2010 KTM 450 SX-f Any known issues?

[KC]

Have a buddy thinking about buying a one owner that appears to be in great shape. Anybody have some advice before he pulls the trigger on it? I've never paid much attention to the SX line so I don't know if there are certain years to avoid.

[troy]

Good question. I avoid the 2008 - 2010 EXC models, but did the SX-f line have the same motor changes as the EXCs during those years?

[Harvey Mushman]

I don't have any direct experience with this bike but a couple things he may want to consider. The SX bikes I believe have a different ignition curve than certainly the XCW's and possibly the XC's. This may make the bike more explosive in terms of power delivery than the XC/W bikes. The SX may also have a closer ratio transmission than the XCW's, this is not a bad thing, just different. The SX likely will have suspension that is valved stiffer and it may have a 19" rear wheel as well. I've been told that many of the 19" rear tires have pretty shallow sidewalls which make them harder to mount and more prone to pinch flats. I guess the message is the SX may be a bit of a more "hard edged" bike than say an XCW or maybe even an XC. Again, I don't have any experience with the SX 4-bangers but have ridden a couple 250 SX pingers and they were somewhat un-forgiving to trail ride. Part of this could have been the state of their "tune". Depending on what the guy wants to use it for, it could be perfect or it may be a bit "edgy" for him.
Good luck.

[KC]

thanks for the input.
He already decided against the KTM and bought a fuel injected Honda CRF450 with a Rekluse clutch.