When you get an invitation from KTM SA for an off-road/enduro launch you can expect a world class event. This is exactly what happened in The Mountain Kingdom Of Lesotho.
Here’s the skinny from one of our regulars, Mike Wessels:
About the trip. It was amazing : ,
The rain and mud didn’t hold us back. We had dinner and a presentation on the first night with an overview on the bikes, chassis/ frame , engine changes and suspension. There is a lot to tell.
We woke up 7 am and after breaky, we headed out for a 92 km outride over 7 and a half hours where we got to experience each bike.
We stopped for a lunch, Prego rolls and hot chocolate to warm us up in the 7 degree Celsius cold. After a loop track after lunch we headed back to the mountains and made our way back to Thaba Bosiu.
The South African media is a tough group and not once did we get a complaint or issue on the trails.
Thanks for the amazing experience.
The End.
Well not quite…
We are pretty sure that you want to know what the bikes are like?
Yes?
The changes for 2024 are significant, especially in more tech terrain like Lesotho offers.
But first – a bit more about the venue:
Roughly an hour from the Maseru border is Thaba Bosiu cultural village.
It’s a place that is now seriously famous thanks to being used as the base camp for Roof Of Africa, the worlds longest standing hard enduro.
And they tell us that this part of Lesotho is also one of the highest average elevation places for any riding event in the world.
This year, the Basotho hamlet played host to the world over two weeks as media houses from across the globe came along to sample KTM’s latest enduro offerings in the country that God made for riding. How cool is that?
It is a perfect setting for a launch like this and draws on Lesotho’s rich motorcycle culture.
The Bikes:
At the beginning of this year we saw the launch of the all new KTM SX range. There, we were introduced to quick-shifters and multiple changes on the 4 stroke range and an all new 2 Stroke range.
Fuel on those is now fed via a new TBI (Throttle Body Injection) system.
This is interesting because you’ll remember that just a few short years ago, KTM invented the TPI system in order to beat the emission laws that are getting tighter every year.
Just a few weeks ago, we posted KTM’s press release regarding the all new enduro range. If you missed it here’s the link:
https://dirtandtrail.co.za/ktms-2024-enduro-models-incoming/
The 2024 bikes are 95% new. And the new enduro Two Strokes are now Also TBI.
The only things that haven’t really changed are the Brembo brakes and clutch, the rubber bits and the wheels that keep you rolling. Otherwise – all new.
You can have a read, we’ll tell you more about what we think of each new bike.
Styling:
In the flesh, the bikes look quite different to the 2023 models. Leaner, sleek, sharper, a lot like KTM’s MX cousins. Because they share the same styling and plastics. Slick and narrow. Serious attitude. Orange and purple embedded decals might sound strange, but it all really works. The attention to detail is so typical KTM, like the pattern on the gripper seats that matches the pattern on the shrouds and frame guards. Nice!
The updated LED lights look great and, they say, offers longer life and “brighter luminescence”.
Sticking with the front end, KTM has changed the triple clamp design to ensure that once they are tightened, they give a better grip and prevent the brand new forks from going oval. Pretty much like the aftermarket CNC power parts you can buy. A better grip on the fork creates less friction and less heat internally.
Along with that, a new mounting system for the handlebar gives you a more rigid feel and, KTM says, offers better bar protection.
Ergonomics.
Right. You still with us?
The outgoing models feel light and slender, but the new bikes feel – well even more so. And we are always surprised at how they do this. It’s got a lot to do with rider position – the pegs have been moved back and widened. It tends to make you ride on the balls of your feet more like a motocross bike. At first it took time to get used to but once we adapted to the new riding style we felt like Cooper Webb over the rocks. Everything is a jump.
The Reason for moving the foot pegs back is to allow the downward force from your body to be as close to the rear wheel as possible to gain more traction.
These updates change the way you approach technical sections. You would normally think about where you would dab your foot and where your front wheel would end up.
The new models are somehow, just, easier. We would approach a techy section and before we knew it we were up and smiling.
The design makes for easier and more importantly – even more enjoyable riding.
One thing that was very noticeable on the front end was that no one bottomed out. On the front end, the new shock has an internal chamber at the bottom of the stroke to prevent the harsh/sudden thud as you land.
Even after jumping off rocks there was no sudden hard shock which makes hard landings a breeze.
Suspension
While TBI is probably the biggest news on the two strokes, across the lineup, KTM has paid some serious attention to the suspension.
Closed cartridge forks on the front. WOW!.
After having owned a few KTM’s with the open cartridge system, you can definitely feel the difference. The bikes just push through the terrain. There’s no negative feedback, on everything we rode, the bikes just felt planted and in control up front.
Remember cone valve forks are also a form of closed cartridge forks. So what does this mean?
KTM is producing their stock bikes as close to KTM power parts as possible for the end user however, KTM will tell you that cone valves still still have that premium edge.
No linkage but the rear PDS shock has been moved off centre to give the bike better flex and traction. You can feel the rear pushing the wheel to the ground and finding the traction almost like their top of the range Trax shock.
More good stuff:
Quick Shifter on the Four Strokes:
For the first time on an enduro bike, the four strokes come with a Quick-shifter.
Why?
Well why not?
It’s brilliant! We are surprised that it took this long to trickle down from the road and adv market.
When KTM released their new SX bikes their focus was winning the holeshot, and yes this is where the quick-shifter makes sense.
It’s very simple to work out. Ready to Race, a saying KTM lives by and these bikes are living up to that name whether it is 0.3 of a second faster on gear changes or the technology of traction control keeping you upright, KTM hasn’t lost their focus on winning.
The quick shifter makes easy smooth gear changes. If you are like us who hardly ever uses the clutch to change gears it kinda makes sense. Longevity on the gearbox and clutch and less chance of making the wrong gear selection.
We found the changes to be smooth even at lower RPM, you can still creep along up the rocks.
On the few sections where we could open up, it’s excellent.
Throughout the day not once did we find a false neutral or anything like it.
Traction Control on the four strokes:
For most enduro riders this might seem like something silly.
However, If you have ever ridden a road or ADV bike you will understand the reasoning behind it.
It prevents you from over revving and spinning in tech terrain. You can still spin, but when the wheel does hook up, it’s calmer and helps prevent the front wheel from heading skywards.
A small test was done in the field close to the lunch stop to show exactly how it works.
Traction control off. 1st gear pop the clutch and well….
The rear tyre spins and all of a sudden finds the traction and spits the wheel into the air.
Traction Control on. 1st gear same procedure, the back wheel spins less and the front lifts slightly and slowly makes its way up.
Capiche? So now you know!
Little bits that make life easier…
Modern Electronics:
On all bikes, the fuse box…
Well, what’s that? KTM has done away with the conventional fuse box and gone all NASA on us. The new “Fuse Box” is now intelligent. It has a bunch of LED’s labeled on it and is all electronic. If there is an issue you will see a light flashing in its designated area and the computer will bypass that damaged or corrupted line so that you can carry on riding.
In essence, the days of a fuses are over. The computer will sort itself out and bypass any issues.
Clever stuff. Did we test it?
Nope! We had no issues with any of the bikes for the duration.
Mapping on all models:
Both the four strokes and the two strokes have 2 mapping modes. One being more aggressive, the other being standard.
Let’s jump into this.
In a nutshell the aggressive mapping changes the power curve down and makes it a lot more brutal low down. With a punch straight from the bottom where it tapers out at the top.
The standard mapping is a lot more user friendly making the power curve a lot smoother and controllable. We did the same climb twice on the 150 to try out the differences.
In aggressive mode you would ride through the rocks. Using the powerband to fight its way up this said hill.
In standard mode you could use less revs and get the same result. More controlled riding at a slower pace.
And before you ask – yes, you can absolutely feel the difference.
2-Stroke TBI: Throttle Body Injection.
TBI injection is fuel pumped through 2 injectors in the throttle body. On idle and at low RPM only on the front injector. At high RPM the second injector kicks in and supplies fuel.
Like TPI, the bikes still have a remote reservoir for 2-stroke oil – so no premix.
We have no complaints, The TBI injection delivers a smoother, crisp constant power delivery.
2 Stroke Torque Chamber:
This is where it pays to go back in time and perfect something that was never broken. Besides the fact that the new 2024 models are TBI they have brought some old school technology back and perfected it. This is not a first for 2-strokes, but KTM has introduced a new power valve in the cylinder heads, as well as something from their original KTM 380 bikes.
KTC or the KTM Torque Chamber in the exhaust. What this does is give the bike more tractability. Giving a more user friendly, less punchy power curve that allows the rider to climb a whole lot easier.
Cool huh!
So, in a nutshell the bikes are Packed with brand new and perfected old tech – and both of our riders were blown away…
Here’s what they had to say:
Biggest Improvement across the bikes?
Unanimous… Suspension.
Quick thoughts on each bike:
150 2-stroke:
Kyle. It’s like a perfectly jetted KTM 200. You don’t expect it to be as good as it is. Lots of chugalug and when you wring her neck – brilliant, nice and tight and just so much fun.
Mike:This playful machine can even take the largest of us up a tech incline if your skill permits.
So what stood out for me the most was the new chamber they brag about which definitely boosts the bottom end, however in the end of the day it’s still a 150cc and should be ridden like one.
250 2-Stroke:
Kyle. It feels like last years 300. Lots of very useable power from bottom to top. Ride her hard, it’s fantastic fun. Ride her slow and gobble up those gnarly passes. My favourite 2-stroke on the launch.
Mike: My favourite bike of the launch.Taking in consideration the extremely wet and muddy conditions Lesotho had blessed us with, this 250 2T was my weapon of choice and I chose to ride it on all the super technical sections.
Everyone always chooses the 300 over the 250 yet I found this all new 250 almost just as Barky and aggressive to the previous 300.
300 2-stroke:
Kyle. This bike is easier to ride than the outgoing model. Still heaps of power, but very smooth – unbelievably torquey and so crisp, even at these altitudes. It feels completely unaffected by altitude.
Mike:The power delivery is a bit more aggressive than the previous model once you open it up.
The low end torque and ability to crawl up and over obstacles has never ever been so well refined on a two stroke motorcycle this bike chugs like a 450.
250 Four stroke:
Kyle: A very capable tractor of a bike. The highlight is the torque and it’s all round capability and ease of use.
Mike: I got to spend a fair bit of time in the mud with this bike , it definitely feels like more power than before and I can feel a resemblance to the SX range.
However you do have to get it up in the rpm range to feel the kick. Again like the other 24 exc range a much better lower end torque throughout all the bikes and I think every test rider agreed on this.
Bear in mind it is a 250f so it would be better suited to the younger rider or the older veteran rider who wants to have some weekend fun.
350 Four Stroke:
Kyle: My bike of the launch. I want one in my garage, the whole package is just so complimentary. For me, it just does everything right.
Mike: I only got to ride this bike around the woods loop during lunch break because Kyle would not give it up! It was super muddy and slippery. During the time I spent on it, I was impressed at what a balanced bike it is. Light and nimble and way more powerful than the 250 and it feels a lot lighter than the 450.
I can see this bike being a popular race weapon as it gives you the best of both worlds.
Kyle definitely loved this bike and could not stop speaking about how awesome it is the entire trip.
450 Four Stroke:
Kyle: KTM has spent time on this bike and the improvement is vast. It’s just better in every way to the predecessor. Gone is the hooligan, mad power machine. Enter the composed, powerful professional.
Mike: This was the first bike I chose as I feel more comfortable on a 450 as I ride a 450sx of my own. But little did I expect to be blown away by the resemblance to the SX model the frame, the foot pegs and seating position felt so similar, I immediately felt at home with this bike and quickly became my personal favourite four stroke of the trip.
500 Four Stroke:
Kyle: Love it, more race focussed, but gone is the tractor – enter a more performance focussed machine.
Mike: Everyone was fighting for the chance to ride this bike and I can see why it’s a beast !
It’s super fast on the straight sections with plenty of bottom end power for the tighter bits.
The bike does feel a bit heavier especially when jumping from a 2 stroke to a 5 hunny so you overshoot a corner or two… but this bike does make a lot of sense as an all rounder.
Way more refined than the previous models with a narrower ride and the foot pegs feel closer together for sure making it easy to grip and hang on to this beast of a machine.
.
Conclusions:
We would hate to try and compete with a brand like this. The KTM group as a whole really push so hard with everything that they set their mind to – and this launch just underlines that fact.
Great bikes, with so much innovation.
Pretty flippen amazing.
We look forward to riding the bikes a bit more through the year.
www.ktm.com
The bikes are at dealerships soon – and if you want to ride them, you can.
Here are the details that we have for respective demo days:
