Test riding a KTM 450 Dakar on my local’s

[@Braapncamp]

Birch for Dakar! 💪🤠🔥🙌😁👌

[@davidwillis6499]

I was hoping you'd show a walk around the moto so we could see it!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

I know! I’m pissed I forgot. Hopefully next time.

[@aderiley6592]

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 Loving the app BTW, thanks again for putting it together 🤙

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you like it!

[@4tech69]

Living the dream mate.

[@inrptn]

Would love to see you run Dakar!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

I think it’s one and done with me and the Dakar, but you never know…

[@TubbyTrialTeam]

Looks fun!

[@raw_enduro]

Wow man😮😍😍.. Who's that other guy?

[@Mark-rv5dd]

Nice ride! But what kind of rubber was installed on the bike?

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Standard tires on these is Michelin Desert. Not the best for this terrain

[@rwdrallying]

So this means you are doing dakar 2025? Awesome 😁

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

No I don’t think so. I’m too scared. One and done on that.

[@swarn303]

Hi Chris, which trail is that?...is it publicly accessible....cheers, sunny

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

It Whitestar station. No it’s not open access but they are quite welcoming of bikes if you talk with them.

[@longdaysandhardworkatramra8260]

I wonder what dakar bikes would be like if there wasn't a restriction on engine size at 450cc

[@charliestoybox2099]

Dakar bikes used to be a lot larger than 450s. The smaller 450’s are turning faster times than the old big bikes. Look up the Cagiva Elephant Dakar bike for a glimpse of how big they used to be.

[@longdaysandhardworkatramra8260]

@@charliestoybox2099 yeah i realized after i wrote that that the older bikes probably were larger, the KTM 950s looked pretty nice, I wonder what would be used now, the 450 is basically a 690 enduro so maybe the 690 enduro would be the go to.

[@charliestoybox2099]

@@longdaysandhardworkatramra8260 I think it’s been a balancing act of weight, power to churn through the deserts, and durable enough to not blow up before finishing. A smaller bike making more power just wouldn’t last keeping the same pace. The way the 450’s are set up, puts it in the 690 plus weight class already. I don’t see them wanting a heavier bike as the 690’s would be much heavier once setup also. The 450/500 size looks to be the sweet spot of power and enough durability to last at race pace. But yeah, I loved the looks of the big old Dakar bikes. Ducati hit the nail on the head with the first year DesertX paint scheme for those of us that remembered the Cagiva Elephant.

[@PanozGTR95]

Potentially T7s/ 890s etc or modified versions. Some events have opened up the restrictions, like the Africa Eco Race. Some competitors were on the T7 Rally Raids this year.

[@charliestoybox2099]

@@PanozGTR95 it will be interesting to see where it all ends up.

[@Miszapoland]

I don`t see any difference with mine 950. Radiator fans are screaming just the same ;)

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

It was a scorching hot day, I wished I had a fan.

[@Miszapoland]

@@ChrisBirchNZ yeah, last year I did some desert riding in Morrocco on 50 degree Celsius. It's nuts how KTMs are overheating in these conditions. Still loving 950/990s most. Best bikes ever... ;)

[@leoshi6355]

never see u on 690enduro...

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

They aren’t for me, I prefer the 500 if I want a single cylinder adv bike.

[@sarilarin.sulo31]

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