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The Moto World’s Most Decorated Desert Bike Returns with Purebred Off-Road Chops

Unleash your inner rally rider with the closest two-wheeler you can buy to KTM’s Dakar-dominating 450.

Close-up of an orange off-road motorcycle's front and rear wheels with knobby tires on rocky desert ground.KTM
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By Gray Van Dyke

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In the sand-strewn world of the Dakar Rally, the KTM 450 is a standard-bearer for dirt-slaying two-wheelers, and rightly so.

Over the past 21 instances of the arduous endurance race, the Austrian platform has taken the top spot 12 times and racked up a total of 250 stage victories. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the six most recent of those came in the last decade, with four different riders racing to a first-place finish.

Orange KTM off-road motorcycle with knobby tires and Akrapovic exhaust on rocky desert ground.
The KTM 450 Rally is a dominant force in the world of Dakar.
KTM

Including one earlier this year at the hands of Argentine Luciano Benavides. Now, in celebration of its dominance, KTM is bringing that purebred off-road pedigree to the market once again.

A factory racer for the public

In the form of a motorcycle known as the 450 Rally Replica. As you can probably guess from the name, the bike is about as close as it comes to the stuff the pros are campaigning in the heat of Dakar competition.

Orange KTM dirt bike kicking up sand with rider in matching orange gear and Red Bull helmet in desert.
KTM’s Rally Replica amounts to the closest thing to a factory-delivered race bike.
KTM

Accordingly, it’s set to be a highly desirable item. KTM is building just 100 of these worldwide, and each one will come with a lengthy spec sheet of race-proven essentials lifted directly from the brand’s Factory team expertise.

On the trails, then, this means that it’s not just some enduro bike repurposed from elsewhere in the lineup. KTM designed the Rally Replica around a unique hydroformed frame, complementing its 450cc single with rally gearing ratios, an Akrapovic exhaust and a trick dual radiator setup.

Orange KTM dirt bike handlebar with digital navigation mount and handguards in a sandy desert.
That cockpit houses everything riders need for navigation and control when tackling stage racing.
KTM

In keeping with its endurance focus, you’ll also find that the Rally Replica brings plenty of provisions for long-haul performance. Beyond a three-part 34.5-liter fuel tank arrangement, KTM has specced it with some competition-proven bars and grips to reduce vibration, as well as some wider footpegs for improved grip.

That’s not all. Like the race bikes braving the dunes of the Dakar rally, it also features a carbon navigation tower. Along with housing LEDs for lighting the way ahead, it brings a comprehensive digital cockpit for keeping tabs on checkpoints and controls.

Orange KTM 450 off-road motorcycle with knobby tires on sandy terrain under a clear blue sky.
A three-part tank enables 34.5 liters of fuel capacity.
KTM

Rolling on some fully adjustable WP Pro Suspension with Brembo brakes and a set of burly Excel rims, it’s a bike that would seem to offer little room for improvement (given its accolades). However, KTM has found still more ways to raise the bar.

Ride like (and with) the champ

Assuming the ‘regular’ 450 Rally Replica isn’t exclusive enough for your tastes or budget, KTM has just the answer: the Luciano Benavides Factory Edition. Of the 100, a mere eight are set to receive the treatment.

Orange KTM dirt bike kicking up sand in a desert with a rider in matching orange and black gear.
Of the 100 Rally Replicas slated for production, just eight will don the Red Bull livery like the Benavides bike.
KTM

In addition to donning the full Red Bull KTM livery like the most recent Dakar-winning 450, the Benavides Factory Edition touts some thoughtful tweaks. For instance, carbon fiber brake discs and tank pads cut weight and improve control, while a Selle Dalle Valle saddle changes up the seating arrangement.

The finer details aren’t exclusive to commemorative touches, either. Though KTM will include a numbered emblem on each frame, the bikes also bring helpful additions like mousses to complement the Michelin rubber.

Now, with an adventure machine this hard to come by, KTM is willing to roll out the red carpet for anyone who can get their hands on one.

Orange KTM off-road motorcycle with knobby tires on a sandy desert terrain under a clear blue sky.
A dual radiator setup ensures adequate cooling, even in scorching climes.
KTM

Owners get VIP treatment at the 2026 KTM Adventure Rally, along with a delivery handover by the Dakar champion himself, a signed race jersey and on-the-ground support from the race team during the riding outings.

Availability and pricing

As you’d expect of machines so heaped with race pedigree, the 450 Rally Replica and Luciano Benavides Factory Edition aren’t cheap. While KTM hasn’t disclosed official US pricing, they’re slated to start from £33,148 (~$45,000) and £42,544 (~$58,000), respectively.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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