First Look: 2018 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition

12/4/2017 5:41pm
Can back up this claim that they get roached faster? This is news to me and the enduro scene.
yz125111
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12/4/2017 5:43pm
YZfan1230 wrote:
I wish there was a Husky factory edition, I feel like a Rockstar Husky replica would sell really well!
Releasing soon
kiwifan
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12/4/2017 5:53pm
280driver wrote:
So how does KTM continue to find ways to make their bikes lighter while the new bikes from Japan get heavier? Serious, what is it about...
So how does KTM continue to find ways to make their bikes lighter while the new bikes from Japan get heavier? Serious, what is it about their bikes that make them so much different weight wise?
the answer is simple to me, Japanese manufacturers try to keep costs down and are more about the light feeling (and power to the ground), if you wanted a Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/Yamaha that weighted the same as KTM then be prepared to pay a lot more ala KTM... bearing in mind that although some of the Japanese bikes weigh more on the scales, they feel as light or even lighter on the track itself than KTM...a lot of KTM fans here dont get that or havent ridden those bikes to understand/appreciate it.

Which is why KTM havent won all shootouts this year even though they are the lightest on the scales. Pure scale weight is NOT everything.

The Shop

ML512
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12/4/2017 5:55pm
280driver wrote:
So how does KTM continue to find ways to make their bikes lighter while the new bikes from Japan get heavier? Serious, what is it about...
So how does KTM continue to find ways to make their bikes lighter while the new bikes from Japan get heavier? Serious, what is it about their bikes that make them so much different weight wise?
kiwifan wrote:
the answer is simple to me, Japanese manufacturers try to keep costs down and are more about the light feeling (and power to the ground), if...
the answer is simple to me, Japanese manufacturers try to keep costs down and are more about the light feeling (and power to the ground), if you wanted a Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/Yamaha that weighted the same as KTM then be prepared to pay a lot more ala KTM... bearing in mind that although some of the Japanese bikes weigh more on the scales, they feel as light or even lighter on the track itself than KTM...a lot of KTM fans here dont get that or havent ridden those bikes to understand/appreciate it.

Which is why KTM havent won all shootouts this year even though they are the lightest on the scales. Pure scale weight is NOT everything.
Just my opinion but no other bike in the class feels lighter than a KTM on the track...
drt410
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12/4/2017 5:56pm
There is a husky fe. Anderson has been using the new frame with the separate motor/exhaust mounts. He also had the new shock like other factory ktm riders.
kiwifan
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12/4/2017 6:01pm
ML512 wrote:
Just my opinion but no other bike in the class feels lighter than a KTM on the track...
Good to know, thanks ML
colintrax
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12/4/2017 6:13pm
280driver wrote:
So how does KTM continue to find ways to make their bikes lighter while the new bikes from Japan get heavier? Serious, what is it about...
So how does KTM continue to find ways to make their bikes lighter while the new bikes from Japan get heavier? Serious, what is it about their bikes that make them so much different weight wise?
It's the mind set, KTM is actively looking to cut weight. Japan is not.
Think of this, you need to support a beam on both ends. The Japanese say ok, put two blocks under each side. Done.
KTM says why do we need to use an entire block? Triangles are just as strong, but uses less material. So KTM uses triangles.
Obviously this is simplistic, but grab a RMZ engine and KTM engine. The KTM spaces things, and sizes things in a way to maximize strength and performance while minimizing weight. Moving the crankshaft up and closer to the clutch to cut weight from the cases. Using finger followers and size/placement of cams, valves to cut the height of the engine. Again less weight. 1/4lb here and there adds up by the time you've built the entire bike.
If you ever get the chance seriously spend a day tearing down a KTM next to a Japanese bike, it's very cool to see what KTM does different.
Mx286
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12/4/2017 6:56pm
ML512 wrote:
Just my opinion but no other bike in the class feels lighter than a KTM on the track...
Strange I didn’t see that at all. I rode a 17 Honda and KTM back to back and the Honda felt lighter in motion on the track. There’s others on here that have talked about the same. The KTM was good but felt so much different I didn’t care for it. Maybe I just need more time on one who knows.
drt410
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12/4/2017 7:44pm
Comparsion the new one and the previous model[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/12/04/229384/s1200_new_ktm.jpg[/img]
Comparsion the new one and the previous model

Not only are the radiator shrouds wayyy thinner, look at the side number plates as well. These appear to be much more flush with the bike than the 17 model. This bike is going to be extremely thin and easy to move around on.
drt410
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12/4/2017 7:46pm
MBR wrote:
When sitting on a bike you can really feel how much thinner the new bike is from the shrouds. The older model felt a bit too...
When sitting on a bike you can really feel how much thinner the new bike is from the shrouds. The older model felt a bit too wide for my taste and even the factory riders said the same.

Old:

New:




So the flush number plates and the flush shrouds are going to make this bike the thinnest in the class and extremely easy for the rider to move around on. This is great news.
Hcallz5
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12/4/2017 7:51pm
With those thin shrouds and good brakes you could slide up and neuter yourself on the gas cap going into a corner.

Can't wait.
Crush
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12/4/2017 7:52pm
crockett wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/12/04/229448/s1200_IMG_5257.jpg[/img] So thatsssss why Honda does a dual exhaust. JA exhaust looks like a cannon with those small plastics


So thatsssss why Honda does a dual exhaust. JA exhaust looks like a cannon with those small plastics
Can anyone tell me, if you ran a super long header and short muffler, is that the same power characteristic?

It would seem they could shift a couple pound of weight forward if they did that?
ML512
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12/4/2017 8:02pm
crockett wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/12/04/229448/s1200_IMG_5257.jpg[/img] So thatsssss why Honda does a dual exhaust. JA exhaust looks like a cannon with those small plastics


So thatsssss why Honda does a dual exhaust. JA exhaust looks like a cannon with those small plastics
Crush wrote:
Can anyone tell me, if you ran a super long header and short muffler, is that the same power characteristic? It would seem they could shift...
Can anyone tell me, if you ran a super long header and short muffler, is that the same power characteristic?

It would seem they could shift a couple pound of weight forward if they did that?
It would create a different power characteristic. The factory KTMs with the Akrapovic run a header pipe that's very short but their muffler is still shorter. The GP team runs a much longer header that's much closer to the production headpipe per se.
loftyair
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12/4/2017 8:12pm
Weight 'feel' isn't just it though. Its true that its a nice feel, but, a lighter weight stops and starts faster, bottom line. Doesn't matter what it feels like, performance-wise. Motogp riders are constantly going back and forth on feel and truth. They actually need to feel it more than just actual performance.
langhammx
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12/4/2017 8:43pm Edited Date/Time 12/4/2017 8:44pm
Damn... It sure is purdy !! I liked my '14 and '15 FE 450's. I've been riding an RMZ 450 and my RM 250 for the last year or so and really like them both. But I'm not taking any chances by riding one or I'll be wanting one. Woohoo

bents
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12/4/2017 9:17pm
Not sure what all of you are expecting, but man, KTM continues to impress. Getting thinner and lighter and better. If the reality of my financial state wasn't my reality, I would buy that bike in a heartbeat. They make all of the other manufactures look glacial in their R&D to market.
drt410
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12/4/2017 9:29pm Edited Date/Time 12/4/2017 9:32pm
Im so happy they just refined the already near perfect design they have now. They dont need to go crazy and make some completely new designed bike. Making changes like this where the shrouds are thinner, shaped a little more aggressively, thinner side panels, more aggressive styling there as well, dropped a pound off the head of the engine, and made some improvements internally to the engine. Thats the perfect recipe right there. The design was already incredible and I wasn't sure how they were going to be able to make it better. Well they did. They took what they had and made it what it was supposed to be while still keeping the same overall style that people love. This bike is perfection and looks soooo mean.

I absolutely love my husky and I liked it better than last years KTM but now looking at the new KTM I like this bike more. Damnittttt I just bought it too. Either way I still love my husky and we have to see what their FE bike looks like as well. I hope they do the same thing where they keep basically the same design but trim it down and make it more aggressive, thinner, and lighter.
#434
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12/5/2017 12:39am
Haha, those comments on weight and light feel. Weight is weight and the 450sxf is now 18 pounds lighter than the Yamaha and the Honda. Tell me all you want but when that bike gets sideways you'll notice every gram.
22Ryann
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12/5/2017 1:10am Edited Date/Time 12/5/2017 1:13am
Subtle changes

Motofinne
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12/5/2017 1:30am
22Ryann wrote:
Subtle changes [img]https://i.makeagif.com/media/12-05-2017/3Uo1me.gif[/img]
Subtle changes

Aesthetically this is an evolution. Just like the 2011-12 to the 2013-2015 bikes.

via GIPHY

Superdave19
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12/5/2017 1:41am
Curious to see if the 350 gets any mechanical updates for 19'
tek14
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12/5/2017 1:42am
Some info posted this is USA only bike? AMA rules was make 500 bikes so making Husky same bike with white plastic makes that 1000 Factory edition bikes done? Is there anything Husky can come out other than black frame and new white plastic with same updates?
greg570
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12/5/2017 1:47am
Rear end....and the exhaust horrible..... when is the Husky presentation?
BobPA
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12/5/2017 2:13am
#434 wrote:
Haha, those comments on weight and light feel. Weight is weight and the 450sxf is now 18 pounds lighter than the Yamaha and the Honda. Tell...
Haha, those comments on weight and light feel. Weight is weight and the 450sxf is now 18 pounds lighter than the Yamaha and the Honda. Tell me all you want but when that bike gets sideways you'll notice every gram.
This
Paul333
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12/5/2017 5:10am
Myke wrote:
3lb lighter
That's amazing.

Motofinne
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12/5/2017 5:24am
It's amazing how compact the SXF 450 engine is.
Paul333
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12/5/2017 5:26am
280driver wrote:
So how does KTM continue to find ways to make their bikes lighter while the new bikes from Japan get heavier? Serious, what is it about...
So how does KTM continue to find ways to make their bikes lighter while the new bikes from Japan get heavier? Serious, what is it about their bikes that make them so much different weight wise?
kiwifan wrote:
the answer is simple to me, Japanese manufacturers try to keep costs down and are more about the light feeling (and power to the ground), if...
the answer is simple to me, Japanese manufacturers try to keep costs down and are more about the light feeling (and power to the ground), if you wanted a Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/Yamaha that weighted the same as KTM then be prepared to pay a lot more ala KTM... bearing in mind that although some of the Japanese bikes weigh more on the scales, they feel as light or even lighter on the track itself than KTM...a lot of KTM fans here dont get that or havent ridden those bikes to understand/appreciate it.

Which is why KTM havent won all shootouts this year even though they are the lightest on the scales. Pure scale weight is NOT everything.
As a guy who jumped from a 2012 KXF450 to a 2015.5 SXF450 FE I can attest you can feel the lighter weight immediately. From lifting it off the stand to on the track its very noticeable. My bike dropped over twenty pounds when I bought the KTM. As for "Power to the Ground" I'd be hard pressed to not favor the KTM. It was just so smooth and yet powerful if I need to crack open the throttle.
Motofinne
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12/5/2017 5:42am
The Japanese manufacturers are doing a pretty weak job if they are trying to keep the costs down and that is the reason they are so far off KTMs weight considering that the MSRP on a Japanese bike is roughly 300-500 bucks less than a KTM. Here in Finland the 2018 Honda is 9690€, the KTM is 9890€. 200€ difference. The Yamaha is 9690€. The Kawasaki and Suzuki are around 8800-9000.

Then add the quality components that you have on a KTM(especially the clutch and brakes), you see where we are then.


Physics is physics. Less weight on a MX bike is always better. Put a set of winter tires(with spikes) on any bike and you will understand what i'm talking about.

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