From JZ Handmade: 120-hp / 290-lb Duke-Powered Dust Bike…
In 2019, we featured the KTM 1290 “Tremendous Enduro R” of legendary Czech off-road racer Jiří Heiník — a 180-bhp off-road monster constructed to compete within the multi-cylinder Desert Bomber class of Austria’s notorious Erzberg Rodeo, one of many hardest, most infamous laborious enduro races on the planet. Constructed by our good friend Jan Žuži of JZ Handmade, the large KTM — nicknamed the “Excavator” — stays some of the in style bikes we’ve ever featured.
Now countrymen Jiří and Jan are again with one other staggering twin-cylinder Erzberg weapon, the KTM “890” SX-F you see right here — basically a KTM 250 motocrosser with the 890cc / 120-bhp parallel-twin from a Duke 890 R shoehorned in!
“Jiří needed to construct a particular bike for Erzberg’s two-cylinder bike class — a motorbike nobody had ever seen, as a result of it didn’t even exist till now.”
As you may think, it took a load of customized fabrication to mate the monster engine with the motocross chassis, particularly since Jan and Jiří needed to protect as a lot of the OEM look as attainable. At first look, the bike seems to be like another four-stroke KTM motocrosser…till you understand the monstrous coronary heart lurking contained in the tight confines of the body.
Beginning with a brand-new 2022 250 SX-F, Jan minimize aside the body from the top tube again and used the varied sections as the premise to weld up a body that will match the Duke engine, which additionally necessitated widening the swingarm. Different highlights embrace the aluminum gas tank (contained in the subframe!) and airbox, bespoke radiators, customized titanium exhaust with Akrapovič silencer, customized wiring loom and engine guard, and far, far more.
Jan says the bike weighs simply 133 kg (293 lbs) with 1.7 gallons of gas — almost 140 kilos lighter than a Duke 890 R with the identical 120-hp engine!
“It’s gnarly and insane, however it could additionally journey surprisingly clean and calm identical to an everyday 250f grime bike…and I can even think about that with a road-legal plate and supermoto wheels, it might be the bike of the millennium 😅”
Under, we discuss to Jan for the complete particulars on this 120-hp motocrosser, with extra nice photographs from Jakub Frey (@jakubfreyphotography)!
KTM 890 SX-F: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the donor bike?
The bike is definitely primarily based on two fashions: 2022 KTM SX-F 250 2022 chassis and 2019 KTM Duke 890 engine.
• Why was this bike constructed?
It’s a buyer venture and that buyer is likely one of the Czech off-road legends, Jiří Hejník — the 67-year-old gentleman who owns a KTM Tremendous Duke 990 supermoto and Tremendous Duke 1290 grime bike…and he races all of them, for instance the Erzberg Rodeo or Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?
Jiří needed to construct a particular bike for Erzberg’s two-cylinder bike class — a motorbike nobody had ever seen, as a result of it didn’t even exist till now.
• What customized work was executed to the bike?
For the chassis geometry, we copied the KTM SX-F 250 (2022). And from there, virtually each fundamental part of the bike is totally customized and bespoke.
For instance, we used the SX-F 250 OEM steering tube, however I fully constructed up the remainder of body utilizing minimize sections of the OEM 250 body.
The swingarm needed to be widened due to the larger engine, and the radiators are bespoke.
The aluminum gas tank is definitely hidden contained in the OEM subframe.
The airbox is produced from aluminium, the wiring is bespoke, and the bike has a bespoke titanium exhaust system — we used an Akrapovic Ti Evolution muffler, however the remainder of pipes is totally my work. Bespoke engine guard, shifter lever, and so forth.
Lastly I’ve to say that aside from the Duke 890 engine, we used solely model new components for this venture, so we minimize up a brand-new SX-F 250! 😅😂
New wheels, triple clamps, simply every thing is new and recent 😊
• Does the bike have a nickname?
This one not but, however the earlier 1290 grime bike is often known as “Excavator” 😅😂 and Jiří nonetheless owns it…
• Any concept of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?
We all know now after some testing the moist weight with 6.4 liters of gas is 133kg — and likewise we all know that the KTM Duke 890 has about 120hp, so we are able to diplomatically say 120hp and 130kg.
• Are you able to inform us what it’s prefer to journey this bike?
It’s gnarly and insane, however it could additionally journey surprisingly clean and calm identical to an everyday 250f grime bike…and I can even think about that with a road-legal plate and supermoto wheels, it might be the bike of the millennium 😅
• Was there something executed throughout this construct that you’re notably pleased with?
Within the case of the gas tank and exhaust, the primary problem was area…as a result of from the very starting, we needed to protect the unique KTM look, to make use of OEM plastic, designs, and so forth…
• Is there anybody you’d prefer to thank?
In fact, Jiří first for this fuckin’ loopy concept and likewise for funding this large venture. And likewise to my girlfriend and naturally to my mate Jakub Frey (@jakubfreyphotography), who did all the images.
Extra Images
Observe the Builder
Internet: jzhandmade.artwork
Instagram: @jz_handmade
Fb: JZ Handmade
Images: Jakub Frey (@jakubfreyphotography)
