2027 KTM SX-F Factory Edition: Back to the Spring Fork, a Preview of 2028

• The 450 makes 63.8 hp (46.9 kW) at 10,000 rpm, the 250 revs to 14,500 rpm
• A WP spring fork with a closed cartridge replaces the previous air fork
• Dealer launch from November 2026, in Italy from 12,690 euros

For years, the Factory Edition has been the sharpest production version of KTM’s motocross bike. It takes the standard SX-F, adds factory parts and race styling, and turns it into a machine that can line up at the gate without major modifications. For model year 2027, KTM goes one step further: the two new Factory Editions are not just upgraded production models, but the first motorcycles of a completely new generation. KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister presented them at the show stand in Milan. For KTM, it marks the return to EICMA after the manufacturer skipped the show entirely in 2025. The previous SX-F generation dates back to 2023 and was last updated in 2025.

What is new on the 2027 KTM SX-F Factory Editions?

Almost everything is new: frame, swingarm, fork, shock, engine, electronics, exhaust, ergonomics and bodywork. KTM speaks of a new platform developed over several years together with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.

Early parts of this technology had already been seen on prototypes over the past two years. Feedback from the factory riders in the Motocross World Championship (MXGP) and the US AMA SuperMotocross series went straight into the production bikes. The 450 is based on the machine that Andrea Adamo, among others, races. Jorge Prado has also already used some of the solutions in competition. Both models share chassis, ergonomics and electronics. The biggest differences are in the engine.

Why is KTM going back to a conventional spring fork?

With the new generation, KTM is saying goodbye to the air fork and returning to a fork with a mechanical spring. According to the manufacturer, it damps more consistently, keeps the front wheel planted better and reacts more predictably as the track changes over the course of a race.

Specifically, it is a 48 mm WP XACT upside-down fork with a closed cartridge. In this design, the damping system works in a sealed unit. The previous air fork could be recognised by the valve at the top of the fork, which was used to set the pressure. According to KTM, the new fork was tested by everyone from amateur riders right up to world championship level.

The WP shock has also been revised. It gets a new high-speed compression adjustment for fast suspension movements, such as hard hits or landings. There is also a modified linkage. All adjusters on the fork and shock are designed to be easy to reach. The show stand also featured a version with electronically adjustable suspension, which allows different settings to be selected directly from the handlebar.

Lighter frame, new swingarm and slimmer lines

The frame remains a chromoly steel frame, but it is lighter and has a new geometry. The steering head, engine mounts and stiffness have been changed, as has the upper shock mount. The engine sits 2.3 mm higher in the frame. KTM wants to centralise the mass better in the middle of the bike, which should make the handling more balanced.

The new aluminium subframe weighs just 1.23 kg (2.7 lbs). According to KTM, it is the lightest subframe the manufacturer has ever built. Also new is the cast aluminium swingarm, whose flex characteristics are matched to the new frame. The revised chain adjuster allows the wheelbase to be extended by 5 mm. The machined triple clamps offer an adjustable offset between 22 and 24 mm. Together, this gives more options for adapting the bike to the track and the rider.

The new generation should also be noticeable when sitting and standing. The bodywork is slimmer, there is more contact area at the knees, and the seat is new. The footpegs have a new surface for more grip. The NEKEN handlebar is lighter and can be mounted in two positions.

In terms of weight, the difference on the 450 is modest. Without fuel it weighs 105.6 kg (232.8 lbs), while the model year 2026 Factory Edition came in at 106.4 kg (234.6 lbs). The 250 tips the scales at 103 kg (227.1 lbs).

How powerful is the 2027 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition?

The 450 makes 63.8 hp (46.9 kW) at 10,000 rpm and 52 Nm (38.4 lb-ft) at 7,000 rpm. According to KTM, however, the focus during development was not on pure peak power, but on power that is easier to control.

To achieve this, KTM revised the cylinder head, the intake and the crankshaft. New is a so-called top-feed injection: an injector sits further up in the intake tract. This gives fuel and air more time to mix before they enter the combustion chamber. The Keihin throttle body still measures 44 mm, but has an offset injector. The result should be more torque at low revs and a more direct throttle response.

The exhaust is completely new and has three resonance chambers on the 450. It is designed to spread the power more broadly while complying with the new 109 dB noise limit of the FIM and the AMA. In the gearbox, KTM has changed the ratio between second and third gear. This should help when accelerating out of corners and reduce the need to downshift in slow sections.

What changes on the engine of the 250 SX-F Factory Edition?

The 250 gets the bigger overhaul. An oval throttle body, oval intake ports, top-feed injection and a completely new valve train make it, according to KTM, the most powerful 250 cc four-stroke motocross bike in series production.

The compression ratio rises to 15.5:1. The rev limiter only kicks in at 14,500 rpm, the same figure the factory riders use in MXGP and AMA SuperMotocross. KTM does not give a specific power figure for the 250. Here the exhaust has two resonance chambers and also meets the 109 dB limit. On the 250, too, the engine sits 2.3 mm higher in the frame.

Electronics, gearbox and shifting

A new engine management system processes sensor data faster and with more advanced calculations. This allows ignition, injection and the maps for each individual gear to be controlled more precisely. New is knock control, which is designed to protect the engine while allowing a sharper setup.

The gearbox is lighter but stronger. A redesigned shift drum reduces the force needed at the shift lever. The quickshifter, which allows clutchless upshifts, shifts faster and more smoothly thanks to the new electronics.

Which factory parts does the Factory Edition come with?

The Factory Edition comes with an extensive package of race parts straight from the dealer. This includes factory triple clamps, a holeshot device and a wheel set with EXCEL Takasago rims, rearranged spokes and orange anodised, machined hubs.

Also fitted as standard: a gold race chain and an orange rear sprocket, a floating Wave front brake disc with guard, a Hinson clutch cover, frame protectors and a skid plate. The seat has a Selle Dalla Valle cover, and the grips come from ODI and can be fitted without glue. Visually, the orange frame and the factory team design stand out.

Many details are aimed at work in the paddock. Adjustment points are clearly marked, and maintenance instructions are placed directly on the bike. The hour meter now sits in a more accessible position. The fork guards have a new mounting so they do not twist and touch the seals. Markings help when setting the holeshot device. The new airbox is designed to offer better protection against dust, mud and water. A side flap keeps the air filter quickly accessible. Cooling has also been improved.

On the Brembo brakes, there are new rear pads that bite more gently and should make rear wheel lock-up at the start of braking less likely. The tip of the rear brake pedal can be moved 5 mm forward or back to suit boot size.

What role do the Factory Editions play for the 2028 SX models?

The new Factory Editions are a preview of KTM’s future motocross line-up. Their technology is set to form the basis for all SX models of model year 2028.

This also explains the unusual approach: instead of launching the new generation in the standard SX-F first, it debuts in the most expensive version. The Factory Editions also serve as the basis for the homologation of the bikes the KTM factory riders will race in the US next season. Homologation here means that a motorcycle has to be sold in a certain number of units for its technology to be allowed in racing.

At the same time, sister brand Husqvarna showed the FC 450 Factory Edition at EICMA with the same technology, but with a white frame and its own Akrapovič exhaust. KTM hinted at further updates for the enduro models during the presentation, but has not shown them yet. On 6 November, factory riders Andrea Adamo and Andrea Verona will sign autographs at the KTM stand in Hall 22. An overview of all other premieres at the show and the entire 2027 model year can be found in our round-ups of EICMA 2026 and the new motorcycles for 2027.

How much do the 2027 KTM SX-F Factory Editions cost?

In Italy, the 450 SX-F Factory Edition costs 13,390 euros (around 14,970 US dollars), and the 250 SX-F Factory Edition 12,690 euros (around 14,190 US dollars). Both models are expected at KTM dealers from November 2026.

In the UK, prices are 9,649 pounds (around 11,580 euros / 12,940 US dollars) for the 450 and 8,899 pounds (around 10,680 euros / 11,930 US dollars) for the 250. For Germany, KTM refers to dealers and the national distributor for pricing and availability. Availability may vary by country, but KTM wants to offer the Factory Editions in more markets than before.

For all off-road models from model year 2027, KTM offers a manufacturer’s warranty of up to one year. The condition is that the motorcycle is used as intended and all prescribed services are carried out by an authorised KTM dealer.

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