The International Six Days Enduro, the world’s largest enduro race competition, is one of the most grueling races in the world, consisting of six consecutive days and covering over 1,000 off-road kilometers.
Obviously, this race isn’t for the weak of heart. So when you need a bike that can tackle the road and face this grueling competition with you, KTM’s line of EXC Six Days enduro bikes are a great choice.
For the entry level riders, the 125 EXC Six Days offers a whole package of high-quality special options, making it a seamless bike to use in this kind of competition. In fact, it’s already used by more than half of the competing riders every year.
In terms of its design, the 125 EXC Six Days carries plenty of unique accessories used exclusively for competition. Chief among them are a Camel SXS seat for improved long-distance comfort, an engine guard made of high-strength plastic for protecting engine case and frame down tubes, carbon exhaust protectors, CNC-machined, orange-anodized triple clamps for high-precision clamping of the fork tubes in favour of optimum sliding of the telescopic fork, and a knock-out wheel spindle for easier removal of the front wheel.
The 125 EXC is also equipped with the latest WP upside-down fork with wider adjustment ranges and a new setting. The sensitive responsiveness and outstanding damping of the open-cartridge fork with 48 mm (1.89 in) outer tubes are a perfect complement for the 125 EXC’s playful handling and precision. Last, the 125 EXC Six Days has been fitted with a full brake disc at the rear for improved heat resistance and therefore reduced pad wear and a rear brake disc protector for protecting the brake disc from mechanical damage.
Find out more about the KTM 125 EXC Six Days after the jump.
KTM’s line of EXC Six Days enduro bikes are all built for competition, and when it comes to that, there’s nothing that offers more power than the KTM 500 EXC Six Days.
Built to race and compete in what is arguably the world’s largest enduro competition, the International Six Days Enduro offers a competitive proving ground of some of the best riders in the world. And if you want to be competitive, the 500 EXC Six Days has the tool to make competition so much more fun.
The bike’s 510cc four-cylinder, single engine is equipped with plenty of race-spec features, including a common oil circuit for engine and transmission and two oil pumps, a pressure pump that lubricates the engine, and a suction pump that draws oil from the crankcase, using it to lubricate the transmission. The 500 EXC’s new, improved silencer features a special Six Days coating that not only offers greater volume and a new design, it also reduces noise levels to the stricter standards of the future.
In terms of design, the 500 EXC Six Days was built with new bodywork consisting of a very slim seat and spoiler lines to go with excellent contact points, making handling even simpler and more precise. It also has a longer rear fender that protects the rider even more effectively from swirled up stones while a Camel SXS seat offers improved long-distance comfort. The bike also has an engine guard made of high-strength plastic for protecting engine case and frame down tubes, a radiator fan for optimizing temperature control under extreme loads, and CNC-machined, orange-anodized triple clamps for high-precision clamping of the fork tubes in favor of optimum sliding of the telescopic fork.
Find out more about the KTM 500 EXC Six Days after the jump.
Don’t be fooled by the bare-as-bones design of the KTM 990 SM R; it’s got more meat than its look suggests.
Dynamic, powerful, and extremely comfortable, the 990 SM R combines a perfectly balanced chassis with a state-of-the-art V2 engine to create a bike that exudes versatility and all-around awesomeness. So is it safe to say that the 990 SM R is the most radical twin-cylinder Supermoto on the market?
Take into account the bike’s water-cooled V-engine that produces 114 horsepower and an intelligent design principle with multi-function balancer shaft, two qualities that make it one of the lightest and most compact V2s in its class. The engine, by itself, impresses with explosiveness and instantaneous throttle response. Add that to lightweight pistons and connecting rods that bestow the 990 SM R’s V2 engine with reduced reciprocated weight and it translates into instantaneous responsiveness, underlining its extremely sporty engine characteristics and further proving that the 990 SM R is one bike that rides as good as it looks.
Adding to the overall appeal of the 990 SM R is a tubular space frame that’s made from thin-walled chrome-molybdenum steel tubing with a bolted-on, light alloy subframe that only weighs 9.5 kg/21 lbs, yet it impresses with exemplary torsional stiffness. Thanks to multiple setting options, the upside-down telescopic fork and the directly connected shock absorber from WP Suspension allow optimum individual adjustment of the chassis to suit riding style, track, and load.
Find out more about the KTM 990 SM R after the jump.
Husqvarna seems to know how important it is for kinds to have the right tool to start their riding days on as they launch two new 50cc models for youngsters – the CR 50 and SM 50. The first a mini cross model and the second a mini motard, both machines are based on the principle that if you have young riders that are hooked on to a manufacturer from the start, they’ll probably stick with it for as long as they ride.
Basically, the 2011 model years are very simple. They both feature the same engine – a 50cc single-cylinder two-stroke developing just under 12 horsepower – and chassis – CrMo frame, Marzocchi fork, Sachs shock absorber and aluminum wheels. These lasts are also the ones that make the difference between the two models.
Overall, the bikes look great with their racy plastics and decals, which is exactly what the little fellows want. Hit the jump for the official press release and specifications.
Being Travis Pastrana isn’t easy at all, as this video shows. Apart from constantly needing to find new ways to amaze people with your tricks, you also have to train hard on a daily basis and recover from the stunts that didn’t go as planned. So what pushes these people (because he obviously doesn’t look like he’s gonna take a brake any time soon)? I guess it is all about the adrenaline rush they get when they defy the laws of physics and a stadium-full of people get up to cheer you.
Young Australian Jackson Strong has just set the new world record for the tallest frontflip from ramp to ramp with an outstanding 85-foot performance. The event took place in Cairns, Australia and it was part of the Crusty Demons (Strong’s daredevil freestyle backup group) 2010 Tour.
After the jump, Jackson Strong said: "I’ve been working on the front flip on a dirt bike for a long time." "I’ve had four crashes doing the same trick. The first crash I actually lacerated my liver and had internal bleeding and kind of that was a bit of a scary one I spent seven days in intensive care," he added.
We are amazed to see the young aussie putting that amount of effort into having his name in the Guinness world book of records.
Yamaha may not raise the stakes in the 250cc motocross/supercross class with their 2010 YZ250F model, but the bike does come with a new, more compact "Bilateral Beam" frame and KYB suspension that allow the rider to control it easier. Also, the engine now features modified valves, is being fed through an upgraded carburetor and breaths through a revised exhaust with “D” shaped exhaust port. All the modifications translate into more low-to-mid rpm power, which is precisely what the rider needs during motocross races. We have put together an article based on Yamaha’s press release, so hit the jump to read it.
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The 2010 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour has reached its second location – Giza – for an even more exciting round next to the pyramids. So the restless sponsor has released a healthy preview made of photos and a video, which is more like a teaser for the event. Some of the most talented riders participating are Nate Adams (USA), Robbie Maddison (AUS), Eigo Sato (JPN) and Levi Sherwood (NZL). Click past the break to hear their opinions about the pyramids, but also to see Robbie Maddison’s sand jump.
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In 2010, Yamaha plans to rule all competitions involving 450cc dirt bikes with their entirely redesigned YZ450F model. This is a bike that with ingenious engineering solves a big problem for all bikes in its category – space. It features a reversed cylinder engine allowing the entire reorganization of the engine bay and it is all mounted on a completely new, lighter frame. The rest is just a matter of finesse and it is all covered in the following article.
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Oberdan Bezzi has inked another motorcycle sketch, one that catches our attention for being very realistic and yet almost 100% not plausible. Why? It is a Ducati motocross bike. Ducati doesn’t do that, but the Italian designer’s Desmocross concept shows just how good their bike would look if they ever decide to go muddy.
Ducati’s motocrosser would be powered by a high-performance single-cylinder engine displacing 450cc. Obiboi assumes the machine would be great as a supermoto as well if the right wheels come into place.
In terms of design, we can spot some Aprilia RXV influences especially in the way the front end meets the number plate and the angular lines, but in the end the bike looks like it could make it to my garage anytime. That is only if Ducati will surprise us at this year’s EICMA show with an all-new Desmocross. Meanwhile, hit the jump for the designer’s description.
