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JULY 19, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 44 2007 KTM Off-Roaders 250 XC-F-W UNLEASHED KTM gave the media the opportunity to ride many of the new XCs at the Washougal round of the World Off-Road Championship Series in Washington, but it was the all-new 250 XC- F that I made a beeline for. After a quick adjustment to the handlebars and levers, I soon had the KTM squeezed in amongst a starting gate full of other 250F-class bikes and riders. I chose the W version for its softer suspension and wider-ratio six-speed transmission, figuring these things would come in handy on the semi-tight, muddy, and partially rocky course, but what immediately impressed me the most was the KTM's DOHC four-valve four-stroke motor. I actually felt that I could simply open up the throttle and pass other bikes at will - the KTM had so much power. And not just outright power but extremely controllable and tractable power. There's instant muscle when you open the throttle, and it doesn't seem to matter at what rpm you're at when you grab a handful - it responds, now! But don't think for a moment that the little KTM can't chug through the tight turns - it can, and how. This is one area where woods-modified 250Fs that I've ridden in off-road races in the past have always left me hanging, but not with the KTM. I was very impressed with how well the KTM responded at low rpm and on top, where it has no problem pulling the somewhat taller sixth gear. The 250 EX-F is downright motocross-bike-like fast while maintaining woods-required control. It's rare that I go through a whole off-road race without stalling the motor at least once; at Washougal, I killed the motor twice, both times with someone right on me, and both times I managed to recover without losing a position, thanks to the KTM's electric starter. Had I been on a kick-start bike, I would have been easy pray. KTM claims the electric start- ing system adds only about six pounds to the overall weight of the bike, but that's a small price I'm glad to pay. The KTM still has a kickstart lever attached for backup and for those who feel that kicking is quicker than pushing a button for dead-engine starts. Speaking of weight, even with the electric starting system, the 250 XC-F still feels ridiculously light and nimble, requiring little effort to make instant line changes on the trail. In other words, the bike is extremely maneuverable, though it's probably not the quickest- turning bike out there, but it gets the job done. I loved the KTM's plush suspension. I simply had no complaints with the back end, but, if I want to get picky, the fork could've used a bit more fine-tuning for the rocky sections, where I could detect some harshness. Nothing, I'm sure, something the clickers alone couldn't remedy. Otherwise, I had total confidence in the KTM's WP absorbers. The Brembo disc brakes are strong and have excellent feel and not once through out the hour-long race did I even feel a hint of fading from the back brake, and believe me, I was a back-brake-dragging fool on the hilly and fairly muddy course. Not only did the KTM feel right at home in the woods, but it felt great on the motocross sections of the fast Washougal track, where you could certainly feel the XC's motocross roots. The XC would probably make a good MX-only bike if you're into a smooth powerband and softer suspension, and like not getting passed by 20 people when- ever you stall the bike in a turn. And the wide-ratio transmission isn't that wide. So when it gets down to it, the KTM 250 XC-F is more than just an off-road bike. If you can't decide between buying an off-road bike, a grand prix bike, or a motocross bike, the 250 XC-F just might be the answer. Can you say "versatile?" Kit Palmer KTM, as well as GNCC Champion Juha Salminen, is a strong believer in two-strokes for off-road racing and will continue to offer three updated two-stroke models for 2007: 200, 250 and 300 (pictured) XCs. All three will also be available in the W (wide-ratio transmission, softer suspension, odometer) mode. The 300 gets a new, lighter pis- ton; the 250 gets a new exhaust pipe; and both bikes get a new V-Force reed-case, water- pump impeller, and gear ratios. The two-strokes (only) also get a new CDI box with two-posi- tion ignition curve adjustments, which can be made via a switch on the handlebars. The 400 XC will only be available in the W form. All of the XC and XC-Ws are fitted with wave brake rotors and black "painted" Excel rims, and all of the four-stroke XC and XC- Ws will be California green-sticker legal. KTM will produce two EXC models for 2007 - 450 and 525 EXC - which will feature headlights, taillights and all that stuff to make them "barely" street legal. The big daddy - the 525 XC - shares many of the same changes as its sibling thumpers. It too comes in a W version. PHOTO BY MARK KARiYA