Ride Session: 2009 KTM 450 SX

Riders: Adam Clark, Joe Bruening and Ross Dantonio

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By John Pellan
Photos by Aaron Stevenson and Dave Walton

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…

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.

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.