http://www.adbmag.com JUNE 2017| 59The
Gringoes
say...
WIL:The KTM is a smooth
package. I was impressed with
the mid-range and top-end
power, it seemed to just keep
on pulling. It was very strong.
The new front-end is
confidence-inspiring and it is
quite easy to flip flop through
the trails.MARTY:The power of the KTM
is quite mellow but, at the
same time, it is strong. The
new carbies take some time to
dial in, that’s for sure. The
XPlor suspension is nice and
plush. I thought the PDS
wandered a bit more than the
linkage bikes but that’s not a
problem, it’s more of a trait of
the unit.SPEX
ENGINE
TYPEPiston-port, reed valve
DISPLACEMENT249cc
BORE & STROKE72 x 66.4mm
COOLINGLiquid
COMPRESSION RATION/A
FUEL METERINGMikuni TMX 38mm
TANK CAPACITY9.5L
TRANSMISSIONSix-speed
CLUTCHWet multi-plate
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE1482mm
SEAT HEIGHT960mm
GROUND CLEARANCE370mm
WEIGHT109kg wet
SUSPENSION
FRONTWP USD XPlor 48mm fork
REARWP XPlor PDS shock
BRAKES
FRONTBrembo two-piston,
260mm
REARBrembo single-piston,
220mm
RUNNING GEAR
HANDLEBARNeken
FRONT TYREMaxxis Maxx Endurpro
REAR TYREMaxxis Maxx Endurpro
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP$12,295
BROWSERktm.com.au
BLOWER1800 644 771
WARRANTY
6 months parts and labourplush and gives you plenty
of confidence to tip into
corners atpace.
Unfortunately, the stock
Maxxis tyres are garbage
and tend to let go just as
you asgetting confident.
I would be throwing a
good set of tyres on there
ASAP. The XPlor 48 fork is
a split system similar to
that of the ill-fated 4 CS
system that had been used
in previous years with the
comp on one side and the
rebound on the other.
Thankfully, the XPlor feels
nothing like the 4CS and is
actually rideable.
With the new XPlor PDS
shock fitted, the KTM is
balanced and wont beat
you up even on long days
It is so
smooth
and just
continues
to pull
right
from the
bottom
to the top
of the rev
range
(^12)
(^34)
inthesaddle.Thedaysof
therear-end‘packing’on
theKatosseemtohave
goneandthatisduetothe
WPengineersworking
hard to make everything
work more in sync. The
swingarm and shock are
now more symmetrical and
therefore, move with a
smoother motion.
It still has that active feel
that comes with PDS, kinda
like you feel like it can
bunny hop over any
obstacle with ease. And the
fact that there is no linkage
hanging under the
swingarm makes it a breeze
to get over big ledges and
logs. The new frame offers
a flatter seat but it still feels
like there is room to move.
As always with KTM, the
brakes are awesome and
offer great feel. The ODI
Lock on handgrips are a
nice touch as well and
seem to last a long time.
TOM
NOT ALLOWED TO SCORE
MAIN: No more packing
from the PDS shock
1.New plastics for 2017
2.Rebound in one leg preload
in the other
3.The balancer shaft removes
almost all 2T vibrations
4.260mm Brembo... yum