Motocross and enduro for KTM is like basketball for Michael Jordan, golfing for Tiger Woods or Tennis for Roger Federer. They are simply the best on every ring they go, every competition they race every challenge they face. When you are the best in what you do, the other guys get angry with you because they want to beat you and to stay up there is hundred times harder than getting up there the first time. To stay on the top requires a combination of skills, determination, passion, technology and style that not many individuals or enterprises are capable to display, unless they are special people.

Auto Trader told you some good stories about special people with unique personalities and KTM is another good example. It was born as a humble, small off road bikes manufacturer and today giants like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki find themselves chasing, they find out the best drivers in the world want to ride a KTM to win a Paris Dakar Rally, to dominate the Erzberg, to win the MX World Championship. Every year the Austrians come out with precise changes to the previous model to maintain its identity and to make their “Ready to Race” toys even more competitive. Nowadays an enduro bike is as light as a bicycle, it’s built with alloys like magnesium and ergal, it’s equipped with incredible suspensions, brakes and engines which allow the champions to be champions and the normal people to feel like pure racers.

Auto Trader was invited to test the whole new range of motocross and enduro model 2010, in Italy, in Umbria, on the border with Tuscany and being Italian I could never say no. I was actually quite excited, since I have not ridden on European surfaces for a long time and I was wondering if I could still judge a modern race-like off road bike, on proper technical forest sectors as well as on a motocross race track. All the new bikes were available. I counted more than 40 units: 2 and 4 stroke engines machines, MX and enduro as well as mini bikes to grow the future champions the right way. From the super light MX 125 cc to the big beast EXC 530, capable of stretching Mike Tyson’s arms.

I decide to take it “easy”. I start with the EXC 400 and the EXC 450 and head to the enduro route which will take me on top of the hill through narrow mountain rivers and some technical slow sectors. I find myself very comfortable on this KTM. Everything is friendly, engine included. The type of the tour am taking does not allow me to explore the higher revs of this 4 stroke engine but the available torque and the smooth power delivery helps me to pass some big obstacles with ease. I feel the group suspensionschassis working incredibly well on very rough areas like the ones I meet down here. The front absorbs everything you can imagine and follows the direction you ask. Even in the typical canals, if you let the front wheel gently follow the ditch, you will not find yourself thrown on one side.

In some very steep slippery corners, I beg for traction and nearly magically the rear tyre finds the grip where I thought I had to stop. The bike is very sensitive to the weight transfer. It responds immediately and this gives you an added confidence you need in tough enduro like this one. I feel like I need stronger arms and legs to push harder and I still have to ride on the motocross track in the afternoon. As said traction on these last unit is just incredible. I guess how well they will be able to perform on the UAE dunes. The last generation of engines are jewellery: they are smooth and torquey at low revs and when you can open the throttle you feel a seriously strong, constant, feisty push.

When I sit on the EXC 530, I think I need to be very careful if I want to go home with both arms attached to my body. This animal is manufactured for strongest athletes and it can make you feel physically unfit for the ride quite soon. The torrent of torque and power you get invested by is gigantic. You need big spaces to let the engine breathe properly. I can see this bike flying on the UAE desert pistes, floating on the sand at unimaginable speed. I get amazed of how light the engineers have managed to make these big four strokes machines. Just above 100 Kgs is an incredible effort and it will make you ride longer and with less stress. I reckon the perfect bike is still the EXC 450 and I would suggest the 530 cc to the most expert ones or to the “Schwarzeneggers”.

After a well deserved break, couple of scratches on my arms, and a load of lactic acid, it’s time to play with the “butterflies”, the 125 and the 250cc, 2 and 4 stroke. The newest 250EXC-F is the surprise of the day. The small four stroke is almost as light as the 2 stroke sister but it gives all the advantages of the four. I was expecting zero torque at low revs but I had to change my mind. It looks like it’s been built for these hyper technical tracks where you need light weight, handling, easiness of use and a strong engine to get out of trouble and to keep your race pace. Awesome, the best bike for me (and my fitness).

KTM motto is “Ready to Race” and I can assure it’s not a joke. All these models are ready to take you further than you think. KTM is doing an amazing job and the market share in Europe is showing it. Every 2 enduro bikes in the old continent, 1 is Orange. The new ones are no big change to the 2009 models but few intriguing technical modifications have made the Austrians killer even more desirable. Check out at KTM Dubai in Al Qouz. Ask for Mr Tim Trenker.