Menus

• Strong lightweights
• KTM 450 SX-F drives 250 lines
• KTM 350 SX-F now 4 kilos lighter
• KTM SX-F 250 less tightly tuned
• That is new

KTM

24 photos

KTM

1/24
All three of the KTM four-stroke models presented have been on a diet.

KTM

2/24
… one of them on the engine alone.

KTM

3/24
Crankshaft of the 350 SX-F.

KTM

4/24
The 250 SX-F got more torque in the lower and middle range.

KTM

5/24
The ease of turning and the relatively high drag torque have remained, although the four kilogram weight saving is not quite as noticeable due to the latter.

KTM

6/24
Crankshaft of the 250 SX-F.

KTM

7/24
Despite the additional weight, the KTMs still have electric starters. At low temperatures, the battery must be preheated before starting, …

KTM

8/24
… so that the current of the tiny battery is safely enough to start.

KTM

9/24
It is stowed below the bench, which is narrower than last year.

KTM

10/24
The handlebar is now mounted in rubber and filters out the last vibrations of the engine.

KTM

11/24
When it comes to suspension, KTM is breaking new ground and using a WP air fork. It responds cleanly and works in the middle range without an uncomfortably hard point.

KTM

12/24
The 2016 KTM 350 SX-F saved around four kilograms, …

KTM

13/24
The crankshaft of the 450 SX-F has a greater moment of inertia with less weight.

KTM

14/24
Didi Lacher was able to try out the new machines for the first time and reports here.

KTM

15/24
KTM 250 SX-F (left), 350 SX-F (middle) and 450 SX-F (right) in the 2016 variant.

KTM

16/24
The motor of the 250 SX-F saves 1.1 kg in weight compared to the previous year.

KTM

17/24
The 350 engine has lost 1.0 kg.

KTM

18/24
And the engine of the 450 SX-F has slimmed down by a whole 1.8 kg.

KTM

19/24
The reason for this is the diet program: The SX-F 450 is completely new
built, almost every single part has been optimized in terms of weight. Your manifold has an integrated resonance bulb similar to that of the two-stroke engine.

KTM

20/24
Other changes compared to the previous year include the reinforced clutch and gear-specific mapping, …

KTM

21/24
… lighter swing arm and rear frame and shorter rear silencer.

KTM

22/24
KTM 450 SX-F.

KTM

23/24
The 450 engine saved a total of 1.8 kilograms in weight.

KTM

24/24
Since it only has one chamber, voting is uncomplicated.

KTM-Crosser 2016 in the driving report

Strong lightweights

The 2016 KTM crossers are completely new and drastically lighter. But are they really much better? We have already ridden the SX-F 450, SX-F 350 and SX-F 250 for 2016.

KTM crossers should also be at the forefront in terms of weight, demanded boss Stefan Pierer. So far, this has not been the case, primarily because of the e-starter, which the competitors (still) do without. It stays that way, of course, but the Austrians have rationalized the three four-stroke crossers of the 2016 model year by up to five kilograms.

Buy complete article

KTM-Crosser 2016 in the driving report
Strong lightweights

Now more in instead of on the bench

On the Italian GP slope at Maggiora, MOTORRAD tester and multi-champion Didi Lacher was able to try out the new machines for the first time. A new KTM feeling sets in when you try to sit. The machines appear less high and large, instead the driver sits more in than on a narrower contoured seat. In addition, the handlebars were now positioned one centimeter lower. It is now stored in rubber and so filters out the last vibrations of the already very smoothly running 450 engine.

KTM 450 SX-F drives 250 lines

KTM

The KTM 450 SX-F for the 2016 model year.

As smoothly as the ohc unit runs, it pushes tremendously in every speed range. KTM proclaims a full 62 hp, which seems credible. Two mappings are available, the gentler one is the better on this hard slope. The usable speed range is gigantic, everything goes in gears three and four. The large four-stroke engine has very little drag torque. On the other hand, the flywheel mass is big enough that the engine looks full and powerful underneath and does not tend to die off even at the lowest speeds. 

The air fork is a novelty for KTM / WP, which makes tuning easy with just one chamber. It responds cleanly and works in the middle range without an uncomfortably hard point. If you don’t like an air fork, you should be able to convert the fork to a steel spring using an accessory kit. The handling of the large four-stroke engine is amazing, in bends you can effortlessly drive very narrow 250 mm lines. In general, the ease of control is striking. But you should never forget the brutal thrust that sucks your stamina on every straight.

KTM 350 SX-F now 4 kilos lighter

KTM

The KTM 350 SX-F for the 2016 model year.

In principle, the same applies to the hybrid model 350 SX-F with regard to the technical changes. Around four kilos were saved here, which is also clearly noticeable on the route. The enormous 13,400 rpm, also slightly shrunk dohc engine is said to have increased a little in power in all areas. It is probably more important that it also runs smoother and smoother than its predecessor. 

KTM SX-F 250 less tightly tuned

KTM

A lot of weight could be saved with the engines. Here the 250.

There were again major interventions in the 250 unit. This gave it more torque in the lower and middle range. Up at the top he already went like the devil, but doesn’t seem so pointed anymore. What remains is the freedom of revolving and a relatively high drag torque. The latter is perhaps also the reason why the weight reduction is not so noticeable despite at least four kilograms difference. The chassis appears to be a little less tightly tuned than in the two larger four-stroke engines and very nicely balanced.  

The new models appear rather restrained. Those who want the factory machine look are sure to find what they are looking for in the extensive PowerParts catalog. Provided that he still has the necessary change, because with list prices of 8,795 (SX-F 250) to 9,395 (SX-F 450) euros, the bikes are really no lightweights from a financial perspective.

That is new

KTM

KTM 250 SX-F (left), 350 SX-F (middle) and 450 SX-F (right) in the 2016 variant.

To list everything here would make a long list, because in principle all three four-stroke models have been renovated from top to bottom in almost every detail. Here is an overview of the most important changes (weight savings):

• Motors lighter and more compact (250: 1.1 kg, 350: 1.0 kg, 450: 1.8 kg)
• Connecting rods shorter for reduced overall height 
• Throttle body new
• Coupling reinforced with reduced operating forces
• Li-ion starter battery with 2.2 Ah (1.0 kg)
• Mapping is now aisle-specific 
• two driving mappings plus start program
• New frame with reduced bending stiffness and increased torsional stiffness (380 g)
• Rear frame lighter
• Swing arm lighter (250 g)
• Seat height reduced by 20 mm
• Handlebars mounted in rubber and 10 mm lower
• Lightened brake discs (114 g)
• WP fork AER 48 with air suspension (1.4 kg)
• WP shock absorber with extended stroke and modified lever mechanism
• Exhaust manifold with integrated resonance chamber (only SX-F 450)
• Rear silencer shorter
• Airbox new with stiffer suction rubber

Related articles

• Husqvarna Crosser 2016 in the driving report

  Husqvarna 12 pictures Husqvarna 1/12 Husqvarna-Crosser – model year-2016. Husqvarna 2/12 Husqvarna Crosser – model year 2016. Husqvarna 3/12 …

• Driving report Ducati 998

  Driving report Ducati 998 Reason to celebrate … … at Ducati, because Troy Bayliss has brought the world champion laurel back to Bologna. And with the …

• Yamaha MT-09 in the driving report

  Yamaha 40 pictures Yamaha 1/40 The Yamaha MT-09 is the leading model for a whole range of new motorcycles. Yamaha 2/40 As usual, with pithy …

• Driving report KTM EXC 400-520 Racing

  Driving report KTM EXC 400/520 Racing Raise your cups Reason to celebrate? Why, surely. With the 400 and 520 Racing, KTM achieved the coup of this…

• Sherco Sportenduros 2016 driving report

  Sherco 18 pictures Sherco 1/18 In comparison to the previous year’s model, not much has been changed for 2016 – but that’s a good thing. Sherco 2/18 The Sherco …

• Driving report Kawasaki-Crosser 2005

  Driving report Kawasaki-Crosser 2005 Limes ’05 New vintage, new kick? 2005 is Kawasaki in terms of motocross in the smoke signal of the blue two-stroke…

• Ducati 1299 Superleggera driving report

  Ducati 35 pictures Ducati 1/35 Ducati 1299 Superleggera. Ducati 2/35 Ducati 1299 Superleggera. Ducati 3/35 At the zenith of its power, the …

• Triumph Street Triple R driving report

  Manufacturer 7 pictures Manufacturer 1/7 The driving report of the new Triumph Street Triple R – model year 2013. Manufacturer 2/7 Model 2013: more dynamic, with …

• Husqvarna 701 Supermoto in the driving report

  Husqvarna 11 pictures Husqvarna 1/11 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto. Husqvarna 2/11 Despite the Husky logo: 67 hp, 10,000 inspection intervals – …

• Beta RR 350 EFI 2015 in the driving report

  Beta 13 pictures Beta 1/13 While all off-road machine manufacturers have long since switched to gasoline injection for their four-stroke engines, …