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The Great Outdoors
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KTM 450 EXC
Jeff Buchanan
12/01/2003
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 In 1953 the Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen
Motorcycle Company entered their first racing activities, the fifth running of
the Gaisberg competition, and finished with first, second and third place
honors. Fifty years later, KTM—as the manufacturer is now known—has emerged as a
modern builder of high-quality, reliable, exceptionally well-engineered
motocross, enduro and supermoto machines. They are also the motorcycle of choice
by the majority of the two-wheeled field in the Paris/Dakar Rally, taking top
honors the last few years in the world’s ultimate endurance race. (Click image to enlarge)
 The KTM
450EXC represents the evolution of the brand and its continued competition
mindset. As a dominant force in a multitude of professional off-road racing
series, the KTM engineers have taken what they learned from racetracks and
grueling backwater enduro courses and ensures that the experience is interwoven
into the construction and very soul of their production bikes. (Click image to enlarge)
 The same
elements that make for a winning race machine lend themselves to controllability
under the casual weekend rider. The powerful EXC’s single cylinder four-stroke
engine is liquid-cooled with a six-speed transmission and the thumb lever
activated electric start also has a back-up traditional
kick-starter. (Click image to enlarge)
Suspension boasts an astonishing 11.81 inches of travel on the
front fork and 13.19 inches travel at the rear wheel, which translates into a
plush ride regardless of what nature or man might have thrown in your path.
A
headlight and taillight are standard equipment and intended for deep, dark woods
riding and sufficient after-hours illumination (should the ride last longer than
the sun). Tie all this together with predictable handling, disc brakes front and
rear coupled with KTM’s legendary bulletproof construction and you’ve got a
machine that—out of the crate—will keep you happy for many a weekend outing.
www.ktmusa.com
KTM 450 EXC Racing
Engine: 447cc single cylinder, liquid cooled,
4-stroke
Weight: 245 lbs
Price: $7,298
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