Ride Session: 2009 KTM 450 SX
- Updated: February 28, 2009
Photos by Aaron Stevenson and Dave Walton
Ross Dantonio gives his new KTM 450 SX its first ride.
By now you’ve probably read what multi-time National Champion Shane Hitt reported about KTM’s new SX quad, but we’ve yet to see if the new KTM SX can indeed win races like its XC cousin has. With the ATVA Motocross Nationals just around the corner we’re going to find that out real soon.
While we wait to see if the orange brand can indeed run upfront we decided to show you guys what three of the fastest KTM riders in the National Motocross scene will be riding when they pull into their gate-spots at round one of the Nationals.
Boy did I luck out this time, all of the pieces to this assignment were literally right in front of me. It turned out to be an all-Ohio gig; KTM North America (Amherst), Pro-Am riders Adam Clark (Elyria), Joe Bruening (Chardon), Ross Dantonio (Westerville) and the ride spot, Ram Jam’s Sportsplex (Sheffield Village). Even the photo and video crew of Aaron Stevenson, Dave Walton and Rob Carrel were all Ohio born and raised.
On with the show! Let’s take a closer look at a few of the fastest KTM race quads you’ll see in the upcoming ATV Motocross National scene…
Lookout, Joe Bruening is in shape and ready to rumble on his new Baldwin/Feuerstein prepped KTM 450 SX.
Bruening, who rode a Yamaha YFZ last year, says he’s in the best shape of his life and more than ready to take on all comers in the Pro-Am ranks with his new KTM.
Joe’s #28 450 SX, (which is actually owned, built and kept up by Derek Feuerstein) is definitely a looker. As you’ll see in the photos, it’s indeed quite sharp, and as you’ll see in the video it has monstrous roost-ripping power to boot.
Joe is smaller and lighter than most riders so he and his mechanic Derek cut an inch out of the stock aluminum steering stem. While in half Derek told me he’s never seen a stronger piece of aluminum and we agreed many of the components on the KTM are a step above what we’ve seen from other manufacturers in the past.
Joe says his KTM features JB Racing A-arms for more adjustability, added durability and beefier balljoints. PEP’s top-of-the-line ZPS PB-1 shocks, a Quad Tech hood and Spastic Design graphics are also seen in this shot. Derek, Joe and fellow Ohioan Mark Baldwin of Baldwin Motorsports have definitely done their homework in preparation of putting the KTM 450 SX at the front of the pack at this year’s Nationals. They tinkered with the stock WP shocks, which are pro class worthy according to Shane Hitt, but opted to take advantage of their PEP sponsorship and bolted up a set of PEP ZPS (Zero Pre-Load System) shocks. Joe said he couldn’t corner as hard with the stock shocks since they were way too stiff for his lightweight. His PEP set up, which feature PEP’s new PB-1 fronts, solved the problem and he says his KTM now handles extraordinary.
JB Racing A-arms are paired up with the PEP PB-1 fronts perfectly, while the stock swingarm remains in the rear. Rounding out the handling department is Joe’s best friend, a Precision Racing stabilizer.
As for the engine department, Baldwin Motorsports charged up the already amped-up SX powerplant by installing a 13:5:1 Wiseco Piston along with a Baldwin Cam and Port job. Baldwin also customized the stock airbox to increase the air intake in order to get the most out of his engine modifications. Lastly an HMF slip on exhaust tip is used. The trio plan to swap out the rest of the stock exhaust as soon as they can find a unit that they feel worthy of their Pro caliber KTM SX.
Joe says his new KTM is the fastest and best handling ATV he’s ever ridden, and it looks just as good as it is fast thanks to a Quad Tech hood and seat and number and decals by Spastic Graphix. Stock bumpers are used while KTM Hard Parts nerfs got the nod over the stock nerfs. All in all, Bruening’s #28 KTM 450 SX is indeed a looker but more important to keeping the competition in check, it flat out rips on the track. Like I said, check out the video for proof.
Joe said he has his new KTM dialed in perfectly and has yet to ride a quad that handled better.
Know Joe Bruening Better…
Name: Joseph Bruening Nickname: Joe B. Birthdate: 4-6-88 Home: Chardon, OH Born in: Chardon, OH Occupation: Excavator/landscaper
Brothers, Sisters? 4 brothers and 7 sisters Racing #: 28 Current Quad: ‘09 KTM 450 SX Sponsors: Baldwin Motorsports, PEP, JB Racing, Spastic Designs, BlackHawkMotorsports, KTM, and Feuerstein,
What do you drive? F-350 Amarillo Must have ATV bolt on: PEP shocks Restaurant: Chipotle Pets: Great Dane Favorite Place on Earth: My dad’s house Worst Place on Earth: Any Ford service counter Coolest thing you’ve won: Money Websites: ATVSCENE.com What’s on your I pod? MeWithoutYou, Vampire Weekend, Modest Mouse
Cell Phone and carrier? Alltel Worst Habit? Starbucks Who would you like to trade places with for a day? Joe Moriarty My motto: With God all things are possible
What’s in your bucket list? Down hill mountain bike racing Talent you would love to have… Hip Hop, so I can make lots of money Favorite athlete in another sport? Ricky Carmichael
Adam Clark not only rides a KTM, he works there as well. Adam’s weight and size is much bigger than Joe’s so he hasn’t experienced a stiff feel with the stock WP shocks like Joe did. In fact, Adam feels the stock shocks are fine just the way they come. After watching him sky off Ram Jam’s jumps I agree, his suspension looked to be doing its job quite well.
Keeping in theme with the stock suspension, Adam’s quad certainly is closer to stock than it is trick, but there are a few things he’s done different. Adam’s number 31 SX gets a little more grunt by way of a Wiseco 13:5:1 piston and an FMF Slip-on, which Adam pulled from the KTM Hard Equipment shelf while at his day job at KTM North America. VP C-12 racing fuel and Motorex 10W-40 oil is used to keep engine problems in check. Adam says his KTM 450 SX makes 50 horsepower and only weighs 360 pounds. He says squeezing more out of the engine in this early part of the game isn’t worth risking a DNF.
Rath Racing nerf bars with heel guards are used as are Rath Racing front and rear bumpers. Adam pulled a set of Renthal Twin handlebars and a set of Domino KTM stock dirt bike grips from the KTM Hard Equipment shelf, along with an Ohlins steering stabilizer while he was there.
Adam’s KTM features a set of hinged and flexible Cycra M2 hand guards, which not only look really sharp but protect his hands from roost. The last change, other than his number plates courtesy of PG Graphics, is a KTM Hard Equipment non o-ring orange chain.
Last year Adam was one of two riders in the Pro-Am ranks to ride a KTM at the ATVA Motocross Nationals when he and Open A points runner up Derek Swartfager of Knox, PA widened their KTM XCs. As did Derek’s brother Dustin Swartfager who won the Open B Championship with his moto-converted KTM XC. This year Adam, and the Swartfager brothers have a whole new excitement about the series and their KTM SX racer machines.
Adam dislocated his shoulder while practicing at Ram Jam’s a few days prior to this outing. Unbelievably he showed up anyway, shrugged off the pain and pounded out laps like a mad-man.
With a ton of natural raw talent and KTM’s exciting new SX under him look for the 31 of Adam Clark up front in 2009. We have a feeling that a lot of riders will be seeing this view of Adam at motocross races throughout the country.
Know Adam Clark Better…
Nickname: AC
Sponsors: KTM, KTM Hard Equipment, Baldwin Motorsports, Cycra, Rath Racing, Wiseco, PG Graphics, Maxxis, Ram Jam Sportsplex Pets: My dog just died about two weeks ago, so nothing right now but I want a Lab or Boxer puppy.
What’s on your walls? Some racing/riding pictures that are blown up |
If Ross’s quad looks pretty much stock, that’s because it is indeed bone stock. In fact this was his first ride on his new KTM.
Ross was absolutely blown away with the SX, and said Shane Hitt’s review was pretty much spot on. “Hands down, this is the best 450 I have ever ridden!
The stock bike has just as much power as my factory Yoshimura LTR engine that I used to race with.” With that said I don’t see Ross changing too much to the engine, but I do predict his new SX, with the help of his new Clutch Industries graphics company will surely turn some heads.
If you think Ross’s new SX looks good here, wait until you see it after he dials it in and dresses it up with Clutch Industries graphics
KTM’s SX is no longer under construction, after seeing Joe, Adam and Ross tear it up at Ram Jam’s we wont be surprised to see orange up front at both cross country races and motocross events as well.