Photo Galleries

2023 KTM Motocross and Cross-Country Model Launch Photo Gallery

Behind the scenes at the MY23 SX, SX-F, and XC-F intro at RedBud MX.

May 20, 2022

KTM went big for 2023—not just with the extensive updates made to its motocross and cross-country range, but also with the introduction of these motorcycles. It invited us to test the all-new SX, SX-F, and XC-F models at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan. The only bikes in the range that weren’t on hand to test were the XC two-stroke off-road competition models. We’ll get to them at a later time.

A sea of orange is a sight to behold.KTM

Test riders Casey Casper and Cody Johnston spun laps on as many bikes as they could to get a first impression of them, while photographer Mason Owens hustled the entire day to capture images of it all. We’re typing away on our feedback of these exciting new dirt bikes, but in the meantime, we wanted to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the intro and what went on. Check out the photos below and stay tuned to dirtrider.com to find out how the all-new KTMs ride.

In addition to being an epic track, RedBud MX is also quite picturesque.KTM

Chocolate-cake dirt awaits.KTM

RedBud is synonymous with the Fourth of July, as it hosts a round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship every year over Independence Day weekend. Old Glory waves proudly.KTM

Transportation from the hotel to the track and back is handled via charter bus. KTM does it right.KTM

Media technician Braden Herr lining up bikes at the beginning of the day.KTM

Purple is a highlight color in the graphics for 2023—a nod to when purple was a predominant hue in KTM’s signature styling in the early 1990s.KTM

Fresh meat. The XC and XC-F cross-country models now use a Dunlop Geomax MX33 front tire instead of Dunlop’s Geomax AT81 off-road tire as they did in years past. The rear is still a Geomax AT81, however.KTM

Definitely not an average Tuesday.KTM

Class is in session. The 300 SX and 350 SX-F are two of the Austrian manufacturer’s most highly anticipated bikes for 2023.KTM

Tom Moen has worked at KTM for more than 30 years and is the longest-serving employee at KTM North America. Ask him a question about KTM and he will have the answer.KTM

Andy Jefferson has a long history with Husqvarna, having raced for Mitch Payton’s Pro Circuit team in the 1980s and worked for the brand since 2010. His current role with the KTM group is media relations manager for KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas. Needless to say, he’s a busy guy.KTM

KTM North America product manager Ryan Sarancha details the long list of updates the 2023 models received.KTM

RedBud MX owner Tim Ritchie came by to say hello in the morning and spent his entire day at the track.KTM

Although there were many bikes on hand to test, just three of them were two-strokes. The 125 SX, 250 SX, and 300 SX got ridden a lot throughout the course of the day.KTM

Unlike the Transfer Port Injected (TPI) two-stroke enduro models, KTM’s new motocross and cross-country two-strokes use Throttle Body Injection (TBI) and require premix fuel. The 250 SX and 300 SX call for 60:1, while the 125 SX consumes 40:1.KTM

Test rider Casey Casper getting acquainted with the 350 XC-F.KTM

Casper is a big fan of two-strokes and is surely grinning from ear to ear under his Bell Moto-10 Spherical helmet here.KTM

Test rider Cody Johnston spent some time aboard the all-new 350 SX-F and will write a first ride review of it, which will hit the site in the near future.KTM

What an awesome day. A big thank-you to KTM North America for hosting us and putting on a world-class intro.KTM