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/128116
1iD IIDes '1 • ll~!I\ ~~ KTM's little motocrosser has received porting specs and dimensions that are identical to what the '01 KTM Red Bull team is utilizing. The paper head gasket is jettisoned for a 250cc-style rubber a-ring system, to make for a better seal and more consistent compression ratio. The power-valve control flap is now machined for a more consistent port shape, and the crankcase breather is relocated higher for less 011 blow-by. In addition, the shift shaft is now supported by two needle bearings for improved shifing. ~OO DIt:/OO!:1t: The bike Shane Watts has made famous gets the same breather hose and shift-shaft updates as the 125cc motocrosser. In addition, the piston is lighter and is now a two-ring model for better revabllity. ~!I\lOl ~~ The 2003 quarter-liter motocrosser will be an all-new model. but in the meantime, the 2002 unit gets a Boyesen reed cage aimed at increased power and better response. The crankshaft's crankcase stuffers are now plastic instead of alumjnum, and the cylinder and head have a new transfer-port and combustion-chamber design. The digital ignition has a new program, and the shift-drum detent and star are now one piece. Also, the power-jet carb has been replaced by a standard unit with a new atomizer. :ll!l\lOl DIt: This is the bike that just repeated as National Enduro Champion, and it gets the cylinder, head, ignition, shifting and carb updates that its motocross sibling received. DtC:/~1t: ISr :3iBllOl ~~tC:/~1t: KTM's big two-strokes received the same shifter and carburetor changes as did the 250 SX. :3lOllOl Mali"lJlQ IP(QJ«Jl~·~m(QJ~ The competition thumpers have gotten a new a-ring countershaft seal, and their ignition and dutch covers are reinforced for greater strength. The fiber dutch plates have more contact area for less ~ notching and better heat dissipation. and there's a new sealed ball-bearing on the camshaft. Perhaps the biggest news conceming the thumpers concerns the California-destined 400 and 520 EXC models, which -will be greensticker legal in 2002. Designated as "G" models, the California machines pass the necessary sound and emissions requirements to a1."...... qualify for green stkkers, meaning they can be ridden year-round in the Golden State's ORV areas. Below are the suggested retail prices for the 2002 KTM models: 50 Mini Adventure .. , $ J348 50 JR Adventure $ 1998 50 SR Adventure ...•.. , $2048 50 SX Pro JR LlC ..•........$2698 50 SX Pro SR LlC $2898 65 SX ...........•••••....$3098 125 SX ..........•••••....$4998 250 SX $5948 380 SX $6148 400 SX Racing 4-Stroke . __ $6498 520 SX Racing 4-Stroke $6748 200 MXC _.$5698 300MXC $6198 400 MXC Racing 4-Stroke $6998 520 MXC Racing 4-Stroke $7248 200 EXC $5798 250 EXC $6148 300 EXC $6298 380 EXC $6398 400 EXC Racing 4-Stroke $7098 400 EXC-G Racing 4-Stroke ., .$7098 520 EXC Racing 4-Stroke .....$7348 520 EXC-G Racing 4-Stroke .. ,$7348 640 LC4 Dual Sportmotorcyde ..$6998 640 LC4 Adventure R _..$8198 640 LC4 Six Days $7148 640 LC4 Supermoto _•....$7298 640 LC4 Duke N/A Minis KTM hasn't forgotten about the little guys, as its mini lineup has also been updated and improved in several ways. 50 MINI JRISR All of these smallest KTMs have received new motors, made by Beta instead of Moto Marini, and although they are air-cooled, the bottom end, ignition, clutch and air filter are the same as on the liquid-cooled 50 L/C units. The air-cooled 50s now look more like the big KTMs, with a new chassis design and bodywork. The chain guide is changed, the handlebar damps can be adjusted, there's a removable end cap on the silencer, the triple damp has a steering-stem bolt instead of a nut, and there's a progressive shock spring. The 50 SX Pro JR L/C model has a lower seat height, shorter wheelbase, smaller 14mm Dell'Orto carburetor, WP shock and hydraulic front disc brake. It also boasts the cylinder off the 2001 SR L/C model. 50 SX PRO SR L/C KTM's most serious 50cc model gets several changes for 2002, including an improved dutch material, a better ignition, a new cylinder with more power, a new combustionchamber design, a WP shock, and a new hydraulic front disc brake. 65 SX This is the most serious KTM mini of all, and it has been made even more serious for the new model year. It now has a hydraulic dutch, a new right-side exhaust pipe and muffler with removable end cap, a new frame material, and an aluminum subframe. The bodywork is new, and the front-brake caliper is now a four-piston unit. The inverted Marzocchi fork is now forged (not cast), the triple damp is new, the handlebar damps are adjustable, and the front axle is larger. Wrapping it all up is a longershaft-travel WP shock with extemal compression and rebound adjustments. '02 'BERGS Husaberg recently invited us up to the Pacific Northwest for its '02 model unveiling, press intro and dealer meeting. We even got the opportunity to evaluate the Swedish company's off-road bikes during a ride in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and that story is coming up in a future issue. For now, here's what Husaberg changed for 2002: The 48mm inverted WP fork gets new valving, and the PDS WP shock now has highand low-speed external compression adjustments. The jetting is refined, the frame is reinforced, and the swingarm is redesigned. In addition, the off-road models' electric restarts (kickstart is suggested for initial start-up) have a newly designed starter gear for improved reliability and easier starting. Suggested retail prices on the Husabergs range from a low of $6695 (FC470) to a high of $7495 (FE and FX650E). cue •• n ... _:IS • AUGUST 8,2001 39