Just when you thought light was light KTM takes another four pounds off their motorcycles. KTM just announced the FE lineup for 2016. Nothing as radical compared to the 2015 FE launch but four pounds is worth talking about.
The Factory Editions will be available in both 250 and 450 displacements.The FE is very much the same as the standard SX-F 2016 models, except for cool paint, graphics, clamps and assorted bling. So where do they get the four pound diet, the Fork and exhaust! KTM is now officially in the Air business in the great US of A. The FE will get the WP air fork, which will save three pounds over the current 4CS fork. The Exhaust has also be revamped to save an additional pound. Nothing totally new since production bikes in Europe come standard with the WP air fork but still very cool. KTM’s claimed weight now on the FE 250 is 217.2 pounds and the 450 is 221.3.
According to WP, the new 48mm AER is a pretty simple yet very effective design. The air is not in the outer chamber like the first gen. air forks from the other brands. The air is internal so if a fork seal fails the fork will not compress, and if the air chamber fails, the fork still has some functionality. What some consider the balance spring or balance chamber is not an air charged or spring in the WP fork. In fact the balance chamber equalizes itself for a more consistent feel during a moto. This is a very effective way to control the fork as heat starts to rise in the fork. Each leg of the fork has a separate function, one side being the air chamber and the second for dampening.
So if you love the 2016 KTM 450 SX-F but feel the fork needs a little help, just go buy a new FE and your problem might be solved
