2020 KTM 450 SX-F | Bike Breakdown

Bike Breakdown | 2020 KTM 450SX-F

Yesterday, KTM invited Swapmoto Live out to Fox Raceway in Pala, California, for the official launch of the 2020 KTM 450 SX-F; a bike that has gained huge amounts of popularity since Ryan Dungey first signed with the factory in 2012. Dubbed the 2012.5 Factory Edition 450 SX-F, 400 of the new machines were made to meet the AMA’s homologation requirements so that the team could provide the latest and greatest machine for its new star racer to compete on. Since then, KTM has maintained the mid-year release of a Factory Edition bike each season, and it is always a good preview of what’s to come on the following year’s base model. That said, this year’s standard 450 SX-F boasts all the refinements that the 2019.5 Factory Edition did, with a few extra changes that make the bike even sweeter.

Aesthetically, the biggest change made to the bike – aside from bold new graphics – is the optional airbox cover, which has 10 diamond-shaped vents cut into it to allow more air to reach the air filter, thus producing better low-end throttle response and snap. The bike comes equipped with the standard solid cover, but we installed the vented cover right from the get-go. Also included with the machine is an optional throttle cam, which has a shorter pull and in turn, gives the 450 SX-F more immediate response. The standard cam is grey and the quicker optional cam is black.

Internally, the 450 SX-F powerplant is outfitted with a new CP Piston that has a different skirt shape. Oddly enough, we were told by Husqvarna that its main benefit was greater durability, but KTM personnel reported that it was for a quicker-revving powerband. While the standard map 1 is left unchanged, the map 2 settings have been revised to offer more power, over a broader rpm range. Of course, the traction control feature returns for 2020 and is activated on the same handlebar-mounted control as the map switch. To complement the engine changes, a one-tooth-larger rear sprocket – 49T – was added to help boost low-end power.

All told, taking the two ignition maps, two airbox cover options, two throttle cam options, and two traction control settings (on and off), there are a whopping 64 different configurations available to the consumer to test and fine tune the bike with. How about that?