CNC-machined triple clamps hold the 43mm
WP USD Xplor forks that have adjustable
compression and rebound damping with
250mm of wheel travel. The action is well-
suited to the bike and very compliant. They
are a little soft to be pushed really hard, but
they’re about right for the average trail rider
who is not trying to be a racer.
The brakes have stepped up a lot from the
early Freeride models and while still not quite
at KTM EXC race bike levels, they are very
good, and certainly a match for the bike’s
performance.
Up front a small four-piston caliper bites a
260mm disc and has great feel and enough
power to do low speed stoppies. The rear
The rear shock is a WP PDS Xplor unit,
has a small two-piston caliper and 210mm
which is fully adjustable for spring preload,
disc, which performs well with decent feel
high and low speed compression damping,
and strength. Of course, no brakes work
rebound damping and offers 260mm of
effectively without traction. And in truth, I
wheel travel. In action the shock is similar
had my doubts on how much grip the Maxxis
to the forks, being very compliant, modestly
Trialmaxx tyres would provide. However, the
bottom-resistant and generally has a nice
soft compound rubber, in a conventional
and comfortable feel. As an example, I’m
trials pattern, offered good grip, particularly
about 100kg suited up and around 6’ 4” tall,
on anything hard-packed. Even in some of
but could still happily land a jump to flat from the sandy conditions we rode they we fine.
a metre-high bank. In fairness it would have
Obviously, deep mud will not play to their
been uncomfortable with much more than
strengths, but given the tractable nature of
that. So overall, it’s no motocross bike and
the engine they would probably surprise
somewhat softer than an EXC, but still very
there too. A side benefit is they rip the
capable for the more relaxed rider who wants ground up far less than a full knobbly, which
to explore.
is a sensible endeavor at the very least.
KIWI RIDER 107