X-Man, KTM motocross bikes have never been truly competitive with Hondas. I met Grant Langston at Bithlo on a private practice day and had a long conversation with him. He said no matter how he tried, KTM would never listen to him that they needed a linkage suspension. He said that they were very stubborn and difficult. I agree that the mag evaluations are to be taken with a grain of salt but KTM is more successful with their enduros. Their motocross bikes pretty much handle like hell.
The magazines have never seemed to understand what makes a Viper so special and it is almost as if they refuse to open their eyes. However, one of the greatest appeals of the Viper is the fact that we know something that most of the world doesn't. It's our secret how outrageously perfect this car is.
well alexman, i was a factory race engineer for Yamaha, so i know a thing or two about factory level race bikes.
regardless, what Langston might have said, you cant deny KTM many world championships in motogp motocross, and we all know KTM dominates off road on both sides of the pond. how many motocross titles has Honda had in just the past few years? granted here in the states, they-KTM dont throw the funding at it that the japanese do, but they dont need to. they oversell everybike brought into the states.
in fact, in dirtbike sales, KTM is beating all but Honda-so i guess they dont handle like hell??
if what you say is true,which isnt- how come they dominate the Vet MX classes and the youth classes at loretta lynns? these are people that BUY their own bikes, so they must pick the best way to spend their money-on a KTM
Ironic enough a KTM i built pulled the holeshot against every factory bike at Glenn Helen, and was picked by Dirt Bike magazine as the best dirt bike they has ever rode...huh, a KTM.
considering that offroad racers-ie David Knight, Salumen, to name a few have to go over more successive bumps, and whoops than the gnarliest mx track, all with a linkless suspension-more than nullifies your statement
also, KTM atv's have been picked by every magazine as having the best suspension-and its linkless too.
