Kiwi Rider August Vol.1 2026 | Page 41

comfortable seat, albeit 920mm high, and has better ergos for the tall rider, particularly for offroad use. Both machines have fully adjustable suspension at each end with the Suzuki having the greater travel length with 280mm from the 49mm USD forks and the shock has 296mm and is rising rate linkage mounted. The KTM rear shock is PDS-mounted( with no rising rate linkage) and travel is 230mm at each end. The Suzuki brings a long travel, floaty feel that is very comfortable and yet more bottom resistant than the KTM which tends to feel firm but still bottoms out regularly on rough terrain with this big ol’ boy aboard. Wet weight is the next big and probably last major difference. The KTM is 176kg with the 14-litre fuel tank full, with the Suzuki coming in at 151kg with its 8.7 litres of fuel. So, let’ s be generous and say the KTM will have the superior range, but to be 20kg heavier( net
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