KTM have often claimed that their bikes come “ready to race”.
Keen to test that claim, the team at Enduro21.com decided to enter the 2016 KTM EXC 300 in the famous Welsh Two Day Enduro, held in the heart of Mid Wales.
With the intention of running the bike as it comes straight of the crate, they made only one major change – swapping the OE tyres for a Michelin Enduro Comp VI on the front, and a Comp III on the rear, along with a set of Michelin mousses, all available to the UK trade from Cambrian Tyres.
They also made some basic suspension changes – with KTM offering their own suspension settings as a reference point, they opted for “Sport” as a base setting and gave it a brief 30 mile break in period.
Riding the bike straight from the crate, the team expected the suspension to be somewhat on the stiff side, but if became noticeable more progressive as the first day passed them by. A few clicker adjustments to slow the fork’s rebound was the only change during the day’s riding, offering better balance. Becoming predictable and even more confidence inspiring during the course of day two, even a ridiculously slippery opening section was little problem for both the KTM and the Michelin enduro tyres.
After completing the two day event, which took in around 300 miles of muddy forests, slippery fire tracks and wild open hillside the team commented:
“It was a blast. Doing exactly what they’re supposed to, the Michelin tyres offered good traction in the wide range of conditions.
Even though they seemed to prefer softer ground, they provided good feedback in all situations. And when they couldn’t cope with the 300 EXC’s massive torque on the exit of slippery corners, spinning and sliding was always predictable.
The idea of using a smaller mousse in the back made the rear end much grippier in the stony uphills and the rear end generally more tractable over soft grounds. The only minor drawback was the rear end feeling a bit plush or shaky at higher speeds, mainly on day two when the mousse got a little softer.”
Find out more about the Michelin Enduro Comp tyres here.
