2008 450 ATV Sport Shootout

KTM 450 XC
The KTM's orange glow has become a familiar sight in the motorcycle-racing scene over recent years. The company has gained the remarkable reputation of producing truly race-ready machines available at your local dealership, a reflection of the sheer number of KTMs that can be found in every discipline of motorcycle racing today. With the announcement of a race-ready ATV for the 2008 season, everyone was anxious for a turn in the pilot's seat to confirm the KTM's readiness. As a machine entering its first year of production, this statement is bold, even for a company like KTM, it won't be easy to back it up.

Once in the saddle the 450 XC ergonomics are ideal for aggressive riding. The ride height is low, which helps to minimize tipping, allowing faster and more precise maneuverability. Our testers measured and weighed in from ranges of 5 feet 4 inches and 115 pounds to more than 6 feet tall and tipping the scales at 240 pounds. With this range in size it's difficult to please every rider, but overall the suspension fared well with only minor criticism. When being subjected to severe cross-country conditions the machine remained firmly planted, giving the riders complete confidence with no fear of losing control. This proved to be the case as we shifted our focus to the MX portion of our testing as well. While we did have a few complaints about the bar being placed too far forward, the majority of our testers felt that the controls were placed perfectly with a natural feel. One of the great features on the 450 XC is the adjustable bar mounts that can be dialed in to fit each rider's needs.

The KTM powerplant is a great match for the aggressive nature of this machine. It's an absolute torque monster that demands respect. The power comes on strong and remains strong while quickly ripping through the entire rpm range. Many of our testers stated that the overall power and delivery had a superior feel than its competitors.

Unlike most factory-built machines in stock form, the KTM comes standard with many racing-specific aftermarket components in preparation for the track. This is the same manner in which KTM delivers its motorcycles and has had much success in doing so. High-end hlins shocks, Douglas rims and a Magura hydraulic clutch are a few of the items featured on the 450 XC. Of course, with these expensive additions comes an expected higher price tag.