2014 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition Released

Buy Austria’s limited-edition factory 450cc motocrosser and you can buy just like Ryan Dungey…sort of.

In conjunction with the announcement of its 2014 AMA motocross team, KTM also revealed details of its 2014 450 SX-F Factory Edition, the bike on which factory stars Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen will contest the AMA Supercross and Motocross championships. But you don’t have to be Dungey or Roczen to have one for yourself. You just need to pony up $9899 and make haste to your local KTM dealer before the limited run of just 699 Factory Edition models is soldout.

It might be worth the effort, though, as KTM promises that the 2014 Factory Edition is 1.3 lbs. lighter, better handling and features the most advanced premium components it has ever fitted to one of its Austrian-bred orange beauties. The goal, says KTM, is no-compromise, pure performance.

KTM did not spell out any changes to the Factory Edition’s fuel-injected, 449.3cc. SOHC, four-valve engine for 2014, but its chromoly steel chassis with aluminum subframe is revised significantly and boasts new suspension components from KTM’s in-house suspension arm, WP.

Up front is a 48mm, closed-cartridge WP 4Cs fork that is a completely new and designed specifically for motocross. The fork featured a patented four chamber design that KTM says will allow for easy compression and rebound adjustments on the top of the fork tube. And since the fork is claimed to deliver more more consistent damping through its 11.81 inches of travel than the previous model, KTM went with lighter .48Nm springs and shaved 177 grams of weight from the package. More front end weight reduction comes courtesy of a new 20mm front axle that is 5mm smaller in diameter and 40 grams lighter. The axle offset has also been adjusted from 35mm to 33mm, increasing trail with the goal of providing more stability. The front fork guards have also been adapted to the fork lugs and feature a new 50 gram lighter weight design. The O-ring support for the lower bearing on the steering stem has been revised and is now made of aluminum to save 22 grams, while the steering stem bolt is now 8 grams lighter.

The Factory Edition’s WP 5018 shock has had its damping specs revised, and it is mated to a new shock linkage as well.[/caption]Out back, the Factory Edition’s fully adjustable WP 5018 shock has been re-valved to match the new chassis package. It is mated to a new linkage with a revised rising rate that differs from the 2013 model via a higher starting ratio but a flatter, less progressive curve as the suspension compresses. The shock shaft travel is also increased by 4mm while maintaining the same 12.99 inches of wheel travel as the previous model. Weight weenies can further rejoice as KTM has figured out how to pull even more weight from the new design linkage, which is 15 grams lighter and features a 2.5mm longer pullrod that is also 26 grams lighter.

KTM also managed to shave unsprung weight from the 2014 Factory Edition, a move that should help to quicken the bike’s steering through reduced gyroscopic effect. Its Brembo two-piston front and single-piston rear calipers now squeeze lightweight, wave-style front and rear rotors that are 65 grams and 80 grams lighter respectively, while providing what KTM says is improved braking performance. Sharp-looking black Excel rims with machined finished hubs add to the Factory Edition’s aggressive look, and its new orange anodized 50-tooth rear sprocket is also 50 grams lighter.

The Factory Edition is shod with Dunlop’s new-generation GEOMAX MX52 80/100-21 front and 110/90-19 rear, which KTM claims to offer superior grip in a wider variety of terrain thanks to a new tread knob design and superior bump absorption via a new damping control sidewall rubber compound. The front tire’s directional front tread design is also claimed to provide enhanced front-end grip and steering feel.

Of course, the Factory Edition doesn’t earn its name without a few special components and styling cues to set it apart from a standard 450 SX-F. These include a titanium Akrapovic muffler, orange powder coated frame with exclusive Factory RedBull KTM racing graphics, a new Selle Dalla Valle race team seat, a fork-mounted racing holeshot device and orange frame guards and radiator louvers.

KTM is clearly serious about dominating the world with its 2014 450 SX-F Factory Edition, and the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and AMSOIL AMA Motocross championships are the toughest series in the world to conquer. Time will tell whether or not Dungey or Roczen can pull it off for the Orange Brigade, but either way the Factory Edition is a special motorcycle.

2014 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition Specifications
MSRP: $9899
Engine: Liquid-cooled four-stroke single, SOHC four-valve head w/rocker levers
Displacement: 449.3cc
Bore x stroke: 95.0 x 63.4mm
Horsepower: N/A
Torque: N/A
Compression ratio: 12.6:1
Fuel System: Keihin EFI, 44m throttle body
Ignition: Kehin EMS
Transmission: Five-speed
Final drive: Chain
Frame type: Steel, w/aluminum subframe
Front suspension: Inverted 48mm WP 4CS USD, fully adj. fork; 11.81 in. of travel
Rear suspension: WP 5018 fully adjustable monoshock w/piggyback reservoir; 12.99 in. of travel
Front brake: Brembo two-piston caliper, 260mm wave-style disc
Rear brake: Brembo single-piston caliper 220mm wave-style disc
Front tire: Dunlop GEOMAX MX52 80/100-21
Rear tire: Dunlop GEOMAX MX52 110/90-19
Wheelbase: 58.86 in. +/- .4 in.
Rake/trail: 26.5°/ N/A
Seat height: 39.06 in.
Ground clearance: 14.61 in.
Wet Weight: 235.3 lbs. (claimed without fuel)
Fuel capacity: 1.98 gal.
Color choices: Factory Edition Red Bull Orange/Black/White