike. I really miss that 18 inch rear tire sometimes though.

Also the unsung hero, the thing you didnt realize how much you really enjoy it until its gone. The kick stand.

Im loving my fx350.

No issues with mx. Spring fork is great.

The mx models factory suspension will beat you to death offroad, atleast on the east coast.  Had a yz250x, 250xcf and a 250xc now.  At 170 pounds the suspension holds up well for me for the most part outside of over shooting a bigger jump.  The 6 speed tranny on the ktms is no issue.  2nd 3rd and 4th are money although I did go up 1 tooth on the xcf.  18 wheel isnt noticeable.

Imo 250 or 350 xcf is your bike.  450 is just alot of motorcycle offroad to me.

Can ride mx bikes offroad but its less than ideal for overall experience.

I run my Beta 480 Race Edition just as much as my 450RX (that's big bored to a 480).

A lot of times the heavier crank mass and six speed gear spacing just works better, especially on a track with elevation changes.

I know lots of guys with XC-F/FXs and Japanese XC models that track ride all the time and love them more than the straight MX bike version. 

The question was directed at the op to get him talking about about what he's looking for in a new bike. 

And yes moto suspension is not ideal for off-road.  And vice versa.  OP is asking for a do it all which usually means you're giving up something in either discipline.

Is he going to be 90/10 moto/off-road? 50/50?  10/90?   Specific recommendations will go go from there.  

Does he ride every weekend?  Does he plan on 50/50 moto/off-road?  I could make the argument for owning two sets of dedicated suspension.  

Does he ride less frequently and rides moto once a year?  Then a woods bike may suffice. 

It's tough to make an educated recommendation without more info. 

I ride/race XC and XCFs, after suspension setup the rest is a non factor to me. But the thing that I like more than anything is my kickstand. At 155lbs and 57 years old, I have no interest in lifting the bike onto a stand after coming off the track exhausted, in fact I’m not even sure I could anymore.

yeah, kickstand is a real bonus -- e-start is nice too 

I hear you!

First accessory I buy for EVERY moto bike I get is a Fastway/PMB kickstand.

I have 3 sons and a daughter that race. Everytime they come in I’m reminded of the old saying to be old and wise, you must first be young and dumb.

My buddy says suspension is too soft for moto. Vet pro in woods and probably vet b on moto. 

Not fast but my 300 was down so rode my 500excf the other weekend in a harescramble. Wasn’t bad for the first 40 

minutes or so but then it wore me out. Here I’m following one of my buddies 

I use first gear all the time on my 450fx's

No shit riding those conditions of course you do. We’re talking specific for moto application… 

I didn’t ride much moto on my 250RX but when I did I found it to be fun. 

I could see it not being fun if you’re super fast or heavier. At the same time that bike isn’t really enjoyable in super gnarly rocky tight stuff. It’s really good for almost everything I ride and that’s why it’s hard to replace. I do wish it had 6 gears for Colorado. 

I've bene downvoted for saying this in the past, but an off-road bike (as is) on a moto track is a great way to get hurt. The soft suspension valving and wallow-y 18" tire are no Bueno. 

The best solution, two bikes 😎

you guys, some of you, are stoned out of your mind. Literally the X suspension on these bikes is not only fine for moto, but most likely BETTER for moto unless you are hitting triples and 18 years old. The majority of riders are not fast enough for an X model to be "unsafe" haha, just have to laugh at this shit 

You are on glue if you think an X model suspension is better for moto. It's too soft for the woods let alone a track. 

what X are you referring too being too soft?

He's not wrong. I think this really comes down to ability. Most of us here are pretty average. I have a KX250X. Kawasaki literally took the motocross model, threw an 18" rear wheel, side stand and slightly different suspension settings. It feels closer to when I would have my mx suspension re-valved for MX for my age and ability. I can tell you with certainty, that it is not too soft for woods riding. Enduro bike it is not.