KTM 450 EXC

One of the most aggressive off-road motorcycles on the market today, the KTM 450-530 EXC-R manages to provide an incredible riding experience and that is mostly due to the impressive four-stroke power that its redesigned XC4 engine delivers. No matter the cylinder capacity chose the EXC-R proves able to deal with anything that the trails might threaten while leaving the competition well behind.

Coming to meet all that power and position this bike even higher in the customer’s preferences is the redesigned chassis. A bulletproof frame and comfy ergonomics was all that the engineers aimed and achieved.

Directly and without a doubt competing with both EXC-R models is the Husqvarna TE450 and TE510. The recipe is the same as at KTM only that this time we’re talking about a more advanced piece of machinery thanks to a fuel-injected 449 (510)cc four-stroke, 4 valves, DOHC, liquid-cooled single, Brembo brakes and Marzoocchi /Sachs suspensions. Dry weight is approximately the same at both manufacturers and considering the fact that EXC-R’s carbureted four-stroke, 4 valves, SOHC, liquid-cooled single cylinder engine is slightly weaker than Husqvarna’s, we can easily determine the winner. But when swinging a leg over it, the KTM proves to even up things and remain competitive, no matter what.

In your run down the trails you will also find a much appreciated motorcycle painted blue and white. The Yamaha WR450F is able to deal with the steepest hills not helping to make you stand out as a true challenger. It relies on a 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke; 5 titanium valves engine which, as well as the KTM, is carbureted.

But when it comes to Japanese motorcycles, I can’t help mentioning Honda which in this case competes with the Baja-winner CRF450X. Incredible easy to handle thanks to the new Honda Progressive Steering Damper with which is fitted, this is one fine-tuned off-roader that plans on taking a proud owner home on its back. Powering the bike is a 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder Unicam four-stroke, the closest thing I could find to the KTM engine.

If you take a look at the Kawasaki EXC-R and miss the headlight you will definitely expect to find this same model on a motocross track rather than underneath you on those nasty trails. Its power to amaze people and especially riders is rather big thanks to the manufacturer’s efforts to keep the bike as lightweight and nimble handling as possible.

It gets your heart pumping fast even when the engine is off, proving that KTM has done it again. Everything you could ask for at a motocross bike, this model has it: mudguards covering a massive fork, high fenders keeping the dirt away from the rider, number pla...sorry, headlight which makes it street legal and takes the excitement even further as you aren’t needed to get it up and down the trailer each time you feel like giving it a go.

Colors on this KTM, just like on most models, are Orange and Black. For 2008 the plastics are also new, making the EXC-R stand out even more.