86 | JANUARY 2018 http://www.adbmag.com.au450 SX-F spex
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC, four-valve
DISPLACEMENT: 449.9cc
BORE & STROKE: 95 x 63.4mm
STARTING: Electric
TRANSMISSION: Four-speed, constant
mesh
IGNITION: Athena
PISTON: Pankl
RADIATORS: H20
FUELLING: Keihin EFI
FINAL DRIVE: Cairoli 14:48/Herlings 14:49
SPROCKETS: Renthal
CHAIN: Regina
COOLING: Liquid
LUBRICANTS: Motorex
CLUTCH: Brembo hydraulic actuation,
Hinson wet multiplate
CHASSIS/SUBFRAME: Chrome
molybdenum/titanium
HANDLEBARS: Renthal, Cairoli FatBar 827/
Herlings Twinwall 997FACTORY TEST I RED BULL KTM
To the naked eye, the machines still
look the same, but it’s the tiny details
that set them apart. Both riders use
Renthal handlebars with Tony
running the Fatbar (827), as opposed to
the Twinwall (997) preferred by
Herlings. Cairoli has a lower seat, cut
away to allow him to sit more into the
bike. Jeffrey has a higher seat to
accommodate his taller physique.
When you throw your leg over the
bike and start to check out the
ergonomics and general riding
position, you can’t help but feel the
difference in the front brake as well.
Cairoli runs with a 9mm master
cylinder piston whereas Jeffrey favours
the more aggressive feel that comes
with a 10mm master.
TC used a 10mm version back in
2015 so it was interesting to see that he
has opted for slightly less anchor. The
difference is that Tony’s has a slightly
softer feel to it; Jeffrey’s is more akin to
a road-racing bike; solid, to the point
where you question if it’s even possible
to have such an aggressive brake,
especially for off-road.
Handlebar position is also slightly
different, with Herlings running his
’bar slightly more forward in the
clamp because of his height.
However, the biggest differences are
when you get out on track and try toride these two 450SX-F offerings, and
to say they are radically different
would be a massive understatement
and, had it not been for the pre-season
injury that Herlings picked up, this
article might have been very, very
different indeed.
So, let’s start with Tony. Antonio
Cairoli likes a bike to feel small, hence
the lower seat for instance, but despite
that, his bike still feels normal to the
average person; normal as in anybody
can sit on it and ride around on it and
feel like it’s their own bike,
ergonomically at least.
Gone are the days when TC
preferred the smooth power of the
350SX-F, instead he likes a much
punchier engine more befitting of the
moniker 450SX-F. It is powerful but it
is still relatively easy to ride and
control. You can open it up gradually
and feel the legs it has or alternatively,
whack open the throttle and let the
power grab you in an instant.
The factory 450SX-F comes with four
gears but, at Veldhoven, there was no
need; second and third is where it’s at,
especially third. Even from the
not-so-tight turns, you could use third
and let the power just take you to
where you wanted to go, and it just
keeps pulling as well. It has a good
overall balance and feel to it.9mm master cylinder piston makes ‘em softer 2 60mm disc on the front with carbon protectionStop druelling, yes it’s a 52mm cone valve WP Both bikes run the same Kite hubs