First Ride 2023 KTM 450 XCF-W - Dirt Bike Magazine

Рет қаралды 53,382

Жыл бұрын

#adventure #outdoors #ktm
The KTM 450XCF-W is a new bike for 2023 and marks a big change in philosophy for KTM. It might not seem like such a big deal because last year there was a 500XCF-W which looked almost the same. That bike was a stuffed-up attempt to comply with the EPA’s definition of an off-road vehicle. It was only a half-step away from being a dual-sport bike in terms of noise and emissions. The only real reason most riders were interested in it was because it was eligible for a California green sticker. This year, KTM basically gave up on trying to jump through California’s hoops and so the 450 is imported as a closed-course competition vehicle, just like any motocross bike. In truth, though, this bike is nothing like a motocross bike. For that matter, it’s nothing like the KTM 450XC-F, which is a full-blooded race bike with the same power delivery and character as the 450SX-F motocross bike. If you try to take a 450XC-F on a trail ride, you learn quickly that it wasn’t designed for that.The XC-W is designed for true off road riding. To start off, it uses the frame from the previous generation KTM, which is more compliant. The front suspension is the WP Xplor coil-spring fork and the rear suspension is much softer than that of a motocross bike. It has a radiator fan, a headlight and a tail light. More importantly, it has a smooth, friendly power delivery and a six-speed gearbox. The gearbox itself is exactly the same as that of the 500EXC, which is a favorite among desert racers. It isn’t uncommon for riders to install the EXC gearbox into the 450XC for racing. Now they don’t have to.When you ride the 450XC-W on the trail, you don’t get the feeling that it’s going to flame out. That’s a huge relief compared to most 450 off-road bikes that always have you performing a delicate dance between the throttle and the clutch. You can drag it down to fairly low rpm and roll it on. It won’t cough or backfire and it finds traction where a motocross bike would just spin. In terms of absolute power, the XC-W lands right in the middle between the dual-sport bike and the motocross bike. Some of the power is lost in the exhaust system, which is much quieter than any competition bike. It isn’t, however, as stuffed up as a dual-sport or last year’s 500XC-W.Going down that road might be the path for racers, but it will also compromise the XCF-W’s most endearing trails. It’s a sweet off-road bike that walks a fine line between racer and dual-sport bike. And, as many riders remind us, this can serve as a dual-sport in most states with a few bolt-on items-just not where we are in California. For a full test, check out the February print issue of Dirt Bike.
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Пікірлер: 83

@Bt26x Жыл бұрын

Loving this series. I really wish y’all would do some testing on the east coast. The west coast is a completely different style of riding & terrain. Setups are way different too. It’s slower here & some suspension is ok. 🙏🏼 Btw, this is the golden era for dualsports & adventure bikes. We need more videos!

@caycedoerr802 Жыл бұрын

Depends on where you ride Oregon west coast is alot different I only got one video of the first ride on my bike but is alot tighter

@ronlawson5819 Жыл бұрын

Maybe a shootout with the WR450 and a CRF450X

@rykercarlson2131 Жыл бұрын

This things whoops those both 😂

@gophop Жыл бұрын

No competition.

@ronpage101 Жыл бұрын

I'm going riding with my buddy who just picked one of these up today. I have a 450x. Can't wait to see how it performs.

@rykercarlson2131 Жыл бұрын

@@ronpage101 it’s a great bike and it’s great at what it was made for but the ktm is just way more powerful and overall better

@roycemartin9068 11 ай бұрын

@@rykercarlson2131nothing a pipe and ecu can’t fix.

@adrianmoratalla Жыл бұрын

😍💪

@ronlawson5819 Жыл бұрын

Time to head east and test some bikes in the east woods

@urbanadventurer5 Жыл бұрын

I heart this bike so much. I think I have to have it. 👍🏾👏🏾

@jimollila1569 Жыл бұрын

😍😍😍👍👍👍

@user-fc4de5nk5m Жыл бұрын

👍👍👍❤️😍

@Eldon95084 Жыл бұрын

Had to pick up a '23 KTM 450 XCFW to pair with my 300. Only one ride so far but what a fun motor. True North Motos dual-sport kit, 14/50 gearing, and sprung for my weight. Just needs some more suspension tuning and this will be a do-it-all machine. Mountain singletrack to Baja.

@fynn8252 Жыл бұрын

How are the engine characteristics? Easy to stall or too snappy?

@Eldon95084 Жыл бұрын

@@fynn8252 I haven't put much time on it but have covered a decent array of terrain. I've stalled it once but was trying to ride it like my 300. I can say it's way less stall prone than an XCF 450 that's for sure. It tends to really excel at the far ends of the spectrum. When the trail is steep and traction is hard to come by, the 450 XCF-W seems to sniff it out and drive forward. When the trail, 2 track, or logging road opens up it's stable, predictable, and the motor is fun. In between this it work well but I did find it needed more imput to snake left and right through the trail. Where the 300 only required a weight shift in the pegs the 450 needed some additional body positioning to change direction. I'm also working on the differences in entry to mid cornering although I believe it has more to do with my sag setting than power delivery. It's a killer bike and I plan to keep it for a long time. It's got a proven motor, hardy subframe, and huge aftermarket support.

@i_dodge_trees Жыл бұрын

@@fynn8252 neither. It's incredibly fast and free revving, while being nearly impossible to stall, when warm. My only complaint is the vibration at mid to high RPMs is pretty intense.

@ADyess086 6 ай бұрын

How easy was the install plug and play for that dual sport kit?

@Eldon95084 6 ай бұрын

It’s pretty easy. They have an install video on their website.

@andrewpinheiro7202 10 ай бұрын

I think this is going to be my next bike currently have 2019 450sxf Fe at 36 I think this bike would fit me better

@WillyD1 Жыл бұрын

My 450 xcf rips in the trails

@mikeb4708 Жыл бұрын

Full Akra exhaust and a twisted development exhaust flange pulls like a tractor!

@mrcrustnasty3574 Жыл бұрын

Got mine back in August and haven't thought about going back to a 350xcf

@ryanpatrick4813 Жыл бұрын

Is the engine a bit more relaxed? Looking for a 350xcf-w but they didn't make them in '23. Thanks for feedback.

@mrcrustnasty3574 Жыл бұрын

@@ryanpatrick4813 the engine is more relaxed than a 350 xcf in terms of initial snatch from twisting the throttle but it does have more power than a 350 xcf along with being in a sense easier to ride, hope this helps!

@tim9284 2 ай бұрын

@@mrcrustnasty3574 what bike was easier to stall ?

@mrcrustnasty3574 2 ай бұрын

@@tim9284 by far the 350

@tim9284 2 ай бұрын

@@mrcrustnasty3574 I have a 350 excf currently and was looking at the 450 xcf-w to replace it . I like the fact that it doesn’t need $$$$ to “uncork” . But all other 450s I have tried stall like pigs in the twisty rock sections.

@nicholascanjura5051 Жыл бұрын

Its beautiful

@rtimetoride7645 Жыл бұрын

What is the Husky version, or isn't there one?

@Eldon95084 Жыл бұрын

2023 Husqvarna FE450

@maxflight777 Жыл бұрын

How does it compare with the Honda CRF450RX ? I own the 2023 Honda (road legal ) CRF450RX … 80% all of my previous dirt/trail experience was on the KTM450XC .. I utterly love the Honda. (It’s very powerful and exciting to ride) However the KTM was easier to ride and I’d argue it was more “settled” on the tarmac sections. Oh and the close ratio 5 speed box of the Honda is superb on the dirt, but hampers progress on the road.

@joaquingaray57 Жыл бұрын

I've raced on both 450, KTM and Honda, and definitely the KTM is an easier bike. On wide tracks, the Honda will do better, but if it gets narrower, slower and sketchy, e.i. more enduro, I was faster on the KTM

@tim9284 2 ай бұрын

Is this the best 4 stroke KTM makes for single track off the showroom floor ? Assuming a license plate dosnt matter and you don’t want to spend money on a tuner/exhaust ?

@GPH2Ryan Жыл бұрын

Could this be made street legal in NY state?

@dds272 Жыл бұрын

Not a new bike. They have been around a long time thru EU & Australia as the EXCF which is commonly used in Offroad Competition. They are just new to USA as the XCF-W. Great Bike. I got the 2020 Model. Best bike ive ever had. I like it more than the SXF

@Dom34007 Жыл бұрын

Dream bike, or the 2023 husky fe450

@ThomasFries-vm7gy 6 ай бұрын

I have the 23 Husq. FE450 awesome bike for me. Uncorked 450 with a smooth power delivery that won't whip your a$$ on an all day trail / single track ride. Love it!

@user-kj7nm3tl3p 8 ай бұрын

I wanted to see this vid to verify the bike came w/ headlight. Couldn't get an answer from alibaba and the depiction wouldn't allow zoom. Just a heads up about their site.

@powersportsenthusiast1986 Жыл бұрын

the review was so favorable of the 500 in 2020, now all that can be mentioned is it was "stuffed up"

@imds123 Жыл бұрын

My 2013 450XC-W is damn near exactly the same bike, minus some plastic changes. Same power if not more than the 2023. And best of all its paid for and runs like a champ. Sweet new bike though, but for $12K I will pass.

@Eldon95084 Жыл бұрын

The 2013 450 is a great bike. Had I purchased a 2016 450 over the 350 I would still own it. But don't fool yourself. The 13-16 model year uses a completely different motor and the bike weighs more than the 17-23. It's about 5hp less and 13 lbs heavier than the later version.

@marcgucciardo1942 Жыл бұрын

It’s not a new bike as far as I can see. It’s still the old generation

@Eldon95084 Жыл бұрын

@@marcgucciardo1942 It's a completely new gen motor and 2 updated frames away from the '13-'16 gen. It's not the motor and frame from the '23 gen XC and SX.

@imds123 Жыл бұрын

@@Eldon95084 Yea I noticed that. There is about a 15lb difference with the new ones. HP is about the same. Mine still rips like hell. Love it. The new ones are enticing though.

@marcgucciardo1942 Жыл бұрын

@@Eldon95084 I was referring to the bike featured, which I believe is the same as the enduro models released in 2017.

@MrRonronnj Жыл бұрын

Green Sticker? What is that? For years California dictates a lot of crap environmental laws. Get rid of Gavin Newsom and run for Senator. Ron for Senator 🙂

@drpork1360 Жыл бұрын

The 450 XCFW is supposed to be a green sticker in California. The VIN number does not include a 3 or C in the eighth digit, the California DMV will not register them because they still don't know what's going on with the green and red sticker, it makes sense because California has not been very transparent on the banning of red sticker bikes and ending the sticker program. Dual sports are going to be the only brand new dirt bikes you see on public lands from now on.

@F-Phrygian Жыл бұрын

Another one of the many reasons I left Commie-fornia. Horrible what has happened to a once great state….he’ll, we used to be able to ride almost wherever we wanted, even in the OC🏁

@drpork1360 Жыл бұрын

@@F-Phrygian Nevada is looking ripe right now, especially since they're not going to have 4 more years of sisolak

@michaelpmorgida Жыл бұрын

I’m aware of this issue but there are dealerships registering these bikes as green stickers with the 0 on the 8th digit of the vin… it makes me nervous to get one because if I do get a green sticker for one and they revoke it down the road I’ll be pissed! But as far as I know and as far as what some dealers are telling me,the ones with a 0 on the vin can still be registered as a green sticker. That’s why I’m still contemplating the left over 22 500 xcf-w

@bigcod14 Жыл бұрын

Sounds like kindergarten. They treat their citizens like children.

@jetdr Жыл бұрын

Just when you Californians move, don’t destroy the place you move by voting the same way!! Not sure who is worse, Commiefornians or New Yorkers!!

@miska2864 Жыл бұрын

first

@zackk695 9 ай бұрын

He says it’s not made for off road trails and also not a motocross bike so then what’s the bike supposed to do? Shits confusing

@zackk695 9 ай бұрын

And the video shows him on a motocross track

@tonyahinkle1014 Жыл бұрын

I’d chose the 2023 FE 450 over this.

@michaelpmorgida Жыл бұрын

Why? Just curious,I’m in the market for another bike. So I’d like your opinion.

@tonyahinkle1014 Жыл бұрын

I like linkage better when going fast. That’s the only reason

@tonyahinkle1014 Жыл бұрын

I like linkage better when going fast. That’s the only reason

@Eldon95084 Жыл бұрын

@@tonyahinkle1014 I like the idea of linkage, just don't like the weak subframe and heavier overall weight the Husqvarna.

@dds272 Жыл бұрын

@@tonyahinkle1014 not necessarily. these bikes been used for years for desert racing in australia. Found PDS tracks better and is more stable at Higher speed. Especially across long distances of sand rollers & whoops.