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An engine for all occasions; superb
package.
Still looking... one of the most
complete enduro bikes made.
“
Handling wise, this bike is
like the rest of the EXC range;
first class in the trees with
WP Xplor fork and shock
perfectly matched
However, it wasn't perfect as standard.
I did find the hit in the mid-range could
sometimes be a bit too much. Apart from
taking it back to the dealer to have the
mapping changed there isn't much you
can do to change how the TPI runs. But I
did find the setting of the power valve can
make quite a difference. The stock setting
has the adjuster wound almost all the way
out, so I screwed it in a quarter of a turn. I
found this softened the hit of the mid range
well, making traction even easier to find. It
also made the bike feel like it was running
a bit richer, giving it a stronger bottom end,
which I really liked. I tried another quarter
turn in, but I found it too much. It made the
bike feel quite sluggish and it lost its “get up
and go”. There are another two power-valve
springs to try, so I'm sure there is a setting
for everyone.
Handling-wise, this bike is like the rest of
the EXC range; first class in the trees with
WP Xplor fork and shock perfectly matched.
They are quite plush, but this makes them
work well on roots and absorb the impact
rather than deflecting the bike. This makes
them a little bit unsettled on rougher,
high speed sections, but going up a spring
rate will solve this. As whole I think the
suspension package is “Ready to Race” and
very impressive for stock.
But how does the TPI compare to its
carburetted brother? I have a 2018 300
with a carb, so could ride the bikes back-
to-back, and found we weren’t comparing
oranges with oranges. The two bikes whilst
sharing the same displacement, are very
different, each with their own advantages
and disadvantages. Of course, they share the
same great chassis so were identical in that
respect, but were miles apart in the engine
department. After riding the TPI for a while,
and hopping back on my 300, I could notice
the carb bike has more bottom end power,
which made the TPI feel more like a 250. But
then on the other side, the small rich spots
and bogging aren’t there on the smooth,
crisp TPI. The TPI hits the mid-range harder,
with it being more of a revver than my carb’d
300.
Which would I pick? Personally, I still prefer
the carburetted 300. This is because I have
found a jetting setting that I really like and
suits how I want to ride it, and the type of
riding I’m doing. So I think if you’re sick of
trying every possible combination of needles
and jets then the TPI is the bike for you.
Another advantage of the TPI is that on long
rides where there is a fuel stop, you know
any fuel is going to get you home with there
being no need to mix fuel. At the Tussock
Buster trail ride, the editor was getting over
100km from a tank. This makes it the perfect
bike for trail riding as well as an all-out race
weapon. TOM BUXTON
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KIWI RIDER 45