Woohooo! KTM 85 is here!!
- Thread starter KenR
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KenR
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- Feb 20, 2002
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- #4
Okay, she's had a couple of break-in heat cycles. I can tell you right away that this bike has great bottom end. Doesn't have a spark arrestor. I was suprised that it came with skinny bars looking at the rest of the bike. Fit/finish is typical KTM - nice, substantial, beefy. Looking at the frame, swingarm, forks, shock, wheels...it looks and feels like a 7/8 scale big bike. Big bike air filter services from the side. Sweeeet clutch and brake feel. Jetting feels pretty close for 4000 feet already, but may have to be adjusted once it's broken in. Suspension feels like it'll take on anything. The bike feels tall compared to the YZ.
Ride report after this weekend.
Ride report after this weekend.
KenR
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- Feb 20, 2002
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First ride was great...while it lasted. About fifteen minutes in she developed a little noise in the transmission/clutch area and we shut 'er down. It's back at the dealer now. I think it'll probably be a minor issue, but we didn't want to take any chances.
We discovered that the shock spring is too short, but I understand that KTM is aware of this and is working on a remedy.
The bike handles great. As is typical with WP suspensions, it's going to take some time to break in. The engine has smooth power from low to high without having to scream it to get into the meat, although we kept it at low to mid RPM's since it's so new. Brakes work great - stoppies are almost automatic if you want 'em.
So far it's thumbs up!!
We discovered that the shock spring is too short, but I understand that KTM is aware of this and is working on a remedy.
The bike handles great. As is typical with WP suspensions, it's going to take some time to break in. The engine has smooth power from low to high without having to scream it to get into the meat, although we kept it at low to mid RPM's since it's so new. Brakes work great - stoppies are almost automatic if you want 'em.
So far it's thumbs up!!
KenR
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- Feb 20, 2002
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I can tell you that the seat height is taller than the YZ, but I won't be able to put a tape on it until I get the bike back in my garage, hopefully today or tomorrow. The dealer called while I was traveling and says the problem has been fixed - don't know yet what they found.
KenR
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- Feb 20, 2002
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Sorry ya'll for the delay. Been on the road for the last couple of weeks. The problem ended up being low oil level. KTM ships these bikes dry. The specification for the amount of oil in the owners manual is for "wet". When the dealer filled the trans with oil using the specified amount, it was actually a bit low, leading to the clutch hub bearing vibrating and making the noise.
They pulled it all apart to make sure there was not damage (there wasn't), drained and re-filled the trans and that took care of the problem.
As for the short spring length, I haven't heard anything from KTM on that yet, and talked to Scott Harden this past weekend at the Nevada 200 about it as well. Even without any preload adjustment, the bike seems to be set up pretty well for our rider, but I still want the correct, longer spring.
We'll be at a motocross track tonight with the KTM and YZ's so should be able to get some good feedback between the two.
They pulled it all apart to make sure there was not damage (there wasn't), drained and re-filled the trans and that took care of the problem.
As for the short spring length, I haven't heard anything from KTM on that yet, and talked to Scott Harden this past weekend at the Nevada 200 about it as well. Even without any preload adjustment, the bike seems to be set up pretty well for our rider, but I still want the correct, longer spring.
We'll be at a motocross track tonight with the KTM and YZ's so should be able to get some good feedback between the two.
KenR
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- Feb 20, 2002
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The track is at Deseret Peak Sports Complex in Tooele Utah, about 20 minutes west of Salt Lake City. Pretty cool place. They have a long, fairly technical motocross track, arena cross and 50's tracks, BMX, a brand new karting facility (makes it real tempting to jump into that again), plus a horse arena, softball fields, etc., etc.
KenR
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Due to scheduling and mechanical problems, we couldn't get the new YZ and KTM together at the track.
I can tell you that the Katoom is a rocket ship. Loads of power everywhere - lots down low, great pull in the mid range and the top seems to go forever. I think the greatest difference in power comes from the V-Force reeds, huge air filter and power valve.
The suspension is waaaaaaay better than the YZ outta the box. It's taken some time to break in the shock and fork, but we're starting to add some clicks to both ends. The chassis seems very well balanced. Brakes are excellent. The kid loves the hydraulic clutch.
The only negative I can find is the short shock spring length, which has to be new model glitch. As I may have stated earlier, ours came with too short of a spring - the adjustment ring is at the bottom of the shock body and the spring has no preload on it. So far this hasn't caused a problem, but as our rider gains weight, I'll want the adjustment. My dealer hasn't gotten a response from KTM on it yet.
Hopefully in the next week or so, we'll have both bikes side-by-side at the track (the YZ's transmission grenaded during some desert practice). All of these observations are based upon feedback from my son, who rides both. I can tell you that he doesn't want to ride the blue one much anymore. We're presently working on some "hardware" to make the KTM more suitable for desert racing - skid plate, shark fin, radiator supports/guards. Until then it's only being used on a motocross track as I don't want to test parts availability just yet!
I can tell you that the Katoom is a rocket ship. Loads of power everywhere - lots down low, great pull in the mid range and the top seems to go forever. I think the greatest difference in power comes from the V-Force reeds, huge air filter and power valve.
The suspension is waaaaaaay better than the YZ outta the box. It's taken some time to break in the shock and fork, but we're starting to add some clicks to both ends. The chassis seems very well balanced. Brakes are excellent. The kid loves the hydraulic clutch.
The only negative I can find is the short shock spring length, which has to be new model glitch. As I may have stated earlier, ours came with too short of a spring - the adjustment ring is at the bottom of the shock body and the spring has no preload on it. So far this hasn't caused a problem, but as our rider gains weight, I'll want the adjustment. My dealer hasn't gotten a response from KTM on it yet.
Hopefully in the next week or so, we'll have both bikes side-by-side at the track (the YZ's transmission grenaded during some desert practice). All of these observations are based upon feedback from my son, who rides both. I can tell you that he doesn't want to ride the blue one much anymore. We're presently working on some "hardware" to make the KTM more suitable for desert racing - skid plate, shark fin, radiator supports/guards. Until then it's only being used on a motocross track as I don't want to test parts availability just yet!
