KTM 65 SX

The KTM 65 SX is designed to keep small kids in mind, who are aged between 8 to 12 years. Keeping their ease of riding as the center of thought process, the overall dimensions of the KTM 65 SX are compact. However, the overall design remains the core theme of off-road motocross motorcycles, with the motorcycle here having a barebone design and having top-notch mechanical components to boost its ability in off-road terrains.

The frontal design of the KTM 65 SX has been kept very simple, with the motorcycle missing out on a proper headlamp, and in its place, it gets a simple white plastic cowl. The high mounted front fender has a pointy front tip, which tapers down sharply towards its end. The front forks of the KTM 65 SX get edgy decals in their middle portion and black colored protectors at their lower portions.

The side profile of the KTM 65 SX looks outright sporty and stays true to the ethos of motocross motorcycles. The diminutive fuel tank is surrounded by sleek and pointy tank extensions, which do have a sense of continuity as they are attached to the side body panels flowing all the way to the rear end.

The horizontally stretched V-shaped seat is almost flat, but is obviously small and accommodating enough for only one person at one time. The orange-colored frame houses the grey finished engine, from which a very thick muffler flows out towards the slim under-seat exhaust, flanked by a wide white plastic cowl on its right-hand side.

Despite its compact size, the KTM 65 SX has a towering stance, thanks to the high ground clearance and supreme off-road-oriented tires. The handlebar of the KTM 65 SX is almost flat and devoid of any proper switchgear and instrument console to grace the rider’s cockpit here. It however comes fitted with ODI lock grips to make sure the rider doesn’t lose out on control while tackling rough stuff.

Despite its entry-level positioning and compact nature for beginners, KTM has gone full-blown when it comes to equipping the 65 SX with very capable mechanical hardware. The suspension combination of upside-down hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and an aluminium swingarm with a fully adjustable monoshock at the rear have got very impressive suspension travel of 215mm and 270mm respectively.

Adding in more off-road capability to the 25CrMo4 steel central-tube frame is the high ground clearance of 280mm. Even the braking combination of a 198mm front disc brake and 160mm rear disc brake is quite fantastic for a motorcycle of this size.

The KTM 65 SX gets its thrust from a very small two-stroke, single-cylinder, water-cooled, carbureted, 64.9cc engine. However, KTM has refrained from disclosing the power and torque outputs of the engine. Though, what makes the matter very interesting is its extremely light kerb weight of just 53 kg, which does ensure a thrilling performance on tap.

The KTM 65 SX has been designed to keep the overall kerb weight as minimum as possible, and that’s why it doesn’t get fancy add-ons in terms of equipment and electronic safety aids.

The KTM 65 SX makes up for a very interesting proposition as a beginner’s motorcycle, with the bike getting top-notch hardware coupled up with a very lightweight chassis and peppy engine. For young kids and amateurs in their early phases of learning to ride a motorcycle, the KTM 65 SX is one good motorcycle to take your skillset of riding on off-road terrains to the next level.