2023 · Motocross · Buyer's Guide
450 SX-F (MY2023)
The Full-Attack Moto Weapon
The Machine's Character
This generation of the 450 SX-F is built around mass centralization, and you feel it in how the bike behaves under load. KTM tilted the engine back and dropped the countershaft sprocket to fight squat, so the front wheel stays planted when you get on the gas coming out of a rut. The chromoly steel frame is tuned to soak up energy without losing the sharp turn-in KTM is known for. The 450 cc single makes 63 hp with broad, very strong delivery. Traction control, ride modes, launch control and an upshift quickshifter give you ways to manage it.
The 450 SX-F is firm, and it wants to be ridden hard. The WP XACT air fork and the shock work best when you hit them with speed and intent. Ride it lazily and the chassis punishes you. Both ends are fully adjustable, so a serious racer can dial it in precisely, and the aftermarket support is huge. It's a tough, well-built machine that holds up to race-weekend abuse. It is made for pros and fast amateurs. If you ride the track casually on weekends, expect a bike that asks more of your fitness and commitment than you may want to give.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Power | 63 hp (46 kW) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 450 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 260 mm |
| Front tire | 80/100-21 |
| Rear tire | 110/90-19 |
| Wheelbase | 58.8 in (1493 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 13.5 in (343 mm) |
| Front travel | 12.2 in (310 mm) |
| Rear travel | 11.8 in (300 mm) |
| Seat height | 37.7 in (958 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 1.9 gal (7.2 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Front Suspension Adjustable Standard
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Drivetrain
- Quickshifter Standard
Safety
- Traction Control Standard
- Ride Modes Standard
- Launch Control Standard
The Numbers Compared
Compare the technical specifications of the KTM 450 SX-F with other bikes in its class.
Head-to-head: KTM 450 SX-F vs. its rivals
Power
Displacement
Seat height
What's new versus the previous generation
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2019–2022
KTM 450 SX-F (MY2019)
Compare to the previous model →Alternatives to the KTM 450 SX-F
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this KTM 450 SX-F. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
