For a long time, the 450 enduro bike felt a bit like the awkward middle child. Overshadowed by fire-breathing 500cc four-strokes and the lighter, revvier 350s, the 450 seemed stuck in race-bike territory — fast, sharp, and sometimes more work than fun for everyday trail riding. But in recent years that’s changed. Modern 450s have become smoother, more manageable and far more versatile, and as a result they’ve quietly clawed back a strong place as one of the best all-round options for trail riders and racers alike. The 2012 – 2015 KTM 450 EXC is a big part of that shift.

Over the past decade, KTM has well and truly cemented itself as the dominant force in the bush. Rock up to any organised trail ride or enduro and it’s hard to ignore the sea of orange stretching across the paddock. Even at local riding spots, where there used to be a healthy mix of blue, red, green and yellow, orange and white now seem to rule the roost. That level of popularity doesn’t happen by accident, and, as a bonus, it also means if you’re stuck for parts mid-ride, chances are someone nearby will be able to lend a hand.

If you’re looking at a second-hand 450 EXC, condition can vary wildly, so it pays to be thorough. Ask plenty of questions, take your time inspecting it, and if possible have a trusted mechanic give it a once-over before money changes hands. One mistake buyers often make is writing off bikes that have been raced. In reality, race bikes are often maintained far better than weekend trail bikes. Serious racers can’t afford mechanical failures, so servicing tends to be frequent and meticulous. By comparison, trail bikes are more likely to rack up long hours between oil changes, which can do far more long-term damage than riding hard ever will.

A key area to check is the swingarm and shock linkage. Worn bushes and bearings aren’t cheap to replace with genuine parts, so put the bike on a stand, grab the rear wheel and check for any up-and-down or side-to-side movement. Excessive play usually means the bearings have dried out and started to fail. Engine-wise, the motors are strong and valve reliability is generally excellent, but dust ingestion is a killer. Have a good look down the intake tract for dust trails, these engines don’t tolerate dirty air well. After the dusty A4DE at Cessnock one year, plenty of 450 EXCs came in with stuck piston rings caused by dust build-up, leading to lost compression and no-start issues.

Fuel condition is another known weak point. Old or rotten fuel can wreak havoc on fuel pumps and injectors, especially if the bike’s been sitting around unused. Crack the fuel cap and trust your nose, stale fuel is unmistakable and impossible to disguise. Finally, take the bike for a proper ride. It should start easily, run cleanly without smoke or rattles, pull smoothly through all gears and show no signs of clutch slip. Do that homework and you’ll be rewarded with a bike that proves why the 450 EXC has earned its reputation. It’s a seriously capable, dependable machine — and one that’s as happy chewing up trail miles as it is lining up for a race.

Technical Editor Mat Boyd

NEW

2012 $12,795

2013 $12,795

2014 $13,795

2015 $13,795

SECOND HAND

2012 $6150 – $7300

2013 $6750 – $8050

2014 $7500 – $8950

2015 $8350 – $9950

MARKET EQUIVALENT

12 – 15 Yamaha WR450F

$5700 – $9150

12 – 15 Kawasaki KLX450R

$4850 – $8250

12 – 14 Honda CRF450X

$5900 – $8050

12 – 15 Suzuki RMX450Z

$5900 – $9000

12 – 14 Beta RR 450

$6600 – $8600