When did Enduro get sexy? For sure some of the weirdest and most-stunning off-road motorcycle videos you might see on the internet involve someone doing absurd things on a dirt-bike but it feels like there has been a hard push for getting off the asphalt recently and increasing the wow factor. At the recent MXGP of the Netherlands at Assen Yamaha were showing off their WR450F and Honda unveiled their CRF450RX; the red machine in particular might be the Japanese giant’s most attractive and potent off-roader in some time. The fact that it borrows considerably from the new CRF450R ‘crosser is one factor, to the extent that the bikes share the same engine and chassis package. The ‘RX’ has a larger tank and different mapping and comes branded as ‘race ready’. “The CRF450RX is a pure, race-ready Enduro tool like nothing else Honda has ever made,” says Large Project Leader (LPL) Mr M. Uchiyama. “It uses the greatly improved performance of the brand new CRF450R and we made no sacrifices in producing this ‘RX’ Enduro version, which offers something completely new to expert riders everywhere. It is built to win.”
The Honda was shown in August but was beaten to the punch by the 2017 line-up of machines from KTM in June. The main selling points of the eight orange models (plus Six Days specials) ranging from 125 to 500 and in two-stroke and four is based around a commitment to Enduro and a merciless redesign across the board; some 90% of parts are new, a range of fresh engines, a drastic weight drop and some of the sharpest styling found from nobbly tyres upwards. KTM could easily have adapted some of their conquering motocross technology but it seems that they have tried to keep the development teams as separate as possible…which is great news for Enduro fans and enthusiasts as the bikes are created for one purpose only. Centralisation and ergonomics have been refined for extra ‘feel’ and there have been other overhauls such as a reduction in vibration and a monstrous 62hp hike for the 500 EXC-F making the daddy of the crop one of the fastest off-road bikes on the market.
With the Austrians busy in most corners of motorcycling it was an apt moment to ask Off-Road Product Specialist Joachim Sauer exactly how much importance and resonance the Enduro market still has for the factory. Overall bike sales are pushing 200,000 and made the Mattighofen marque the top European manufacturer but expansion to the point where Street motorcycles are prevalent for turnover and development might have ramifications for KTM’s roots and core sales. The 2017 model line is a gesture that Enduro and off-road is as important as ever to KTM. But, still, we wanted to check.
“We have a long tradition in Enduro and we have won more than 110 world championship titles out of approx. 260 overall. From all the models Enduro is by far our strongest segment, even though Street and MX are gaining from year to year,” Sauer reveals. “The Enduro market is pretty stable with numbers between 45,000 and 50,000. Right now we can see a tendency for further growth and for sure with our new 2017 models we will additionally push the market.”
“Enduro Competition models’ market share – so that’s EXCs and XCs, without Freeride and 690 Enduro R – in the last 12 months was at 54% in the core markets (Europe, North America, Australia and South Africa).” Handily for KTM their enduro prowess does not halt with race wins. “Our closest competitor in Enduro Competition is Husqvarna with a market share of 19%, followed by Beta with 5%,” Sauer says.
“In terms of numbers the dirt bikes are much stronger than Street…but when it comes to turnover Street is catching up from year to year, because the big bikes like 1290 Adventure is five times the value of a 50SX,” he adds.
Now KTM have renewed their off-road catalogue we wanted to quiz Sauer on where machine development could go next. Is refined electronics the next hurdle? “Electronics will get more and more important,” he says. “Within the past years we have improved the four-strokes a lot with the help of electronics (fuel injection, gear selective maps, traction control, launch control). The two-strokes of the future will take the same road once they are fitted with fuel injection. And when it comes to future off-road generations we are working intensively on even more sophisticated electronic solutions…but it would be too early to talk about any details now!”
Wear it
Another sizeable company also staring off-road evolution square in the face is Fox Racing. We were asked to attend Dave Thorpe’s Honda Centre in Wales (www.davethorpehondaoffroad.com) by the riding gear and apparel specialists – as much a technical brand as a lifestyle one through forty-two years of existence from California. The launch was for their new Legion range for dirt biking. Fox set a new standard for motocross equipment last year with their innovative Flexair pants and jersey that combined killer looks and styling with performance through adaptive and reactive fabrics. Bearing in mind what they had achieved for MX, the Legion presentation carried a few interesting connotations and the media invited to the event were able to get the low-down on the kit that was tested and worked on extensively by the likes of Extreme Enduro star Taddy Blazusiack, who was also in Wales.
The biggest factor was the alliance with American brand Cordura. Fox say: ‘Based on high-tenacity fiber technologies, CORDURA fabrics are known for their resistance to tears, rips, abrasions and punctures.’ The fabric fills large percentages of Legion with stretch panels making up the rest of the construction. The zipper vent panels (and even a phone pocket) was another feature of the pant with its slim and light profile.
“Before Cordura we were adding patches for strength and it was not very comfortable but it was resistant,” said Christophe Chavanel, Brand Manager for Fox Head Europe. “We learned from that. We said ‘where do we need the resistance?’ and then placed it [Cordura] in the same way. In places where we don’t need it – like on the back for example – then we placed the ventilation.”
“It is about how we can find the fabric,” Chavanel adds. “We knew we needed something slimmer but also resistant and it is always a balance. There was a lot of work done on the fabric and an effort to move away from a rigid pant. From a fit perspective it might look strange because people used to wear the baggy pant but the fit is more athletic and gives better feeling on the bike.”
Key to the work has been multi X Games winner Blazusiack. “What we had in the beginning was pretty much the motocross gear but then the difference came quite big with the new line because in the trails you needs the fabric to be stronger,” the KTM athlete said. “It has to be able to take all the beating that the trails bring and I think the new Legion will be a game changer for sure. Even with good motocross gear then a day in the forest means you pretty much have to chuck it in the bin but this is more resistant and means you can use the same set much more.”
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