41 minutes in the past | Phrases: Andy Wigan | Pictures: KTM
Ever since KTM first fitted WP’s air-sprung fork to their motocross and cross-country fashions in 2016, the Austrian model’s MX and XC ranges have each include this similar air fork – now known as the “WP XACT fork, with AER expertise”. And that has made good sense as a result of KTM’s cross-country bikes have at all times been rather more closely primarily based on their MX-model counterparts (together with the MX-spec frames and rising-rate shock linkage) than they’ve on the PDS-equipped enduro fashions.
All of which makes it very fascinating to see that KTM’s just-unveiled 2024-model XC vary will not include this WP XACT air-sprung fork (although that air fork will stay on KTM’s 2024 MXers). As an alternative, KTM’s 2024 XC and XC-F cross-country fashions will get an all-new WP XACT Closed-Cartridge fork – which is coil-sprung, not air-sprung! And that’s each large and unanticipated information!
At this stage, each KTM and WP (which is owned by KTM) have remained uber tight-lipped about particulars of this WP XACT Closed-Cartridge fork. And a whole lack of any close-up imagery of this new WP fork hasn’t helped shed any gentle on the matter, both.
So, is that this new Closed-Cartridge fork a manufacturing model of the WP XACT Professional 6500 Cartridge Equipment fork that was launched by WP a few years again as a premium however reasonably priced efficiency improve for KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS enduro fashions? It’s laborious to inform. All we will say at this stage is that the WP XACT Closed-Cartridge fork guarantees a step up in efficiency in contrast with the open-cartridge WP XPLOR fork that KTM’s enduro vary has run since 2017. That, and the very fact this all-new Closed-Cartridge fork clearly spearheads the in any other case minimal upgrades discovered on KTM’s 2024 XC vary of bikes.
Right here’s an excerpt from KTM’s PR, detailing the adjustments to their 2024 XC and XC-F machines, which might be accessible from KTM sellers in Oz and NZ from June, 2023…
2024 XC MODELS: OVERVIEW
With nearly a decade’s value of back-to-back championships, KTM is not any stranger to successful premier cross-country racing titles. For 2024, the KTM XC and XC-F vary is ready to proceed that pattern with a line-up of precision machines constructed to ship trophies.
On the prime quality, the KTM 450XC-F dominates the four-stroke secure, with the equally spectacular KTM 350XC-F and KTM 250XC-F rounding off the line-up. These are flanked by two-stroke fashions, specifically the KTM 250XC and the brand new open-class contender, the KTM 300XC, whereas the KTM 125XC might be accessible for the New Zealand market.
All 2024 XC and XC-F fashions profit from Digital Gasoline Injection, together with a map choose swap as commonplace, whereas the four-stroke XC-F vary will get extra Traction Management, Launch Management, and Quickshifter options.
2024 XC MODELS: SUSPENSION
The largest enchancment to the 2024 KTM XC and XC-F vary comes by means of the suspension. Up entrance, an all-new WP XACT Closed-Cartridge fork offers quicker and extra constant damping traits, due to a brand new mid-valve piston idea that optimises the oil move throughout the cartridge. This set-up avoids undesirable foaming of oil, which might result in an undesirable change of damping traits and fewer constant damping behaviour.
That is additional improved with a brand new hydro-stop within the final 68mm of the stroke, which aids in sustaining most reserves in excessive using conditions. Revised fork safety rings additionally present elevated safety in opposition to dust intrusion for improved reliability. The brand new WP XACT Closed-Cartridge fork retains its 48mm diameter, whereas the entire size is now 940mm, and the entire stroke now has 300mm journey.
On the rear, the WP XACT rear shock offers superior damping traits for unsurpassed traction and power absorption. It additionally options much less general size and fewer weight in comparison with the earlier era whereas maintaining the suspension journey unchanged with 300mm.
From an adjustability standpoint, each ends function easy-to-use hand clickers that enable riders to alter settings on the fly while not having any particular instruments.
The 2024 KTM cross-country vary of bikes is a confidence-inspiring line-up catering to riders at any stage. With dramatically improved dealing with traits, straightforward suspension adjustment, and the very newest in dust bike expertise, the 2024 KTM XC and XC-F vary units the usual in relation to aggressive cross-country racing.
The all-new 2024 KTM XC and XC-F vary might be accessible at authorised KTM sellers in Australia and New Zealand from June, 2023. Costs are but to be confirmed.
