Kit Palmer | December 9, 2015
The 2016 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition now has WP AER48 air forks.
In what has become a yearly December tradition, KTM unveiled its latest 250 and 450 SX-F Factory Edition models with an evening “gala” event at its factory test track in Corona, California. These models are what the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Teams will be competing on next year—Ryan Dungey, Marvin Musquin and Dean Wilson in the 450 class, and Justin Hill, Jessy Nelson, Shane McElrath and newcomers Mitchel Falk and Alexander Frye in the 250cc class. The Troy Lee Designs team will run KTM’s entire 250cc factory effort next year, which includes both the east and west Supercross championships, a first for the TLD team.
The 2016 Factory Edition models are very similar to last year’s (2015) models, but there are two significant differences between the two—the ‘16s being fitted with all-new WP AER48 air forks and new mufflers. The 250 gets an updated FMF muffler and the 450 Akropovic, which are lighter than the previous mufflers.
The 2016 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition also gets air forks and is dressed up to look like the TLD factory race bikes.
The biggest advantage with the air forks is weight. The new WP AER48s are 3.1 pounds lighter than the previous 4CS spring fork. All told, the bikes are said to weigh about four pounds less than the previous models. Pretty amazing when you consider that the 450 was already the lightest bike in its class.
Marvin Musquin on the new 2016 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition at the KTM test track in Corona, California. Photography by Kit Palmer
Ryan Dungey also knocked out a few laps on the 450 Factory Edition for the media.
The new WP AER48 air forks are said to be 3.1 pounds lighter than the previous WP 4CS spring fork and promised to be simple to tune. We can’t wait to find out.
Jessy Nelson on the number-13 2016 250 SX-F Factory Edition.
KTM’s 450 factory team–(left to right) Ryan Dungey, Dean Wilson and Marvin Musquin–was on hand for the Factory Edition unveiling.
