http://www.adbmag.com.au SEPTEMBER 2017 | 157PUMP UP THE VOLUME
The KLX250 was released way back in 1993 and
wasagoodthinginitsday,sogoodinfactthat
AndrewMcFarlanepilotedonetovictoryinthe
2000ThumperNats.In1997theKLX300Rwas
released but changes in license laws affected
salesanditwaswithdrawn.Itstillsoldinother
countriesbutinOzyouhadtobuythefactory
300ccupgradekit.Theextracubesincreased
torque appreciably, improving climbing ability
with a minor increase in horsepower but it didn’t
makethemotorrevanyharder.Anunfortunate
side-effect was that it showed up the suspension,
soworkwasneededthereaswell.TheKLX250R
was $6490 plus on-roads and the upgrade kit was
another$610plus$500installationforthosewho
didn’t want to do it themselves.GETTING SAFARI SAVVY
KTMAustraliahadafactoryreplica450EXC
deliveredfromAustriatobuildupaSafaribikefor
AdamRiemanntoride.Outofthecratethe
machine was already fitted with adjustable
18-20mmtriple-clamps,forkpreloadadjusters,
high- and low-speed compression adjustment on
the shock and a swag of anodised components
but it obviously needed more. An SXC rear wheel
withcushdrivewasfittedtoeasestrainonthe
gearbox, an SX muffler for a performance
increase, map reader and bracket with a remote
controlanda25-litretanktohandlethebig
distances between refuels. Adam’s body was
worked on as well with cycling, jogging and sprint
circuits as well as high intensity workouts with
pushupsandsitups.THE ODD BUNCH
BMW’s new G650 XChallenge ($14,350) hadADB’s
staff scratching their heads trying to work out
whereitfittedinthemarketsotheyputitheadto
headwiththeKLR650($7990),HusabergFE650e
($11,995), DR650SE ($7690), KTM 625SXC
($11,995)andHusqvarnaTE610($11,995)tosee
howthingswent.TheBeemerusedthesame
motorastheG650GSbuthadanairshockand
waslighter.Itwasthemostexpensivebutno
particularbikestarredinthetest.Twoofthefour
testerspreferredtheBergwhenasked.Asisusual
when it comes to dual-purpose bikes it all
depended on what type of riding you did mostly.
Thebikeswithaleaningtotheroadworkedbest
there and the bikes with dirtbike heritage were
better on the trails.Ads
back
Top then
TestsSTILL IN THE GAME
Jardine Lloyd Thompson is
still offering various types
of motorcycle insurance
today. With the amount of
bike thefts we hear about
it may be worth giving
them a call for a quote.ROADSIDE ASSIST
In an effort to boost
membership from
non-racing riders,
Motorcycling Australia
was offering a roadside
assistance program with
discounts on parts and
labour costs.FOAM FILLER
Unifi lter is a great Aussie
product that has been
protecting engine intakes
for many years.FACTORY RIDE / READERS RIDE / HERITAGE / ACTION / OAS / BUYERS GUIDE
THE IRON GIANT
Adam Riemann put a lot of effort into preparation
for Erzberg - two sessions a week with a personal
trainer and three consecutive weekends thrashing
a KTM300EXC over the ugliest obstacles he could
fi nd. He then lined up to start an event that saw
two previous winners, Cyril Despres and Chris
Pfeiffer, fail to fi nish. KTM supplied Adam with the
support he needed and he lined up for the
twin-cylinder race on a stock 950 Super Enduro
and a 300 EXC-E for the Prologue and Hare
Scramble. Despite several crashes, a trip over the
’bars and being stuck upside down on a loose
scree slope, Adam fi nished the event with a bent
subframe, burst Camelbak and a “bruised soul”.
Taddy Blazusiak took the win after qualifying 69th
in the prologue.Big
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