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First Look: KTM SX-E 5

4 years ago | Words: KTM USA | Photos: KTM

There always has and always will be talk about the future of our beloved fuel-burning sport and what direction it’s heading in – especially at this point in our lives, with so much action being taken against the big oil, fuel and mining companies and how they are affecting our planet. None of us really like the sound of riding an electric bike (quite literally), but what if they’re actually better than the fossil-burning steeds we ride now? With the launch of KTM’s new SX-E 5 (Junior electric model), there have been quite a few points brought up by not only KTM, but also by the young guns who are actually piloting these bad boys.

But we’ll get to that later. For now, here’s the official information from KTM USA about the Austrian brand’s all-new SX-E 5 Junior E-minicycle…

KTM is proud of its innovative approach to motorcycling and no more so than the introduction of a new electrically powered junior machine – the KTM SX-E 5. This Ready To Race model, showcased for the first time in North America at Red Bull Straight Rhythm in Pomona, California, grows with the rider while offering premium performance and all of the benefits that electrically powered vehicles enjoy.

KTM has put a lot of effort and all of its electric know-how that’s evolved over the last 10 years into the development of the KTM SX-E 5. The result is a highly competitive electric minicycle with minimal maintenance and noise. The bike has six power modes, allowing a complete beginner to step onto a Ready To Race machine with ease, while the full power mode is exciting and challenging for the fastest junior. With a premium chassis developed by our KTM engineers, the KTM SX-E 5 is fully adjustable in terms of ride height, especially with the additional KTM PowerParts lowering kit, and is aimed at riders aged three to 10 years old. The bike grows with the rider both in ability and in size – a special feature for this high-quality machine.

This innovative junior bike has an electric motor powered by an ultra-modern lithium-ion battery pack with a robust housing for maximum protection. The power is smooth and controllable, offering increased rideability over other bikes in its class, while also providing fantastic agility on the motocross course. Like its combustion counterpart, the KTM SX-E 5 is fitted with WP XACT 35 air fork technology, as well as the WP XACT shock absorber, and it also features high-quality components such as premium disc brakes, cast footpegs, tapered aluminum handlebars and confidence-inspiring ergonomics. In fact, the KTM SX-E 5 has undergone the same development process as the bigger SX models as raced by the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. It’s truly an exciting, innovative machine that will create new riding possibilities for riders and tracks in the future.

Joachim Sauer, KTM Senior Product Manager Offroad: “The KTM SX-E 5 is a model we’re really excited to see arrive in dealers. It offers a premium chassis, like those on all of our SX models, but also a lot in terms of rideability thanks to the electric motor, as it’s easy to ride, but at the same time, it can be super-fast without making noise. We tested the bike with such a wide range of riders; the complete beginner can ride on a track almost straight away with this bike as it’s so easy to ride, yet a national level rider can have comparable lap times to that of the combustion bike, which is something special. The adjustability of the bike means that a rider can use it for years as they get faster – they can also be more independent in the operation of the bike, and apart from oiling the chain, there is really minimal maintenance required. In terms of safety, the electronics team worked hard to reach a really high level, and so with top-level performance combined with a huge adaptability for the rider, the KTM SX-E 5 is a fantastic new model in the KTM lineup.”

The e-mobility sector is becoming an important part of modern travel and KTM has a dedicated R&D team working on this segment that are developing platforms for KTM’s future plans in e-powered motorcycles. This, combined with years of knowledge in creating premium sport motorcycles, ensures that KTM is at the forefront of e-technology. KTM has announced it is committed to 4kw-18kw (peak power) low voltage motors and is excited to launch the KTM SX-E 5 is the next chapter in its e-mobility story.

According to KTM Australia, these SX-E 5 machines will be available in January, 2020. Pricing is yet to be announced.

Video: SX-E 5 VS SX65

It’s all well and good to hear how great a bike is from the people who made it. But as we stated before, what do the kids who are riding them think of it? Check out what ‘Pocket Rocket’ Huckson Deegan (and his old man, Brian) has to say about KTM’s SX-E 5 when he compared it back-to-back with his two-stroke SX65…


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