LW Mag LW Magazine
Related Articles
The 2016 KTM SX range is finally in the country and we grabbed the opportunity to test these Radically New motocross bikes at Syringa Park motocross track. Our test rider, Stewart Couper put the KTM 125 SX, KTM 250 SX-F, KTM 350 SX-F and the KTM 450 SX-F through their paces.
The 2016 range have come out with massive changes to almost every aspect of the bike, so you can imagine how excited we were to be the first to get some saddle time. See our first impressions of each bike below.
KTM 125 SX
Braking: The braking is really good, obviously being one of the smaller bikes the braking is really responsive. The Brembo brakes are phenomenal, I got into a few errors coming into corners on the 125 and braked perfectly in time. Overall, awesome braking.
Corners: Because the 125 is so small and light the bike corners well. The power response is there when you need it. The new suspension works well with the cornering.
Suspension: The new WP air forks are awesome. I didn’t notice too much of a difference but I could feel when coming down long and bumpy straights that the bike just sits and handles well, it just soaks up everything. If we could fine tune the air fork a little more it would probably be even better.
Handling: The new chassis, the new frame, everything just gels well. The bike is easy to control and easy to ride.
Power: The power is amazing on the new 125. When I climbed on it felt like I was riding a 150cc. It has so much torque, you just have to make sure you’re in the right gear and the bike has so much power, unbelievable.
Overall Impression: It is a comfortable ride, everything just work and gels well together. It’s a nice toy and overall, for a beginner bike, really amazing.
Price tag: R72 999.00
KTM 250 SX-F
Braking: The braking is the same as the other bikes, really good. You can go high speed into a corner and stop straight away. You can never go wrong with the Brembo brakes and they work well on all the bikes.
Cornering: The 250 is a light bike so cornering is really good. You can put it nice and low and the power is there to get you out the corners. It’s easy to control the slide of the back wheel.
Suspension: The WP air forks work really well. The suspension on all the bikes is the same so it just comes down to setup on each bike.
Handling: Really really good. The 250 in nippy through the corners, nippy on the straights, it just works well.
Power: It felt like I was changing gears a lot on the 250, the power is there don’t get me wrong, it just felt like I was shifting it even quicker than the 125. Maybe with a few mods, sprocket changing, lengthening the gears out, the bike can be way better.
Overall impression: The KTM 250 SX-F is a good package. It’s a nice beginner and pro rider bike. The bikes has everything and the 2016’s are far and beyond from the 2015’s.
Price tag: R88 999.00
KTM 350 SX-F
Braking: Getting onto the bigger bikes we’re carrying more speed and you can feel the brakes are just on it and really strong. Brembo has done a good job. You can break really late.
Cornering: The cornering is awesome, you can get it nice and low and it sits in the corners. It’s beautiful and makes cornering that much easier. The bike has also lost a few Kg’s so you can flick the bike around easily.
Suspension: Same as the other bikes, just phenomenal.
Handling: Handing on a 350 has always been good, with a few tweaks here and there ii is awesome and handles well down the fast straights.
Power: The power in the 2016 model is good. I’ve tested the previous models but this is just phenomenal. I battled to keep the front-end down, coming out the corners the power is there and the bike just wants to wheelie. The power is great.
Overall impression: The 350 is something that I like, it just works. It has the power and is an easy bike to ride. The 2016 bike is amazing and KTM has done a good job.
Price tag: R92 999.00
KTM 450 SX-F
Braking: It’s a fast bike. I was getting into 4th on the straight, holding it flat and getting on the brakes coming into the corner. The brakes work super good. You can brake late, get comfortable and they are very smooth.
Cornering: You’d think you’d battle with cornering on the 450 but because it’s so much lighter the bike corners well. It’s easy to get it low, it sticks in the ruts and it’s really just a great great bike. With the 4 speed gearbox it’s not as aggressive and it corners well in 2nd gear and even 3rd gear, the power is always there.
Suspension: Same as the other bikes, just phenomenal. You can over-jump, case and it just soaks it up.
Handling: Surprisingly I found the handling on the 450 better than the 350. The bike is just so on it. The 450 is a comfortable ride and you gel one with it.
Power: With the 4 speed box it is really good and is so smooth. You’d think the 450 would be aggressive but not on the 2016. The longer gears pull nicer, I even rode around the whole track in 3rd gear and the bike just has so much power.
Overall impression: Definitely the bike of the day for me. You can climb on it as a beginner, an intermediate or a professional and ride it. The bike just has so much to give and is so forgiving. So smooth.
Price Tag: R94 999.00
All-in-all the 2016 KTM’s feature as stack of new improvements, upgrades and technology, so much so that they can’t even be compared to previous models. They are an absolute joy to ride and are literally race ready out the box. Also note that the 350 SX-F and 450 SX-F come standard with launch control for those out-the-gate holeshots.
For more information on the 2016 KTM range changes and upgrades, and for dealer enquiries, visit www.ktm.com.
Photo Gallery:
