WHAT IT’S LIKE TO RACE THE 2015 KTM 450SXF?

THE BOTTOM LINE

Is this a better bike than the model that came before? That depends on what you think is the model that came before. If you are talking about the standard 2014 KTM 450SXF, then the answer is yes—this is an improvement of some significance (thanks to the new forks, linkage, weight savings, orange frame, better rims and stiffer lower frame cradle). If, however, you are asking if the 2015 KTM 450SXF is an improvement over the 2014 450SXF Factory Edition III, then the answer is a muted yes (because it is it is an improvement based on the time and effort KTM’s R&D department put into revalving the 4CS forks). Other than that, the 2014 Factory Edition III has all the same upgrades that the 2015 has.