2003 KTM 450sx first ride impressions

[Woody_393]

This last week I got the chance to ride a KTM 450sx (mxerhale's)for the first time. So let me say first off that I liked the bike a lot. Not sure I'm going to sell my CRF to get one, but I really liked it.

Okay, so I've read all the reviews of this bike and I'm not sure where they come up with their opinions, but I don't agree on quite a few of them.

Ergo's:
I didn't think the ergo's were anything too different then any other bike. The handle bars were a little close to me, but that could be easily fixed etc. Otherwise, I'm not sure what the rags are referring to.

The seat is a bit on the hard side compared to my CRF, but that would probably be good for helping one not to sit too much.

I think KTM should go with a rubber mounted T-clamp system, as their was some noticable vibration, but not bad enough to cause arm pump or anything, just some vibration.

Engine:
The power is very ELECTRIC. I thought my CRF was pretty electric feeling, but believe me this thing is very linear in its power delivery, and is very fast. There is plenty of power, and honestly, though it lacks any sort of hit, and when you jab the throttle hard, it just takes off, but not with a hit, more of a tractor type pull. I don't know if it's the flywheel weight or what? I actually thought it was maybe a little slower then my CRF, but it's just not true. This thing is decivingly FAST! Because of the slower reving characteristics it just HOOKS up like you wouldn't believe.

Tranny & Clutch:
Until about a week ago or maybe 2, I didn't know the 525sx had a 4 speed tranny. And was surprised to find that the 450sx does too. Now this was my first experience on a 4 speed MX'er, so I was pretty excited to ride it and see what it was like.

The gears are pretty tall (not a bad thing, and I think it was actually geared down quite a bit, chris if you read this you'll have to clarify that) and it seemed to go forever in one gear. In fact their were corners I did in 1st gear, : but most of them were in 2nd. I tried to keep track of the gear I used and I did pretty much the entire track in 2nd gear.

The problem I ran into (and this is just a rider problem, not a bike problem) was that I am used to shifting a lot more on my CRF, and I'm a big time short shifter. I very rarely rev my bike much. So this played to my disadvantage on the bike as I was shifting a lot more then I needed to or even should have. I did get the bike into 4th gear a couple of times on the straights and it had plenty more to give. I even jumped one of the tables (an 80'er I believe in 4th and jumped waaaaay farther then I normally want to (not a very safe jump) because the thing is waay faster then you feel like you're moving).

Anyway, I think those MX'ers that are using 4 gears are onto something. I think with some more time to get used to it, it would be simply awesome.

The clutch was nice. I didn't like it more or less per sae then my Honda clutch and the pull didn't seem to be any less then my bikes. So no real difference there, except if it got hot it would be nice. But again, I'm not a clutch user at all, so that didn't come into play at all.

Suspension and Handling:
I thought the suspension was pretty good. The sag etc had been set (not necessarily for me, but it was set, none the less), otherwise it was stock (meaning no revalve etc, but the clickers etc had been adjusted).

On the small stuff the bike seemed a little harsh, but not bad (actually not very bad at all, just a little more then my CRF's).

I flat landed a double and on the hard hit, it did seem pretty harsh then. I've flat landed that same jump on my CRF and it wasn't bad at all, so that was a negative, but still very livable. I think a revalve or maybe even just softer setting on the compression might make a difference (In all fareness, Chris is A LOT faster then I am (he lapped me every 4-5th lap), so it's probably stiffer because he likes it that way??).

In the corners, this thing is awesome. It tracked well, and I could pretty much choose my line and it would take it. I really liked how it cornered.

Jumping was just fine on the bike, I didn't notice anything different then my bike when i was in the air. So that was fine too.

The bike is a lot thinner feeling then my bike, which I think may have contributed to how well it turned, since I felt like I could move around a little better from side to side.

Front Brake:
I'm not sure if the steele braided lines make the difference or the rotor or what, but the brakes are far and above better then anything I've used to date. It was a lot better then my CRF's front period. That baby just works. Very light pull and I only needed 1 finger period. The stopping power was second to NONE! Very nice brake.

Other notes:
Starting: It started on the first kick, no qualms there.

Throttle pull: I didn't like the throttle pull at all. it was a lot harder then my bikes pull. I'm not sure if the throttle tube just doesn't turn very well or if the springs on the carb are that much more stiff or what, but it did bother me, and I'd have to really get used to it. However, this isn't something that would make or break deciding to purchase this bike, as it was very minor.

One other thing that bothered me was the reservoir on the rear shock sticks out on an angle and rubbed my calf muscle. After a couple of laps I started to hurt a little. It doesn't do this to Chris though, it hits the top of his boot, but none the less, I'm not sure why they don't just make it flush with the side of the bike??? I didn't like that part for sure. It affected whether or not I would hang on with my legs.

KTM fit and finish. NO ONE can argue that you don't get quality products on the KTM, as all of it is just awesome. Nice package IMOP.

All in all, this bike is awesome. I liked it a lot. Not more then my CRF, but I still liked it.

Also, and I'm not saying it's a better woods/trail bike then an MX bike, but compared to the CRF, I would take the KTM 450sx over the CRF every day of the week if I rode woods/trails and MX.

[Jason]

Good review, I gueseed you covered everything, ever thought about starting your own magazine!
I know what you mean about the tractor pull type thing when I rode the KTM525 i thought the same thing. I don't think anyone can argue that ktm's are bad bikes.

[Big Maico 393]

Woody:

Thanks for the honest review!

We all know that all the MX bikes are setup for Joe average when stock & we all must set them up to suit our riding style & weight.

If you think that the KTM 450 was fast you need to aks yardpro about my 525Sx with the MX-Tech sespension & 16mm tripple clamps, It turns much better than a stock one.

[Woody_393]

Thanks Big M and Jason.

Big M, the bike is setup, just not necessarily for me. I think Chris has had it for over a year now and he's got it pretty dialed in for him. And he's a pretty fast intermediate rider, and I'm a damn slow novice rider.

As for your bike. If I make it to GMB III (which I better) I really want to ride that monster. I bet it just hauls some serious butt.

did you notice a big difference with the revalve?

One other thing I didn't mention, but should. I helped Mxerhale adjust his sag while we were there and the KTM process is SWEET. No hammer, no long screw driver, nothing difficult at all. it was work of art. I was impressed.

[Big Maico 393]

Woody:


Yes I did notice a huge diffrance with the revalve & springs as I'm 6'0 & 250 with gear on. The bike came set up for someone 185lbs.

I took me only 5 minutes to set the sag, just twist the coller & away I went.

[mxerhale]

Does this mean I have to write some nice stuff about Woody's CRF? :

[Woody_393]

LOL, NO mxerhale this doesn't mean you do. I just wanted to post what I thought. So no worries.

[yz250fkid]

wow that was a great review, my 525 felt super harsh when i first got it but i took it to independent suspension in town and they made that thing nice as far as suspension goes, it went from a B overall to a good solid A.

[Roostman]

Good to hear! Im fast becoming a fan of the KTMs over the last couple years! Ive been saying that my next will be one and this just helps my case!

[yz250fkid]

me too, people with ktms rock!

[Yardpro393]

wow, good review

[huffdaddy70]

LOL Mxerhale! And great review Woody! I love the four speed tranny on my 450 also, i hardly ever change gears!

[mxerhale]

I tell alot of the anti-4 stroke people I talk to that the 4 speeds make these things almost like riding an automatic. It allows me to concentrate on more important things like which way the front tire is headed.

[MATTXR250R]

AWESOME Review Woody. Only KTM I have ridden was Rick's 250 EX/C...about those brakes....:...His front brake was awesome....better than my XRs or CRs....it would take me some time to get used to the light and senseable braking but once used to it it would be awesome I am sure. His Hydro. Clutch was very nice to...very easy to pull and like you said would probably be really nice if the clutch got really hot...I do slip the clutch on my CR quite a bit but haven't had any problems with fading yet...I hope it stays that way.