~[§WBikes
2002 KTMs
12551
By CHRIS JONNUM
A
s regular readers may have
noticed, we've been unveiling the
2002 Japanese and American motorcycle releases over the past few
weeks, and even tested a couple of
'02 street models in our last issue.
We've also been busy abusing next
year's motocrossers over the past
couple of weeks, and have an MX
shootout coming up just a few issues
from now. In the meantime, here's a
peek at the new models from a European manufacturer - Austrian KTM
(along with a look at the offerings
from that company's Swedish Husaberg arm).
Katoom has long sought to be considered a primary contender, right
alongside the Big Four Japanese companies, but although the manufacturer
has met impressive success in the offroad and World MX GP realms, American moto-heads have resisted going
orange. However, with Grant Langston
this year earning Team KTM Red Bull
its first 125cc Supercross main-event
win, and currently threatening to take
the 125cc National MX title, it's
becoming more and more difficult to
dismiss KTM as just another funky
Euro brand. If things go the way KTM
is hoping, this line-up of bikes will
finally push the teetering Yank MX
customer over to its camp.
eN
Chassis
All KTM off-road models (including four-strokes) get a larger kickstand bolt and their swingarms have a new design at the rear axle
mounts (to minimize flex). Appearancewise, the entire
2002 KTM line-up gets two-tone seats that are made via
a new process, and the rear fender and side panels are
black instead of silver.
As in 200] , the KTMs feature chrome-moly
steel frames; removable aluminum subframes; extruded and forged-aluminum swingarms; aluminum handlebars with variable mounting
options; Brembo hydraulic
brakes with self-cleaning rotors
and braided-steel brake lines;
large, easy-access air filters;
and nickel-plated exhausts.
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AUGUST 8.
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Suspension
SXMODELS
The moto Katooms will benefit from a larger, ,
48mm inverted WP fork, which is not only
stiffer, but also comes equipped with external preload adjusters. Out back, the linkless WP PDS shock has more shaft travel,
and its body is now forged instead of cast.
The shock has also been revalved.
EXC/MXC MODELS
The off-road KTMs stick with a
43mm inverted WP fork, but it has
new settings for 2002. The WP shock
(which doesn't offer separate high- t1:'i~~~
and low-speed compression J •..Ju. .-adjusters like the SX models) has
new valving, a new forged body
and increased shaft travel.
