Best bike to start with

[Rush44]

2016 sxf and xcf both have the exact same motor and trans, 5-speed

http://www.ktm.com/us/enduro/450-xc-f/

The pic is wrong on the website, it has a black frame and does not have a head light.

Nice find Madmax. From the website "The new engine of the 450 XC-F uses a lightweight 5-speed gearbox with unchanged gear ratios that are perfectly matched to the power delivery of the large displacement engine. 1st and 5th gears are now treated with a special surface treatment for better reliability."

Sounds like the similarities between the XCF and SXF stay the same. If you plan on dual sporting I still think the XCF is superior. I wish Husky had an XC variant in the 450 class.

 

[kylant]

i’m not so sure on the trannies. KTM’s website sucks right now, they can’t even get the correct pictures for each model up.

I found this from cyclenews.com coming straight from a KTM spokesperson.

Because of its off-road heritage, KTM is, however, most proud of its new XC-Fs. The XCs are “what this company stands for,” said a KTM spokesman. “They are our best sellers and are the root of this company.” All three of the new XC-Fs are simply SX-Fs with 18-inch rear wheels, hand guards, different suspension settings, larger and translucent fuel tanks, six-speed transmissions and kickstands. That’s it. Everything else—mapping, frame, motor, etc.,—are identical to the SX’s.

Hence the confusion

 

[kylant]

was able to clarify pretty concretely.
talked to 2 local dealers and found the 2016 parts fiche.
one local dealer has one in stock and has ridden it, absolutely confirms it.

the 2016 450 xc-f does indeed have a 5 speed tranny.

the 2015 had a 6.


looks like a 2016 xc-f is the way to go.

 

[snowmobiler]

Hey snomobiler, are you gonna get a snowbike

thinking about it.but ill get out of this thread.no 2 stroke info here.

 

[capulin overdrive]

2016 XC-F has a 32:76 primary, with 14:52 sprockets and 5 speed. Also appears it's the new lighter motor and chassis.



2016 SX-F has 31:76 primary, with 13:48 sprockets.



They don't say it, but looks like the 2016 XC-W is most likely the same as the 2015 and has 6 speed.


I bleed orange, and right or wrong went with a 2016 500 XC-W. But really starting to get unhappy with KTM price and dealers not wanting to deal.

Damn near went Yamaha!

 

[kylant]

2016 XC-F has a 32:76 primary, with 14:52 sprockets and 5 speed

2016 SX-F has 31:76 primary, with 13:48 sprockets.

i’m pretty sure that is a typo for the xc-f primary ratio. i just looked at the tranny parts fiches for the sx and xc and all the tranny parts/numbers are identical

 

[madmax]

I bleed orange, and right or wrong went with a 2016 500 XC-W. But really starting to get unhappy with KTM price and dealers not wanting to deal.

Damn near went Yamaha!

The XC-W 500 has still been my favorite snow bike of the sxf 450, xc-f 450 and xc 300 KTM snow bikes I have owned. To each his own. I think you will be very happy with it.
KTM controls supply and demand very well. Very little supply and huge demand. Its a double edged word for dealers when you don't get enough product for the demand, but have guys buying bikes for retail before they even show up. This year will be worse for the 500 and 450's as KTM cut production numbers of both.

 

[capulin overdrive]

The XC-W 500 has still been my favorite snow bike of the sxf 450, xc-f 450 and xc 300 KTM snow bikes I have owned. To each his own. I think you will be very happy with it.
KTM controls supply and demand very well. Very little supply and huge demand. Its a double edged word for dealers when you don't get enough product for the demand, but have guys buying bikes for retail before they even show up. This year will be worse for the 500 and 450's as KTM cut production numbers of both.

Thanks for the heads up on the 500! I've got some long rides in at 2 of my main riding places, so 6th will most likely be a good thing.


Guess I did kindda alright as I got a little bit of deal.

Double edge cost a dealer that could have got the deal not only a bike sale, but also the chance to sell a mountain horse.

Dealer that made the sale, sold me enough kibbles and bits to make back most of giving me break, plus earned my respect and thus potential future business.

As far as KTM, it was the hydraulic clutch that kept my with them.

 

[n16ht5]

The 2016 KTM 450SX and XC have 62hp. Nuff said.

 

[madmax]

The 2016 KTM 450SX and XC have 62hp. Nuff said.

Agreed

 

[kylant]

this is my choice