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• You take it easy
• Driving report KTM sport enduro 2015
• New for the 2015 model year
• Interview with product manager

KTM

17th photos

KTM

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With a market share of well over 50 percent, KTM dominates the discipline "Offroad" even more crushing than Nutella and Co the shelves in the supermarket.

KTM

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Comeback: The share of two-stroke models in all KTM sport enduros sold is a remarkable 50 percent.

KTM

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In addition, the orange-colored stollen horses have won every sports enduro comparison test by MOTORRAD in the various classes in recent years.

KTM

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The highlight at the time, the 350 EXC-F, is now the best-selling sports enduro in the world.

KTM

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To save the honor of the development department: The model range received the last general overhaul in 2012.

Campelli

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Sixdays model: cartridge fork, milled fork bridges and various protectors. Surcharge: 700 euros.

Campelli

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The trademark of all KTM off-roaders – the tubular steel frame.

Campelli

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Steel instead of aluminum.

KTM

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Only marginal retouching differentiates the next generation of models from the current one.

KTM

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Obviously the Austrians did some things right. So you can’t blame the KTM model planners for taking things a little easier for the 2015 season.

Campelli

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With a slim line of tank seats, the best brakes in the industry, a clutch that can be precisely controlled and a transmission that can be shifted as smooth as butter, the KTM four-stroke enduro bikes remain a force in their classes.

Campelli

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For this reason, an active driving style is still required. Only those who manage to cope with endurance adversities with skillful alternation of loading and unloading the stern and in
Using the potential of the EXC models to put stress on the light front in tight turns.

Campelli

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The lower price (from 7,445 euros) is probably one of the reasons for the revival of the two-stroke models at KTM, in addition to the ease of maintenance and the lower weight.

KTM

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At least 9,000 euros are due for the off-roader.

KTM

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What is new is that the rear silencer is quieter.

KTM

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A direct comparison with its in-house relatives from Husqvarna also showed that the Husky, which is equipped with a rocker arm for the shock absorber, reacts significantly more sensitively than the KTM PDS shock absorber, which is attached directly to the swing arm.

Campelli

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The share of all KTM sports enduro bikes sold increased during the run
in the meantime to an impressive 50 percent.

Driving report KTM sport enduro model year 2015

You take it easy

For the competition, KTM is meanwhile a red, pardon orange cloth. The Austrians have long since made the leap to become the dominant force in the off-road market – and can therefore take it easy for the 2015 model year.

Driving report KTM sport enduro 2015

Do you know Nutella, Tempo or Aspirin? Of course. If the product name becomes synonymous with a segment, then the manufacturer has done everything right. In this respect, enduro sport can still count itself lucky with its traditional name. Because it dominates with a market share of well over 50 percent KTM this discipline is even more overwhelming than Nutella and Co the shelves in the supermarket.

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Driving report KTM sport enduro model year 2015
You take it easy

Campelli

Steel instead of aluminum: the trademark of all KTM off-roaders – the tubular steel frame.

But a direct comparison with its in-house relatives from Husqvarna also showed that the Husky, which is equipped with a rocker arm for the shock absorber, reacts significantly more sensitively than the KTM PDS shock absorber, which is attached directly to the swing arm. And so the fact that KTM – contrary to the forecasts of many industry experts – continues to stick to the PDS concept is definitely the most important innovation for the 2015 model year.

For this reason, an active driving style is still required. Only those who manage to cope with endurance adversities with skillful alternation of loading and unloading the rear and stressing the light front with emphatic physical effort in tight bends can use the potential of the EXC models. And that is considerable. Because with the slim tank-seat line, the best brakes in the industry, precisely adjustable clutch and extremely smooth gear shifting, the KTM four-stroke enduros remain a force in their classes. But no bargains. At least 9,000 euros are due for the off-roader. The classy Sixdays variants (milled fork bridges, closed cartridge fork, various protectors) each cost 700 euros.

The lower price (from 7,445 euros) is probably one of the reasons for the revival of the two-stroke models at KTM, in addition to the ease of maintenance and the lower weight. Their share of all KTM sports enduro bikes sold has now risen to an impressive 50 percent over the years. Almost as high as Nutella’s.

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New for the 2015 model year

KTM

Comeback: The share of two-stroke models in all KTM sport enduros sold is a remarkable 50 percent.

Four-stroke models
Rear silencer quieter
(350 EXC-F, 450/500 EXC)
Clutch basket lighter
Transmission with longer sixth gear (250 EXC-F)
Speedometer with integrated indicator lights
Frame color orange, rim color black
Handguards made of more robust material

Prices
Four-stroke models: 250 EXC-F 9045 euros, 350 EXC-F 9195 euros, 450 EXC 9295 euros, 500 EXC 9595 euros
Two-stroke models: 125 EXC 7445 euros, 200 EXC 7595 euros, 250 EXC 8245 euros, 300 EXC 8395 euros

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Husqvarna TR 650 Terra, KTM 690 Enduro R and Yamaha XT 660 R in the test

Single-cylinder enduro bikes in a comparison test

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Interview with product manager

Campelli

Offroad Product Manager Joachim Sauer (52) on the market situation for KTM sport enduros.

How exactly do the sales figures in the sports enduro segment look??
Sauer: We sell 25,000 EXC models a year. There are also 19,000 motocross machines, 4,000 of which are youth crossers.

And which displacement classes are most in demand?
Sauer: The top seller in terms of sales is the 350 EXC-F. We sold 7,000 machines of this model alone last year. In second place is the 300 EXC, a two-stroke engine.

The hiking enduro freeride is accepted?
Sauer: We sold 2,900 machines from her last year. 1100 with four-stroke and 1800 with two-stroke drive.

So the two-stroke is not dead yet?
Sauer: Definitely not in the off-road segment. On the contrary. We now sell almost half of all sport enduros with two-stroke engines.

So the sales figures are right. Is that the reason why the KTM off-road models have hardly been further developed for the 2015 season?
Sauer: No, no, we never sit back. Our development department is already working flat out on the future enduro models, which are facing a huge hurdle when they meet the Euro 4 limits. From model year 2017 this means a massive reduction in exhaust emissions and stricter noise limits. This requires an immense and therefore lengthy development effort.

According to official information, KTM uses a lot of staff for this?
Sauer: That’s right. Development is the key to success. Our development department currently has 280 employees and is to be increased to 330 as soon as possible. We can use any resourceful mind.

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