- 2012 KTM 450 XC-W Dyno Chart
- At 261 pounds the KTM is lightest by a considerable margin.
- Technical terrain with embedded rocks is where the XC-W shines.
- Massive horsepower and torque, light weight and extra fuel capacity let the KTM stack up very well on paper
- Our testers couldn’t fault the new SOHC powerplant, but handling woes make this bike one of our least favorite to ride under the given conditions.
- The desert doesn't feel like the XC-W's home environment. This bike is probably better than it seemed and it still came within two points of winning the shootout.
- It ranked second for its sharp outline, high-tech computer (which is a bit difficult to sort out), high ground clearance, quality exhaust, trick wheels and hubs and opaque, high-capacity (2.25-gallon) fuel tank.
- This year the Austrian team opted for an entirely new engine configuration. The single overhead cam mill gets a new cylinder head, inlet, exhaust port and combustion chamber.
- The XC-W is loaded with top components like wheels and brakes.
- With a very palatable 91 decibels from the stock exhaust, the XC-W is nearly the quietest.
- The Austrians decided to stick with the PDS shock for this model.
- From our perspective, the XC-W definitely doesn’t feel choked up or detuned. It’s the gnarliest out of the box and lives up to its Ready to Race slogan.
- Pretty much everyone agreed that the bars are a high priority target for aftermarket replacement. It’s a high quality aluminum bar with awesome Renthal hand grips, but the shape of it was unacceptable for even our shortest men.
- Most testers were happy with the suspension performance on bump absorption, but the PDS (no-link) chassis doesn’t feel at home on high-speed desert terrain.
- Some testers consider the binding from its dual-piston caliper, 260mm front rotor and single-piston, 220mm rear disc, too abrupt.
- The new engine makes mincemeat of its competition.
- KTM peaks at 8400 rpm but maximizes torque output (31.78 lb-ft) at 7200 revs.
- 2012 450 Enduro Horsepower
- 2012 450 Enduro Torque
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