KIWI RIDER 05 2020 VOL2 | Page 45

on the 350/390 models, which suits my 100kg frame well. Both ends have a plush and progressive feel that makes for a stable and controlled platform to do the business from. Bottoming resistance is excellent for enduro work at each end. Both the 48mm USD forks and the 46mm linkage mounted shock are fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping and have revised settings this year to handle those bigger impacts. As a heads up, for MX style work the suspension is capable, but too soft for going genuinely hard... as it should be. Weekend warriors should be pretty happy though. It has fairly typical ergonomics for a modern dirt bike – that means awesome. It’s narrow front to THOR'S HAMME back, easy to grip with your legs, has a long, flat and quite tall seat height. This in general promotes a very effective place to operate from. Nothing catches and all levers and pedals are where they should be and function nicely. The Nissin brakes impressed me. They are powerful and have excellent feel on all surfaces. The rear in particular feels more positive in all respects over the main Euro opposition. TRAIL RIDERS’ DELIGHT It’s probably fair to say that not too many 480RR machines will be sold for national enduro competition work. To race enduros successfully on this bike, you will most likely need to be big, KIWI RIDER 45