Trail Rider Magazine

34 Trail Rider the technical venues, but out of the box, the suspension will complain. The motor on the Beta bridges the gap between the KTM XC and the remaining bikes. The Beta motor does a decent job imi- tating the XC, but has a heavier flywheel feel and isn't quite as quick. However, it will hold lower revs with less clutch work. The transmission is slightly wider than the XC but not so wide that it falls flat after up-shifting under load. The versatile motor on the Beta transitions easily from faster venues to technical terrain and is well suited to handle anything a woods racer will ask of it. The KTM XC-W and Husqvarna (and Sherco) are purebred, straight-up awesome woods bikes. The KTM XC-W and Husq- varna share the same motors, CDI box and wide-ratio transmis- sions, making them perform similarly. Their specialties are putting power to the ground in a controlled, manageable fash- ion, as a purpose-built woods bike ought to. In terms of smooth power delivery and turning technical terrain into a fun after- noon, the Husqvarna and KTM XC-W are best for the job. And with the red power valve spring inserted in the KTM XC-W and Husqvarna, they will not leave the average rider wanting more power. NETRA enduro champ Jim Senecal is riding a KTM XC-W 250 this year. Do you think he feels out-gunned, given the XC- W's smooth power delivery? Nope. Sometimes less is more and the XC-W and TE deliver more by providing just a little less. Agility A bike's agility doesn't necessarily have to do with its static weight. There are a bunch of factors that come in to play, like the distribution of weight, triple clamp offset and suspension valving. A bike with long rake, wallowy suspension and a higher distribution of mass won't feel as agile as a bike of the same weight with the opposite characteristics. All of the bikes in this discussion are separated by an almost a negligible degree of agility. This is also the test for which we'd most like a firsthand account of the Sherco 250, as we suspect it would have been the most agile in the bunch. Until then, we'll give the Beta a narrow lead. The Beta feels so light and agile that it slings through the tight stuff with ease, even with its 22mm triple clamp offset. Quite honestly, I thought the stock triple clamps were 20mm and was truly surprised when corrected. The Beta makes a long day on the trail seem shorter. Right on its heels is the KTM XC-W. The "W" has a 20mm triple clamp offset and the shock rides high in the stroke, making it quick handling and quick turning. Weight-wise it feels about the same as the KTM XC but the 20mm triple clamp offset and higher back end make it feel just a little more nimble. The back end on the KTM XC sits a bit lower, and when coupled with its 22mm triple clamp offset, lends a slightly less agile feel. The difference is so slight that I wouldn't base a decision be- tween them on the difference in agility. However, this explains why so many guys fit the XC with 20mm triple clamps (though I do not). www.TrailRider.com The KTM XC has the most aggressive motor and is the most versale bike in the bunch. .

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