Welcome to the
fourth edition of KTM Adventure News. In this edition we drill
down on the all-new 950 Super Enduro R getting into all the finer
details of what makes this machine the bike of choice in the new
Enduro category. Find out how it performed for champion rider David
Schwartz at the recent Tattersall's Finke Desert Race .
New this month is
Twyerould's Tech Tip. Each month KTM's Race Team & Technical
Services Manager Rob Twyerould will provide you with a technical tip
for your V-twin bike. Check out what the guru has to say...
Plus,
Adventure Club member and enduro champion Murray "Muzza" Tainton
dropped in for chat. Enjoy
& Safe Riding Jeff Leisk, General
Manager.
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KTM launches big, powerful, light weight, pure Enduro machine - KTM 950 Super Enduro R KTM, renowned and respected as a leading offroad manufacturer, has enjoyed significant success building fine motorcycles, especially in the Enduro segment. It is therefore a logical step in the development of the LC8 family to design and introduce a big Twin-cylinder pure Enduro bike that is derived from the well-known 950 Adventure. Massive power combined with easy, lightweight handling, optimal offroad features and a distinctive design and all offered for a reasonable price, make the 950 Super Enduro R This is a motorbike that is uncompromisingly optimized regarding weight, ergonomics and above all suspension. A new front fender and light headlight unit, a new one piece 14-liter tank and a sportier, narrower seat are all excellent ergonomic features that contribute to new levels of riding pleasure. The taut setting of the WP - suspension components as well as the construction of the suspension travel from 250 to 255 mm respectively are designed for competition make it no problem to tackle the most challenging jumps on any motocross course. the bike of choice in the new Enduro category. This bike meets all the requirements of sport-oriented offroad riders who enjoy trail riding or even want to take part in competitions. |
The design of the front brakes, the optimal wheels now fitted with nobby tyres and a more stable aluminium engine protector that provides additional protection for the newly placed oil tank (at the lowest possible center of gravity) are all features that are optimal for offroad riding. These extra features combine to revolutionize the offroad experience. The super compact and slim-line LC8 engine is, with just 58 kg, still the lightest V-Twin on the market and has also proven its strength in numerous rallies. Sweet-tempered, but nevertheless with a powerful unfolding of power coupled with high performance, the LC8 is the ideal engine for this new motorbike concept. |
| Engine | Chassis | |||||
| Engine | 2-cylinder 4-stroke V 75º | Frame |
Chromium molybdenium tubular space frame, powder-coated | |||
| Displacement | 942cc | Subframe | Aluminium | |||
| Cooling | Liquid cooled | Handlebar |
Aluminium Ø 28/22 mm, tapered | |||
| Starter | Electric Starter | Front Suspension |
WP-USD Ø 48 mm | |||
| Transmission | 6 gears, dog-clutch engagement | Rear Suspension | WP Monoshock | |||
| Carburettor |
2 Keihin Constant-pressure carburettor ø 43 mm |
Suspension travel front/rear |
250 / 255 mm | |||
| Ignition | Denso battery ignition | Front Brake |
Disc brake Ø 300 mm | |||
| Clutch | Wet multi plate cluth, operated hydraulically | Rear Brake |
Disc brake Ø 240 mm | |||
| Fuel Capacity |
Approx. 13 litres | |||||
| Weight (without fuel) |
Approx. 185 kg |
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Schwarz tests all new KTM 950 Super Enduro R in Finke Desert Race The world launch of the KTM 950 Super Enduro R took place in Europe last month at the famed Erzberg Rodeo winning the twin cylinder class with ease.
Now the bike has made its way to Australia to take on our own gruelling terrain, as renowned rally rider David Schwarz debuted the motorcycle at the Tattersall's Finke Desert Race in the Northern Territory on the weekend.
David Schwarz has ridden the Dakar Rally, the Australian Safari and this was his fifth entry into the Finke Desert Race.
Riding under the Motorex KTM Racing Team, Schwarz was invited to trial the motorcycle across the harsh terrain between Alice Springs and Finke, covering 660 kilometres of demanding desert country. His verdict - "can I keep it?"
"This bike has been built for the purpose of off-road riding in all conditions and it met all my expectations. It's a dream ride on the straight as well, in no time I managed to clock 202 km/ph, not bad for an off-road enduro machine, said Schwarz.
"Motorex KTM didn't enter me in Finke to win the event, instead we entered as a promotional ride to test the ability of the motorcycle. We still ended up finishing 175 th out of 390 entries so I'm not sure what the others were doing behind me, when we were just having fun. |
"On my return from Finke to Alice Springs I passed over 40 riders so if it were our goal to have caught up with the front runners I doubt we would have had a problem. "When I arrived back in Alice Springs I said to KTM Australia's GM, I'll just load it in the trailer and bring it home with me. He laughed but little did he know I was serious.
"The bike gives you a feeling to ride into the sunset and that's what I would have rather done for my trip back home to South Australia , but instead I endured a 15 hour car drive."
The KTM 950 Super Enduro R is the most powerful and the most performance-oriented Hard Enduro on the market. Only the best tried and true components and parts have been incorporated into this bike including WP suspension, Excel rims, Brembo brakes, and Renthal bars.
The extremely light construction results in a weight without fuel of 185 kg. Together with the bike's 98 HP, this is an extraordinary, KTM specific weight/power ratio. The bike is powered by the lightest twin-cylinder engine in the world (KTM LC8 aggregate), which weights just 58 kg.
The KTM 950 Super Enduro R will be on dealership showroom floors by the end of the month, retailing at $19,795 plus on road costs. The bike is also backed by a 12 month parts and labour warranty. For further information on the KTM 950 Super Enduro R or to locate a dealership see www.ktm.com.au |
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Twyerould's Tech Tip # 1 KTM’s Adventure range of bikes allow the Adventure seeker to reach some incredibly remote locations around Australia. The features on these bikes include long travel suspension, wide ratio gearboxes and large capacity fuel tanks.
Due to our varying fuel quality in some of the remote locations around Australia, KTM have fitted an extra feature to ensure that the machine will get you there and back with the minimum of fuss. This feature is a dual curve ignition which will allow the machine to run successfully on low octane fuel without fear of detonation.
This feature is located under the left hand side cover for the LC4 Adventure bikes and under the seat on the LC8 range of Adventure bikes.
^ Wires Connected for High octane fuel. |
It’s as simple as unplugging a wire to activate the required mapping for the quality of fuel that you will be filling the tank with. The wire colours are brown and with the wires connected the recommended fuel is 95 octane premium unleaded, with the wires disconnected the minimum fuel octane is 80, which could safely run the fuels that would be offered in a remote location.
It is very important that the owner of an Adventure bike be aware of this feature, its use in the right conditions will give peace of mind and thousands of km's of trouble free riding. Get out there and enjoy your machine... Rob Twyerould.
^ Wires disconnected for Low octane fuel. |
Member Profile - Murray "Muzza" Tainton
Although most of his time is now taken up running his own
motorcycle dealership BTX Motorcycles, motorcycle enthusiast and
Enduro champion Murray "Muzza" Tainton caught up with us for a
chat... Tell us how you got into riding?
What is your preferred motorcycle?
Can you tell us a bit more about the
640 ride? We hear these guys have a bit of
gang going on? What places did you
visit? Where was your
favourite spot? Did anything happen that you didn’t
expect? The trip in summary? What are your tips for our Adventure
Club members?
I guess growing up on a farm & having plenty of room to ride
at the age of twelve was the start. I'm nearly 57 now & I got my
first race competition licence when I was 16 years old & this
year is the first year that I haven't had a racing licence - but
that doesn't mean that I don't like to mix it with the young guy's
& still give them a bit of curry!
My preferred bike for trail riding is a KTM 450EXC, but for long
distance riding my preference is a KTM 640 Adventure. Last year I
did an awesome 8000km ride with a few of my friends across the top
of Australia.
Brian White & myself flew to Cairns after
freighting our bikes to Wayne Leonard Motorcycles. There were 14
riders, two back up 4x4’s loaded with food and all our camping and
cooking gear, and we also had a helicopter follow us all the way
just in case we got into trouble.
Yeah, all of the guys are in the over 50's
bracket and are mad on bikes. They have been doing these rides for
over 15 years. They are a great bunch and go under the name of the
BOUGI Boys, which stands for Bad, Old, Ugly, Good & Insane. They
even have special shirts made up for the ride each year.
We saw of the most remote places on earth! We started in
Cairns then rode through Atherton, Mareeba, Chilligo, Burketown, Mt
Isa, Lake Nash, Alice Springs, Tanimi Desert, Wolf Creek Crater,
Halls Creek, Gibb River, El Questro, Lake Argyle, Timber Creek, Top
Springs, Elliot, Barkley tablelands, Alexandra Downs, Camawheel,
Gregory River, Corydon, and back to Cairns. We crossed some stations
that took nearly two days to get across; you can't even begin to
imagine the size of some of these places.
In the helicopter on some of the plains all you
could see is a bare horizon with nothing and I mean nothing on it,
just dirt and sky. The best area that I thought was all around the
Kimberly's and Alice Springs. Great riding and plenty to see!
One day I had missed the petrol turn off by about 40kms
so I road back and passed every body on my way. It was at an
Aboriginal settlement and everybody had already left so while I was
waiting for the guy to come and fill my bike up with fuel I happened
to notice two white guy's walking through the compound. When they
got closer I realised it was my old accountant from 20 years ago.
Here I am in the middle of the Tanimi Dessert and thousands of KM’s
from nowhere and I find an old friend. The world really is a small
place.
The
memories and images in my mind will last forever - great times with
great blokes and great bikes of course.
We have a beautiful country that is perfect for
Adventure riding. My tip for anyone now would be to just get out
& do it!
Featured Products
Top Cases
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37L Part # L60012027200 46L Part # 60012027300 The 46 litre top case is capable of holding two full-face helmets. Both the 37L and 46L have the latest generation snap-shut locking mechanism and boast extremely smart design with great personality. |
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Plus, for greater comfort why not try a back rest for your top case. Available to fit both the 37 litre (Part # 60012027252) and the 46 litre (Part # 60012027352).
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Swing Arm Bolt cover set
Part #
61004037050 Here’s a great new
item from the KTM Genuine Hard Equipment line of products.
Improve
the appearance and function of your 950 / 990 Adventure with these
orange anodized swing arm bolt covers. Grab these
genuine KTM Hard Equipment products at your local authorised KTM
Dealer.
Upcoming Rides
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Tour Name |
Location |
Upcoming Dates |
Duration of Tour |
Cost $AUD |
Inclusions |
Skill Level |
| Domestic: | ||||||
| Kanagra Bash |
Taralga, Hampton |
19th - 20th August 2006 |
2-days |
$350.00 |
Accommodation, meals and all fuel after the first tank. You will need to supply your own motorcycle. |
3 |
| International: | ||||||
| 950 Factory Tour |
Mattighofen, Austria |
13th - 15th October 2006 |
3-days |
$960.00 |
950 ADV, Accommodation, meals, mechanic and spare parts service. |
2 |
| Sharm El Sheikh |
Sinai-Peninsula |
23rd - 30th November 2006 |
8-days |
$2565.90 | LC4 motorcycle with fuel, accommodation and meals. |
3 |
* Tour prices do not include flights and transfers
KTM Approved Tour Operators
International:
KTM Adventure
Tours
www.ktmadventuretours.at
Australia:
KTM Trail Tours
Australia
Mick Wharton
www.ktmtours.com.au
Email: mickw@ktmtours.com.au
Ph: 02 4677
2862
Fax: 02 4677 3305
We hope you enjoyed the fourth edition of Adventure News... See you next month!