KTM - The Orange Revolution: Part two...
Following the introduction of the revolutionary KTM 350 SX-F and the new generation of MX machines in 2010, KTM celebrated an unprecedented season of success with three Motocross world titles. Now KTM introduces Part Two of the Orange Revolution with the new generation of Enduro machines designed for a sport where KTM is proud to be the most rewarded and victorious brand in recent years.When it comes to Enduro, KTM is the brand that instantly comes to mind for thousands of customers and fans all over the world. Let's look at the facts: 24 years after Joachim Sauer won the company's first European title riding a 350cc 4-stroke machine made in Mattighofen, the company has picked up no less than 42 World Enduro titles. Now KTM has responded to the challenge and is presenting the new generation of EXC bikes, including the revolutionary new 350 EXC-F Factory developed with input from KTM's E3 World Champion 2010, David Knight.
David is going to compete the new 350 EXC-F works machine in some pre-season races before the bike will see its first serious action on the World Enduro Championship circuit with the 2009 World Champion Johnny Aubert.
True to its reputation as the world market leader in sports motorcycles, KTM has thrown down the gauntlet and with this new generation of bikes, underlines the company's ongoing commitment to the sport of Enduro. The bikes are ready for the 2011 season and so is the KTM Factory team, which continues to field a blue ribbon line-up of talent: 4-times World Champion David Knight from the Isle of Man; Frenchman Johnny Aubert, 2-times World Champion and recent dominator of the 2010 ISDE and young stars and emerging talents Italian Thomas Oldrati, Cristobal Guerrero of Spain and Eero Remes of Finland. This KTM squad will attack the Enduro World Championship with podiums and titles on their minds.
Added to this quality line-up of factory riders is the king of Extreme Enduro, Poland's Taddy Blazusiak. Taddy will be on the starting grid for every race that boasts the title of "tough". He will also be out to retain his titles in the World Indoor Enduro, the US Endurocross and the notorious Erzberg Hare Scramble. And when his schedule permits, he'll also be on the start of the WEC.
For the company that is always "Ready to Race", there has never been a better testing ground for the development of their pure-bred factory racing machines than the world's toughest offroad challenges and the World Enduro Championship series - because the experience gained on the track is directly translated into the production of the series models. For decades KTM motorcycles have all carried the company's racing DNA and this has never been more evident than with the new generation of bikes. The KTM R&D team from Mattighofen are tireless in their efforts to constantly improve on what is already good. Every bike that rolls off the production line is an example of the experience gained on the track-tested bikes of the company's own factory team. This dedication has allowed KTM to absorb a market share of almost 50% but the story doesn't stop there: the new 350 EXC-F Factory is the perfect example of the "Ready to Race" Orange spirit and absolute proof that when i t comes to development, KTM never stands still.
KTM - REVOLUTION AND EVOLUTION
After a very successful Motocross season last year with Tony Cairoli winning the MX1 World Championship on the 350 SX-F factory machine in its first year of competition, KTM is now ready to make its mark on the Enduro segment with the same style and flair. The revolutionary new 350 EXC-F Factory is the bike that is about to turn the world of Enduro upside down. This is a completely new Enduro racing machine that will represent the new benchmark with its light-weight chrome-moly PDS chassis, the most modern bodywork and a new PDS rear suspension combined with the compact and powerful new 350 EXC-F engine.The result: playful handling, minimal weight and perfect Enduro engine characteristics.
When compared to the 350 SX-F, this is a new DOHC power house that has been especially developed for Enduro. It features a new configuration of the cylinder head (valve timing, reduced compression ratio), heavier and stronger generator, new crank shaft with more inertia, a 6-speed Enduro transmission, clutch unit with an internal damping mechanisms and diaphragm spring. It also has a kick starter as well as the electric starter. Last but not least, the 350 EXC-F Factory is the first bike in the enduro competition range that is fitted with a new engine management system (EMS) made by Keihin, which features a 42mm throttle body for the EFI.
The light-weight design of the engine is extremely compact with almost the same size as the KTM 250 EXC-F. 350 cc deliver a very broad and tractable power band and a very dynamic engine characteristic. With a peak performance above 45 hp at 10,000 rpm the 350 EXC-F will be powerful enough to beat any 450 in the E2 class.
