KTM held a five-day event to launch its new 2019 SX motorcycles at Tony Cairoli’s local track in Malagrotta, Rome. Cairoli himself was in attendance, along with Ryan Dungey and Jorge Prado, who were present as a reward for their contribution to the new bikes, as well as for their window-dressing impact.

KTM product manager offroad, Joachin Sauer, stressed the fact that motocross riders and their opinions and feedback were key in the development of the 2019 range. Corroborating this, Michael Viertlmayr, head of engine and motocross R&D, said that “without the approval of our racing athletes we do not make any major changes to our bikes. That is a clear statement from KTM and that is ‘ready to race’”.

Thus the influence of the race team led to the development of the 2019 two-stroke and four-stroke emphasis on three core areas: rideability, power delivery and ergonomics. The aim here is to make riding simpler, easier and with usable power.

The ways in which the 2019 range differs from the 2018 one are not completely new, since as Sauer comments, the previous bikes were already pretty close to being optimum. Nonetheless, the frame has been drastically improved to get agility on one side while keeping straight and stable. Furthermore, the longer swingarm allows the rider to shorten or lengthen the wheelbase as they wish to make the bike turn more easily. The cylinder head and camshaft were lowered, especially on the 450, which led to a big influence on the handling.

Apart from height changes to the frame, KTM have also decreased the weight of the 2019 models. The 450 SX-F weighs about 550g less, with 200g being on the cylinder head alone. Another 550g were lost on the 350 SX-F, and 300g on the 250 SX-F.

More changes have been carried out to the new range but one thing is clear: the 2019 models have been cast from experience, knowledge, expertise and delicate craft and it would appear to be a no-brainer for riders to take their pick when it comes to a new dirtbike.

KTM is represented in Malta by Fapi Motors Ltd. Fapi Motors Ltd is a division of Famalco/Building Businesses.

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