I took the 496 out today to the local ORV park for a spin. Spent 3 1/2 hrs riding and tuning the bike. Is it a magic carpet that will make anyone/everyone that rides it faster? NO. Is it a great playbike and a great replacement for a DRZ? NO. Is it an incredible race bike? YES. Am I in good enough shape to do it justice and race it like it is made to go? NO.
Now the particulars.
First off, the suspension was brand new and needs to be broken in a bit and tuned, as it came set, the front end skated, darted, and scared me in the rocks. With a little tuning I got the bike to settle in and really work pretty well, more improvement can be had once things loosen up.
The motor, oh what a motor. It starts first kick usually, although I had a couple of 3 or 4 kick affairs (I stopped alot to tune the suspension). The motor is best described as a mid range motor. It pulls smooth down to an idle and cleanly (and smoothly) accelerates into a sweet mid range and revs out pretty hard. Honestly, the mid range was so strong that I had little use for revving it hard, but when I did it really wanted to go fast. The KTM 525 is smoother, and the Husky 510 feels stronger on the bottom. The motor and chassis tend to work together to make a bike that goes forward, rather than spin or wheelie.
The tank, hmm? We'll see how fuel economy works out, but if I can get 40 miles out of a tank, it will stay on for everything. The bike is very slim and easy to move around on, it feels good with the jewels up near the gas cap, or ape hanging off the back. In general, the ergos are flat with no bulges.
Handling. It is hard to get a complete picture until I get the suspension dialed in. But I can say that this bike turns. I found my self undercutting many turns and having to correct to prevent an ugly crash. It responds very quickly to input and will take you right off the trail in a hurry. Strangly, it seems to be very stable.
Geometry, I need to look more into the geometry. I suspect that the triple clamps have a different offset. The frame shows signs of welding in a couple of spots, indicating mods. The pegs feel lower and the rear of the bike is definitely lower, no stink bug feeling at all. The bike feels level when accelerating, climbing steep climbs, under braking, and on downhills.
Do I like it? You bet! Do I feel embarrassed riding such a trick bike, yet go slow? You bet, but I'll get over it. Actually, it is so fun to ride that I wish I was in my 20s or even 30s again and racing. This is a 4T that can give the 250/300 2Ts a run for the money in most every terrain, and will flat spank them in some terrains.
Now the particulars.
First off, the suspension was brand new and needs to be broken in a bit and tuned, as it came set, the front end skated, darted, and scared me in the rocks. With a little tuning I got the bike to settle in and really work pretty well, more improvement can be had once things loosen up.
The motor, oh what a motor. It starts first kick usually, although I had a couple of 3 or 4 kick affairs (I stopped alot to tune the suspension). The motor is best described as a mid range motor. It pulls smooth down to an idle and cleanly (and smoothly) accelerates into a sweet mid range and revs out pretty hard. Honestly, the mid range was so strong that I had little use for revving it hard, but when I did it really wanted to go fast. The KTM 525 is smoother, and the Husky 510 feels stronger on the bottom. The motor and chassis tend to work together to make a bike that goes forward, rather than spin or wheelie.
The tank, hmm? We'll see how fuel economy works out, but if I can get 40 miles out of a tank, it will stay on for everything. The bike is very slim and easy to move around on, it feels good with the jewels up near the gas cap, or ape hanging off the back. In general, the ergos are flat with no bulges.
Handling. It is hard to get a complete picture until I get the suspension dialed in. But I can say that this bike turns. I found my self undercutting many turns and having to correct to prevent an ugly crash. It responds very quickly to input and will take you right off the trail in a hurry. Strangly, it seems to be very stable.
Geometry, I need to look more into the geometry. I suspect that the triple clamps have a different offset. The frame shows signs of welding in a couple of spots, indicating mods. The pegs feel lower and the rear of the bike is definitely lower, no stink bug feeling at all. The bike feels level when accelerating, climbing steep climbs, under braking, and on downhills.
Do I like it? You bet! Do I feel embarrassed riding such a trick bike, yet go slow? You bet, but I'll get over it. Actually, it is so fun to ride that I wish I was in my 20s or even 30s again and racing. This is a 4T that can give the 250/300 2Ts a run for the money in most every terrain, and will flat spank them in some terrains.
