Red Bull KTM | 2022 Race Team Bikes

December 12, 2021

PHOTOS | CUDBY-KTM

Race teams spent recent weeks conducting the usual promotional photoshoots with their roster of riders, staff of technicians, and all-new equipment, images that help build hype for the quickly-approaching race season.

Red Bull KTM’s four-rider roster will be aboard the latest iterations of the 250 SX-F and 450 SX-F, “Factory Edition” machines with engines, chassis, bodywork pieces, and suspension components that have been completely redesigned from the previous year.

What stands out on the orange bikes?

– The electric starter button and killswitch, which were previously two separate components, have been condensed to a single unit. Where the piece gets mounted is a rider preference; Musquin/Plessinger/Vohland had it on the right side and near the throttle housing while Webb kept it on the “traditional” left side.

– It seems KTM and WP have paused the use of the air shock, an understandable decision considering the limited data on the new bike and the pneumatic part’s history.

– “Center of gravity” is an important concept in the SX-F. The placement of the shock in the swingarm and frame appears to be more vertical, bringing it closer to the refined/compacted engine.

– Universal use of the Renthal FatBar.

– The new chassis eliminates the need for a spar between the engine cradle, a specialty part that the factory team has used to manage the front-end feeling of the bike for years.

– Roger De Coster noted that the base setting preferred by all three 450 Class riders is very close.

Red Bull KTM | 2022 Race Team

Team Principals | Roger DeCoster & Ian Harrison

1. Cooper Webb | KTM 450 SX- Factory Edition | Mechanic – Carlos Rivera

7. Aaron Plessinger | KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition | Mechanic – Jade Dungey

25. Marvin Musquin | KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition | Mechanic – Frank Latham

36. Maximus Vohland | KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition | Mechanic – Austin Watterson