08 Works KTM...09 stock models!!!

I think KTM's are bad ass. After buying my little boy's 65 I am really impressed with their bikes. Wishing I would have held off for KTM 450 instead of buying the 08 Honda.

[quote="Scotty":3krwk1bk]The 08 530xc-w is very hard to find right now. Ive been trying to find one in socal for the past 2 months. Seems like KTM doesnt ever stock enough of the offroad bikes. When I bought my 07 is was the same way. I had to wait almost 4 weeks before they had one in stock. Maybe they do it so they dont have to blow them out every year like Honda does??[/quote:3krwk1bk]

When I was shopping for my birthday present I was looking at new and used. Seems like the KTM's hold their value better (at least here in the S.E.) also. You also will not see them discounted like the big 4.
My linkless 200 seat bounces better than my linked 250F " title="Smile">

Still carbed, no injection, interesting.

Thanks for the pics Cabro.

[quote="vrg07":2s3spiz8]How can you say KTM are Leaders - Every manufacturer used a no lingage system before 1980 ? ATK used no linkage ?

In 1989, Leitner developed a single-shock, link-less suspension system for KTM - Then after that he created the "Horst Link" now famous in MTB's suspension - Now one of the pro's of the linkless system is weight - That previous quote Why is it not used on Bicycles where weight is even more important a factor ? Is very relevant -

Perimeter Frame another leading inovation - Nah Kawasaki ran those way before anyone else - When will KTM catch up on the 10 years of ali frame building technology and experience the other manufacturers already have down !

KTM use a copy of Honda clutches ! Where does KTM "lead" ? They follow ! They have too because they came from the back - Maybe they will overtake one day but not before they surpass the 10 year lag they already have - Sure they have advantage on the small production runs to do a lot of changing to their models but that would surely not make them leaders but followers -

Sure the Stadium answers the link delema - When KTM enters the premium classes like 450 Supercross or MX - Now the suspension has to deal with power speed and todays top tracks - They cannot match the competition - When its small bumps and small displacement then they are Ok - How many top riders Careers have come to a dead stop with KTM in premier class SX/MX ? The only time Jeremy McGraph ever broke a bone was on a KTM - Ask Grant Langston how KTM perform in Premier class - S Tortelli - M Pichon ? They though they could go the same speed as on their last rides - No sorry suspension failure crash injury - You can just watch the action of a KTM on a MX track the rear "flops" arround compared to a link system which reacts ? When will they lead dominate this class - When they have a bike that works better than the competition ! The only place KTM lead is in marketing ! How to sell so many bikes with flawed design requires very good marketing ! The negating of these facts will be testament to their clever marketing at work

KTM are so invested in the marketing of the PDS that its difficult for them to change ?

KTM have made a huge comeback against marketing trends and the downward spiral of the european Motorcycle - It would be great to see the European Motorcycle make a comeback to it former glory days - China has other ideas though - And now that KTM's are made in India - Who knows ?[/quote:2s3spiz8]

Wave disc rotors

E-Start on MX bikes

Aftermarket aluminum handlebars as Stock equipment

Hydraulic Clutch

Side access air box on dirt bikes (or was this Husky)

[quote="tuz371":88msl0ux][quote="vrg07":88msl0ux]How can you say KTM are Leaders - Every manufacturer used a no lingage system before 1980 ? ATK used no linkage ?

In 1989, Leitner developed a single-shock, link-less suspension system for KTM - Then after that he created the "Horst Link" now famous in MTB's suspension - Now one of the pro's of the linkless system is weight - That previous quote Why is it not used on Bicycles where weight is even more important a factor ? Is very relevant -

Perimeter Frame another leading inovation - Nah Kawasaki ran those way before anyone else - When will KTM catch up on the 10 years of ali frame building technology and experience the other manufacturers already have down !

KTM use a copy of Honda clutches ! Where does KTM "lead" ? They follow ! They have too because they came from the back - Maybe they will overtake one day but not before they surpass the 10 year lag they already have - Sure they have advantage on the small production runs to do a lot of changing to their models but that would surely not make them leaders but followers -

Sure the Stadium answers the link delema - When KTM enters the premium classes like 450 Supercross or MX - Now the suspension has to deal with power speed and todays top tracks - They cannot match the competition - When its small bumps and small displacement then they are Ok - How many top riders Careers have come to a dead stop with KTM in premier class SX/MX ? The only time Jeremy McGraph ever broke a bone was on a KTM - Ask Grant Langston how KTM perform in Premier class - S Tortelli - M Pichon ? They though they could go the same speed as on their last rides - No sorry suspension failure crash injury - You can just watch the action of a KTM on a MX track the rear "flops" arround compared to a link system which reacts ? When will they lead dominate this class - When they have a bike that works better than the competition ! The only place KTM lead is in marketing ! How to sell so many bikes with flawed design requires very good marketing ! The negating of these facts will be testament to their clever marketing at work

KTM are so invested in the marketing of the PDS that its difficult for them to change ?

KTM have made a huge comeback against marketing trends and the downward spiral of the european Motorcycle - It would be great to see the European Motorcycle make a comeback to it former glory days - China has other ideas though - And now that KTM's are made in India - Who knows ?[/quote:88msl0ux]

Wave disc rotors

E-Start on MX bikes

Aftermarket aluminum handlebars as Stock equipment

Hydraulic Clutch

Side access air box on dirt bikes (or was this Husky)[/quote:88msl0ux]
don't forget doma pipes and v-force reeds. they definetely seem to be leaders in bike development. and they were the first to put coatings on production bikes in 06 with the forks and rims.

(oh, and MC's crash had nothing to do with the KTM, is was a freak accident, his one way vent clogged or something like that so his bike bogged between jumps)

The pipes since 06 are FMF. They come stock with 18degree off set clamps. Stock bar mounts are for oversized bars. Hydraulic clutch...They do have alot of perks.

Not sure why they switched from doma.

Wasn't there a year when MC rode for Suzuki and broke his wrist? Lost the championship that year also I believe.

billet triple clamps
oversize aluminum bars
side-entry airbox (tool-free)
Excel rims (black)
comfy dual-layer Renthal grips " title="Smile">

I think the linkage thing is all about perception. Too bad there's no way to do a "blind taste test." I bet 90% of the people complaining about the linkless suspension wouldn't even be able to tell the difference. Maybe it doesn't work as well in stadium style SX whoops, but that doesn't concern me too much. " title="Smile"> They certainly don't seem to have a problem offroad or in MX. As for SX, until they hire Reed, RC or Bubba, no one will really know if that 450 is capable of winning.

Maybe I'm biased, but I love my 250sxf.

Things I liked about my KTM before I rode it:

-oversized bars
-adjustable bar position
-adjustable triple tree offset
-hydraulic clutch
-3 way adjustable powervalve
-2 ignition settings
-pistons that last forever
-strong black rims, machined hubs, oversized spokes that never loosen after break-in
-fork compression adjustable w/ knob, easy to access w/ bars installed
-renthal grips
-high quality chain, sprockets, and tires.
-most bolts have a hex on the outside and an allen on the inside.
-the nice tool kit, spare parts, brief case, set up info, exploded bike view w/ all part #s, etc
-chain guard adjustable for different gearing
-wave rotors and Brembo brakes are like factory brakes
-coated pipe
-simplicity of design
-reversible chain blocks for different sized chains
-stickers are recessed into plastic for longevity
-came w/ grip tape for frame
-no tool air filter cleaning, and it's a twin air
-V force reeds
-nice coated silver wide footpegs
-cool push button gas cap
-lots of aluminum fittings and such, everything it really light.
-The $2K less I purchased it for compared to a new CRF. Resale #'s are almost identical.

Things I discovered about my KTM AFTER I rode it:

-KTM needs an American test rider setting up the jetting. Must be rejetted ASAP.
-the steel frame just handles better, it's more forgiving. My crashing went way down in severity and frequency.
-Suspension is much better than my CRF suspension stock and slightly better than my Pro-Action suspension.
-Bike weighs EXACTLY what the manual says it weighs ready to ride. 208 #s. My CRF450 weighed 242#s ready to ride.
-The approximately 5 seconds a lap a dropped when I went to the KTM.
-Going from being a 2 year Novice to keeping up w/ my Intermediate friends as soon as I hopped on the KTM.
-bike is easier to keep clean w/ no linkage and w/o a crowded motor. Seriously the bike does not catch nearly as much muck and is easier to wash.

Nathan Ramsey has really set the world on fire since he got off that POS.
Mike and Jeff allesi's supercross season- they dont look much different then before Holeshot then fade....
Mike is hurt, maybe its because of the type of linkage suzuki uses?
Has Zach Osborne set the world on fire now that he is off the KTM?
We can all point to a riders lack of results being the fault of the bike but how many guys really improved when they went the "far superior linkage" route?

KTM made linkage bikes years ago and continued through 05. If they thought it was better don't you think they would have kept it on all their bikes. I've had both types of KTM's, linkage and no linkage. The link-less is far superior in action (IMHO), and is far easier to set-up and maintain.

[quote="vrg07":vzt4kwjt]How can you say KTM are Leaders - Every manufacturer used a no lingage system before 1980 ? ATK used no linkage ?
- And now that KTM's are made in India - Who knows ?[/quote:vzt4kwjt]

Yamaha's and Honda's are also made in India and China and south America and......

I love the PDS suspension, I went to KTM from Yamaha in 04 and i think the bike gives you mega confidence and makes you feel like no matter what shape you get into the bike will always come back to you i never felt like this on the Yam. My friend moved from honda to KTM in 07 and was instantly running faster lap times saying he new what i ment about the bike inspiring confidence he loved.
I don't think a linkage would make a difference to the bikes they are awesome as they are. The only reason they are not running up front in sx is cause they don't have any decent riders on them but look at the lites class they are winning and are up front every week with 2 being on the podium at the weekend.

[quote="ACMYERS":1gcyd8q3]Wasn't there a year when MC rode for Suzuki and broke his wrist? Lost the championship that year also I believe.[/quote:1gcyd8q3]

Chaparral Yamaha - 1998 testing for the outdoors. Broke a bone in his wrist.

And I believe he broke his arm? back in 1992 wrapping up his 2nd 125 West title. Anyone else recall that he came back and rode the final 125 round at San Jose? with a special brace in order to secure the title? ( This would have been back on his Team Peak/Pro Circuit ride. )

I think he actually broke it at the 1992 Mt. Morris outdoor 125 round but don't know if that works out by schedule dates. HArd to loop this stuff up as the AMA, in their infinite wisdom, only shows online records back to late 90s.

[quote="race":k1numrs4][quote="ACMYERS":k1numrs4]Wasn't there a year when MC rode for Suzuki and broke his wrist? Lost the championship that year also I believe.[/quote:k1numrs4]

Chaparral Yamaha - 1998 testing for the outdoors. Broke a bone in his wrist.

And I believe he broke his arm? back in 1992 wrapping up his 2nd 125 West title. Anyone else recall that he came back and rode the final 125 round at San Jose? with a special brace in order to secure the title? ( This would have been back on his Team Peak/Pro Circuit ride. )

I think he actually broke it at the 1992 Mt. Morris outdoor 125 round but don't know if that works out by schedule dates. HArd to loop this stuff up as the AMA, in their infinite wisdom, only shows online records back to late 90s.[/quote:k1numrs4]


http://www.amaproracing.com/prorace/pdf ... all_LR.pdf

Im looking for a 08 530 xcw-r right now..no such luck!

[quote="race":3dyk8jmy][quote="ACMYERS":3dyk8jmy]Wasn't there a year when MC rode for Suzuki and broke his wrist? Lost the championship that year also I believe.[/quote:3dyk8jmy]

Chaparral Yamaha - 1998 testing for the outdoors. Broke a bone in his wrist.

And I believe he broke his arm? back in 1992 wrapping up his 2nd 125 West title. Anyone else recall that he came back and rode the final 125 round at San Jose? with a special brace in order to secure the title? ( This would have been back on his Team Peak/Pro Circuit ride. )

I think he actually broke it at the 1992 Mt. Morris outdoor 125 round but don't know if that works out by schedule dates. HArd to loop this stuff up as the AMA, in their infinite wisdom, only shows online records back to late 90s.[/quote:3dyk8jmy]
Was it his neck or back that he broke on a Honda at his own JMI race?

[quote="davis224":355b97ak][quote="tuz371":355b97ak][quote="vrg07":355b97ak]How can you say KTM are Leaders - Every manufacturer used a no lingage system before 1980 ? ATK used no linkage ?

In 1989, Leitner developed a single-shock, link-less suspension system for KTM - Then after that he created the "Horst Link" now famous in MTB's suspension - Now one of the pro's of the linkless system is weight - That previous quote Why is it not used on Bicycles where weight is even more important a factor ? Is very relevant -

Perimeter Frame another leading inovation - Nah Kawasaki ran those way before anyone else - When will KTM catch up on the 10 years of ali frame building technology and experience the other manufacturers already have down !

KTM use a copy of Honda clutches ! Where does KTM "lead" ? They follow ! They have too because they came from the back - Maybe they will overtake one day but not before they surpass the 10 year lag they already have - Sure they have advantage on the small production runs to do a lot of changing to their models but that would surely not make them leaders but followers -

Sure the Stadium answers the link delema - When KTM enters the premium classes like 450 Supercross or MX - Now the suspension has to deal with power speed and todays top tracks - They cannot match the competition - When its small bumps and small displacement then they are Ok - How many top riders Careers have come to a dead stop with KTM in premier class SX/MX ? The only time Jeremy McGraph ever broke a bone was on a KTM - Ask Grant Langston how KTM perform in Premier class - S Tortelli - M Pichon ? They though they could go the same speed as on their last rides - No sorry suspension failure crash injury - You can just watch the action of a KTM on a MX track the rear "flops" arround compared to a link system which reacts ? When will they lead dominate this class - When they have a bike that works better than the competition ! The only place KTM lead is in marketing ! How to sell so many bikes with flawed design requires very good marketing ! The negating of these facts will be testament to their clever marketing at work

KTM are so invested in the marketing of the PDS that its difficult for them to change ?

KTM have made a huge comeback against marketing trends and the downward spiral of the european Motorcycle - It would be great to see the European Motorcycle make a comeback to it former glory days - China has other ideas though - And now that KTM's are made in India - Who knows ?[/quote:355b97ak]

Wave disc rotors

E-Start on MX bikes

Aftermarket aluminum handlebars as Stock equipment

Hydraulic Clutch

Side access air box on dirt bikes (or was this Husky)[/quote:355b97ak]
don't forget doma pipes and v-force reeds. they definetely seem to be leaders in bike development. and they were the first to put coatings on production bikes in 06 with the forks and rims.

(oh, and MC's crash had nothing to do with the KTM, is was a freak accident, his one way vent clogged or something like that so his bike bogged between jumps)[/quote:355b97ak]


dont forget...

- first liquid cooled fourstroke in an offroad bike
- first with both front and read disc brakes

the japanese as a culture are famous for copying others and doing it better. so lets not act like they are the worlds innovators.

[quote="rockcrawler":355b97ak]well what KTM should do is for the SX line have a linkage and the rest of their line keeps the traditional non linkage suspension... then everyone could be happy....[/quote:355b97ak]

seems reasonable.

they build bikes for the GPs tho. their tracks are just different over there, more "natural" thus the reason the linkless work so well.

when they come out with their EFI 144, i will consider getting one. i loved my kx125.