Dirt Bikes

2025 KTM 450 SX-F Technical Information

Features and specifications of KTM’s standard-model flagship motocrosser.

Updated: September 8, 2024

KTM is always striving for better performance from its dirt bikes, whether they be designed for motocross, cross-country, enduro, or those of the street-legal variety. Updates shared among them are usually seen on the Factory Editions first, followed by the standard-model SX and SX-F and XC and XC-F machines, and then the XCs, XCF-Ws, and EXC-Fs. Such is the case with the 2024 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition and 2024 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition, as the reworked frame seen on them has found its way onto the 2025 KTM motocross and cross-country ranges.

We recently took the Ready to Race brand’s standard-model flagship motocrosser out to Fox Raceway to get a closer look at what’s changed on it for the 2025 model year and see how it performs on a National track. Scroll down to see what our cameras did and stay tuned for our first ride review of the 2025 KTM 450 SX-F to hit the site soon.

All-new in 2023, KTM’s entire SX and SX-F range gets a mid-generation update for 2025 with the 450 SX-F leading the pack of orange standard-model full-size motocross bikes.Jeff Allen

According to KTM, the fuel-injected liquid-cooled SOHC four-stroke 450cc single-cylinder engine housed in its flagship motocrosser weighs 59.1 pounds.Jeff Allen

On Dirt Rider’s in-house dyno, the 450 SX-F cranks out 53.2 hp and 32.9 lb.-ft. of torque at the rear wheel.Jeff Allen

While Japanese manufacturers spec their respective full-size motocross bikes with 1.1-bar radiator caps, the Austrian concern goes with a 1.8-bar unit.Jeff Allen

KTM (and sister brands Husqvarna and GasGas) uses high-quality Twin Air filters on its respective full-size MX models.Jeff Allen

KTM relies on Brembo for brake and hydraulic clutch actuation.Jeff Allen

Leaving room on the Neken handlebar for hand guards should one decide to add them, the Ready to Race brand has a compact engine map/traction control/launch control/quick-shift module on the left side and engine start and stop buttons on the right.Jeff Allen

What’s an easy way to tell a 2025 KTM 450 SX-F from a 2023–24 model? Look for a windowed shock tower and cutout engine mounts.Jeff Allen

Minor revisions were made to the swingarm with the goal of prolonging chain slider life.Jeff Allen

Fork air pressure is set in the left leg with a stock setting of 10.5 bar. Damping is tasked to the right leg with baselines of 12 clicks out (from fully closed) for compression damping and 18 clicks for rebound damping.Jeff Allen

WP’s Xact shock is employed for rear suspension duties. On the shock body are low- and high-speed compression damping adjusters with standard settings of 15 clicks and 1.5 turns, respectively. Found below on the shock clevis is the rebound damping adjuster, the stock setting for which is 15 clicks.Jeff Allen

To take some of the guesswork out of what each button on the left side of the handlebar does as well as what standard front suspension settings are, KTM includes these stickers on the frame and right fork leg, respectively.Jeff Allen

Dunlop tires return for 2025, but KTM spec’d its latest and greatest soft-to-intermediate-terrain rubber—the Geomax MX34.Jeff Allen

If these Brembo brakes don’t get you slowed or stopped in time, nothing will.Jeff Allen

Seat cover color has changed from orange to black for 2025.Jeff Allen

Another aesthetic difference for MY25 is a little bit of dark red replaces purple in the radiator shroud graphics.Jeff Allen

The 2025 KTM 450 SX-F hits our automotive scales at 240 pounds wet.Jeff Allen

2025 KTM 450 SX-F Specs

MSRP:	$11,299
Engine:	SOHC, liquid-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	450cc
Bore x Stroke:	95.0 x 63.4mm
Compression Ratio:	13.1:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain
Dirt Rider Measured Horsepower:	53.2 hp @ 9,300 rpm
Dirt Rider Measured Torque:	32.9 lb.-ft. @ 7,100 rpm
Fuel System:	EFI w/ 44mm throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate Damped Diaphragm Steel (DDS); hydraulic actuation
Frame:	Central double-cradle chromoly steel
Front Suspension:	WP Xact AER 48mm fork, air pressure, compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 12.2 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	WP Xact shock, spring preload, high/low-speed compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 11.8 in. travel
Front Brake:	Brembo 2-piston caliper, 260mm disc
Rear Brake:	Brembo 1-piston caliper, 220mm disc
Tires, Front/Rear:	Dunlop Geomax MX34; 80/100-21 / 120/80-19
Rake/Trail:	26.1°/NA
Wheelbase:	58.8 in.
Ground Clearance:	13.5 in.
Dirt Rider Measured Seat Height:	37.9 in.
Fuel Capacity:	1.9 gal.
Dirt Rider Measured Wet Weight:	240 lb.
Availability:	Now
Contact:	ktm.com