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/128386
As far as suspension, all of the KTM offroad bikes receive across-the-board upgrades to their WP components, including a new oil-flow system in the rear shock and new anti-friction coating in the fork, get a little something extra in but the that they now boast SX-style hi/low-speed damping adjustments in the back and fork spring preload adjustability up front, which the W and EXCs do not get. Basically, the XC's suspension is tuned for more aggressive riding, while the XC-W's (and EXC's) suspension is set up more for trail and recreational-type riding. The 250 and 300 XCs get all-new frames that feature a steeper steering angle for more stable cornering prowess. The steering head is pulled in 3mm and dropped 5mm. All of the bikes' frames, however, are painted black, similar to the frame of the 250 SX-F motocrosser that was recently introduced. The EX/XC-Ws and EXCs also get black fork tubes and orange rear springs. A lot of thought and engineering went into the new fuel cells. All of the off-road models get fuel caps for quick pit stops. The tanks are narrow yet hold 2.91 gallons, which KTM claims will get you over two hours of riding or at least 50 miles of trail before you have to start walking. The 450 XC has a smaller 2.37-gallon tank, while the 525 XC retains a big 3.43-gallon tank. While it does get the same chassis changes as the other XC machines (though it doesn't get the 250/300's frame), the new 200 XC/XC-W takes some significant changes unto itself. KTM wanted better bottom-to-midrange performance from its xes 200, so it gave the bike a new exhaust pipe, a newly designed combustion chamber and intake system with more volume, and new carburetor settings. And for better durability, the 200 gets a new crankcase bearing seat and a new bearing for the countershaft. You're probably wondering why KTM opted not to provide spark arrestors for the XCs and the XC-Ws. The way it was explained to us was that it was KTM's goal for the buyer not to have to take anything offthe bikes in order to race them, that said with closed-course (GNCC/WORCS)-style races in mind. For woods racing, however, all of the EXCs are fitted with SA mufflers. All of the four-stroke models are greensticker legal, even the 4S0 and 525 XCs that don't have spark arresters. Spark arrestors aren't a requirement for a bike to obtain a green sticker; rather, it's the riding parks that require them. Even with the MX-style mufflers, KTM claims that all of its off-road bikes pass the AMA:s 9Bdb noise limit for off-road racing. KTM will be offering five four-stroke off-road models: 450 XC, 52S XC, 400 EXC, 450 EXC and 525 EXC. The 450 and 525 XCs get new FCR carburetors, a more reliable starter torque eliminator and the cross country-optimized, semi-close six- speed transmissions. The 450 XC abandons the longerstroke motor for the shorter-stroke SXstyle motor, but it still incorporates electric starting. KTM tells us that the '06s should start showing up on showroom floors late July or early August. eN