JUST ANNOUNCED: 2015 KTM 250 SX-F AND 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION

A 250 joins KTM’s Factory Edition fleet, which is significantly improved for 2015.

KTM just took the wraps off two new Factory Edition race motorcycles for 2015. While the KTM 450 SX-F is now entering its fourth year, it, along with the new 250 SX-F (which is making its debut for 2015), represents what KTM is calling “a whole new generation SX model motorcycle.”

What does this mean? Well, KTM says both of these 2015 motocrossers have been developed with weight reduction in mind, and improved mass centralization is designed to help on-track performance. Both engines are designed to be lighter, more compact, and powerful, with cases reshaped for the more centralized rotating mass of the crankshaft and clutch. This, says KTM, helps reduces the overall length of both powerplants.

In addition to re-worked Keihin engine management with a 44mm throttle body, both engines have new cylinder heads with revised valve trains. The combustion chambers are new, as are the ports, which are shaped for better performance. What’s more, both of the new Factory Edition KTMs have electronic launch control and five-speed transmissions said to provide “precise and easy” shifting.

As for the SX-F chassis, it too has been substantially reworked. The chrome-moly frame is lighter, and KTM says it provides improved handling thanks in part to better energy absorption. The subframe and swingarm are lighter, too, while the motocross suspension—with a WP 4CS fork and new WP shock—has damping tuned specifically for the lighter chassis. KTM, of note, says the 250 SX-F is 7 lb. lighter than a standard 250 SX, while the 450 SX-F is a substantial 10 lb. lighter than before.

As you’d expect, KTM’s Factory Edition models are very well equipped. In addition to limited-edition Red Bull KTM graphics, these new bikes wear a Selle Dalla Valle Factory Race Team seat, orange-anodized rubber mounted triple clamps, lightweight Galfer Wave rotors, CNC-machined hubs, and high-end Excel rims fitted with Dunlop Geomax MX32 tires. There is also a fork-mounted start device, plus an engine-map select switch and an hour meter.

Pricing for the new 2015 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition starts at $9,299; 2015 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition comes in just a little higher, at $10,199.

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Red Bull KTM Factory Rider Wins EnduroCross + Video Highlights

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Taddy Blazusiak wound up his 2014 EnduroCross Championship challenge on Saturday night on a high note, winning the final round of the season at Ontario California to finish second in the championship.

Taddy Blazusiak  was on form throughout the event, which was held in front of a packed stadium as the sport continues to grow in popularity. He turned consistently fast times in the afternoon qualifying session and followed that up with a dominant heat race win. His KTM teammate, Taylor Robert, followed suit and also won his heat. These wins gave both riders an extra point toward the championship chase.

The top six riders then lined up for the hot laps, which determine gate pick for the main event. It was Robert who topped the board with the fastest time and allowed him to pick up another point in the championship standings. Blazusiak finished second fastest for a great gate pick in the main event.

When the gate dropped both Robert and Blazusiak got an excellent jump and were inside the top three. Then Robert and Colton Haaker came together. This pushed Robert out and allowed Blazusiak to move into the lead through the fire pit. Once in the lead, Blazusiak never looked back and led every lap to take the win. Blazusiak had a four-second lead at one point but a few issues with lappers made the battle quite close at the end. Despite the lappers, he still held strong and crossed the checkered flag first to take the victory. Robert rebounded from his early race crash and finished fourth with equal points to third placed Haaker.

The Polish rider, who had won the previous five EnduroCross championships, said he was disappointed not to have taken the title but was satisfied to go out with the win.

“I am really bummed I couldn’t earn the championship this year, but I am happy to win the final race,” stated Blazusiak. “I came here to win tonight and that is what I was able to accomplish.” 

Blazusiak, a Red Bull athlete will now return to Europe to prepare for the opening round of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship to be held in front of his home crowd at Gdansk, Poland on December 6, 2014.

Results EnduroCross Ontario California
1. Taddy Blazusiak (POL), KTM, 26 points
2. Cody Webb (USA), Beta, 23
3. Colton Haaker (USA), Honda, 20
4. Taylor Robert (USA), KTM, 20
5. Geoff Aaron (USA), KTM, 15
Ohter KTM6. Bobby Prochnau (USA), KTM, 15
9. Cory Graffunder (USA), KTM, 12
10. Ty Tremaine (USA), KTM, 11

Final Standings EnduroCross after 9 of 9 rounds
1. Webb 214 points
2. Blazusiak, 202
3. Haaker, 198
4. Robert, 176
5. Max Gerston (USA), Beta, 122
Other KTM
7. Graffunder, 113
8. Prochnau, 105
9. Aaron, 104
10. Tremaine, 100

See Highlights EnduroCross Ontario 2014 

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HUSQVARNA'S ZACH OSBORNE SECOND AT GENOVA SX

ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA’S ZACH OSBORNE SHOWED INCREASING CONFIDENCE AND FORM THIS WEEKEND TO FINISH SECOND OVERALL IN THE SX1 CATEGORY AND IN THE ‘KING OF GENOVA’ CLASSIFICATION AT THE SUPERCROSS IN GENOA ITALY

Racing against a strong field of riders, including a top field of US contestants, Osborne steadily upped his game over the weekend. He was fifth in the free practice, fourth overall in timed practice, fourth in Final 1 of the SX1 class and moved up two positions for Final 2 to secure second overall. Osborne is no stranger to competing in Europe having earlier contested both the British National Championship. He also has 14 Motocross GP podiums to his credit.

Like his US compatriots at the event, Osborne is currently accruing some Supercross track time ahead of the opening of the AMA SX season that starts in early January.  He joins Jason Anderson, Martin Davalos and Zach Bell in the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna lineup for the 2015 US SX and MX competitions.

Italian Zonta dominates SX125 at Genova SX
A promising name for the future, young Italian, Husqvarna-supported rider Filippo Zonta was the standout rider in the SX125 class at Genova SX. He was the fastest rider on track in free and timed practice, won his heat to advance to the main and went on to claim victory. Zonta, who rides for Husqvarna Ricci Racing, also toped the SX 125 standings in the five-round Italian SX competition. 

Results Pro Class SX Genova
1, Eli Tomac 20
2, Zach Osborne, Husqvarna 17
3, Christophe Pourcel 15
4, Matteo Bonini, 13
5, Cristophe Martin, 11

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NEW KTM EXC FACTORY EDITIONS NOW AVAILABLE!!

In order to celebrate KTM´s successful Enduro racing season, the ultra-cool 2015 KTM EXC FACTORY EDITION range, with various upgrades over the standard models, are now available to purchase in KTM dealers.

With KTM being the dominant brand in Enduro racing, and following on from more success in the Enduro World Championship with Christophe Nambotin and Matthew Phillips taking the title wins in E1 and E3 along with many individual and national titles during 2014, KTM is excited to announce the release of its limited KTM EXC FACTORY EDITION MY15 machines.

Compared to the standard versions, these special models have received various detail upgrades with parts and accessories designed to the very highest level by KTM’s R&D department in Mattighofen, Austria. The increased specification of the FACTORY EDITION machines include genuine factory graphics, orange CNC triple clamps and a factory seat with SDV logos, which offers riders the chance to truly feel like a factory racer. 

In addition to that, the bikes are fitted with an orange rear sprocket, engine guard, and newly developed Metzeler FIM tyres. To finish off the full factory look, the bikes also boast a striking orange frame, with orange radiators and fork guards that all make the bike almost visually indistinguishable from the true factory race machines and are sure to make these special editions stand out from the crowd.

The EXC FACTORY EDITION model range 2015 is available in the following models:

• KTM 125 EXC FACTORY EDITION
• KTM 250 EXC FACTORY EDITION
• KTM 300 EXC FACTORY EDITION
• KTM 250 EXC-F FACTORY EDITION
• KTM 350 EXC-F FACTORY EDITION
• KTM 450 EXC FACTORY EDITION

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EICMA: 2015 KTM 1050 Adventure

KTM follows up introducing the 1290 Super Adventure R at Intermot last month with the launch of the 1050 Adventure at EICMA this month. Including the 1190 Adventure and 1190 Adventure R, the 2015 1050 Adventure brings KTM’s big-bore, street legal Adventure model count to four.


According to KTM, the “entry level” Adventure (140cc smaller compared to 1190 Adventure), produces a claimed 95 horsepower, but gets significantly better MPGs compared to its larger siblings. The 1050 comes equipped with a ride-by-wire throttle, three ride modes (Sport, Street, Rain), traction control, a slipper clutch and ABS.The 1050 Adventure is slowed by twin 320 mm discs up front, radially mounted, four-piston fixed callipers anda radial master cylinder. At the rear is a 268mm disc. Braking system is the two-channel 9M+ABS from Bosch. The inverted 43mm fork is non-adjustable, while the WP rear shock is adjustable for preload and rebound.Windshield height is adjustable as are the handlebars, footrests and control levers. Seat height is 33.5 inches, dry weight is a claimed 467.4 pounds and fuel capacity is 6.1 gallons. Details were few and retail pricing not available at the time of publication.

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