Posts
37814
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA, USA
Edited Date/Time
12/20/2013 10:49pm
Well, I rode mine today...
It's set-up sooooo nicely. The Ergos , the Mapping (Beeeeeautiful Bottom-end TORQUE) & all the Orange stuff.
Like I'd commented previously: It's put together by some of the best pro-mechanics in the Biz. My bike was built by JR Boyd. His position is a lot like that of a "Crew-Chief" in NASCAR: He's responsible for managing the "Day to Day" bike testing, maintenance and building for the whole team. The testing shows in these bikes. The Throttle-Response is a-helluva-lot "snappier" than the '14 I rode at the Debut-Demo. It's currently running on VP's MRX02 and it LIKES it. A friend that's a very accomplished Enduro-X rider rode it and thought it had A LOT of bottom-end...I never told him I'm running the SPARK ARRESTOR (Loud is STUPID when you're trying to keep a "Secret Riding Area" ...well...SECRET!).
My bike has a "Burner" National Motor in it (Michael Byrne) that has a few motos on it and sounds like it's pretty damn happy. The Clutch? It's got the "good-spring" in it. Cam-wise & all that: It's a KTM Service Motor. Uh, yeah...about that...Seems to me KTM is Ubber-Focused on USABLE POWER. Well, they've nailed it. The gear box on the SXF seems A LOT like the 4-speed in the '06 KXF's ...except with a nice long 5th; so, I guess I'm saying it's a 4 speed + Over-Drive type of feeling.
Power-Defined: Take a 13-14 KX450F. Bump the compression UP. Cam it for even MORE Torque. Change it to the Black-Plug (Mellower "hit") and be sure to run race-fuel. That's what this KTM runs like...and as Hard or Calmly as you twist the right grip. This thing rips AND it's Super-USABLE. It really is sooooo much "snappier" than a stocker.
It runs an FMF pipe w/ RCT4.1 Carbon-Cap silencer and Mega-Bomb header. The silencer is freshly-rebuilt & is the same as what you'd get if you bought one off the shelf; but, it's got a used muffler that's well taken care of.
The Frame is Freshly Powder-Coated in that Factory-Orange that all you Katoomers love soooo much; and, YES! It looks nice. The Sub-Frame has no wear-n-tear showing. The Swing-Arm looks brand-new. Plastic is fresh w/ Team Graphics (Burner 26) & New Team seat-cover. All applied like it's going to be raced at A-1. Bars are black ODI as are the grips (fresh-white): Both get high-marks. I like the bend and I love the grips. Levers are fresh stockers. Cable routing and lines are routed like someone cares how things work. Raptor Ti pegs work really well in the clay-mud, I know...we had plenty of snotty mud to ride in today (Along with some AWESOME sand!).
I -REALLY- like the Attention to Detail on this Scooter! I think that's obvious.
Suspension consists of Fresh-Stock components ('14 on this bike) as are the wheels and tires. All of which looks like you just bought a Brand New bike. Btw, MX51s on Excels w/ stock polished hubs and black spokes. This "sock-stuff" to work just fine. Chain (RK Gold) and Sprockets (Orange-Talon-rear) are Fresh , too. Looks like it's got a new battery, too.
About the Brand-New bike, look. This thing is BETTER LOOKING than a new stock KTM. Period. It runs like it's mad at RV and it wants you catch his ass! It's put together with the benefit of Andrew, Matt & Michael's input. It's assembled by guys that are paid to do a really good job for those afore-mentioned riders; and, it shows in these bikes.
I -REALLY- like the Attention to Detail on this Scooter! I think that's obvious.
What's "missing"? O.K., let's got that route...the Orange Talon-hubs and Black Rims (Dubya). The WP Big forks and Mega-Clicker shock. The Titanium bolts and Nuts that're all over the race bikes. That's pretty much all that's NOT there.
The team sells these bikes for $8500. Getting a freshened-up Pro-Built bike with a KTM Service Motor for $8500? I'm thinking that a smart up-n-coming Pro is actually who should be buying these bikes!
Pics below!
It's set-up sooooo nicely. The Ergos , the Mapping (Beeeeeautiful Bottom-end TORQUE) & all the Orange stuff.
Like I'd commented previously: It's put together by some of the best pro-mechanics in the Biz. My bike was built by JR Boyd. His position is a lot like that of a "Crew-Chief" in NASCAR: He's responsible for managing the "Day to Day" bike testing, maintenance and building for the whole team. The testing shows in these bikes. The Throttle-Response is a-helluva-lot "snappier" than the '14 I rode at the Debut-Demo. It's currently running on VP's MRX02 and it LIKES it. A friend that's a very accomplished Enduro-X rider rode it and thought it had A LOT of bottom-end...I never told him I'm running the SPARK ARRESTOR (Loud is STUPID when you're trying to keep a "Secret Riding Area" ...well...SECRET!).
My bike has a "Burner" National Motor in it (Michael Byrne) that has a few motos on it and sounds like it's pretty damn happy. The Clutch? It's got the "good-spring" in it. Cam-wise & all that: It's a KTM Service Motor. Uh, yeah...about that...Seems to me KTM is Ubber-Focused on USABLE POWER. Well, they've nailed it. The gear box on the SXF seems A LOT like the 4-speed in the '06 KXF's ...except with a nice long 5th; so, I guess I'm saying it's a 4 speed + Over-Drive type of feeling.
Power-Defined: Take a 13-14 KX450F. Bump the compression UP. Cam it for even MORE Torque. Change it to the Black-Plug (Mellower "hit") and be sure to run race-fuel. That's what this KTM runs like...and as Hard or Calmly as you twist the right grip. This thing rips AND it's Super-USABLE. It really is sooooo much "snappier" than a stocker.
It runs an FMF pipe w/ RCT4.1 Carbon-Cap silencer and Mega-Bomb header. The silencer is freshly-rebuilt & is the same as what you'd get if you bought one off the shelf; but, it's got a used muffler that's well taken care of.
The Frame is Freshly Powder-Coated in that Factory-Orange that all you Katoomers love soooo much; and, YES! It looks nice. The Sub-Frame has no wear-n-tear showing. The Swing-Arm looks brand-new. Plastic is fresh w/ Team Graphics (Burner 26) & New Team seat-cover. All applied like it's going to be raced at A-1. Bars are black ODI as are the grips (fresh-white): Both get high-marks. I like the bend and I love the grips. Levers are fresh stockers. Cable routing and lines are routed like someone cares how things work. Raptor Ti pegs work really well in the clay-mud, I know...we had plenty of snotty mud to ride in today (Along with some AWESOME sand!).
I -REALLY- like the Attention to Detail on this Scooter! I think that's obvious.
Suspension consists of Fresh-Stock components ('14 on this bike) as are the wheels and tires. All of which looks like you just bought a Brand New bike. Btw, MX51s on Excels w/ stock polished hubs and black spokes. This "sock-stuff" to work just fine. Chain (RK Gold) and Sprockets (Orange-Talon-rear) are Fresh , too. Looks like it's got a new battery, too.
About the Brand-New bike, look. This thing is BETTER LOOKING than a new stock KTM. Period. It runs like it's mad at RV and it wants you catch his ass! It's put together with the benefit of Andrew, Matt & Michael's input. It's assembled by guys that are paid to do a really good job for those afore-mentioned riders; and, it shows in these bikes.
I -REALLY- like the Attention to Detail on this Scooter! I think that's obvious.
What's "missing"? O.K., let's got that route...the Orange Talon-hubs and Black Rims (Dubya). The WP Big forks and Mega-Clicker shock. The Titanium bolts and Nuts that're all over the race bikes. That's pretty much all that's NOT there.
The team sells these bikes for $8500. Getting a freshened-up Pro-Built bike with a KTM Service Motor for $8500? I'm thinking that a smart up-n-coming Pro is actually who should be buying these bikes!
Pics below!
Bike semi-cleaned after a day of rain riding
The 1st one of these bikes I saw that got me realizing how nice the "parts list" is.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
How about some riding pics!
Sweet bike!
Mine will be incoming tomorrow
Congrats.
Price: $8500
Fuel: This Fuel, MRX02, was developed for Hi-Perf 2 & 4 strokes w/ input from a certain engine-builder (Mitch: I call it Mitch's gas!). HOWEVER, as far as "Bang for the Buck"? T4 and U4.4 are amazing. I'd say this fuel may make more power than U4.4; but, throttle response should be IDENTICAL. MRX02 has to cost more; but, I'd check at your local shop to be sure.
Ano'd Stock Hubs: I'm going to do that & add DID STX's; Also, gonna take a stab at our own Carbon/Al/ hubs w/ the help of RAD in Utah...I think...
Trying out for Product Tester? Good point. I probably should have taken MUCH BETTER pictures!
I went and got this bike because I'm around them, a lot, and I'm impressed with who seems to really like the bike (Andrew) & the obvious value of the bike as BTO equips & sells it.
No son. Just a very cute 6 year old Daughter!
I'll be working YZ250Fs and CRF450Rs really soon, too!
Edit: A little late it looks like. Someone beat me to it.
Pit Row
Then I got dragged down to Baja in 2009. Took a Kawi...only that 1st year. I learned from Johnny Campbell that you need a Honda down there...if ya want any "Real" support. Now I've got a shop full of Honda "X's". Then, in 2010 I rode a KTM test bike @ Mammoth that Tortelli had sorted out: LOVED IT! But, still, I was on some really nice Kawasakis. Then I took a break from riding Moto in 2010 and focused on Baja/Off-Road (All Hondas).
Over the last few years of involvement with Supercross and Motocross, the KTM's have really impressed me. Notably, Mookie and Musquins 250s at Washougal in 2011. Not to mention the Warp-speed development of their 450! So...over the last few years...I've been riding EVERYTHING and putting in plenty of laps on KTMs. I've watched KTM develop an amazing race support program and truly dig the way they support SO MANY TEAMS with top-shelf parts and...again...real "Factory-level-Support".
Compounding all of this is the fact that some (read: A LOT) of my favorite people in this sport have switched over to Orange and are truly happy with the bikes.
So, it was time. Time to try the Orange-Brigade; and, I am REALLY impressed.
Post a reply to: Rememeber those Butler-Bros/BTO/KTM's for sale?