Benelli TNT 1130 (2004-current)

One of the best ever incarnations of the naked motorcycle theme. A massively powerful motor allied to a funky design and capable chassis makes the Benelli TNT effortlessly good at wheelies and general A-road hooning.The Benelli TNT is probably the most ‘out there’ motorcycle money can buy. Find Benelli TNT motorcycles for sale.

Engine

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The Benelli TNT's 1130cc in-line DOHC triple motor oozes torque, slamming some 86ft lb through its rear tyre, making overtakes on this motorcycle a cinch in any gear and it’ll pull cleanly from as little as 2000rpm in top.  Allied to a smooth gearbox you can wring some 118 rear wheel bhp from the Benelli TNT – if you can hang on. From 2005 the Benelli TNT motorcycle range was fitted with switchable engine mapping.

Ride and Handling

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Despite its lack of adjustment the Benelli TNT handles extremely well. It’s a composed, agile and well balanced motorcycle, with real flickability thanks to those wide bars. The Benelli TNT has very poor steering lock, which makes turning the motorcycle around in Britain’s narrow streets a pain. Great Brembo brakes are very reassuring, but high pegs will cramp your legs on longer rides if you’re an above average height biker.

Equipment

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Benelli can supply a suspension adjustment kit, soft luggage, carbon fibre wheels and hugger and a bespoke cover for the TNT should you so wish. Compare and buy parts for the Benelli TNT in the MCN Shop.

Quality and Reliability

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Reliability on this motorcycle has occasionally been an issue, with electrics shouldering most of the blame, but new Benelli TNT motorcycles come with a two-year warranty and breakdown assistance.

Value

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For this kind of motorcycle you’re always going to have to pay a bit more – more to buy it and more to run it. But the Benelli TNT's scarcity on British roads will keep the residuals high, too, so you shouldn’t lose too much on your Benelli TNT, certainly it’ll be no worse than motorcycles like the Ducati Monster S4R. Find a Benelli TNT 1130 for sale.
 

Model History

2004: Benelli TNT Model launched.

Other Versions

Benelli TNT Sport: Comes with radial brakes and black coated fork stanchions as well as more suspension adjustment.
Benelli TNT Titanium: In titanium-coloured, carbon fibre bodywork with a cherry red frame, radial brakes and even posher Marzocchi suspension.
Benelli TNT Café Racer: Clip-ons, yellow bodywork.
Benelli TNT Evo: Launched 2007, new Euro 3 compliant version.

Specifications

Top speed	157 mph
1/4-mile acceleration	12 secs
Max power	130 bhp
Max torque	86 ft-lb
Weight	199 kg
Seat height	780 mm
Fuel capacity	17 litres
Average fuel consumption	32 mpg
Tank range	140 miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group	17 of 17

Engine size	1130 cc
Engine specification	12v triple, 6 gears
Frame	Aluminium trellis
Front suspension adjustment	Rebound, compression
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload
Front brakes	Twin 320mm discs
Rear brake	240mm disc
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	190/50 x 17

MZ Baghira (2001-2007)

The MZ Baghira is a great bike for taking you to work or throwing you around mountainsides at weekends, the Baghira’s a torquey little beast with brilliant, light handling. Cornering’s hilarious. In town, that towering seat comes in handy. Quirky looks and a good price should make it real competition against its rivals

Engine

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The ubiquitous Yamaha XT660 engine strikes again in the MZ Baghira: the liquid cooled, four stroke single powers other steeds such as the MT-03 and Aprilia’s Pegaso Strada. Gutsy down low, it propels the bike around town and corners like there’s no tomorrow. It can cruise at 80mph and peaks at around 100mph but the rider’s likely to have passed out by then. Carbed, not injected.

Ride and Handling

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Forget dual purpose, the MZ Baghira is a street bike, perfect for negotiating rush hours and school run traffic. Loads of grunt, good brakes, tall seat: it’s ideal. Take it out on the twisties, tweak the suspension to suit (it’s quite soft as standard) and the handling’s magical. Slightly vibey though, steer clear of motorways and it’s pretty lardy for this type of bike…

Equipment

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The MZ Baghira's seat is very tall, the bars are wide and you ride close to the tank, supermoto-style. There are basic clocks, pillion provision (optimistic) including grabrails, a fairly small tank and a funky, chunky (and heavy) pipe. The single headlight’s not great. A lower seat/shorter wheelbased option is available too: 850mm/1465mm (down from 900mm/1530mm).

Quality and Reliability

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Excellent, which surprises those who don’t equate MZ with quality… Things have changed. The Baghira boasts plastic parts made by Acerbis, an engine by Yamaha and WP suspension and is, overall, very well put together. Finish is very good, and seems to last well, and that engine’s proved itself more than capable over the years.

Value

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For a commuter/weekend fling, the MZ Baghira’s pretty good value. What’s more, parts are affordable, fuel economy’s great, insurance is a pittance and reliability means garage bills should be minimal. Yamaha’s own XT660X is an option at more money for less power while KTM’s lovely 640 Duke may be cooler and hold its value well but it costs significantly more. Find an MZ Baghira for sale.
 

Model History

2001: MZ Baghira launched, a more road-going option to the original, Enduro machine (and very similar in spec to the marque’s Mastiff model). No changes since.

Other Versions

MZ Baghira Enduro: Launched in 1998, the more off-road version has a taller seat, semi-knobbly tyres and weighs about 10kg less. Current.
MZ Baghira Black Panther: Launched in 2001, it’s the same as the Street Moto but painted all black. Current.
MZ Baghira Forest: A camouflage version of the Enduro. No longer available.

Specifications

Top speed	100 mph
1/4-mile acceleration	14.3 secs
Max power	50 bhp
Max torque	42 ft-lb
Weight	180 kg
Seat height	900 mm
Fuel capacity	12.5 litres
Average fuel consumption	49 mpg
Tank range	135 miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group	9 of 17

Engine size	659 cc
Engine specification	5v single cylinder, 5 gears
Frame	Steel tube cradle
Front suspension adjustment	N/a
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload and compression
Front brakes	298mm disc
Rear brake	245mm disc
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	160/60 x 17

 

Neval Dnepr (1974-2000)

The Dnepr/Ural machines are a real antiques roadshow, which can trace their roots back to the 1940s. First seen as a Cossack 650cc, the Neval Dnepr is basic two - or three - wheeled transport. OK, it isn't the most fashionable, fast or reliable bike in the world, but you can get it repaired by a cobbler in Uzbekistan for 68p. The Ural Moto 650/750 is remarkably similar to Neval Dnepr and still available today.
Most Dnepr models suffered from quality control issues which were typical of Soviet Bloc machines. Carbs were especially rubbish. The post 2001 Ural 650/750 motors have another 10bhp and are likely to last longer, but still basically designed for burbling about lanes at 60mph all day long. Clunky gearbox as you'd expect.
The modern Ural machines are a vast improvement on the older Cossack/Neval machines with reasonable suspension and a better seating, although the Custom design doesn't really work as well as the retro Red Star classic in terms of riding experience.
Anything still running from the 70s/80s/90s will probably have been rebuilt eight times. The 2001 onwards Ural Moto generation machines are better made, but this is still a motorbike from the 1940s, dragged reluctantly into the next century. It needs TLC in the same way a classic Norton or BSA might do. 
1974: Cossack 650 arrives in UK, solo and sidecar. 1989 Now known as Neval 650. 1993: Neval Dnepr Phoenix custom launched.
2000: Ukraine factory ceases production.

Specifications

Top speed	80 mph
1/4-mile acceleration	22 secs
Max power	45 bhp
Max torque	0 ft-lb
Weight	245 kg
Seat height	650 mm
Fuel capacity	23 litres
Average fuel consumption	45 mpg
Tank range	230 miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group	8 of 17

Engine size	749 cc
Engine specification	4v, flat twin, 4 gears
Frame	Steel tubular
Front suspension adjustment	none
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload
Front brakes	280mm discs
Rear brake	260mm disc
Front tyre size	3.00 x 19
Rear tyre size	in

KTM 690 Duke (2012-current)

With the 2012 Duke KTM have made a bike that can give an experienced rider the thrill they are looking for whilst being a more usable package with a broader appeal to a wider spectrum of riders than the previous version. The Duke is spot on for commuting and hammering down twisty country roads, where bigger, more powerful bikes would struggle. If you want a pure, no-nonsense bike, the 690 Duke should be top of your list.
The twin spark single cylinder engine is impressive, just under 70bhp and 70NM of torque are more than enough when the Duke only weighs 150kg. The low and mid range torque make the Duke great fun through town and powering between bends on twisty back roads. It's even fine at motorway crusing speeds, with minimal vibrations.
Thanks to the small dimensions and low weight the Duke handles incredibly well. It can be flicked into corners with ease and has no problems holding a line. Find a twisty back road and take great pleasure in destroying sports bike riders.
The KTM Duke has historically been an uncompromising hooligan weapon, but for 2012 it has been tamed a little with the inclusion of ABS and switchable riding maps. The ABS works excellently, giving more confidence on the brakes and getting you out of trouble. As standard there are three riding modes, with another four which can be custom mapped to suit your needs. Basic compared to some other electronics-laiden bikes of today, but spot on for the little Duke.

Specifications

Top speed	mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Max power	67 bhp
Max torque	70 ft-lb
Weight	150 kg
Seat height	835 mm
Fuel capacity	13.8 litres
Average fuel consumption	56 mpg
Tank range	160 miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group	of 17

Engine size	690 cc
Engine specification	Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine, liquid-cooled
Frame	Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated
Front suspension adjustment	WP Suspension 4357
Rear suspension adjustment	WP Suspension 4618 EM with Pro‑Lever linkage
Front brakes	320mmdDisc brake with radially mounted four-piston brake caliper; floating brake disc
Rear brake	240mm disc brake with single-piston brake caliper, floating
Front tyre size	120/70 ZR 17 (58W)
Rear tyre size	160/60 ZR 17 (69W)

KTM 990 SMT

Η ΚΤΜ είναι αυτή που λανσάρισε την πρώτη Supermoto λίτρου, η ΚΤΜ είναι (πάλι) αυτή που παρουσίασε την πρώτη Supermoto Touring λίτρου!

Η ΚΤΜ είναι αυτή που λανσάρισε την πρώτη Supermoto λίτρου, η ΚΤΜ είναι (πάλι) αυτή που παρουσίασε την πρώτη Supermoto Touring λίτρου!

 

Υποθετικά, αυτή η ΚΤΜ είναι μια “εξημερωμένη” 990 SM. Η προσθήκη του γράμματος “Τ” στον τίτλο της προυποθέτει τουριστικό χαρακτήρα, χωρίς αυτό να σημαίνει απαραίτητα συμβιβασμούς στην οδηγική απόλαυση. Κάθε άλλο μάλιστα!
Η δημιουργία
Οι αυστριακοί μηχανικοί δεν κουράστηκαν πολύ. Διαθέτοντας μια εξαιρετική μοτοσυκλέτα όπως η 990 SM, προχώρησαν σε μικρές επεμβάσεις προκειμένου να βγάλουν στο δρόμο τη νέα SMT.
Ένα μικρό φαίρινγκ με ζελατίνα, χαμηλότερη σέλα διαφορετικής σχεδίασης, πλαϊνές βάσεις για βαλίτσες και νέο σετάρισμα στις αναρτήσεις με παράλληλη μείωση των διαδρομών τους και αυτό ήταν! Όλα τα υπόλοιπα παρέμειναν ως είχαν. Η SMT διατηρεί στο ακέραιο όλα τα συναρπαστικά χαρακτηριστικά της SM, κοινώς κορυφαία δύναμη, οδική συμπεριφορά και φρένα, βάζοντας λίγο περισσότερο χρηστικά χαρακτηριστικά όσον αφορά στη συνολική άνεση και ευκολία οδήγησης στην καθημερινότητα.
Ο V2 κινητήρας των 999 κ.εκ. αποδίδει 115 ίππους, επιδεικνύοντας μια ευστοφία που δεν σε αφήνει να ...αγιάσεις! Οι σούζες είναι πανεύκολη και αβίαστη υπόθεση αν το θέλει ο αναβάτης, ενώ τα κορυφαία περιφερειακά μετατρέπουν τις πλαγιολισθήσεις σε απόλυτα διασκεδαστικές και ελεγχόμενες. Τα χιλιόμετρα ανεβαίνουν με χαρακτηριστική ευκολία στο πορτοκαλί ταχύμετρο και τα υποδειγματικά φρένα της Brembo βρίσκοται εκεί για να επαναφέρουν την τάξη ανά πάσα στιγμή.
Η SMT κινείται με περισσή άνεση ακόμα και μέσα στην πόλη, κάτι που οφείλεται στο λίαν στενό της πλάτος και στο τιμόνι που βρίσκεται πάνω από τους καθρέπτες των αυτοκινήτων. Μόλις ο δρόμος ανοίξει αισθάνεται ακόμα πιο πολύ μέσα στα νερά της, αφού μπορεί και ταξιδεύει σε απαγορευτικές ταχύτητες με μοναδική άνεση, προσφέροντας ικανοποιητική αεροδυναμική προστασία (για μεγάλα ταξίδια υπάρχει μεγαλύτερη ζελατίνα). Στα στροφιλίκια, η “τουριστική” ΚΤΜ δεν έχει να ζηλέψει τίποτα από τις πλέον σπορ μοτοσυκλέτες της εταιρίας, στρίβει ακλόνητη σε κάθε είδους οδόστρωμα και εγκαθιστά μόνιμα ένα χαμόγελο σε αναβάτη και συνεπιβάτη!
Για πολλούς, είναι η καλύτερη μοτοσυκλέτα που έφτιαξε η KTM. Ασύγκριτα ολοκληρωμένη και μοναδικά προικισμένη, θα σε ταξιδέψει στα μέρη που ονειρεύεσαι με άνεση και ασφάλεια. Το στιβαρό πλαίσιο και ο V-2 κινητήρας συνδυάζονται άψογα με τους 17αρηδες τροχούς και τη μεταμορφώνουν σε μια «μοτοσυκλέτα-όπλο», που σε δρόμους με στροφές δύσκολα θα βρει αντίπαλο.
Δεν είναι τυχαίο ότι όσοι την έχουν οδηγήσει ορκίζονται στο όνομά της! Και μάλιστα, με τιμή που ξεκινά από τα 10.990 € είναι πολλοί αυτοί που θα μπουν στον πειρασμό να την αποκτήσουν από δώ και πέρα!

MXA'S 2014 KTM 450SXF MOTOCROSS

This bike has the best all-around handling, best brakes, clutch, shifting, overall powerband and electric starter—Other brands might have better suspension, more focused power or weigh less, but no brandhas as many superlatives as KTM

  


FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2014 KTM 450SXF BETTER THAN THE 2013 450SXF?

A: Yes, but much of the credit for the improvements goes to homegrown solutions that KTM implemented.

Q: WHAT ARE THE HOMEGROWN SOLUTIONS THAT KTM PUT INTO THE 2014 MODEL?

A: Homegrown solutions are the ideas and concepts developed by local racers, hardcore KTM owners and the race teams. Here is the list.
(1) Gearing. Previous KTM 450SXFs came with 14/52 gearing. Most racers went to 14/53, but early in 2013, in an effort to get more low-to-mid oomph, there was a universal swap to 13/50, which is lower than 14/53. Just before the 2014 models were released, the Ryan Dungey Replica came with 13/50 gearing, signaling that the 2014 model would follow suit—although Ryan Dungey himself tends to favor 13/51.

(2) Clutch spring. MXA has harped on KTM’s engineers since the introduction of the Belleville washer clutch. We wanted more tension, so in 2012, MXA borrowed the stiffer clutch spring out of Ryan Dungey’s race bike. It was an instant improvement to an already good clutch. The latest Ryan Dungey Replica came with the 280 Nm clutch spring instead of the 250 Nm spring on the stock 2013 KTM 450SXFs. For 2014, all the 450SXFs have the stiffer clutch spring.

(3) Muffler. Last year’s KTM mufflers were odd ducks. Each model’s muffler was different. The 250SXF muffler was 40mm shorter and had a wire screen; the 350SXF muffler had an inverted, perforated cone in the muffler; and the 450SXF had two perforated cones in its muffler. MXA learned early on that using the shorter, less-restrictive 250SXF muffler improved throttle response and bark (without drastically increasing the sound). For 2014, all three KTM four-strokes come with the 250SXF muffler (40mm shorter and with a wire screen only).

2014 KTM 450SXF: Although it looks mildly updated on the spec sheet, KTM’s engineers put a lot of thought into upgrading the 2014 model. Now, if KTM’s suspension designers would work a little harder then everything would be hunky-dory.

Q: WHAT HOMEGROWN SOLUTIONS DID KTM FORGET TO PUT IN THE 2014 MODEL?

A: Local racers learn by experience—trial and KTM’s errors. Here are the mods they wish KTM would have borrowed from their modified bikes.

Spokes. In truth, there is nothing wrong with KTM’s spokes; it is the rims that are suspect. Never go to the starting line without checking the spokes, especially the spoke next to the rear rim lock. Odds are good that it will be loose. If you don’t want to risk wheel failure, you can lace up the existing spokes and hubs to Excel A60 or D.I.D. rims.

Preload ring. It seems as though KTM keeps spec’ing their flawed nylon shock preload ring in spite of the fact that it was a bad idea that hasn’t gotten any better with time. When you crank the preload down on the shock spring, the nylon threads deform and seize the ring in place.

Shift lever. When the shift lever is in the stock position, it is too low, and when you move it up one notch, it is too high. We place our shift levers between two blocks on a hydraulic press and bow the middle of the shift lever to raise the tip.

Package deal: Every aspect of this engine is awesome.

Air filter. Never stick the air filter into the airbox without double-checking to make sure that the filter’s back edge is sealed against the intake tract. This would be easy to fix at the factory, with a more distinctively shaped filter or a lip on the back side to notch the filter cage into.

Shift shaft. Unlike on a Japanese-built bike, KTM’s shift lever is slipped onto a tapered spline with a bolt holding it at the end of the shaft. This creates several problems. First, the tapered shift shaft gets smaller as it moves outward, which means that if the shift lever does get loose, it is on a downhill run to falling off. Second, with the bolt at the end of the tapered shaft, the rotational inertia of every downshift puts a torque load on the shift shaft, which loosens the shift-shaft bolt. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki use a straight-splined shaft with the bolt in a notch in the shift shaft. Because the bolt is at a 90-degree angle, the shift lever cannot fall off unless the shift-lever bolt falls out.
 
Tight: The 450SXF works best when balanced front and rear.

Q: WHAT OTHER CHANGES DID KTM MAKE TO THE 2014 ENGINE?

A: For 2014, KTM made eight changes. None of them are major, but they all add durability or usability to the powerplant.

(1) Engine cases. The 2014 center and right-side cases have had the kickstarter bosses removed. Since KTM didn’t mount a manual kickstarter on the 450SXF, the cases were doing double duty on both the SFX and EXC models (the EXCs have electric start and a kickstarter). Eliminating the bulge in the SXF cases saved 300 grams.

(2) Head gasket . KTM upgraded the sealing surfaces of the head gasket to lessen the possibility of a head-gasket leak. The new, three-layer gasket can take higher temps without faltering.

(3) Camshafts. Although the cam profiles and lifts are unchanged, the cams themselves have been lightened to lessen rotational inertia and pep up the throttle response. In addition, the auto-decompression release’s actuating arm has been beefed up.

(4) Piston pin. There were some issues with the previous piston circlips, so for 2014 the piston pin has been reshaped on the end to help keep the circlips seated.

(5) Clutch hub. The inner clutch hub has been beefed up, and, as previously stated, the Belleville washer is stiffer: 280Nm versus 250Nm.

Nylon preload: It tests our patience. 

(6) Transmission. Although the transmission and gear ratios remain the same as in 2013, the profile of each gear has a new tooth geometry and finishing process to lessen nicking and gouging of the tooth ends.

(7) Mapping. The electronics for the fuel injection have been changed at the enigma level. The settings cannot be altered with the KTM programming tool or the three-way ignition maps. These super-secret enigma settings control the BOI (Beginning Of Injection), temperature sensors, and other unfathomable dots and dashes.

(8) Wiring harness. For the third year in a row, KTM upgraded the quality of the wire, connectors and rubber boots. The wiring harness itself is shorter and rearranged into a more compact unit.

Triple threat: For 2014, every KTM four-stroke runs last year’s 250SXF muffler.

Q: DID KTM CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE 2014 450SXF?

A: For a bike that isn’t changed very much, KTM did crank out a large number of mods.

(1) Water pump. In the past, we had issues with the water-pump seal leaking. For 2014, KTM has redesigned the cover with a deeper O-ring groove and a thicker O-ring. The 2014 water-pump cover will retrofit on older KTM 450SXFs, but only if you use the new O-ring.

(2) Seat foam. The foam core of the saddle has been reformulated to be softer initially, but not break down as quickly as the weak sisters that we’ve been sitting on for the last few years. We wish!

(3) Chain guide. The slightly smaller chain guide on the swingarm is 120 grams lighter.

(4) Gas cap. The internal threads on the gas cap have been reworked for more positive engagement, and the gas cap has a new low-profile shape; it doesn’t stick up as high as last year’s cap.

(5) Front brake. Last year it had a black reservoir and silver cap. For 2014, it has a silver reservoir and a black cap. This is just cosmetic fluff, but there are substantial changes in the lever and master-cylinder piston. The master-cylinder piston has been downsized from 10mm to 9mm.



Q: WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FEATURE OF THE 2014 KTM 450SXF?

A: It is definitely the powerband. KTM has dialed in the exact kind of power that the typical KTM 450SXF owner needs and wants. The powerband doesn’t have the brutal rush of the KX450F, but it can easily run with the KX450F. Plus, because of the way the power is delivered, it seems to pull twice as long as other 450s. This is the everyman 450 powerband: easy to ride down low so that it doesn’t scare you, and then faster and faster as you hold it on.


Ground control: It is rare that one bike is endowed with the best starting, shifting, brakes, clutch, powerband and ergos. The KTM is just such a bike—but it needs better suspension components to move it up in the rankings.
Q: HOW DOES THE 2014 450SXF RUN ON THE DYNO?

A: What we are going to tell you will be shocking. The KTM 450SXF is no longer the horsepower king of the 450 class. The 2014 Yamaha YZ450F has 58.17 horsepower compared to the KTM 450SXF’s 56.95 horsepower. The 2014 horsepower numbers are nothing to sneeze at, however, since they still beat the KX450F, RM-Z450 and CRF450 numbers.

Easy rider: The broad powerband allows the rider to play with the oomph.

Q: WHAT WOULD WE CHANGE ABOUT THE POWERBAND?

A: The 2014 KTM 450SXF engine is deceivingly fast. It starts out mellow and builds its power with rheostat consistency. The power allows you to go fast without the bike feeling fast. It tricks you into going fast by making it seem easy to do.

But, we have always wanted a stronger transition from low to mid. We want it to hit harder. Last year, we built a special airboot using 350SXF and 450SXF parts to mimic Ryan Dungey’s factory airboot. We opted to run a 94 dB exhaust system from DR.D that was built specifically to punch up the midrange, and we geared it down from 14/52 (a 3.714 ratio) to 13/50 (a 3.846 ratio), approximately 1-1/2 teeth lower than the then-stock 14/52.

For 2014, we can still use our hybrid airboot and midrange exhaust, but the bike now comes stock with our favorite gearing. Our Pro test riders simply copied Ryan Dungey’s 13/51 (a 3.92 ratio) gearing to get more drive, helped by the fact that they were fast enough to pull third gear all the time. Our Vet and Novice test riders were split on switching to the 51-tooth sprocket, partially because they aren’t as fast as Ryan Dungey, but mostly because they like the steady and progressive power delivery of the 50-toother.



Q: HOW DOES THE 2014 450SXF HANDLE?

A: When this bike is set up right, it is amazing. Once you work on the front-to-rear balance to get the chassis as flat as possible, it can be flicked through turns without any excess steering input. A Suzuki may turn sharper, but it shakes at speed. The KTM is the best of all worlds. It corners accurately, tracks through the rough stuff with nary a wiggle and doesn’t shake at speed.

The caveat remains, however, that you have to fiddle with the fork height and the race sag to find the perfect window. Small adjustments to either end change the head angle, weight bias and feel of the bike.



Q: WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT THE WP SUSPENSION?

A: KTM made some mild damping adjustments to the low-speed compression and rebound on the 2014 forks, but this is a band-aid on a mortal wound. It seems obvious to MXA that KTM tuned its suspension settings for Vet riders. In the past, we would have said that they tuned them for European riders, but the American-spec WP suspension is much stiffer than the Euro-spec stuff, which makes us wonder how bad it must be to ride this bike in Barcelona.

KTM has focused on the biggest group of 450SXF buyers—older, richer and heavier slow guys. The WP forks and shock are good for a certain speed and rider weight. Not great, but good. Any rider under KTM’s target weight or over the target speed is in trouble. When we switched from Novice and Vet test riders to Pros, they bottomed the suspension. And since the 0.50 kg/mm fork springs are freight-liner stiff, this points to insufficient damping (front and rear)



Q: WHAT DID WE HATE?

A: The hate list:

(1) Shock preload ring. “Hate” is too nice a word. Does “hassen” sound better?

(2) Weight. It is lighter than last year, but it is still too heavy (although not the heaviest 450).

(3) Suspension. If we were KTM and were so close to winning every 450 shootout ever printed except that our suspension kept nixing the deal, we’d put more effort into fixing the Katoom’s biggest flaw.



Q: WHAT DID WE LIKE?

A: The like list:

(1) The bike. This bike has the best all-around handling, best brakes, best clutch, best shifting, best overall powerband, an electric starter, no-tools airbox and good durability. Other brands might have better suspension, more focused power or weigh less, but no brand has as many superlatives as KTM.

(2) Plain bearings. Much like the old-school bronze bushings used on road racers, KTM’s plain bearings are good engineering.

(3) Hydraulic clutch. The best clutch in motocross just got better with the addition of the stiffer Belleville washer.

(4) Brakes. Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki should be ashamed.



Q: WHAT DO WE REALLY THINK?

A: This is the greatest four-fifths of a motocross bike ever built. It is missing the one piece of the puzzle that would make it untouchable—and that is a puzzlement. If you are a Pro who knows a suspension tuner with KTM experience or are part of KTM’s target audience, this bike is a winner.



  MXA'S 2014 KTM 450SXF SETUP SPECS           

This is how we set up our KTM 450SXF for racing. We offer it as a guide to help you find your own sweet spot.

WP FORK SETTINGS
The 2014 KTM 450SFX suspension works best at Vet speed. Any faster than that and it is quickly over-stressed. We have lived with these forks for many years without seeing any significant improvement in their damping. We originally blamed it on the Dutch, but a few years ago KTM moved the WP facility to Austria (and got the Dutch off the hook). It is true that KTM upped the compression damping for 2014, but that was just a baby step in the direction they need to go. We would bite the bullet and send these forks to MX-Tech, MX1 or Pro Circuit. For hardcore racing, we recommend this fork setup on the 2014 KTM 450SXF (stock specs are in parentheses):

   Spring rate: 0.50 kg/mm
   Oil height: 390cc
   Compression: 9 clicks out (12 clicks out)
   Rebound: 12 clicks out
   Fork-leg height: 5mm up
   Notes: If you are looking for plusher forks, lower the oil height by 10cc to 380cc. If you are faster and looking for firmer forks, raise the oil height by 10cc or 20cc (400cc or 410cc). The clickers cannot iron out the issues that Pro riders will have with these forks.

WP SHOCK SETTINGS
The shock is considerably better than the forks, but when one end of a bike doesn’t work, it transfers the bulk of the load to the other end. Until you get the forks to absorb everything thrown at them, the shock will continue to suffer. For hardcore racing, we recommend this shock setup for the 2014 KTM 450SXF (stock specs are in parentheses):

   Spring rate: 5.7 kg/mm
   Race sag: 100mm (105mm)
   Hi-compression: 1-1/2 turns out (2 turns out)
   Lo-compression: 12 clicks out
   Rebound: 15 clicks out
   Notes: We don’t think the average 450SXF rider will need a stiffer shock spring, unless he is over 200 pounds. Smaller riders can live with the stock spring by turning the compression clicker out.