KTM 2-stroke enduros
KTM's 2020 Enduro range features three two-strokes, with a brand new 150
These thoroughly modern 2-strokes get the thumbs up from Chad.
The location couldn't have been more perfect. The Basella off-road park in northern Spain, at the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains just short of Andorra, is an amazing venue. KTM laid out the red carpet with a multitude of tracks and a specific skills area, to test its off-road strokers model. KTM
Factory team riders Johnny Walker and Taddy Blazusiak were on hand, as well as WP technicians and KTM staff. With the full fleet of bikes glittering in the Spanish sunlight , this was going to be one of those days you can only dream about.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE?
The range for 2020 consists of seven models, starting with the all-new 150 EXC TPI, which is homologated for Euro 4. The 250 EXC TPI and 300 EXC
TPI complete the fuel-injected two-stroke range. If you opt for four-stroke you have a choice of four different models: 250 EXC-F,350 EXC-F,450 EXC-F and finally the 500 EXC-F. KTM's latest range ofEnduro bikes benefit from the latest innovations gained in racing; not just in Enduro, but Motocross and even MotoGP . For 2020 each model is around 60% new, with the 150EXC TPI being an entirely new bike.
WHAT'S NEW FOR 2020?
Although the new 2020 bikes may not appear completely different to the untrained eye, they have a huge list of changes, which soon add up. The main changes are:
New frame - designed to give more torsional stiffness, but more flex in places. Cylinder head to frame mounting is new, and on the 250/300 models , the engine has rotated forwards to improve the front wheel grip. The rear subframe is lighter , but longer by 40mm to increase strength. WP suspension has been improved across all models, with new adjusters, a new mid-valve piston and revised settings. Fork rings also come as
standard on all models. At the rear, the WP adjustable shock receives revised damping and it's still directly mounted.
Engine - it's now been two years since the launch of KTM's very clever fuel-injected TPI 250 and 300 bikes, which means the new bikes benefit from 24 months of development and racing. According to KTM, the range of two-stroke engines is more efficient, with improved performance and now feature a new air pressure sensor, which communicates to the ECU, that compensates the fuel injection dependant on air pressure.
Interestingly, the kick-start has been completely removed from the four -stroke engines. It's not even an accessory, but they are still optional on the 250 and 300 TFI models and they both receive completely new exhausts to improve performance and reduce noise. The new exhaust comes with an easily distinguishable corrugated surface on the header pipes to add strength against debris. Radiators are new on all machines, with increased cooling and mounted 12mm lower. Airboxes are also completely new.
Appearance - as you'd expect, there are new graphics, but also new thinner sculpted bodywork and a new seat. The seat has more padding than before, more so towards the rear without compromising seat height, which is the same as previously. The bodywork is noticeably narrower towards the rear. We could go on; the fuel tank is new, even the oil tank has more flexible mounting points for improved longevity, KTM hasn't left any rock unturned. But the proof is in the riding - let's
get going.
LESS TALK, MORE ACTION
The completely new 150EXCTPI benefits from the engine and chassis changes mentioned above. It takes all the qualities of the proven two-stroke models with direct fuel-injection and proven reliability. Interestingly, the kick start remains and it doesn't have the corrugated surface on the exhaust. I'd describe myself as a club level rider, which is why I loved the rev-happy 150 two-stroke - it felt like a very fast mountain bike, it was that light. You can have fun, wring its neck and it's not going to jump back at you and bite you. There's even a two-way throttle map that softens the power further.
The throttle response was impressive, in the tighter wooded sections it will happily pull you through. Equally, out in the open you can ride it wide open clicking through the gearbox - I felt like a teenager again! I'm relatively light, and short, and prefer to ride more technical tracks, not wide open, so the 150 won 't fit everyone, but I loved its toy-like ability to make me smile.
250 AND 300 EXC TPI
The 250 was my first choice of bike for the day ahead as I've ridden the now 'old' model many times before. KTM has made the 250 easier to live with, it is manageable at low rpm when you're negotiating tight sections. Considering it's a 250, it's not the animal you'd expect.
However, higher in the rpm it is still aggressive, more MX than Enduro. Again, like the 150there are two rider modes, which soften or sharper the fuelling and can be easily switched over on the fly,as long as you're below 4000rpm.
The 300 felt a little easier to ride, not as MX like, which may sound strange, but as it has more torque I found I wasn't chasing the revs as much. However, in more experienced hands the opposite might occur.
Both are manageable and light, which encouraged me to push my skill levels, taking on trails I wouldn't normall y. The slimmer rear end allows you to really hang off the rear end down deep drops, and the seat feels grippier and softer than before.