- To be available from July 2026
- Uses a 450cc engine and gets rally-spec components
KTM has unveiled the latest version of its benchmark rally machine, the KTM 450 Rally Replica, for 2027, once again offering privateers a near-factory Dakar weapon in limited numbers from July 2026. Built as a close replica of the brand’s championship-winning works bike, ridden by stars like Luciano Benavides and Daniel Sanders, the Rally Replica will be limited to just 100 units globally.
While the 2027 update doesn’t radically change the formula, that’s hardly a drawback. This platform has claimed 12 wins from the last 21 editions of the Dakar Rally and racked up over 250 stage victories, making it one of the most proven rally bikes ever built.
At its core is a 450cc fuel-injected SOHC engine, built to comply with FIM regulations and closely related to KTM’s SX-F motocross platform. It’s paired with a six-speed gearbox featuring rally-specific ratios and a Brembo hydraulic clutch, while a titanium Akrapovič exhaust helps keep weight down and performance sharp.
The chassis departs from KTM’s usual off-road setups, using a hydro-formed, laser-cut, and hand-welded trellis frame instead of a double-cradle design. The goal is a precise balance of rigidity and flex, critical for stability and control across long, punishing rally stages.
Suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable WP Pro components, offering a massive 304mm of travel up front and 280mm at the rear, built to handle everything from dunes to rocky terrain.
Fuel capacity is another standout feature. Three separate tanks combine for a total of 34.5 litres, allowing riders to manage weight distribution depending on stage conditions. Up front, a carbon-fibre navigation tower houses a digital roadbook and LED lighting setup, bringing it in line with full factory rally bikes.
For 2027, the standard model returns to KTM’s signature orange livery. For those wanting something even more exclusive, just eight Factory Edition models will be built to celebrate Benavides’ Dakar success. These come finished in Red Bull KTM colours, with carbon components, a Selle Dalla Valle seat, and a numbered frame badge.
Owners of the Factory Edition also get a full VIP experience, including access to the KTM Adventure Rally in Italy, a personal handover from Benavides, a signed race jersey, and on-event support from the Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team.
