VOLUME ISSUE DECEMBER , P97
KTM, blending a comfortable top part
of the stroke with progressive hold up
down low. Riders felt that they could
attack the track at any time of the
day, with the KTM working well in any
condition. Even with the new genera-
tion being heavier than before, the
bike still feels agile on track, and the
"extra" weight helps keep the bike
planted to the ground.
The KTM's fit and finish also bring
it up to the bridesmaid position.
Brembo brakes and clutch systems
are some of the best in the business,
and the ODI grips complete a univer-
sally comfortable cockpit. New foot-
pegs and the squared gripper seat
shape complete the rider triangle,
further aiding in rider comfort. Every
rider liked the KTM riding position,
especially since it doesn't feel as
"foreign" as it did in years past. Rid-
ers also felt they were getting all the
bells and whistles with the KTM hav-
ing the map switch, traction control
and quickshift as standard options.
So, if it's so good, why didn't it
win? The KTM is clearly a front-run-
ner and almost unanimously finished
second place. It's the best bike in the
European bunch and is undoubtedly a
bike you could buy on Friday and race
on Saturday. When riding back-to-
back, our riders felt that the suspen-
sion and power weren't as good as
the first-place Yamaha, marking the
fourth year in a row the KTM finished
second in our ranks. All these bikes
feel like the best when you only own
one, which rings true with the SX-F.
It's when you put them head-to-head
that others can reign supreme.
