Meet the Apex 450F: An ATV Racer’s Dream Come True

Want to hear something terribly sad? By 2008 there were nine 450cc race-ready ATVs to choose from. For 2015, there are three (Yamaha, Honda and Can-Am). A combination of factors, not the least of which was an economy that tanked out in 08 right as things were hitting their stride, resulted in our having lost some sweet machines like the Suzuki LTR450 Quadracer and the KTM450SX.

However, this is by no means a doom and gloom article. Because the OEMs have been forced out of the competition sector, other companies like Arizona’s Apex have stepped up to the plate to let racers and sport enthusiasts alike feel factory equipment beneath them.

Arizona’s Apex Motors has been at the factory game for a long time; however their specialty before now has always been building custom minis to give the small fry the competitive edge on the racetrack. After years of rumors and bench racing, the company finally decided it was time to let the adults in on all the excitement by offering the 450F (and 250F) race-ready ATV.

At $13,000 the 450F is a bit pricier than anything coming out of Japan (or Canada) by about $3,500 but it’s important to realize that this is essentially what would happen if you were to buy a stock 450 then throw about $10,000 into parts and modifications to take it to the National level of competition.

We would like to tell you what’s stock about the machine that Apex decided to upgrade to aftermarket but that’s the real beauty of the 450F, nothing here is stock! They literally build the quad from the ground up, starting with a chromalloy frame nestling a 450cc DOHC, 5-valve 4-Stroke race engine good for an estimated 37-HP at the rear wheels. Because there is little concern meeting governmental safety regulations (as it is designed, marketed and sold as a closed-circuit competition vehicle rather than a recreational ATV), the weight is kept to a svelte 340-pounds wet.

Best of all, Apex has gone through the trouble of submitting the machine for AMA Competition Approval (and passed) so that registering the 450F for any race from the highest echelon of competition down to your nearest local track presents none of the red tape usually associated with a custom build.

Go ahead and gaze at the 450F’s spec sheet. Normally our first thought centers on what we’d remove, replace or upgrade but truly there is nothing in need of tampering with here.

APEX 450F Features

AMA Approved For Competition Use
Complete High Performance Parts Spec
Pro Peg Nerf Bars
Air Filer Box
Over Size Oil Tank
Billet Fuel Cap
Billet Brake Pedal
Grab Bar
Chain-520 Final Drive
Black with Silver Bumper Grab/ Nerf Bars
White with Black Bumper Grab/ Nerf Bars

APEX 450F Specs

WET WEIGHT: 340 lbs
ENGINE TYPE: 450cc DOHC
4-Stroke 5-Valve Est. 37 HP at rear wheels
FUEL SYSTEM: Keihin FCR 37mm- 2.6 gl. capacity
TRANSMISSION: Manual 5-speed (No Reverse)
STARTING: Kickstart
AXLE: 2+2
LENGTH 71″ – WIDTH: 49”
FRAME: Chromalloy with six point sub-frame
WHEELBASE: 51”
SEAT HEIGHT: 31″
STEERING: Tag Anti-vibe Stem with T2 1 1/8” Bars
FRONT BRAKES: Dual Hydraulic Discs w/Wave Style Rotor
REAR BRAKES: Hydraulic Disc w/Wave Style Rotor
FRONT SUSPENSION: DC4 Long-travel 2+1 A-arms
REAR SUSPENSION: Billet Axle Housing / Billet Wheel Hubs /
Billet Sprocket Hub / Billet Brake Rotor Hub
FRONT SHOCKS: Gas Quad-Rate Adjustable Compression &
Rebound Piggy Back Reservoir
REAR SHOCKS: Gas Dual-Rate Adjustable Compression &
Rebound Remote Reservoir w/Linkage
FRONT WHEELS: DWT Aluminum Rolled Edge 10×5 (4+1) Black
REAR WHEELS: Aluminum Beadlock 8×8 (3+5) Black
FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: A-arms w/11.5”
REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: Swing Arm w/12”
TIRES: DWT MX 20×6-10 on Front – DWT MX 18×10-8 on Rear
PRICE: $13,000

WEB: www.apexatv.com