Flaws
With each new model, the inherent efficiency of these motorcycles continues to fall. While riding the KTM 525 SX Racing, fuel consumption was 1 liter for every 12.6 km. Just a few years ago, the models produced by the company consumed 1 liter per 15 km. At first glance, it may seem that this consumption is insignificant, but one tank will now be enough to cover a distance of 20 km less than before.
You should pay attention to the wheels. Outwardly they are very attractive, but have too thin a coating. This causes the rubber to quickly become scratched and damaged. In addition, the material can easily puncture if it gets on something too sharp.
Another weak point of the new products is the steering wheel, which shakes slightly. In truth, this drawback is typical for almost all motorcycles in this model range. However, for those who have already ridden such bikes and are accustomed to the characteristic trembling, this phenomenon will not be a serious obstacle. As for the engineers, it is not at all clear why they have not yet eliminated this disadvantage.
Believe it or not, it was like this... I called and called Vasherman to visit the village and I did. Lech arrived on Saturday, in the evening we had a great time in the bathhouse and had a heartfelt conversation in every possible way. The start was scheduled for Sunday at 7:30. While we got up, washed up, we left at 8, had breakfast at the McDuck and went to the starting point. The initial plan was simple - I wanted to ride the track of the failed “Autumn Vikings” and ride with Lekha, focusing on the track in my phone. But, as usual, either business or diarrhea - I never got to the point. So we went with Washerman at random. Between us we had a paper map, a phone with a starting point, a car with a trailer and two motorcycles.
Proposed route
I decided to route the route to my destination through the Osmand navigator (an Android app for those who don’t know), since in those places the Internet is difficult, but it seems to be offline. Fool Osmand led us to hell and we had to make a detour to the right place, which took an extra 30 minutes. Having finally arrived, we arrived in a cool pine forest, unloaded the motorbikes, and after Alexey’s exercises on kickstarter, it was decided to start the CRM with a sling. They tied the motorcycles by the footrests and I, as a person not experienced in such matters, shouted “YOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RIGHT NOW HOLD ON” and opened the throttle. Sling said BULLSHIT, Washerman - “oh my god!” After listening to the lecture “how to start a motorcycle through the ass using improvised means,” we successfully launched a CRM. Armed with bottles of gasoline and tying a canister on Lekha’s motorcycle for the fifteenth time (for Lesha again turned on the hysterical squirrel and ran around, waving his arms in panic and shouting that we won’t have enough gasoline), we finally set off into the unknown. It was already 11 am.
Realizing that this was my first time in these parts, and Washerman had already driven Vikings, I settled in at the tail. Lech navigated perfectly and tried to keep himself in check, so I didn’t even lag behind him. So we rode in light (I’ll emphasize LIGHT in caps) mode, getting a lot of pleasure from the trip and the weather. Having approached the ford, who knows how deep, Lesha’s eyes lit up. Turning around, seeing my fear and looking at me through the eyes of the cat from Shrek, he said “don’t piss, everyone will pass.” I lay down on the ground and, rolling up my paws and shouting “nihachunibudunibudunihachu,” nevertheless persuaded him to take a detour. At the next stop, Alexey looked at me with eyes radiating universal grief and sadness.
In general, they rolled on and didn’t bother. When we were driving along the river through the reeds, for some reason it seemed logical to us to exchange motorcycles at this particular place. In short, this part fell out of my memory (on the way back I was very surprised, were we really driving here?) because adaptive driving on CRMe began. It’s not that it’s a Hellish Two-Stroke, which tore off my arms, but I’m just already used to the cubic 4t, but this skate didn’t move at the bottom, the levers were all different and the pegs were short. In short, I personally struggled with the moped more than I enjoyed the ride)))) But the seat on the CRM is beyond praise. So soft and comfortable))))
Once again, getting lost, talking with local men and hearing “Guys, are you sure this is where you want to go? They go there and there, Petrovich, you see, they’re specifically looking for shit.” Washerman made the decision, with the help of my active articulation and entreaty, to turn back. The technique of falling to the ground and shouting “I’m not going anywhere, it’s soon night, I won’t see anything and we’ll all die” - turned out to be very effective))))) Once again, taking a drag from his cigarette and opening the third block, Lekha looked at me and said “We’re having a good ride, but there were no ambush spots, it’s a flaw,” and he rushed forward like a saiga. As if accidentally forgetting the direction.
The route back was somewhat modified because Lech was persistently looking for this very “Great Ambush Place”. Thank God I didn't find it. But we still managed to grab a couple of scary places. The first is an almost vertical slide down, from which Washerman cheerfully slid down and stood waiting for me for a couple of minutes while I gathered my courage, remembering perfectly all these “Washerman slides.” The second place was a wooden bridge across the river, which rested on a clay rise. Having let Lech go first, like a cat, and seeing that this climb was not so easy for Him, the Stubborn and Terrible Endurist, I actually started to think. As a result, he dismounted from the motorcycle, rolled over this slippery bridge on his hands, and at the same time managed to almost fall off this bridge. But everything worked out, with Lekha’s help they pushed the bike into the lift, Alexey was upset - nothing landed anywhere.
In general, we did not loop the route, after which I was called MP, but we managed to get to the trailer just before dark, which I was immensely happy about. Our circle covered 70 km.
Eventually. I'm very pleased with the motorcycle, it's exactly what I needed and wanted. If you want - throw up, if you want - get out, the tank is big - don’t take the canisters)))))
With Vasherman you can skate LIGHT and it’s very interesting! Tested for yourself!
PS The unedited version with a short video from Instagram about the need for a starter on a motorcycle can be read on LJ. Link in profile.
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Features of the KTM 525 SX Racing
This motorcycle is equipped with a single-cylinder four-stroke engine. As in the previous model, the launch is carried out using a kickstarter. The cooling system is water, the clutch mechanism is of the multi-disc type. The chassis is perfectly adjusted. It stands out among other models because of its well-controlled engine power.
Recommended for those who value such nuances as high torque.
The KTM 525 SX Racing weighs less than many bikes - only 106 kg. The fuel tank capacity is 7 liters. The frame is made of chrome-molybdenum alloy. For ignition, a Kokusan Digital 4K-3A system is provided. The muffler, like the yoke, is aluminum, the fork is inclined at an angle of 63.5. All these components make this motorcycle one of the best bikes from the Austrian manufacturer.
The model is promising thanks to the top components that were used in its creation. Front and rear brakes provide reliable and safe braking. The saddle height is 925 mm.
Different motorcycles - for different purposes
If you compare the characteristics of each bike in the KTM series, you can find significant advantages in each subsequent model that make it better. However, the KTM 525 SX Racing and some other motorcycles in this range combine the best qualities, making them almost irreplaceable. First of all, this is the reliability of such elements as:
- brake system;
- powerful engine;
- durable frame.
In this case, we can use an expression that says that a machine is much more than an ordinary collection of interconnected parts. Each component interacts closely with the others, and the overall design and special shape provide additional comfort to the pilot.
The model series appeared back in 2000, and during this time KTM has made many changes to its products. First of all, the emphasis was placed on creating conditions for better handling and increasing engine power. This made it possible to create a model that ideally combines high driving speed and ease of control.
Test drive KTM525 XC
The ultimate KTM 525 XC ATV from the legendary Austrian company is especially designed for a sporty drive. In order to squeeze the full potential out of this car, you need to rev the engine until it rings and show no little fearlessness. “Kvadar” is almost completely ready for cross-country racing. Why almost? Get the answer by reading the material about the KTM 525 XC in our latest issue.
Evil tongues have long deciphered the abbreviation of the KTM company as the Club of Hardworking Mechanics. The correct decoding is: Kronreif Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. Kronreif and Trunkenpolz are the surnames of the company's founders, and Mattighofen is the name of the city where the first KTM plant was located. At the end of the 90s of the last century, the Austrians adopted the slogan “Ready to Race”. The concept of serial production of motorcycles, maximally prepared for sports competitions, is to this day the main feature that distinguishes KTM from many other manufacturers.
ATVs under the KTM brand appeared relatively recently. Some two years have passed since the premiere presentation of the first Austrian ATV 525XC. Professionals and fans of ATV racing greeted the new product with friendly applause and exclamations: “Hurray! We’ve waited!” The fact is that ATVs with K engines are in competitions. But these were units “Made in samopal”. And here, please, is a car with a brand from a famous factory with all the attendant guarantees and quality.
The letters XC in the name of the ATV mean “cross country”, which prescribes the use of the machine in enduro raids and country cross rides. For hard cross-country racing, KTM already has models of “quads” with the index SX (motocross) and engines of 450 and 505 “cubes”.
The 525XC chassis, standardly equipped with “golden” Ohlins shock absorbers (the dream of any ATV rider), did not disappoint expectations. The suspension handled rebound shocks with confident clarity and elasticity, without a hint of “breakdown,” although my weight of 95 kg is very far from the ideal of an athlete-racer. The jumps, of course, were not with 30-meter “tables”, but even on those potholes where we tested the 525XC, the suspensions of similar ATVs from other manufacturers no, no, and they met the next landing with an unpleasant knock.
In sharp turns, the standard Razr tires (21x7/10 front wheels, 20x11/9 rear wheels) literally bit into the ground. Low weight (only 163 kg), balanced chassis design, as well as suspensions filled with high-end components, have practically reduced the ATV’s tendency to roll over to the side to zero. The wheels inside the turn do not lose contact with the surface even at high speed. It is clear that if you ignore the laws of physics and common sense, then it will take less than a second to turn the 525XC over - the engine power is enough for the eyes.
My friend said the 525XC is easier to handle than a kids ATV. My friend has many years of experience in motocross racing, and he probably knows better. In my humble opinion, it will take a lot of time for a beginner to get comfortable with the 525XC. Despite the defective battery, the device, in terms of its technical parameters, is really ready to participate in sports competitions. But before you take the 525XC out on the track, you definitely need to install foot traps. Why aren't they in the stock version?! Mystery.
Text: Automobiles Magazine
