KTM 450 EXC Review: Built for Big Off-Road Days
For a bike to conquer just about every off-road challenge on the planet, the KTM 450 would be the one you’d choose.
Whether it’s on the race tracks of the world championship motocross, the stadiums of American Supercross, the rocky cauldrons of world enduro or even the endless sands of the Dakar, the Austrian 450 has dominated and conquered them all. It’s little surprise then that Ride Expeditions picked the KTM EXC 450 as their premier bike choice to tackle the massive landscapes and endless trails on The Warrior’s Trail across Mongolia. It is exactly the sort of route that flatters this bike: huge open country, long days in the saddle and enough rough stuff to show what a proper enduro machine can do.
So what makes the KTM 450 such a capable dirt bike? In this KTM 450 EXC review, we look at why it works so well in Mongolia and where it really shines off-road.
KTM 450 EXC Engine and Performance
If there’s one consistent part that makes every 450 a winning machine, it’s the uber-powerful and reliable motor. Whether it’s in the 450 SX that took Cooper Webb and Ryan Dungey to Supercross glory and Jeffrey Herlings to an MXGP crown, or the Dakar wins for Luciano Benavides, Daniel Sanders and Toby Price – this motor is a proven hero.
The single-cylinder four-stroke motor in the 2024 EXC 450 weighs in at a smidge over 29 kilos yet generates around 50 brake horsepower. Yet, spread across the range of the bullet-proof six-speed gearbox, this is an extremely flexible and usable unit. Fuelling the new engine is a single electronically controlled Keihin throttle body delivering an uncannily direct throttle response from tick-over right up to the red line!
While older open-class enduro bikes used to be so aggressive as to be almost unrideable for anything less than racing, the new breed of KTMs manage to be both intensely powerful and incredibly rideable. For 2024, the engine has been repositioned within the frame to increase stability and help centralise the mass of the bike, with the motor now canted 2 degrees backwards and the sprocket 3 mm lower.
These might sound like small changes, but they all contribute to the better handling and manoeuvrability of the KTM, and whether you are tackling technical climbs in rocky terrain or fast riding on wide open plains, the motor just delivers smooth yet punchy power all day long. We just love riding these 450s!
KTM 450 EXC Frame and Chassis Design
Fresh for the 2024 model, KTM updated almost 95% of the bike to make what was already damn good even better. Alongside an updated and refreshed power plant, there is a new frame, new suspension, improved bodywork and lighting. It’s a full Trigger’s Broom makeover!
The newly designed central double cradle frame might still be the KTM staple of chromoly steel, but thanks to tweaking just about every element, the new frame is narrower, stiffer and more responsive than ever before. The frame is hydroformed, laser cut and then robot-welded to deliver better longitudinal and torsional flex, which allows improved energy absorption and stability for the rider.
And with a new two-piece subframe combining both the strength and lightness of polyamide and aluminium, the rear of the bike has received just as much attention as the main frame elements. The polyamide section also serves to hold the raft of electronic control units for the EXC, sitting just below the seat and above the air filter, keeping all the components together and suitably protected from the trail.
KTM 450 EXC Suspension Setup
But all these improvements to the suspension would be wasted if the suspension on the 450 was not up to scratch. No problem here, though, as up front the 2024 450 gets a brand-new set of 48 mm WP XACT closed cartridge spring forks with improved internals for better oil flow, whereas at the rear it’s the ever-dependable linkless PDS system that gets a WP XPLOR central shock.
For the first time, all the adjustments on both the front and rear units can be made via hand clickers, so both compression and rebound damping can be tuned out on the trail without the need for tools, while the rear spring preload is easily adjustable too via the locking bolt and toothed wheel. Granted, with no linkage it’s far harder to lower a KTM than on its sister brands of GasGas and Husqvarna, but the simplicity of the PDS system has been a staple of their off-road bikes for decades.
And with the new units, the suspension is quite simply some of the best we’ve ever encountered on a dirt bike. It is made for massive trails, whether you are in the deepest outback of Australia or the wide open steppes of Mongolia.
KTM 450 EXC Bodywork and Ergonomics
For the 2024 model, it’s not just the hard parts that kept the designers busy, as all the bodywork and cycle parts received just as much attention. The front fender has a new, highly sculpted profile to keep it rigid, with new mud-repelling fins, while at the rear, the sleek fender flows seamlessly into the seat, slender radiator panels and slimmer 8.5-litre fuel tank.
On the pegs, the bike feels noticeably slimmer around the centre section, and the triangle between footpegs, bars and seat has been optimised for greater control and to reduce rider fatigue.
Seat height on the 450 is a somewhat lofty 963 mm, which can prove a bit of a stretch if you are much less than 5’ 11”, and with the lack of a suspension linkage, this is not the easiest thing to reduce without a new spring. If you are joining one of our Ride Expeditions adventures and aren’t sure, chat to us about it – you can’t ride a bike if you can’t touch the floor!
In terms of the controls, the KTM is as minimal as you might expect, with a kill switch, horn and lighting controls on the left and the start button on the right. A twin-cabled, feather-light throttle sits on the right bar, with a smooth and similarly light hydraulic clutch on the left.
KTM 450 EXC Brakes
As has been the case with KTM for decades, braking duties are handled by Brembo. For how long remains to be seen following the recent development of in-house WP calipers and brake discs.
For the 2024 model, however, it’s a twin-pot Brembo caliper biting onto a 260 mm ventilated wavy disc up front and a single-piston Brembo unit at the rear with a smaller 220 mm ventilated wavy disc. It’s a formula that works faultlessly on the 450, bringing the bike’s almost skeletal 108 kg (dry) weight to a halt in an instant.
How the KTM 450 EXC Rides Off-road
So with just so much new tech and design going into KTM’s new 450 enduro machine, how does it add up off road? From the moment you hit the electric start on the EXC, you get the feeling that today is going to be a good day. The motor springs into life with a purposeful blast of sound before settling to a gentle, if barely restrained, tick-over like the growl of a mildly irritated Rottweiler.
Yet, although it might have that massive potential to turn the landscape to a colourful blur in an instant, the Austrian 450 is a far more flexible and nuanced machine than you might think.
If you are riding tight and technical terrain, such as the leaf-dappled woodland on central Mongolia or the rocky climbs up into the hills, the bike is happy to take things easy. The hydraulic clutch is beautifully controllable and light, and the motor is happy to deliver enough controllable power to take you anywhere you want to go.
Of course, much of that comes from the bike’s light weight and excellent balance. At roughly 110 kilos, it feels almost mountain-bike light compared to those 450s and 400s from back in the 80s. The narrowness of the bike also helps here and allows you to stand on the pegs and really move around on the bike like a trials rider, trickling up the harshest of terrain without batting an eye. All this on a 450. Now that’s seriously impressive.
But while the EXC450 can handle the slow stuff with surprising aplomb, it’s the faster, more flowing rides, which the bike really excels at. With the open plains beyond Ulaanbaatar covered with thousands of long, straight trails like arteries heading away from the heart of the city, this is terrain where the 450 can really stretch its legs. It is exactly the kind of riding that sits at the heart of our trail and enduro tours. For a better feel for why that matters, our piece on motorcycle riding in Mongolia gives the wider picture: flowing tracks, very little tarmac and a kind of freedom that makes bikes like this come alive.
Once out on the trails, the instant and responsive engine is a joy to use, powering through the six-speed box as you race through the landscape. Once stood up on the pegs and leaning forward, the bike positively encourages you to enjoy every moment of the ride – the race-quality suspension soaks up the terrain without a murmur and the motor just keeps on like The Terminator.
Steering is predictably light thanks to the bike’s lack of mass, and a bit of pressure on the foot pegs is almost as effective as a lean or a push on the bars for changes of direction. The power on tap also means that it’s easy to raise the front end to glide over obstacles on the trail, so if you don’t want to steer around something, you can probably just power over it.
And when it comes to bringing it all to a stop, the Brembos at either end manage to be both powerful and delicate at the same time, so whether you are trail braking or hauling up to a halt, the kit has it covered without any ABS elements! We might be biased here, but there is nothing to dislike about riding a KTM EXC 450 off-road. Period.
How the KTM 450 EXC Handles on the Road
In an ideal world, we’d never have to ride on tarmac again, and to be honest, riding in Mongolia does sometimes feel a bit like that ideal world. But almost inevitably, there has to be some blacktop on a tour if you want to cover the distance in the time available. So surely the KTM 450 can’t be much good at that, can it?
Well, yes, it can. While it might not be as flexible or comfortable on the road as a proper adventure bike, the KTM handles longer tarmac sections surprisingly well. Once in top gear and on the highway, the 450 will cruise at 60 to 70 mph all day long and still have enough punch in reserve for quick overtakes.
The tall suspension and off-road tyres demand a bit more respect than a road bike would, but it is impressive just how stable and predictable modern dirt bikes can feel, even when they are a fair way outside their natural comfort zone.
Even in the depths of a British winter, on cold and soaked roads, a decent set of soft knobblies can still feel reassuringly dependable. So on the warm, straight tarmac in Mongolia, the KTM handles the necessary road sections with real composure.
If you were riding on your own, the 8.5-litre fuel tank might prove a limiting factor on a solo round-the-world attempt. But with the support crew on a Ride Expeditions tour, that is never really an issue. You just have to twist and go.
KTM 450 EXC Specs
The Engine
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Design | Single cylinder, 4-stroke |
| Displacement | 449.9 cm³ |
| Clutch | DDS wet multi-disc clutch, Brembo hydraulics |
| Starter | Electric starter |
| Transmission | 6 Speed |
Chassis, Suspension and Dimensions
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brake system | Brembo calipers on ventilated wavy discs |
| Fork | WP XACT closed cartridge spring forks, 48 mm |
| Rear suspension system | Linkless PDS system |
| Shock absorber | WP XPLOR central shock |
| Frame type | Central double-cradle CrMo steel, polyamide / aluminium subframe |
| Ground clearance | 347 mm |
| Seat height | 963 mm |
| Suspension travel (front) | 300 mm |
| Suspension travel (rear) | 300 mm |
| Total fuel tank capacity | approx. 8.5 l |
| Weight without fuel | approx. 108.4 kg |
.Source: Official KTM 450 EXC-F 2024 technical specifications (manufacturer page, non-English)
Who the KTM 450 EXC Is Best Suited To
So is the KTM EXC 450 the right bike for you on a Ride Expeditions tour?
Well, that depends on your experience and background. If you are a committed off-road rider back home, have a similar enduro bike in the garage, and are taller than around 5’11”, then the 450 is a superb choice. It is powerful, beautifully agile and a complete joy to ride.
If you are less experienced off-road, or simply prefer a slightly less powerful bike that can be lowered, the GasGas EC350F might be a better option. And if you prefer the feel of a big, comfortable single, then the Suzuki DRZ400 may be the one for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ride Expeditions choose the KTM 450 EXC for the Trail & Enduro tours in Mongolia?
Because it suits the terrain so well.
Mongolia throws everything at a bike: long, fast open trails, rougher technical sections, rocky climbs and big days in the saddle. The KTM 450 EXC has the power, balance and suspension to handle all of that, but it is also far more manageable than older big-capacity enduro bikes used to be. That makes it a great fit for riders who want a serious off-road machine that can still stay composed when the trail gets slower or more demanding.
Is the KTM 450 EXC too aggressive for non-racers?
Not in the way older open-class enduro bikes used to be.
The 450 is still a fast and capable machine, but it delivers its performance in a far more usable way than many riders expect. In tighter, more technical terrain, it feels smooth, controllable and well balanced, rather than nervous or hard work.
It still suits riders with solid off-road experience best, but it is not the wild, exhausting brute that some older 450s could be.
What is the seat height on the KTM 450 EXC, and who is it best for?
The seat height is 963 mm, so it is definitely on the tall side.
For that reason, the KTM 450 EXC tends to suit taller riders best, roughly 5’11” and up, unless you are already very comfortable on tall off-road bikes. If you are confident in technical terrain and used to enduro-style machines, the height is less of an issue. If not, it is something worth thinking about before choosing the 450 over a lower or more forgiving option.
Can the KTM 450 EXC be lowered easily?
Not as easily as bikes with linkage rear suspension.
The EXC uses KTM’s linkless PDS setup, which keeps things simple and works brilliantly off road, but it also means lowering is not usually a quick or straightforward job. It can be done, but it generally takes more thought than it would on some other bikes. If seat height is a concern, it is worth considering that before committing to the 450.
Ride It With Us
Ride the KTM 450 EXC in Mongolia
If this review has you thinking about wide-open trails, big skies and proper dirt riding, these are the Mongolia tours where bikes like the KTM 450 EXC come into their own.