The KTM 400EXC factory machine that won the
1999 World Enduro Championship in the hands of Italian maestro Giovanni Sala
bears a striking resemblance to the standard, mass-produced 400EXC.
This bike has made a big impression on the
400cc four-stroke market. Simply swing a leg over one and you'll start to
understand what all the fuss is about. It has the smooth and clean feel of a
motocross bike and it's very easy to slide forward or rearward with comparative
ease.
The kickstarter is on the righthand side on
the EXC, and it's not a difficult bike to fire up. But hey, why bother when you
can press the starter button to fire the engine? The purists who have developed
kickstarting to a fine art may be horrified by this laziness but there's no way
you'll get around it because electric start is standard equipment.
KTM has taken a slightly different approach
to the configuration of the motor in 2000. While most manufacturers have used a
90mm-plus piston with a very short stroke of 60mm, KTM has leaned the other way
with an 89mm x 64mm configuration. This tends to increase torque at the expense
a more higher-revving incarnation.
The KTM doesn't go off with a bang like the
WR or the DR-Z. It's a little slower to build revs but it is easier to regulate
wheelspin and improve drive. This has its advantages when climbing ugly hills
and those tight, tricky sections on enduro stages.
The power delivery is smooth - almost the
same as the Husaberg. However, there is a noticeable peak/spike of power in the
midrange and I can't help wondering if KTM put it there on purpose. This spike
of power is in the right place to put a smile on your face when you give the
throttle a big twist.
The WP suspension package is firm and aimed
at the competition end of the market. I had a bit of trouble getting an even
response from the inverted front forks on the first ride. The cause was some
stiction in the forks that was noticeable even when the bike was stationary. You
could push down on the forks and they compressed and extended in a series of
steps rather than the smooth action you would expect. I suspect this was due to
the fact that this bike had well and truly done the rounds before I got hold of
it.
As stiction wasn't a problem on the Husaberg
(which uses the same forks), I'm betting that it was overdue for a fork service.
With a bit more time in the saddle of the
$9611 machine, I was able to ride around this problem (as you do) and truly
appreciate its potential. It's a magic bit of gear when you get used to it -
very similar to the Husaberg with powerful brakes that should be caressed rather
than grabbed. The motor is exceptional for trail riding and enduro work - the
power spread is an excellent compromise of excitement and predictability. I
managed to pull off some of the best monos in second, third and fourth gears
right up to the balance point, and a touch of rear brake would bring the front
back down if things got too scary - it's the easiest 400 to practice the endless
mono.
I took the bike to Louee motocross and enduro
complex in Mudgee (NSW) and got some second opinions from average to good trail
riders. They didn't know what to make of the front suspension, but they knew
something wasn't quite right (the aforementioned stiction dilemma). They felt
that the EXC had better mid-range torque than the WRs they were riding. They
loved the ergonomics and felt that the KTM was much slimmer and lighter than
their Yamahas.
Then there's all the nice little things that
everyone noticed: the translucent tank and frame protectors above the footpegs.
The exhaust is a also work of art (sounds good too) and the Magura bars are
quality items.
This KTM has a lot to offer the trailrider
and competitor. It's a factory racer that's looking for another victory on the
showroom floor - and it's priced to compete well.