Is KTM Rally Replica worth the price? - In-depth Review

Is the KTM 450 RFR Rally Replica the ultimate rally bike? With a huge price tag of over £32,000 it’s a lot of money but is it worth it? In this video, which is part of my 6 part Morocco Desert Challenge series, I will run through all my thoughts on this bike and why I think it’s quite possibly the best bike I’ve ever ridden!
Full review of the KTM 450 rally replica, I’ve made some key modifications:
K-Tech Suspension set for my weight
Michelin Motorcycle desert bib mousse and tyres to ensure zero punctures
Caulfield Leather custom seat for a happy Vanessa bottom
Talon Engineering Ltd custom wheels
And my own personalised graphics designed by me
Custom tool kit hidden under the seat Teng Tools with my emergency flare
Weighing in at 175kg he is a beast in the dunes but he’s like a glove for the desert. Don’t forget to watch the rest of my rally series:
You can watch the rest of the series here:
Part 1: The race begins...Morocco Desert Challenge a 3000km extreme desert race • New bike - 1st race on...
Part 2: Biggest crash of my life • Biggest crash of my li...
Part 3: My eyes have never hurt so bad • Riding blind on KTM 45...
Is KTM Rally Replica worth the price? - In-depth Review • Is KTM Rally Replica w...
Why does no one talk about this, how to avoid monkey butt • Why does no one talk a...
Part 4: I had to pee while riding...raw truths in the fight to the end of Morocco Desert Challenge Part 4 • What really happens in...
For reference this is a comparison based on my experience racing other events on a range of bikes including, KTM 450 enduro cup, Beta 480 with rally nav tower kit, KTM 450 with rally nav tower, Honda CRF 450 RX enduro cup, big adventures bikes such as Tiger 900, Tenere 700, Husqvarna 701, Africa Twin, Husky 500.
I mention my Tunisia Desert Challenge series where I was the first female to ever enter and first to finish, I highly recommend watching:
Part 1: • Harder than the Dakar!...
Part 2: • Stranded in the desert...
Part 3: • Nearly killed by extre...
#morocco #rally #thegirlonabike #KTM450rally #raceday
Please follow my adventures on:
Instagram: / thegirlonabike
Facebook: / thegirlonabike
Website: www.thegirlona...
LinkedIn: / vanessaprocter
TikTok: / thegirlonabike
If you made it this far, comment and join the conversation
Supported by
Teng Tools #getorganised www.tengtools....
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Edit & Thumbnail - Team KapDx Media - (Suruj Barman & Arjun Tumung)
Music Credits: Epidemic Sounds www.epidemicso...

[@matthewjames4268]

Been watching Dakar like most for 30 years. Came across the Morroco Desert Challenge and the Yamaha spirit experience. Definitely something I'm going to do...perhaps next year.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Oh nice! So much fun, goodluck, and enjoy the ride wooo!

[@stefanosemisa9288]

No questions, just an amazing bike! Thanks Vanessa for sharing! I'm looking forward for many many more videos about rally in the desert! Be safe and have a lot of fun!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thanks lovely

[@briangc1972]

You really need to test ride the race version of the Kove 450. The factory pulled a Dakar Rally 1st, ever, never been done before, race finish this year. All 4 bikes finished in the top 100. A more experienced privateer team with more experienced riders would have easily finished in the top 10 and maybe even a podium; which is unheard of for a 1st year model entry.

[@zmoke10]

And they're also made from pure Chinesium 😄

[@briangc1972]

@@zmoke10 Yes, it is a Chinese made bike using top shelf components; just like your cell phone and 25% of your car and 90% of your electronics.

[@kai-uweoch1159]

Don't forget they had all the best factory support that is possible. Probablyy another complete bike in parts in a truck. Different story of a "normal" rider!

[@briangc1972]

@@kai-uweoch1159 Other teams in Dakar (not all teams) had equal or better support, including complete spare bikes. Other teams had far more experience which is worth more than all the engineers in the world. That is why I said if they had provided a coupe bikes to an experienced privateer team, they probably would have gotten a top 10 finish and maybe even a podium. Their riders were the weak link. In the video the riders admitted to being overwhelmed by the difficulty of the race. They admitted underestimating the difficulty and the demands of finishing that race well.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Maybe one day

[@henryvaneyk3769]

Rally racing seems like a very expensive rabbit hole.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

It can be yes but it is much fun and well worth the experience

[@hagestad]

@@TheGirlOnABike Not only can be but 100% is when you use KTM. Those guys replace almost everything everyday on factory bike. That includes new clutch and oil every day, new tires every day, shock rebuilds and more. No wonder that in civil bikes like 690 you need to check camshafts like every 4-5k miles and change them @about 15-20k. Also those camshafts are very expensive. Same with lifters - that provided that you changed factory clutch slave cylinder on a new bike otherwise throw away bike - it most likely wont survive anyway.

[@cyclemoto8744]

Entertaining, informative and original review. Thanks for the content. Cheers from OZ

[@TheGirlOnABike]

You are very welcome, thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!

[@woitika5983]

33 liters is 25 kg, great review of the 450 rally replica, good luck in rallies 🙂

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks so much!

[@Trypl3_C]

A brand new 450/500/501 color agnostic KTM brand bike, a rally tower, custom suspension, Baja Designs lights, desert tank and ALL rally goodies is $20k dollars/euros. These bikes are so cool but they're ridiculously expensive and aren't by any means 'race ready' out of the box anyway.

[@hergaster4443]

Gearbox ratios, engine cooling, oil cooling, OEM road book and wiring, front and rear switchable tanks... you can't get any of that for an Exc. Also, These bikes are ready to race, As I have bought one. And raced it.

[@EireRider.motorcycle.adventure]

Nice spot to do a video Vanessa 😂... Love it.. Not many can say they did a review in the desert! ❤

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Hehe yey thanks

[@EireRider.motorcycle.adventure]

@@TheGirlOnABike great location

[@jackflynn9169]

Excellent review of the bike and explanation about rally racing which I know little about I learned alot thanks.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching

[@Jules750..]

Iam new to your channel but I am already really enjoying your vlogs ❤❤

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Yey, welcome! And thank you 🙂

[@mikewilliams6086]

Respect for your tough day out. Good call on the antihistamine. Always hard to know exactly what's going on. You looked so much better at dinner.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thanks dude, mega appreciate that! Oh yea they definitely helped, phew!

[@colmhaughey7001]

Good to see you’ve finally outlined the associated costs of course a fabulous machine designed for a specific job unfortunately it’s probably out of the financial reach of many good luck…!!! you may some competition with Itchy Boots shes obviously getting the desert rally bug you two could make a great video together…!!!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

It is quite costly but it is well worth it, so much fun hehe yey

[@andrewrollin3506]

Had this on in the background while folding laundry, heard "lil' red nipples", and thought, "Right, what's she on about then?" 😂

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Hahaha

[@KnightRider1157]

Matt Caulfield did the custom seat on my Triumph Sprint st1050, worth every penny. Great bloke 👍🏻

[@TheGirlOnABike]

I so agree!! My butt is very grateful hehe

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello, how are you doing today?

[@Paul-AnthonyViollet]

Hi Vanessa. Brilliant video, so much so, I have just ordered a 2025 Rally Replica! Hopefully see you in the desert some time later this year...

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Epic!!!! Love this. Dream bikes!!

[@M.C.A.T.]

Lots of interesting info nuggets there. Thanks!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

My pleasure dude

[@EireRider.motorcycle.adventure]

Never been on a rally. Almost did a desert rally in South Africa but ended up going overseas. Good luck with your race.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

They are so much fun, once you do one you catch the rally bug and can't stop hehe. Thanks!

[@EireRider.motorcycle.adventure]

@@TheGirlOnABike that's certainly what I am seeing with all your races you enter. 😂

[@AlexFBuchholzPhoto]

Great review of the bike, Vanessa. Definitely a big buddy. It's an impressive and quite tall bike. TwinTrail, the guys I'll go with to Morroco in 6 weeks, have two of them, which they will race in the Dakar 2024, so recently could admire it. Cheers.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! It is epic hehe I love it! Enjoy Morocco wooo!

[@ogasi1798]

comical, talented, informative, a brilliant video thanks

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thank you kindly! Glad you enjoyed it

[@howtimflies204]

Love it ❤. I’d like Desert Rose to set up my bike. I’m not fooling myself, it’s not an all out Rally bike. I think the price is worth it. Don’t want to see you on another “adventure bike”. That looked painful.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Haha yea this is much more suited, super happy with it, so much fun to ride too!

[@natipinko8484]

Thanks for the cheerful video 😊 Did you lower the bike? How tall are you? Thanka

[@TheGirlOnABike]

yeah I did with Ktech. I'm 169cm and 69cm inside leg. Makes a huge difference

[@Bolthole_Studios]

If I close my eyes, sounds like you’re talking about your ideal man! Great vid…

[@fozzy1717]

Just picked up a kove 450 rally , actually speaking to graig bounds on the weekend up the mountain training and he had to take a double take, it's as good as the reviews £8500 ready to go just hand guards

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Nice! Enjoy the ride!

[@ralfmolander]

Had the previous model of the RFR and I also think it's the best bike I've ever ridden. Now looking to purchase the next (MY25) model. See you in the desert ;-P

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Mega!! That's awesome

[@MrRob-mk7iy]

Given the energy from Vanessa midrace in a tough desert Big Buddy is probably in need of a vacation after this;)

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Hahaha yeah definitely fair lol

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello, how are you doing today?

[@GibbAsp]

Nice video. I guess the cost of big buddy is related to all the years of rally raid experience KTM have and have incorporated into the design. How he feels though is the combination of Vanessa and the bike, getting stronger each time 😀

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw hehe thank you. That's so true. 20 months ago in definitely would not have been able to handle him!

[@jace4817]

I think the correct way to think about it is not that the KTM is expensive, but other bikes are cheap. Most items today are as cheap as they are due to economics of scale. Raw material is often a very low part of the cost for most items we buy. Instead it's the cost of labour, cost of machines, molds, tools etc in the manufacturing process where the biggest cost is. A lot of these costs are "fixed" meaning they stay the same if you make 100 items or 10.000 items. A plastic mold is a good example. Since the KTM is made in so few examples I would expect that a lot of the higher costs simply comes down to this and the manual labour to "hand craft" 70 bikes instead of making them on a factory line.

[@cozydram1]

Brilliant honest review............Awesome

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed it!

[@hillquestdualsport]

Great info. What sprocket sizes do you run, front and back?

[@franckbrunie4759]

I'm surprised you chose such a tall and heavy bike and not an EXC 450 that weights 25 kg less even with a 15 liter tank. I have done six tines the RAM in Morocco, 3 times the long version (12-14 stages, 4500-5000 km)

[@TheGirlOnABike]

I've done a few rallies like that but I am working to bigger races to you need more range and these bikes are full on made for the desert. They are incredible to ride. I have lowered mine to help the size

[@simpangtiga6053]

Good review. Thanks

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching

[@alistersladen1212]

Great video Vanessa ...thanks, so your about 62kg and how tall are you? and is the RFR similar seat hight to your enduro bike?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

I'm 169cm and 62kg yeah. I have it lowered but it is still much higher than my enduro bike. I can't really flat foot on it

[@adamfrith19]

Hi Vanessa. Having spent money converting your enduro slightly to handle a rally event, how much money did you require roughly to spend on it to be adequate to compete in a rally event? Yes this seems expensive but have you compared the figures out of interest to see if its a significant amount more considering what you get? Tia

[@TheGirlOnABike]

I would guess you're looking at near on £18-20K to get an enduro bike ready to be the set up needed but you would then still have the reliability risk of a machine that's not 'made' for this sort of intensity, heat and conditions. My KTM was £28k and I then changed suspension springs / seat [£1k] and then had Desert Rose Racing pre race prepare it [wire locking nuts, greasing etc etc] maybe 30 man hours. So the replica does come out more expense but I 100% trust it and it handles soooo much better in the terrain. To me it was every penny worth spending

[@adamfrith19]

@@TheGirlOnABike when you put it like that, it's not a significant amount more to just have the real deal then is it, and it does sound worth every penny to have the right tool for the job for that price difference for sure! Thanks for the good honest review and taking the time to reply

[@Enduronormandie]

Hi Vanessa where did you get your seat ?

[@dawn-moon]

Would be nice to see you compete with the new KTM Adventure 890r. It also has the fuel tanks on the side, same advantages. ( aftermarket rear fuel tanks already available too ). I'm only asking because I saw your Tiger video, so I know the 890r will be a breeze for you 😀 Keep it safe with all that Redbull or Monster energy in your body 💪🤙

[@kai-uweoch1159]

The 890 will limit which events you can run in. The Dakar as an example is limited to 450ccm. And on top of tha there is a huge weight difference: the current Rally replica is 139kg dry versus close to 200kg for the 890 - basically Vanessas body weight. Not even a pro will be as good on the 890 as on the 450, you can't cheat gravity and the tiring effect is has on the rider!

[@dawn-moon]

@@kai-uweoch1159 I wasn't suggesting the 890R would be faster. But it would fit in between her Tiger adventure video and the races she does with the 450Rally replica. Would be nice to see the possibilities from most capable Adventure bike currently on the market...

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Maybe one day! Hehe thanks

[@inspectorclouseau3880]

I like the way you refer to the bike as him, makes me laugh. You're certainly an adverture girl, best of luck

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Haha so true. I always name them hehe

[@kai-uweoch1159]

Cool and funny description of engine charateristics! ;-) Now I am approximately as far from a competitive rally rider as one could be. A bike like this would be total overkill for my allroad travelling. The biggest obstacle for me is seat height. The indiscrete question now would be: what's your inseam lenght? And yes, it's of course a huge difference between rally riding and "normal" riding. For me a 690 Enduro in standard setup is already a bit too high. Trying a rally bike would be great fun, but no, not the kind of bike I need. And yes: I know who Gaston Rahier was! ;-) Wish you all the best for your Rally ambitions!!! Go girl, go!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Hehe fair. I'm a 69cm inside leg 169cm tall but I've lowed Big Buddy 40mm with KTech so that has made him considerably more accessible to me. It's still a proper stretch

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@TheGirlOnABike Hey! On an another video I could swear you said you are 172cm tall. You can't be shrinking that fast at your age!

[@C_R_O_M________]

Dream bike but I noticed that the tail pipe is quite close to the right peg. It seems that someone is getting melted boot heels.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Hmm i have never found that to be an issue for me, boots are still in great condition 😎

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@TheGirlOnABike Two possibilities: either you ride ON your heels on the pegs or you checked the wrong pair of boots! 🙄

[@TheGirlOnABike]

😅

[@KnightRider1157]

Great purchase Vanessa 👌

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thank you! 🤗

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

Fantastic review, do you use Stegz pegs ? , I didn’t see them on Buddy . Also what do you think 🤔 of the Kovo 450 Rally bike ? 3 of them went in the Darker Rally and all finished. It’s Chinese and only around 10,000 pounds your money 💰 I think ? , anyway way well done 👍

[@fozzy1717]

They are £8500 I have one

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

@@fozzy1717 ok cheaper than I expected ! Not in Australia yet .

[@TheGirlOnABike]

I have CrossCountryADV Rally Footpegs, they wide and give far more comfort, balance and help fatigue. I have them on the KTM and my Honda rally bike. Super recommend them crosscountryadv.com/shop/ I'm get to try the Kove to be honest. The UK team have messaged me to try one but without trying it in the same conditions it will be very hard to have an opinion so I hope some time to get a a try in the desert. My gut is skeptical as a lot of things less than half the price and made in certain places are not anywhere near as good BUT I am very excited and hope it is as good as the other brands NEED some competition!!! Stay tuned and hopefully I can try one

[@Splintermill]

I’d love to put all of the tech and fuel injection ( yes electric start! ) on my ‘02 XR650R and see how it would compare. 20 plus years of innovation should make a huge difference, but I’d be shocked if it did.

[@anthonybaiocchi3028]

I've got a 690 Rally Raid and an old Pig, and honestly couldn't tell you which is the better bike. The KTM obviously has all the modern tech and bling, electric start, sat tower with wind protection, WP suspension, fuel injection bla bla.... but the Pig, with the old Showa suspension and that bullet proof old Honda lump is still my favourite bike.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

That would be cool!

[@artysa.blackwood4261]

Here in my country its sold for 50k usd (tax included), come with a complete extra motor tought. Give me 4x kove 450 for that price any day of the week.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

👍

[@TheDeepsilver]

Wish you could plate them in the US

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Oh wow can you not? Wow. I'm the UK and Europe it's easy

[@TheDeepsilver]

@@TheGirlOnABike no 50 state emission sticker :)

[@NARINORACING]

You can if you know the right people 😉

[@edgarbranco1]

Now I really have to win the lottery

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Hehe

[@houjous5131]

Who did your graphics?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Scrub designs. A Polish company. Good quality!

[@easyonenow]

What about the seat height? Any issues?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Nope none whatsover, I have the suspension seat correctly for me and witih my custom seat, it is a perfect fit

[@Graz23]

Vanessa top!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Yey thanks

[@leward]

I need a bike for the zombie apocalypse! Your recommendation?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

😅

[@JagLite]

Looks like fun!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Oh yea so much fun wooo!

[@enduromotorradtouren]

You'd be perfect to compare the Kove 450 Rally, standard or race. Get the British importer to lend you a bike for a week in Wales. And tell us the truth about it, Günter/Nürnberg

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Now that would be ace!

[@mrjay4000]

Initial reviews of the Kove are very good, but there isn't an excess of power that would IMO be lacking in the desert dunes with deep sand and hills. If Kove came out with a bigger single, like near 600cc and hp in the mid 60's, then it could be the affordable unicorn. For adventure, check out the coming Kove 800X. It has specs worth looking at and will hopefully also be good Kove value.

[@enduromotorradtouren]

@@mrjay4000 Thanks. I'll be looking very closely, especially on the weight.

[@evilsimeon]

Too bad laia sanz doesn’t do this.

[@richardhartman5995]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@TheGirlOnABike]

You’re welcome 😊

[@charliem5332]

Ok I'm buying one

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Yey do it! Heheh

[@martypowell4395]

What’s the engine size cc?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

450 so the max size allowed for these sort of extreme desert rallies

[@Motobikereviews]

What is the engine displacement?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

450 so the max size allowed for these sort of extreme desert rallies

[@Motobikereviews]

Very Cool!@@TheGirlOnABike

[@ogasi1798]

and good luck - get after it woman, get some 🙂

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Yey thanks

[@NZCycletherapy]

Fuck you’re funny! Love it 😂

[@TheGirlOnABike]

😅 yey glad to hear it, thanks for watching

[@kenkl5204]

There are 3 crfs. R, X and L....... be specific.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

It's CRF 450 RX

[@BobsBikingAdventures]

Or save £21,000 and get a Kove? 👀👀 KTM is awesome though.

[@tompavoni9796]

❤❤great voice

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Lol thanks 🙂

[@stuntsane]

🔥🚀

[@TheGirlOnABike]

👍

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

If it lets you do a lifetime dream, and you’ve got the money, then why not? You only get so many weekends and summers, don’t waste them.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Agreed! We only get one chance at life so we have to make the most of it!

[@badbruise]

Your eyes are looking better

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Much better!

[@terrystratford1235]

Does it come with a topbox😅😄😃🤣

[@howtimflies204]

😅

[@TheGirlOnABike]

😅

[@crispincurtis8585]

Wouldn't you rather have a Yamaha 🤓🤙

[@TheGirlOnABike]

haha nope

[@crispincurtis8585]

@@TheGirlOnABike 🤓😎👍🤙 kinda hard to beat they're quality,, I like a lot more bikes than they're as well,, really groovy to see girls ripping it up😎🤙

[@crispincurtis8585]

@@TheGirlOnABike what's the price of ktm 450,, over there?? They're around 12 -13+ k here,, insane $ for an mx bike lol

[@TheGirlOnABike]

They are quite costly but thats because it is not a MX bike it is a full rally bike and there is a HUGE difference

[@crispincurtis8585]

@@TheGirlOnABike I would agree😊

[@TheSpragz]

I love her

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw hehe

[@BadgerBadgerBadger28]

KTMhave always had stupid side stands even the 200 EXC from 2000 was dumb

[@TheGirlOnABike]

😅

[@Desuetus]

Frankly, I only watch your videos because you're an attractive blonde. I believe that's a good reason.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

😅 well i appreciate you taking the time to watch

[@Patshes]

🆒😎👍!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

👍

[@Happy_2_Wheels]

36.000€, what a joke.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Rally bikes are quite expensive unfortunately but you definitely get what you pay for!

[@TCphotographer]

35 K Euro !!! only professionals and their financers pay the amount to ride this KTM Rally Replica 450cc

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Yup thats why i was lucky enough to be able to get one, woo!

[@pauli6570]

A lot of talk and no riding….disappointed to say the least