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Driving report KTM EXC 450 Racing

The big plus

More orange, more quality and above all more displacement with the EXC 450 Racing equips KTM for the new class in enduro sport. MOTORRAD drove the 2003 model.

The success story is short, but all the more intense. In spring 2000, KTM presented the completely redesigned EXC 400 and EXC 520 Racing models to the off-road world. Light, narrow, uncomplicated, four-stroke. The tunnel milieu is upside down. The overly cautiously calculated annual production of initially 4200 machines could not cover the demand by far. In addition, the new speedsters win every comparison test and lots of championships worldwide. And to this day, the flood wave from Mattighofen has flooded the enduro scene in an unprecedented dominance. If you want to make it in mud and dust, you drive orange.

In the 2003 season it should be even brighter in the undergrowth. Because with the tank, the side panels at the rear and the rear fender, even the plastic parts that have so far been spared the corporate identity adapt the corporate color. If so, because already, the KTM emblem on the radiator fairings, which is very discreet in the current model year, will in future give way to a giant logo that is confidently emblazoned above the tank.

The 2003 line can do optical retouching ?? with all due respect ?? good use too. Because technically little has changed about the successful off-roaders – at first glance. The 250 was given a larger carburettor, the 400 was removed from the range and the previous designation EXC 520 ?? despite the unchanged displacement of 510 cm³ – replaced by EXC 525. Only those who know will notice the thick fork. Because softies are definitely out in the future. The elasticity that the front section in the field, forest and corridor has always liked to give it no longer works. Tight guidance is in. That is why instead of 43 millimeter-thick sliding tubes, fat 48-inch versions will soon clamp the front wheel between your fork legs, supported by a drastically reinforced axle and hub (see box). Generally fork topic. Theoretically, the supplier White Power has long known what’s going on. It was only in practice that the Dutch lacked the finishing touches with a pronounced series distribution and less than optimal choice of materials. That should be over now. A harder chrome layer on the sliding tubes, three instead of two guide bushes and, above all, higher quality sealing rings from Japanese instead of previously German production should finally get the hacky response under control.

The changes to the engine are also only noticed by experienced fans. The engine housings, which are now produced using the die casting process instead of sand casting, are not only smoother, they are also a pound lighter. But the most important novelty can only be recognized by the freaks from the sticker on the air filter box? the KTM will also be available in the future with 450 cc. First, because the enduro sport regulations allow it from 2003 and second, because it is good. Because 450 cm³ will become the measure of all things in the foreseeable future in off-road sport – as the ideal compromise between performance and drivability.

It was also done quickly. Same bore as the 400, but 72 instead of 64 mm stroke ?? the EXC 450 was ready. And it chugs? Thanks forever to the button on the right side of the handlebar ?? right away obedient to himself. But even the first few meters reveal the difference. The 450 engine has noticeably more pressure from the lower rev range than its little brother. Difficult passages in particular, where a strong thrust of the gas can help over a steep step, are easier to master. The approach from slow turns is also much more vehement. Gas up and zack, zack, zack can be switched through without ?? like for example with the 520? Desperate in search of traction. It has to be and it will stay that way. Which hopefully also applies to the fork. Because the work bore fruit. Clean response and good puncture protection convince immediately? and later hopefully also with the series parts.

W.he first impression of the inconspicuous modifications remains: small causes, big effect. The 450 will be the bike of the future for KTM. Very close to the proverbial egg-laying woolly milk sow. Not too little power for professionals, not too much flavor for amateurs. And the rest fits anyway. Even with the 2000 models – and now even more so.

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