Hot Lap: 2016 KTM 450 SX-F

An Onboard View Of The New KTM 450, Filmed With A GoPro Sessions

Although we completed an initial test of the 2016 KTM 450 SX-F at the world press launch in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Dirt Rider didn't receive its permanent test unit until recently. Our first official day aboard our personal test bike—the very same KTM 450 SX-F that will compete in our upcoming 450 Motocross Shootout—gave us a great impression of how the orange bike works at Competitive Edge MX Park, a high-desert California track that we are familiar with. As expected, the KTM impressed with its high-revving, hard-charging engine, and we found that the new chassis and suspension setup is somewhat plush and not overly difficult to tune. The ergonomics are also more Japanese-feeling than in year's past, and the hydraulic DDS clutch, precise brakes, and oh-so-painless electric start all help to increase the 450 SX-F's ease of use.

Here's a lap aboard the KTM, filmed with the new GoPro Sessions camera. This was our first day using the Sessions, and we already love how lightweight and compact it is, given that it has a much lower profile than a standard GoPro camera. As you'll see, the video quality does not look quite as sharp as the Hero 4 camera, and the exposed mic picks up quite a bit of wind noise at higher speeds (we actually damped this down a little bit for the final edit).

We'll have a full length video impression of the KTM 450 SX-F posting soon. Until then, keep your eyes on dirtrider.com for more clips from the GoPro Sessions camera, and to read our first test of the 450 SX-F from Indiana, click on http://www.dirtrider.com/2016-ktm-450-sx-f-first-impression.