Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/294885
April 2014 35 That leaves the Husqvarna, which feels slightly heavier than the others when lifting it onto the stand. But here's the rub: the Husqvarna is not cumbersome in any way when in motion. It still feels light and agile (yes, it has 20mm triple clamps) but the polymer subframe is heavier than the aluminum ones used on the KTMs. And when used in concert with the linkage, they both add a little extra weight to the back end, lending a heavier static feel to the bike. However, you would not ride the Husqvarna and think "Damn, what a pig." The Husqvarna really doesn't feel all that different from the XC. The weight difference between each bike is almost negligible and should be the last consideration when deciding which one of these bikes suits your needs. I rode the Beta and Husqvarna back to back for a week and also would not base my decision on the difference in agility. Cornering The KTM haters say that the KTMs don't corner well, while the boutique haters make the same claim. It's all garbage. When properly balanced, all these machines get it done in the corners. The bikes with the 20mm triple clamp offset seem to be a little sharper in the corners but are less stable at speed. Cornering also depends on what conditions you have the bike set up for. For instance, when we tested the KTM XC-W, we had the suspension set quite soft to absorb the rocks. When we then pushed it hard in to the corners, the front end wallowed - the same with the Beta. Does this mean the neither bike turns well? Definitely not. After we tweaked compression and re- bound, both tracked cleanly through the corners. When properly set up, all of the bikes track cleanly through the corners. The KTM XC-W and Husqvarna have 20mm offset triple clamps and tend to be a little more neutral in the corners. The KTM XC and Beta have 22mm triple clamps and seem to The Beta is light and agile with a well rounded motor.