Stories tagged: ktm

ATV Scene has a pretty good article on the Polaris Outlaw 525 IRS. They state some things that I kinda thought were obvious. It makes an awesome trail machine. You can take it to the track, and it should do better than a 400 class machine, but it isn't going to take the jumps like a 450.

This got me thinking of some of the other big (and when I say big I mean larger engine than a 450cc racer) quads on the market today. You have 2 options from Polaris. The 525 S and the 525 IRS. KTM has it's 525XC. Yamaha has its Raptor 700. Kawasaki has the KFX700 and Honda rounds out the group with its 08 700XX. Of all the major manufacturers only Suzuki isn't represented.

This is an interesting market. These are powerful machines. They all have reverse. They excel in the woods and at the dunes. Their mileage varies at the track though none are incapable. Most are roomier and therefore much more comfortable for bigger riders. I wouldn't say they are the best in any one class. I've seen enough souped up 450's beat souped up raptors in a drag that you'll have a hard time convincing me they are superior in that regard, and once you get deep mud or snow a 4x4 is clearly superior. However their versatility makes them tempting purchases.

I guess what makes this market so interesting to me, is that I think it is the market for 90% of sport class riders. If you go out to buy a new quad and you don't race MX or do freestyle then you shouldn't be looking for a quad with the stiffest suspension and the hardest seat. You shouldn't have to get off of your quad and pull the sucker backwards if you get in a bad spot. Your quad shouldn't be too wide for the trails you ride on. Well that's the 450 class. I think people buy race quads because they here they are the fastest or that they are what the pro's ride, but if you don't race Pro MX do yourself a favor and buy a quad with a comfortable quad.

I think the big bore class of quads will have enough suspension for most people. They definitely have enough power. The Outlaw and 700XX have IRS which for the big trail riders is a bonus. It wouldn't surprise me if the KFX got updated with IRS soon as well. For the average rider I think this is the class to beat.

Next time you are looking for a new sport quad don't just go with the 450 because it's trendy. Next to that 450 is a big bore quad this will most likely fit your needs better.

For years I've been saying we need more options. Yamaha and Polaris have been dabbling with new options the last few years with their "Special Edition" and "XT" models. However, these special editions while better aren't leaps and bounds better. Some have a few parts like better wheels, albeit all the same wheels. The YFZ SE for 2008 comes in orange and black, powder coated orange frame, metal heel guards, and a black bumper. So by "Special" you are getting a quad very mildly different than the people who bought a stocker, and the same as everyone else who bought a "Special Edition". Performance wise it is identical.

You see what they should be putting in these special editions, is after market parts. Triple rate suspension. Steel braided brake and clutch lines. A nice clutch. Easy maintenance. Nerf bars. Kill switch. MX Race ready width. Nice tires like Razr's or Holeshots.

In my opinion the thing that is happening at Yamaha is they are choosing the cosmetic changes for their special edition that people normally want customized. If you go to the dunes, or to the track, half the people have the same after market shocks, the same wide axle or a-arms. What is different is the powder coat. Maybe some LED's. Everyone All sorts of bumpers. Sticker kits. New plastics. If people wan't to put their own unique touch into a quad to make it different, buying a "Special Edition" isn't going to cut it.

KTM seems to get it. First off they are offering XC models, with the promise of an MX version next year. They put in nice triple rate shocks, tires that people wont throw away the day they buy the quad. A great Hydraulic clutch. Heavy duty steering stem, handle bars and levers. All the things that most people replace with very similar but better after market stuff.

I hope KTM gets the other manufacturers to take this route as well. There is still a market for regular quads, so they shouldn't go away, but special edition or XT or whatever you call it should really be a lot better. Don't make me buy a stock quad with crappy stock shocks that I have to throw away and replace with expensive after market shocks. I've just wasted a ton of money on the stock shock that could have gone into the ones I wanted in the first place. I think the market for souped up quads from the manufacturer is huge.

For what they are offering you seem to get a much better quad from KTM for only about $1500 more. To get one of the other manufacturers quads to that level you'd have to spend at least $4000 in after market parts. The savings are obvious in my opinion. I can't afford a new quad right now, but if I was in the market I'd be buying a KTM.

The guys over at ATVScene have a nice long review of of the new KTM quads. They look pretty awesome. They will be about $1700 more than most of the current 450's, but will be built with race ready components. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I've been wishing the manufacturers would produce different models of quads so some really are race ready for a while.

Next year's race season is going to be awesome. There are tons of manufacturers producing great quads. From the fans and riders point of view things are looking great. The only problem with all these new quads coming out is they tempt me to upgrade, and I don't want to spend the money.