BUYING TODAY: 18 or 19 KTM 450sxf? 800$ difference

Whichever one fits you best and would make you happier.

19 would bring a bit more at resell or trade-in. It also has a more durable frame, but is a bit stiffer. Engine and suspension is not enough difference to matter.

Orrrr...

Wait and get 19.5 factory edition.!!!!

Less than $1000 then the 19 is the one.

Forty wrote:

Less than $1000 then the 19 is the one.

Agreed. Better resale value, newest stuff on the bike, an extra year of contingency. For $800 I'd go 19.

19 just based on the fact you don't have to remove the rear shock when removing the exhaust.

LumpDog841 wrote:

19 just based on the fact you don't have to remove the rear shock when removing the exhaust.

This is sad but true

19 YZ450F . Happy ever after.

I like to buy leftover bikes for a nice discount, but $800 wouldn't be enough to move me to the 18. When I bought my 16 250 I got 1500 off, but in retrospect it wouldn't have been a bad idea to go for the newer bike just for the forks. I don't think the 18s have any such glaring flaws though (other than the 1 piece pipe).

Orange frame alone is worth it. If were talking about non FE bikes the 2018 is the best looking modern KTM. IMO of course.

19

c0ncEpT wrote:

Orange frame alone is worth it. If were talking about non FE bikes the 2018 is the best looking modern KTM. IMO of course.

the orange frame as stupid as it sounds is a big thing for me.
only real negative I see is im worried mostly about the airbox thing. I want a 2 store like snap to it, I want it to bark as much as a 4 stroke can. dont want to have ghetto looking holes in it even if it's effective.

Id get the factory edition if it wasn't SO much more $$$.


I suppose the real decision maker is which has more street credit and which one will the track sluts dig more?

19 of course

I have both and the 19 is a no-brainer. Just the Pankl sourced trans and thinness through the shrouds of the 19 makes it my choice.

keeping the 2 stroke ..sweet bike 250sx

Some people prefer the feel on the 18 frame. More compliant.

Go for the 2019! Better transmission and thinner!

Frame snapping issues in '18?

JB 19 wrote:

Some people prefer the feel on the 18 frame. More compliant.

if were talking 10% stiffer on a mx bike Frame I wont notice that's for sure. I probably would;nt notice if it had 200% less flex, after all we are talking total dimensional deflection of like 2mm. I race mtb and road bikes and with no suspension on a carbon frame bike you can feel it for sure but on 13psi tires on a mx bike? ehh not even a blinp on my radar. I cruise at 24mph and when sprinting over 30mph the bottom bracket can flex over an inch! that you can feel frame flex.

I read the 19.5 is a 4 speed gearbox and thought the 19 was a 4 speed that would have been enough for me to go with it regardless.

I’d think you’d be able to do way better than an $800 difference. I’m at just under a $1500 difference between an ‘18 and a ‘19 and having trouble deciding.

c0ncEpT wrote:

Orange frame alone is worth it. If were talking about non FE bikes the 2018 is the best looking modern KTM. IMO of course.

GCBC wrote:

the orange frame as stupid as it sounds is a big thing for me.
only real negative I see is im worried mostly about the airbox thing. I want a 2 store like snap to it, I want it to bark as much as a 4 stroke can. dont want to have ghetto looking holes in it even if it's effective.

Id get the factory edition if it wasn't SO much more $$$.


I suppose the real decision maker is which has more street credit and which one will the track sluts dig more?

Definitely the "18" Orange frame for sure and on the airbox just need to carve out the inside lip and don't have to poke holes on the side panel,also get a different filter cage. Suspension on that bike is very close to perfect with minor upgrades front & rear. (ridejbi.com) and backyard designs has some great graphic designs

yak651 wrote:

Frame snapping issues in '18?

only if you jump it off a cliff or let the frame rust.

after wrestling with getting the pipe off the 18, I would gladly get the 19.

c0ncEpT wrote:

Orange frame alone is worth it. If were talking about non FE bikes the 2018 is the best looking modern KTM. IMO of course.

GCBC wrote:

the orange frame as stupid as it sounds is a big thing for me.
only real negative I see is im worried mostly about the airbox thing. I want a 2 store like snap to it, I want it to bark as much as a 4 stroke can. dont want to have ghetto looking holes in it even if it's effective.

Id get the factory edition if it wasn't SO much more $$$.


I suppose the real decision maker is which has more street credit and which one will the track sluts dig more?

I went through the same thing this last fall. The black frame on the ‘19 was the major deal breaker for me.

c0ncEpT wrote:

Orange frame alone is worth it. If were talking about non FE bikes the 2018 is the best looking modern KTM. IMO of course.

GCBC wrote:

the orange frame as stupid as it sounds is a big thing for me.
only real negative I see is im worried mostly about the airbox thing. I want a 2 store like snap to it, I want it to bark as much as a 4 stroke can. dont want to have ghetto looking holes in it even if it's effective.

Id get the factory edition if it wasn't SO much more $$$.


I suppose the real decision maker is which has more street credit and which one will the track sluts dig more?

If you trail ride or off-road, desert too I think you are better off with the 18's frame. I have the 18.5 FE and its a frame that is very stiff and is designed to go fast and MX. If you trail ride it you will feel everything making you think the suspension sucks.

Also you do not need to drill holes in the air box cover on the 19's or FE like mine. There is a flap inside the cover that blocks air and easy to cut out. I have ridden it with the cover removed and zero difference in noticeable power compared to the cover on and the flap removed. So drilling holes is totally 100% unnecessary and I hate the look of holes too.

The 18 is a great bike. I would go with the 19 just to get the newest bike.

GET THE 19. DO IT.

SPYGUY wrote:

I’d think you’d be able to do way better than an $800 difference. I’m at just under a $1500 difference between an ‘18 and a ‘19 and having trouble deciding.

the 19 has a discount as well so its not like its just 9600-800 for the 18

BUT if the bike was 8k or 16k I still debate on the 800$ difference, granted a little less just because its a smaller % delta but still, im looking at it as 800$ is basically all the upgrades and cosmetic mods id do.

Hard to say

I think 90 percent owners would prefer the 18 bike.

Orange frame is way cooler!

But the 19 platform wont change much for 2-3 years so you can upgrade similar changes that they do for production models your next couple years.


And the difference in motor isn't as bad as it's made out to be. The difference in MAPPING IS the biggest issue. It's just not mapped great stock.
OEM ECU remapping works well - or GET or vortex - keefer did a nice comparison on a yzf
The latest GET (he didn't review) even has the ability to download the "latest" maps and wifi into your box DIY - as updates come - and they come every 3 months usually from their R&D process.
The vortex as set up from good vendors is massively better than oem

Resale is a wash - newer one is better but 3 years later - the cheaper of the two might be easier to sell...never know the market