Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127790
Ride at Redline on the Internet! with clutch. Basically, you have to ride the 400 aggressively, like you would a 125cc twostroke. In other words, scream it! On level ground, you can actually ride the 400 more like a four-srroke because you don't have gravity working against you. Hopping on the 620 after riding the 400 comes as a big relief, kind of like taking your first step after pulling a foxtail out of your sock. Ahh, power! The extra 220cc really make a difference; in this case, more is definitely better. Like the 400, the 620 suffers the same first/second-gear ratio blues but isn't as much of a problem since the 620 can easily pull second gear, even when chugging out of a tight, hairpin turn. A little bit of clutch work isn't a bad idea, though. Most dual sporters (myself included) are a little leery about manual-starting, big-bore, four-strokes (especially when the kickstart lever is on the left side of the bike), but this really isn't a big concern with the 620 R/XC. As we have already discussed, which perhaps deserves another mention, anyway, the 620 is truly an easy starter, a lot of which has to do with the new automatic decompression system. No longer do you have to flail around searching for top-dead-center, just pull out the lever and kick. Usually only once. Ditto with the 400. The K1M R/XCs forte is the way they handle on the trail. Luckily, forks, shocks, frames, linkages or swingarms do not give off hydrocarbons, so there are no governmental restrictions put on suspension components... yet. As a result, the R/XC's suspensions are basically the same as those found on their pure-bred off-road cousins. So, it comes as no surprise that both the R/XC 400 and 620 can withstand more trail abuse than any dual sport bike we've ridden. The DRs, XRLs, KLXs and XTs do not even come close. However, these same bikes are Gold Wings on the pavement compared to the KTMs, but hard-core dual sporters won't mind that one bit. Anyone who purchases an R/XC isn't looking for an aroundtowner, or a daily commuter, which the R/XC certainly are not. They are, instead, looking for a full-on dirt bike that can be ridden on the street -legally. Both bikes have plenty of stopping power, via strong and progressive front (10.2 inch) and rear (8.65 inch) disc brakes, but traction is limited on hardpacked, dry ground with the stock Michelin tires. Personally, I never fully trusted the front end on our ride, but we rode the bikes in conditions where even a hard-terrain M23 Bridgestone would've had a difficult time finding grip. lCTM claims the R/XC are narrower this year and we can vouch for that. The bikes do seem to be a little easier to slide around on and maneuver through tight trails and over rocky terrain. However, some people might have a hard time coming to terms with the bikes' rather tall 37-inch-plus seat height. While we only rode the bikes one day, our main questions were definitely answered: The 400 is still weak on power; last year's stalling problems seem to have been solved, the steady-speed sUrging isn't as noticeable anymore, and they're both easier to start than ever before. And all can be had for a song and a dance, a d maybe a pizza afterwards. The 400 R/XC carries a suggested retail price of $6178 and the 620, $6523. In our opinion, spend the extra $345 for the 620. After all, the 620 weighs only three more pounds than the 400, has the same seat height, and puts out bunches more power. But no matter how you look at it, it'll be tough finding better off-road performing dual sport bikes right out of the crate than either the R/XC 620 or 400. m http://www.cyclenews.com It had to happen - Cycle Ne_ is now available on the Intemet! Now. for the price of a local phone call. you can access Cycle Ne_ O,,'lne on the World Wide Web from anywhere on the planet. FREE SOFTWARE! Through an exclusive agreement with Netcom, America's leading Intemet service provider, Cycle News readers can now receive the award-winning Netcruiser software FREE OF CHARGE which will enable you to easily access Cycle New. OttIIM. Netcom will waive the normal $25 sign-up and registration fee and your first month will cost only $5! Then, for just $19.95 per month you will have unrestricted access, including the World Wide Web. Usenet newsgroups, e-mail. FTP, Gopher, and more. Netcom is the nation's leading Intemet access provider with over 200 high-speed local access numbers, featuring nationwide live customer support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Come see what all the excitement is about! CALL NOW 1·800·295·3004 .~. M1tOM How to Get There. ...ask for the FREE Cycle News software package* Make it a habit! • Minimum system requirements for Netcruiser Software: 386/33 IBM PC-compatible, minimum 9600 Baud modem, MS-DOS 5.0, Windows 3. I, 4MB RAM, and 4MB of free hard disk space. Credit card required. . Editorial CO....nt: Cycle New. 0,,11_ features the latest in motorcycle news, as it happens - just like the printed edition of Cycle News. Every Week. computer users can now access the highlights of the new week's edition of Cycle News via our address on theWorld Wide Web. We are including most of the content of our "In the Wind," top National and Intemational event coverage (including complete race results and upto-date point standings), National and International level Calendar Ustings, interviews and motorcycle tests. Readers can now get a "jump" on the top stories in the new Cycle News, and finish reading the details when the printed copy arrives in the mail or at the dealer. Frequent UpcIe.... Many Web sites are "static" ...they don't change much. Once a reader has visited a site on the Intemet, they need_a reason to come back, or you may never see them again. Cycle News has a built-in reason to change every week, as each new issue comes online. Besides being a constant source of new • weekly motorcycle information, Cycle Ne_ Ortli_ will pepper the editorial sections with regular updates during the week, to keep you coming back to find out about the latest developments in the world of motorcycling. .....raetI_ F_tu..... Cycle Ne_ 0,.,1_ is a place where readers can participate in our weekly information offerings. We feature frequently updated sweepstakes, trivia contests and prizes readers can win by visiting our site online. Readers can write letters to the editor. start or renew their subscription, change their subscription address, order motorcycle video tapes, and e-mail our staff with suggestions for improvements. Fest & AHorclable. The mail system has always been Cycle N_s' biggest problem, and the one we have the least control over. (What other motorcycle magazine do you even notice gets delivered "late" 7) With Cycle News O",In., a reader can access the major motorcycle stories of the week for the price of a local phone call - from anywhere in the world. Archived Editlo"s: As new editions of Cycle Ne_ O"'I,,e are posted on our World Wide Web site. the old versions don't just "go ;rway." Instead, we Onll_ catalog the back issues of Cycle for our readers' reference. Imagine all those times you'd like to find that motorcycle test. or interview, or event coverage from a previous issue of Cycle News. Now. our back issues are as close as your computer, easily accessed from our Cycle News 0rtII_ archive. of Cycle _Inc.. 2201 Chony _.long Beech. ~ 90806' 310/427-7433' FAX 3'01427-6685 C>,de Newt New MediI 0Mai0n· 4188 Fn. A......... Tucker. GeorQi- 300&4·710/9.34.1850· FAX 7701934·3112 •_ Brian Myerscough, Mike Ulrich and E.J. Wright showed the competition the fast way around the track, enroute to RRST PLACE OVERALL on their Mark Bellino prepped IMS XR440 at the Chaparral 6 Hour G.P. Team Race at Glen Helen Raceway ,. .JCII44D allfl JCR82B Kits. JIIIrfIJl... .... for row JCR Is a compromlsel IllS Products, Inc. 62«1 Box Spt/np BIvd~ Unit E, RlwrsIde, CA 92507 0rdIrs: (IlOO) 237..f906 Info: (909) 653-7720 FAX (909) 653-1060 '*'_