2008 Ktm 85 Xc
2008 KTM 85 xc
Mini Off-Road Racer
Blake Conner
WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS AND DIRTBIKES, KTM REALLY gets it. The company has no fewer than nine Sport-minicycles in its lineup, with the newest additions coming in the form of three cross-country-specific models: 65 XC, 85 XC and 105 XC.
KTM has enjoyed massive exposure through its Junior Super-cross Challenge (see “Mini Shooting Stars” sidebar) in which participants compete on the company’s 50 SX, a full-on 49cc racing two-stroke. Just a couple of rungs up the ladder is the popular 85 SX. Designed for riders between the ages of 11 and 15 (up to 165 lb.), the bike has been a prime choice for Super-cross stars of the future for honing their skills in the highly competitive world of minis.
CYCLE WORLD KIDS
2008 KTM85 XC Price: $4448 Engine type: two-stroke Single Bore x stroke: 47.0 x 48.9mm Displacement: 85cc Transmission speeds: 6 Front wheel travel: 10.8 in. Rear wheel travel: 11.8 in. Front brake: disc Rear brake: disc Seat height: 34.6 in. Fuel capacity: 1.3 gal. Dry weight: 155 lb. A
But while KTM has served the minimotocross market well, it has not provided a competition-ready off-road motorcycle for that same generation of riders. Until now, with the new XCs that address this void. The XCs weren’t meant to be playbikes but instead are serious off-road racers. Closed-course series like GNCC and WORCS have multiple classes for up-and-coming off-roaders, including 85cc, Super Mini and Mini Open classes that run the same weekend as the adults. Up until this point, kids have had to ride motocrossers or playbikes that were never intended for this sort of competition.
Primary reasons that the 85 XC is better at bouncing off rocks instead of blasting MX berms: The suspension is tuned for off-road conditions instead of big jump landings. The WP fork and PDS shock are both valved for compliance in the world of rocks, roots and sand whoops; both ends feature adjustable highand low-speed compression damping in addition to rebound and preload.
Items such as handguards, a kickstand, rim locks on the 17-inch front and 14-inch rear aluminum wheels and an O-ring chain are specific to the XCs. A longer exhaust silencer is used on this model to reduce sound output, but it does not include a spark arrestor as the bike is intended for closed-course competition.
The XC’s engine cases have been reinforced around the countershaft sprocket. The brakes are designed with off-road riding in mind. New 220mm front and 200mm rear discs made of a softer metal than the MXer’s are squeezed by pads intended to help reduce braking temperatures. A smaller-diameter front master cylinder improves front-end braking feel, hose looking for a no-compromise
off-road mini need search no farther than the $4448 KTM 85 XC; it’s sure to have kids everywhere seeing orange. □
ps A True competition-ready, off-road mini A Proven 85cc two-stroke engine A Lots of eligible classes to race in ^bowns ▼ No spark arrestor limits the places you can ride ▼ Plastic and graphics look beat-up after only a few rides ▼ Mixing two-stroke oil/gas is no fun
HONDA CRF150R
In 2007, Honda shocked the industry with the introduction of the CRF150R, a no-bull, four-stroke mini-motocross racebike. In 2008, Big Red has gone a step farther, deleting two-strokes from its line entirely. This leaves but one choice for red-blooded mini racers: the 149cc, four-valve, Unicam, four-stroke CRF150R (available in smalland big-wheel versions). Fans of the two-stroke tiddlers may grumble, but this bike is the beginning of a new generation. Kids making the jump from smaller machines will benefit from the four-stroke’s wide spread of power and torque. The chassis is up to the task
of tackling the toughest MX terrain with ample travel front and rear (10.8 inches each). We’re sure Mom or Dad won’t miss mixing two-stroke gas, either. The CRF150R retails for $4199.
If you join the Honda Rider’s Club of America, many great resources are available to you. One of the best perks is the Honda Where to Ride Guide. This extensive online guide, available exclusively for members, lists off-road riding areas in every state in the U.S. Entries include brief descriptions of the areas, contact phone numbers and web addresses, difficulty ratings and location of the closest Honda dealer. For more information, go to: www.hrca.honda.com.
Head Srong
You may have noticed a growing number of professional motocross racers and recreational riders wearing the Leatt-Brace, the latest advancement in safety gear.
The goal of the device is to bring head movement to a controlled stop in the event of a severe impact. The padded rigid structure, designed by medical professionals, directs energy from an impact to the brace and other body structures, not the neck. Although no device can eliminate all injuries, the Leatt-Brace reduces the possibility of hyperflexion, which is extreme forward head motion; hyperextension, which is extreme rearward head movement; lateral hyperflexion, the extreme sideways movement of the head; axial loading, the compression of the spinal column; and posterior hypertranslation, which is the rearward movement of the head/helmet
on the neck. The Club version retails for $395 and uses nylon construction. The Sport ($595) is constructed of nylon and carbon-fiber. The top-of-the-line Pro ($995) is constructed using all carbon-fiber framing. For more information, log on to www.leatt-brace.com.
Big-Time Boots
If you are serious about off-road or motocross riding, a good pair of boots is a worthwhile investment. Two Italian companies that offer top-quality MX boots are Sidi and Alpinestars. Here are two of their kids’ offerings:
Sidi Stinger
The Stinger is a youth-specific, off-road boot based on the company’s top-of-the-line Crossfire adult boot. Features include non-slip sole, replaceable strap system, topgrain leather construction, composite insole, rein-
forced internal heel cup, reinforced internal toe and an
exclusive cam-lock buckle system. The Stinger is available in black only, European sizes 31-42 (youth 13-men’s 8½) for $250. For more information, go to www.motonation.com.
Alpinestars Tech 6S
Here’s a boot specifically designed for junior riders. Its features include contoured shin-plate protector, reinforced toebox, suede on the inside calf (to grip bike), injected external heel protector, high-density contoured padding, coated-leather upper and exclusive rubber-outsole design. The Tech 6S is available in three colors: black, black/red or white/silver. Sizes range from youth 2 to 8, and suggested retail is $200. For more information, go to www.alpinestars.com.
Muc-Off Race Kit
A great way to teach young riders responsibility is to require them to clean up their machines after riding. Muc-Off’s (www.niksindustries.com) Race Kit ($33) is a perfect way to get them scrubbing. A netted bag holds the Muc-Off products, which include the bike cleaner, a 35mm brush for hard-to-reach grime, a large micro-cell sponge and an after-wash spray that protects and preserves.
Acerbis Elsinore Graphics Kit
If the Honda Elsinore was your favorite bike back in the day, spice up your kid’s Honda CRF50F in the same guise. Acerbis (www.acerbis.com) offers the Elsinore Replica Kit ($200) for 2004 and newer CRF50s. The limited-edition kit includes complete silver body plastic pieces, seat cover and graphics.
