Firstly, the info here is from the mouth and ears of a complete offroad novice. I have no idea what I'm talking about, nor what's required to actually *test* these machines. Secondly, I never got a chance to actually trial the 350. You'll hear why if you're not already bored to tears and gone to bed.
I was lucky enough to be trusted with the duties of "running in" the new demo 350 and 250 XC-F offerings from offroad legends, KTM this weekend. Bikes belong to TSS Red Baron and as you probably already know, wont be available for cuctomer purchase until the '12 models arrive, around August/September. When we heard we were getting these bikes as demos, I instantly enlisted the skills of Ben, TSS Red Baron service manager and well known accomplished offroad demon to accompany me and show me some skills. Off course, being a typical road racer, the smack talk (99.8% my voice) began a week and a half before the bikes actualy arrived. Ben took it all in his stride and said not much really. Others warned me, I kept smack talking. Rookie.
So Sunday dawns drizzly and generally crappy. Ben rings to make sure we're still on for a ride and that I haven't pussied out. Pick him up at 8:30 and it's off into the Akatarawa forrest for a bit of a play. Strictly scoping firewood cutting for Monday of course. Through the open gravel roads on the way in, I'm amazed at the seemingly endless range of gears available on the 250. Just when you think you're going fast, grab another gear and keep accelerating. Six speeds gearboxes rock! Halfway up the road, Ben signals off and my indroduction to cross country riding begins. A cool 4WD track with no nasty climbs or drops, just fast but tight open clay track rises and falls. I'm trying to get my head around this off road caper but can't begin to comprehend the grip available from the front of the little 250. WP obviously know their shit when it comes to suspension and the chassis on the 250 lets me hamfistedly turn the bike with zero finesse every corner, then give it a big fistfull on the exit making heaps of noise and feeling fast but really, going nowhere with a big smile. I (eventually) get to the end of the loop and back onto the main road and Mr Hills is kindly waiting, sipping from his camel back. "I quite like this 350." he proclaims while I mumble something about 250s being gutless and I need more power to keep in sight, fully thankfull for the fogiving nature of the smaller bike and wondering just how bad I'm about to get roosted......
Second verse to follow in the morning when my 15 month old daughter's not screaming at me............
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Originally Posted by pete.ktm
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