Off-road innovations 2002

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Off-road innovations 2002

Earthmoving

E.There's a lot going on in the enduro sector, new four-stroke sports machines and the big rally KTM are bringing momentum to the off-road and super-moto scene. An overview of the highlights at the autumn fairs.

Husaberg

Problems with the electric starter and the bearing of the balance shaft overshadowed the start of the new generation of engines this year.

The Swedes therefore worked primarily on improving stability. The top models FE and FS650e in particular were affected by damage because of the particularly heavy balance shaft. From model year 2002 this is double-bearing, in 2003 the smaller models are retrofitted accordingly. Also the 650, which was tamed too much in 2001 with regard to good drivability, is to be trimmed more for top performance again.

IN FRONT

While for the Super-Moto models SM 450/530 for 2002 the well-known frame made of five parts screwed together, all off-road versions have completely new perimeter frames made of welded, oval steel tubes (see driving report in MOTORRAD 21/2001). Enduro riders can choose between the EN 400, EN 450 and EN 530 models; there is only the MX 530 for crossers. For the time being, a radical EN 250 with an ultra-short stroke motor is a long way off: 82 millimeters bore compared to 47.3 millimeters stroke. The large bore creates space for huge valves: 32 millimeters at the inlet, 26 at the outlet. The cylinder head is turned, air is sucked in through the front pipe of the frame on the control head. In the prototype, the air filter sits in a welded box in front of the engine between the beams. Despite the desired high maximum speed, the 250 is content with one camshaft, steeply positioned valves (26 degrees) ensure short and light rocker arms. The drive takes place in the style of the house via gears. Because of the compact cylinder head, the cylinder could be relatively long, which enables a longer connecting rod with less friction losses and lower piston accelerations. Will the single go into series production? Wait. Due to the lack of possible applications in Europe, the petite dirt track study is certainly not intended for the series.

Cannondale

The American bicycle specialists are having a hard time with their first work in the motorcycle sector. After criticism from the journalists (driving report in MOTORRAD 11/2001) they turned their revolutionary off-road four-stroke engine with the upside-down cylinder head completely upside down. New plastic with a narrower and more attractive design, an airbox under the tank instead of in front of the steering head, a higher-mounted radiator, a newly programmed engine management for ignition and injection and a lot of detailed work should make the X 440 competitive. A new exhaust system should benefit the previously not exactly intoxicating peak performance, and the somewhat out of tune Öhlins spring elements have also been revised. All changes also apply to the E 440 Enduro version, while the old model remains in the range as the X 440 S at a price reduced by $ 1,000. For Europe, delivery is planned from spring 2002.

TM Racing

At the end of last year TM presented the new four-stroke engine in versions from 250 to 530 cm3, and now there should finally be a small series (driving report in MOTORRAD 10/2001). The structure ?? two camshafts, four valves, short-stroke layout, balancer shaft – corresponds to the current state of the art. The inclined carburetor is noticeable in order to get aerodynamic inlet ducts. However, TM has moved away from the unorthodox arrangement of the tank at the rear and air filter at the front in last year's prototypes. The TM 250 and TM 400 have the same stroke of 60.1 millimeters, the bore is 72.5 and 92 millimeters, respectively. The dimensions of the TM 530 are 70 x 98 millimeters.

Vertemati

After the brothers Guido and Alvaro Vertemati parted ways with their business partners, who now operate under the name VOR, last year, they go their own way again and have brought their latest creation to small-scale production. The engines are available in versions from 500 to 630 cm3 as Enduro E 501, Crosser C 500 or Super Moto SR 501/570/629. In addition to the kick starter that swivels forward, the latter can also be equipped with an electric starter on request. The engine is structurally similar to the VOR debut, as with this the camshaft is driven by gear wheels. The frame and swing arm are welded from strong, oval steel tubes. In terms of character, the Vertemati models are more of an old-school four-stroke, without a balancer shaft, powerfully vibrating and with strong pressure from the lower speed range.

Gas gas

In the testing phase, the Spaniards used long Yamaha engines in their chassis, now the in-house engine has reached the final stage of development and will be available in the spring in the FSE 250 and FSE 400. The similarity with the test vehicle cannot be denied, even if the camshaft drive of the Spanish dohc single is arranged on the right-hand side. The Spaniards are breaking new ground when it comes to mixture formation, Gas Gas has developed an injection system together with Magneti Marelli. The clutch is operated hydraulically. The chassis with the perimeter frame is practically identical to that of the two-stroke models. At the same time, the 400 should also be available as a Super Moto. The new Pampera, previously designed for tourist off-road hiking, has become much sportier. As before, the 250 cc two-stroke is derived from the trial, so it is less designed for top performance than for smooth, even development in the lower and middle speed range. The new chassis is still very compact, but now, including the design, closer to the sports enduro than to the trial machine.

Husqvarna

Little has happened in Italy for a long time, now Husqvarna is going on the offensive, initially with the new, small four-stroke engine. With two camshafts, a balancer shaft and an electric starter, it is technically up to date. There are also delicacies such as hydraulic clutch or titanium valves and exhausts. The quarter-liter version is available as both an Enduro TE 250 and a Crosser TC 250, both with an electric starter as standard. A kickstart kit is included in the price of all models, which can be installed in addition to or as a replacement for the starter. Mixture preparation is done by a Mikuni flat slide carburetor, while the competition relies on Keihin. Another difference: The four valves are not actuated directly by the camshafts, but rather via rocker arms, as in Formula 1 engines. The small TC / TE250 turn over 13000 revolutions and should heat up the Yamaha class leader properly. The larger version is available as Enduro TE 400 or Crosser TC 450. As before, the TE 570 as Enduro or Super Moto SM 570 R rounds off the Husqvarna range at the top. In addition to fine-tuning the engine, this year's model update finally includes the change from the Dellorto to the Mikuni flat slide, which should be good for the performance development in the field or with the Super Moto.

Honda

The new CRF 450 R is causing a sensation in the cross sector (driving report on page 50). An enduro offshoot has not yet been officially planned, the engine seems too uncompromisingly designed for motocross. At the Milan trade fair, however, the Italian cross importer HM surprised everyone with the enduro and super moto versions of the four-stroke crosser. The Swiss company Monnier and German dealers are also working on models that can be approved for off-road sports.

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