RIDE Durban

The gate has dropped and KTM has already grabbed an early advantage as its new 2022 motocross range.

Of all the motorcycle manufacturers currently producing motocross machinery, only KTM is fortunate enough to have its factory racing workshop based on the same sprawling site as its production lines where each model is lovingly put together and then run up on a dyno to make sure it’s a-okay!

And that gives KTM a huge advantage as the technology that works on the, erm, works bikes can soon be crossed over to the mass-produced models should the KTM hierarchy see fit. And on the whole, it seems that they do and what wins on Sunday is quite often being fitted to production models a week on Monday. Okay, it’s not quite that fast but you get the drift…

KTM is claiming that their 22 MY range is the most complete and technologically advanced line-up of motocross machinery around and features models that cater for all competitive needs. That can’t be argued with because if there’s a class for it, KTM has a bike for it and some of their models – such as the SX-E5 – have even had classes created for them.

The new SX range promises to bring riders across the world closer to a championship-winning experience. Now I don’t know about that but it is fair to say that after decades of seamless flow of information from the race paddock to KTM’s production line, the complete 2022 KTM SX range is closer than ever to the bikes winning those titles.

KTM aspires to deliver superior standards of performance and in their updated 2022 livery, the new models set a benchmark for their competitors to try and better.

Built for those who know the importance of a solid technical base, the KTM SX-F model range is the choice of winners. The 2022 four-stroke range is made up of three models that take advantage of all the hard work the factory team and R&D department put in and feature the latest WP XACT suspension technology and advanced technical solutions including Traction Control, Launch Control and variable engine mapping. It almost goes without saying that reliable e-starters come as standard as this is a technology that KTM championed as far back as 15 years ago!

The 2022 450 SX-F remains that extremely compact package that MX1 racer love and now packs an amazing 63 horsepower punch that is delivered in the most effective way possible.

The 250 SX-F has been a class leader in the MX2 class for years and years and KTM continues to push the boundaries of just how much outright speed a 250F can generate.

Open class riders who enjoy the additional agility of a smaller bike but still want more oomph than a 250 four-banger can deliver have got the option of the 350 SX-F which is a long-time favourite with riders who simply want to enjoy their Sunday scrambling.

The two-strokes are back too and for adult racers that means a choice of three bikes – the 125 SX, 150 SX and 250 SX. The 125cc KTM has been a class leader since before Jamie Dobb won his world title on one back in 2001 and to give its performance some modern-day relevance KTM took seven of the top 12 places in the 2020 EMX125 series. Four of the other spots were from manufacturers in the same family. It’s safe to say this thing is good.

eople say the 150 is only 25ccs more than the 125 – that’s true enough but at the same time that’s 20 per cent and we all see that as a significant amount when we have to pay VAT. So, the difference might not sound a lot but those 25 cubes make a big difference and allow competent 150 riders to compete with 250 four-strokes. While that’s not helpful in professional or most national series, at club events and the like it makes the 150 a viable option for 125 riders who don’t want to spend thousands finding additional horsepower.

KTM’s 250 two-stroke is an absolute weapon and has the same lightweight feel as the other KTM two-stroke models but with a lot more bark. That said, the latest generation is easier to ride than ever but still delivers a million smiles per mile – if you’ve never ridden or owned a 250 two-stroke now is the time and they’re becoming more and more prevalent across the board as they’re just more fun to ride!

All the full-size 2022 SXs come with a frame in that racing orange in colour to further reinforce the proximity to the championship-winning machines that the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing stars do their thing on. The fresh frame colouring compliments the new blue seat cover and fresh colours of the BNGs (Bold New Graphics) to further hammer the point home!