Harty wrote:Getting a KTM will certainly be lightweight, even more so whilst your riding along and the parts are falling off behind you
I give mine a couple of thousand miles a year of "spirited" green lane and enduro / hare and hounds riding and nothing dropped off yet
ChasF wrote: KTM should make one or some of these models with all the lightweight stuff but a detuned engine with extended service intervals and no added luxuries (instruments, screens etc.) which only add weight.
I tried quite a few in the range and found the EXC 450 a bit too lively for TRF trail riding - puts down so much power it sometimes struggles in gnarlier conditions. I've also played on the EXC 200 2 smoke which is mega light and has plenty of go, I just don't feel relaxed on big descents without some engine braking B)
After much deliberation I settled on the EXC 400, which although only 50cc less that the 450 is far less agressive, has the magic electric start button and is still reasonably light at circa 120kg. Although the KTM's have the perception of being "high maintenance", for trail riding this just isn't so. They only have a small oil sump (compared to the jap stuff) so oil needs changing more regularly (especially compared with a tourer). I tend to change oil and filter every 500-750 miles. Which in reality is every 5ish full days out laning and takes no more than 30 mins to do. To be honest the oil that comes out is pretty clean so this is probably OTT. But one has to remember that the bikes are developed for racing, yet I guess I dont typically use more than 35% of its capability so nothing is under duress and the guys that trail ride don't do a full rebuild every 75 hours (as per the rumours):woohoo:
Every person I've let try her out have been really impressed