Walk-Around: Tech Brief on the 2018/2019 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition

We chat with KTM North America's R&D Manager Casey Lytle to learn more about the latest generation 450 SX-F.

[@maverick2242]

Good work KTM , sounds good, now this is a Factory addition, where the Akrapovic exhaust system .

[@peteregger7928]

"Stunt Manager"! Real manager was inside a trailer with a couple of "Monster Energy" girls!

[@DouweEgbert]

to me it looked like ML was the R&D guy ... good questions and great video

[@buzzlightyear3849]

It was good to hear you on pulp Mx ML

[@UltraSS-nj8kd]

Sound sweet!

[@aaaron471]

im a honda guy but ktm seem to be a year ahead of everyone

[@jmicm13]

No offense to this gentleman from KTM but this is why we are still bush league. And I’m sure he’s a great guy, but he clearly doesn’t have the presence or speaking talent to handle this. If this was an NFL team unveiling a new logo or stadium it would have been like a press conference. I hope we, as an industry, can have a more professional presence.

[@sciewter]

Nothing wrong with talking to a guy who has hands on with the development, they are not media guys. If you want marketing fluffy smoke up your ass get a brochure. I would rather hear from the Operations Manager of Testing and R&D then any sort of marketing manger, we will get enough of the updated graphics and body work crap soon enough.

[@Plecz]

SX and MX is not as big of an industry or as popular because the sport is way less relatable. It's quite expensive, especially now with all the latest tech and not very easy to get into because it's one of the most difficult sports out there. It's really dangerous and injuries are a huge part of MX, and plus there's a big learning curve to becoming even remotely proficient. Masking the sport with flashiness only goes so far, this sport will always be lower on the list in terms of drawing crowds because it's more for the people who really have a passion for MX and two-wheeled racing. Look at Red-Bull air racing, it's bad ass and one would think that it would be hugely popular, but how many people own or fly airplanes out there in the world? Not many in relation to the amount of people who play ball out in there backyard or for their highschool/college football team. With that said, I believe that SX (maybe MX) will continue to grow, but it's growth will be limited compared to ball or even car related sports like NASCAR and F1 (almost everyone owns a car).

[@modepolizei3150]

I Want this Dekor for my 250

[@davidalexispr]

Why nobody notices they ditched the Ackrapovic Exhaust.... WHY????

[@hreindustries]

So is the ECU/CDI box now in the air box?

[@paulelm4645]

R they coming out with special Edition 250

[@jaketerrones6060]

why does it seem like ML knows more about this bike than the rep

[@jaketerrones6060]

LiberateAmericafromIsrael idk i trust the guy on the track with the bikes more than i trust the guy figuring out the torsional ratios behind a desk for 11 months

[@jaketerrones6060]

Zig71 not exactly... you definitely get what you pay for out of this motorcycle. learn a thing or two about what KTM as a manufacturer is pushing for in MX and i think you’ll change that narrow mind of yours

[@chadsugden411]

what about the fact the KTM win all the shoot outs... its not just who there sponsoring there actually that good. Have you even ridden a late model ktm? these things are a supreme!!! i was never a fan of the older models, but I rode my friends brand new 2018 ktm last week and i was blown away of how good it felt..... I still chose the 2018 crf450 due to the fact i could use that extra coin to get the suspension dialed for me and custom race numbers made, now for some black rims. or the crf and its done. like legit its good enough to race stock as well.. oh and p.s. the crf has spring forks which i like. not to say the ktm air forks are bad in any way shape or form they still felt awesome !

[@sciewter]

Zig71 Isn't that what sucessful racing or even sports teams do? Hire the best. Are they supposed to hire a fat 9th place rider?

[@jakewaggoner4196]

I disagree but I understand what you mean. Engineers are behind all of the building and creation of the bikes. The riders test how these new applications work and feel in real life. Totally different worlds.

[@timothyberlinski2299]

I'm a little confused on this. I want to hold out to get this new one with the changes. Do I get a 2018, 2018.5 or 2019? I thought the 2018's have been out and were same as 2017?

[@vitalmx]

The standard 2018 model is the same as the 17, except for an orange frame and minor fork update. the 2018 "Factory Edition" is the bike we saw here, it's heavily updated and is a prelude to the 2019 model. Some people label them as the 2018.5 but to be technical about it, KTM calls it the 2018 450 SX-F Factor Edition.

[@javasoldier5926]

wtf where is handlers on plastic near rider saddle ???

[@tonithompson9086]

Casey has my dream job..trade you.

[@nch-wf3tu]

I think ML does fine work... f the haters.

[@jaketerrones6060]

“i think” “i think” “i think” “i think”

[@ArunJ_tvm]

Whats with 2019?🤔 am still in 2017 dec. Marketing guys🙏

[@sciewter]

Next week they are launching the 2025 bikes.

[@dylanpassanisi2203]

How many times can this guy say “uhhh”

[@christerstefansson1178]

Sweeet

[@nepicness]

I'd definitely rather listen to this guy than someone reading straight off a script that doesn't really know what's going on.

[@stevewilliams1797]

Mike you knew more about the bike than this guy did

[@dirtboyslong9202]

AAh...aah.....aah......aah

[@larrymcintire9848]

Make em say uhh!!!....uhh!!!.... na-na... na-na...

[@williamkurrus]

Say uh one more god damn time...

[@larrymcintire9848]

William Kurrus lol exactly! 😂😂😂

[@dmadeitright]

Uh uh uh uh uhhh

[@barkinfilms7457]

Uhhh uh uh uh uh uh

[@hudsonb216]

607 Racing lol

[@chadsugden411]

this guy actually didnt know that much about the bike seems like u have more of a clue then him Lindsay haha

[@sciewter]

Operations Manager of Testing and R&D, not a marketing role. Ever talk to an engineer about what they are working on?

[@paulelm4645]

Looks like Japanese better go back to drawing board game over for 2018

[@mobgma]

This guy is horrible... get someone who knows how to be in front of a camera. I believe, I think.... cmon.

[@vinnyyz5115]

Ugh.... ugh... This guy was so annoying