KTM 450 SXF - what year is best?
- Thread starter thejean
- Start date
2013+ if you want EFI.
I'm not sure if your Smart carb will work on the SX (2T vs 4T). I may be mistaken but I think the APT hasn't released a 4t smart carb yet.
I think the e-start debuted in 07 or 08 on the SX.
The new XC-F(13+) is a nice ride also. Same motor as the SX but a little more off-road friendly if your riding dirt with the same bike.
I'm pretty sure the SX 450 be my next setup as well. I have yet to ride one or see it on snow in real life but I'm thinking 450's are the way to go after being on a few setups.
I'm not sure if your Smart carb will work on the SX (2T vs 4T). I may be mistaken but I think the APT hasn't released a 4t smart carb yet.
I think the e-start debuted in 07 or 08 on the SX.
The new XC-F(13+) is a nice ride also. Same motor as the SX but a little more off-road friendly if your riding dirt with the same bike.
I'm pretty sure the SX 450 be my next setup as well. I have yet to ride one or see it on snow in real life but I'm thinking 450's are the way to go after being on a few setups.
The one you put a cr500 motor in!
Had both this year and the 14 has a little better wirering...wires to the ecu seemed to fit better ect. The xc-f has a bigger tank and different back tire for dirt and some have claimed a bigger stator, although the parts manuals show the same #for both so a trail tec one gets you 100 watts of extra. Also a 13 gives you the option of putting a kick starter on it for 300 bucks, and ya I know, most say you don't need it BUT.....and the pro curcuit pipe with the end removed does flat out work. Hope this helps.
The 450 that is a 505.
T
thejean
Well-known member
Thanks! The kick starter option for the 2013 seems like a big advantage. How far back does that feature go?
Like throndson said, APT Smartcarbs are only for two strokes for the time being unless you are talking way out in the future. They have done testing and plan to release a four stroke carb some day. Looking forward to that day as I will have one for my 525 but it is way out...unless you know something we don't, then DO TELL! Or perhaps talking about a different brand carb?
Last edited:
T
thejean
Well-known member
Honestly I just assumed that the smartcarb would work on both a two and a four stroke engine I don't have any inside information LOL
i rode my yz450 from 3-8500 feet no issues - I dont know that you need a smart carb. EFI is nice - no gas running out when you tip over and easy starting.
Which SX
I have a few bikes, will say EFI offers several advantages. And I LOVE how the gas doesn't drip all over my garage and truck. I'm a little spooked by no kick starer option, but you could buy THREE antigravity backup chargers for the price of that not-necessary kicker - be sure to check them out. The handling/ergos of the '13-14 450s, the redesigned motor, are vastly superior to prior models. Cyclops light plugs right into stock SX 15 amp? plug, no extra fuss unless you also want grip warmers.
I have a few bikes, will say EFI offers several advantages. And I LOVE how the gas doesn't drip all over my garage and truck. I'm a little spooked by no kick starer option, but you could buy THREE antigravity backup chargers for the price of that not-necessary kicker - be sure to check them out. The handling/ergos of the '13-14 450s, the redesigned motor, are vastly superior to prior models. Cyclops light plugs right into stock SX 15 amp? plug, no extra fuss unless you also want grip warmers.
Darn! I wish you knew some inside scoop! Ha. I was all ready to hit the Buy button a few months ago but after giving them a call, because it seems it was a 2stroke setup, they confirmed the four stroke carb layouts (side throttle actuation, etc) were quite a ways out.
So far I've been very happy with the carbed 525, once I tweaked the route my carb vent lines routed to my catch can. On my first attempt, the bowl overflow line had a slight dip in it which, of course, would cause a miss once it filled enough with gas to block the venting. No issues if riding relatively flat or rolling terrain...but how often do we do that! So about every 20 minutes I'd have to roll the gas out of that line. I re-routed it lower now and it works like a champ, but yes, gas runs out all over on a tip over or stuck at an awkward angle, like ski really high and track buried so in that situation, I turn off the gas...if the petcock isn't frozen.
Anyway, just giving you one more carb story. You decide if it's a big deal or not. I am usually an FI guy. Big believer of it on bikes, ATV and snowmobiles. I went with a carbed bike (KTM 525) for my snowbike due to price for one and due to concerns with the FI overgassing. Overgassing doesn't seem to be as bad with the carbed bikes if you aren't going to spend time with a snowshield, but it still happens. The stock KTM thermostat in place keeps the engine warmer than bikes without them. An FI bike, if you can keep the engine warm (thermostat and engine-wrapping snow shield) seems to stay warm enough to reduce, or even eliminate, overgassing. So if you go with FI, plan on making a snowshield.
I am making one for my bike and materials should arrive this week. Do an online search for one of the name brand stock car plastics like "allstar rolled plastic". Comes in 2' x 10' x .07" rolls. Or look for the exact part number. For example, black is ALL22400. Runs about $20 for the roll plus shipping, but some places ship for free like JEGS.
In a few years, when the used FI bikes come down in price, I'll make a decision between moving to a FI bike or getting a 4 stroke smart carb for my bike (APT might have them out by then).
Last edited:
IMO - ease of starting and no gas all over when you tip make electric start and fuel injection a huge + on a snowbike.
I run a Cyclops 625 headlight and handwarmers on my '13 450 - so far they have worked great. I have not run both at the same time though. I do have a high output stator to install which I haven't because I havent been running both the headight and the hand warmers at the same time.
I run a Cyclops 625 headlight and handwarmers on my '13 450 - so far they have worked great. I have not run both at the same time though. I do have a high output stator to install which I haven't because I havent been running both the headight and the hand warmers at the same time.
T
thejean
Well-known member
Ok, so I went to the dealer to pick up a kick starter kit for my 2013 450 and low and behold, there is no such kit. The ktm power parts kits are only for the 250's and 350's. So does anyone know of another kit that will work? What about the kicker bits from a 450 XCW, will they work? Really disappointed because one of the main reasons I went with a 2013 was for that option. Need help! Thx!!
R
Rush44
Well-known member
Get the Antigravity Micro Start X3 and you can seriously forget about the no kick start issues. I was worried myself but so far Ive only had to use it once and that was because my positive battery lead rubbed the frame and exposed the copper... drained my battery dead. That MicroStart is flat out amazing... Could have started my bike 100 times with it. Worse case scenario carry a strap and have a buddy pull you for a bump start. They also start easy if you pop the clutch rolling downhill.
Don't let the lack of a kick start prevent you from buying the best winter running race 450 currently out there.
Don't let the lack of a kick start prevent you from buying the best winter running race 450 currently out there.
You are correct. Just order all the parts on that page. Buddy did that to his bike but dealer had to change something in the program to make it work. Wish he would of asked the dealer what had to be done but was vage on what they did. It does work though. Garry
T
thejean
Well-known member
Special thanks to Brock for steering me in this direction:
http://www.ktm-parts.com/78112946044.html
Giggity.
http://www.ktm-parts.com/78112946044.html
Giggity.
Similar threads
