The big dog is here. I did set-up this last weekend and initial break in ride on Monday. First impressions...after the suspension breaks in, it may be pretty close stock. These things are stiff out of the box, almost stiff enough for race speed...but again until it breaks in I really can't say. Right now, the bike feels like you could go local MXing w/ it. KTM shocks take about 6 hours to free up, so we'll have to wait and see. I've set the sag at 35mm and 110 and we'll let it break in at those numbers
Changed the pilot to a 45, added a Hard Parts fuel screw set at 1.5 and fired it up no fuss at all. Some light tearing around...very much feels like the 525. I think this will be a great trail engine, especially for Colorado and similar mountainous terrain. Feels like 525 in that it has instant torque right off the bat. You can let the thing drop down to idle, never touch the clutch and almost count the piston strokes and it won't stall. Once the engine has some more time on Monday I'll give you a detailed report. No idea on the tranny spacing/gearing yet...it has a 14/50 on it now. I want to be able to gear the bike so 2nd gear is the one gear w/ 3rd for faster blasts in the woods to open sections. We'll do some top-end blasts too...stay tuned for that. Feels strong though. Triple digits should be no problem
Weight saving measures abound on these bikes. Seems to have paid off as it feels lighter moving the bike around. Detailing on the bike is overall right on par with KTM quality. The sweet billet clamps found on my last SXF are on this bike, nice touch. The 07 EXC headlight I have mounted right up as the bike was light ready and works great. The tank...such a sore spot in the past, well it seems ot be a well thought out re-design and maybe with the new tank material and new locking cap they have gotten the cap/tank problems behind them. Bike came w/ Bridgestones...I traded those back and put good rubber on. The 07 EXC's come w/ Metzeler's. I have a set front and back for them...they are almost exact duplicates of the Pirelli MT32's that I love but wear much better and are DOT approved.
Little irritating observances...the new style bodywork and frame work looks great and is very seamless. Downside...they are quite a bit tougher to work on. Not CRF difficult mind you, but it is pretty tight in the confines of the frame/engine. The kickstand spring is almost an afterthought...very loose and looks to be a potential weak spot, particularly the spring mount on the stand itself. The seat has gone back to retro KTM seats...might as well be a plank. EE is supposed to have one ready in the next few weeks...it needs one.
Overall, I'm impressed and can't wait to get on some singletrack Monday with the bike. I've owned 525's and 520's in the past and will be comparing this bike back to back w/ a 07 525 just for giggles.
Mods will be pretty simple on this bike. Dial the suspension or revalve if needed, cut the bars down to 29"usual guards...BPD rad guards, EE slave cylinder guard, EE rear disc guard/carrier, Hard Parts quick disconnect skid plate, EE handguards w/ Hard Parts mounts to clear the new clutch, solid rear rotor, Hard Parts frame guards (these are huge step up from the past frame guards available), fine tune the jetting, fuel screw, fan kit for CO/AR rock crawling, EE seat and Roc Stompa under bar mount stabilizer (just came out!) as well as those sweet Roc Stompa Pegs and of course the newest set of BPD Team graphics from PG. I'll keep you posted on this as she breaks in and get some pics up when the stuff is all in this next week.