INVASION OF THE 2023-1/2 FACTORY, WORKS, ROCKSTAR & SPECIAL RACER EDITIONS

Factory Editions have become all the rage since the amazing success of the original KTM 450SXF Factory Edition in 2012 (often called the Ryan Dungey Replica). KTM soon added the Rockstar Edition to its Husqvarna line and then expanded from just 450cc Factory Editions to include 250cc Factory Editions. Now for 2023, the Austrian output includes Factory Editions, both 450 and 250 versions, for KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas motorcycles.

It took the Japanese brands seven years before they realized that KTM had been raking in the dough by offering accessory-ladened Factory Editions for a premium price. Honda was the first to recognize what they were missing and brought out the first CRF450WE Works Edition in 2019. Kawasaki joined the invasion in 2022 with the KX450SR Special Racer. What follows is a run-down of all the Factory Editions available in 2023.

2023-1/2 KTM 450SXF FACTORY EDITION—MSRP: $12,099 /  2023-1/2 KTM 250SXF FACTORY EDITION—MSRP: $10,599

2023-1/2 KTM FACTORY EDITION HIGHLIGHTS

(1) Selle Dalla Valle seat. The KTM Factory Edition seat is orange and comes with ribs for improved traction.
(2) Running gear. Factory wheels with black rims, orange hubs, orange sprockets and black spokes.
(3) Exhaust. A slip-on Akrapovic muffler is mated to the stock exhaust pipe.
(4) Brakes. The Brembo brakes are mated to a semi-floating front brake rotor.
(5) Skid plate. The factory racing plastic/carbon composite skid plate bolts to the mounting tabs welded to the frame.
(6) Triple clamps. Power Parts orange-anodized split triple clamps.
(7) Electronic aids. The 2023-1/2 Factory Editions have easily accessible Traction Control, Quick Shift, Launch Control and maps.
(8) Anti-squat. Thanks to moving the engine rearward and down, the Factory Editions feature an innovative “anti-squat” chain line that stops the rear of the bike from sucking downward under drive.
(9) Accoutrements. The footpegs are mounted inboard to give the rider’s boots more room. There is a Hinson clutch cover (although the clutch itself is by KTM). The whole package is highlighted by an orange powder-coated frame and Red Bull KTM Factory graphics.
(10) Suspension. The WP XACT forks and WP shock have new valving, which can be adjusted by hand.

2023-1/2 HUSQVARNA FC250 ROCKSTAR EDITION—MSRP: $10,699 / 2023-1/2 HUSQVARNA FC450 ROCKSTAR EDITION—MSRP: $12,199

2023-1/2 HUSQVARNA ROCKSTAR EDITION HIGHLIGHTS

(1) Seat. The Rockstar Edition seat has a black, ribbed, high-grip Guts seat cover.
(2) Running gear. Factory wheels are laced to black Takasago Excel rims, black hubs, black sprockets and black spokes.
(3) Exhaust. A slip-on FMF Racing Factory 4.1 muffler is mated to the stock exhaust pipe.
(4) Brakes. The Brembo brakes are mated to a semi-floating front brake rotor.
(5) Skid plate. The factory racing plastic/carbon composite skid plate mounts to tabs welded to the frame.
(6) Triple clamps. The Power Parts black-anodized split triple clamp has adjustable offset (20mm and 22mm).
(7) Electronic aids. There are two preset engine maps, Launch Control, Traction Control and Quick Shift accessed through the multi-switch.
(8) Anti-squat. Thanks to the engine being moved rearward and down, the Rockstar Editions feature an innovative anti-squat chain line that stops the rear of the bike from sucking downward under drive.
(9) Accoutrements. The ProTaper handlebar and soft ODI grips are highlighted by a black powder-coated frame, black and white graphics, and Rockstar Energy race team logos.
(10) Suspension. The WP XACT forks and WP shock have new valving, which can be adjusted by hand.

2023-1/2 KAWASAKI KX450SR SPECIAL RACER—MSRP: $12,699

2023-1/2 KAWASAKI KX450 SPECIAL RACER HIGHLIGHTS

(1) Suspension. New Showa front fork with TIO coating and Showa rear shock (last year the KX450SR came with Kayaba forks and shock).
(2) Cylinder head. The cylinder head is modified with polished intake ports.
(3) Exhaust. A Pro Circuit Ti-6 titanium exhaust system comes on every KX450SR.
(4) Electronic aids. All-new ECU mapping for more power, plus it has Kawasaki Launch Control mode, which limits rpm even under full throttle until the clutch lever is released.
(5) Triple clamps. The KX450SR features XTRIG ROCS triple clamps with PHDS (progressive handlebar damping system) bar mounts.
(6) Clutch. It comes with a Hinson clutch cover with “Kawasaki Racing Team” engraved on it (although the clutch is a stock coned disc-spring hydraulic clutch).
(7) Rims. Black anodized D.I.D. Dirt Star ST-X rims.
(8) Drivetrain. Renthal rear sprocket and new D.I.D. gold chain.
(9) Graphics. Kawasaki factory race-team-inspired graphics.
(10) Ergo-Fit. Ergo-Fit allows various points on the chassis to be adjusted. These include the footpeg height and handlebar mounting points.

2023-1/2 HONDA CRF450WE WORKS EDITION—MSRP: $12,399

2023-1/2 HONDA CRF450 WORKS EDITION HIGHLIGHTS

(1) Clutch. With eight plates and a larger oil volume for improved durability, the Works Edition comes standard with a Hinson clutch basket and cover.
(2) Exhaust. There is a stainless steel Yoshimura exhaust with a titanium muffler. For 2023 the Yoshimura exhaust system utilizes a resonance chamber for increased power and torque.
(3) Graphics. Throttle Jockey supplies the red seat cover with white ribbing. The radiator-shroud graphics feature the new HRC logo, and the valve cover is powder-coated red.
(4) Ports. The CRF450WE cylinder head features hand-polished ports. The valve cover is magnesium.
(5) Rims. Black anodized D.I.D DirtStar LT-X rims and D.I.D-DM2 Gold chain.
(6) Suspension. Titanium oxide-coated fork legs and titanium oxide-coated, 18mm shock shaft.
(7) Triple clamps. Gray metallic-coated triple clamps (only the coating is different from stock).
(8) Black box. There are dedicated ignition and injection mapping options with three ignition maps, three Traction Control settings and three Launch Control options.
(9) Frame. The aluminum joint where the downtube meets the frame cradle has been increased from 4mm to 6mm. Similarly, the shock tower has been increased from 4mm to 6mm. Additionally, the engine hangers are now steel instead of aluminum.2023-1/2 MC450F FACTORY EDITION 2023—MSRP: $12,099

 

2023-1/2 GASGAS FACTORY EDITION HIGHLIGHTS

(1) New frame. The new frame is stronger than the previous frame and is hydro-formed, laser-cut, robot-welded and powder-coated red.
(2) New subframe. The new aluminum/composite subframe is lighter and stronger than the old one.
(3) New die-cast swingarm. An improved casting process knocks off 190 grams to allow it to work with the flex of the new frame.
(4) New bodywork. The GasGas Factory Editions have newly designed plastic and Red Bull graphics. Additionally, the bodywork has larger contact areas for your knees to grip.
(5) New fuel tank. Fuel capacity has been increased, so you can go the distance without fear of running out of gas.
(6) New footpegs. The footpegs don’t stick out farther, but they do stick in tighter to the frame to give your boots more room to work.
(7) New suspension settings. The WP XACT forks and WP shock have new valving, which can be adjusted by hand.
(8) New electronics. The current GasGas doesn’t come with a multi-switch to access all the electronic aids. The new GasGas Factory Editions have easily accessible Traction Control, Quick Shift, Launch Control and maps.
(9) Engine position. The new engine is lower in the chassis and tilted rearward to lower the countershaft sprocket to lessen rear squat.
(10) Running gear. Power Parts wheels, triple clamps, semi-floating front rotor, Akrapovic muffler, composite skid plate and ribbed seat cover.

 

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