KTM 525EXC 2007

The 2007 model KTMs comes with black Excel rims. They look bloody good but we don't think they'll stay looking horny for all that long. We had two punctures on our test ride and we can tell you that the coating is easily scratched and quite thin.

THE ENGINE
The cockpit is standard KTM fare, which is to say, it's well laid out. The seat is slim and flat. The thing feels narrow but not as much as last year's bike. The bars-seat-pegs layout is comfortable and automatically gets you up the front of the bike. The blokes at KTM have a knack of making every KTM feel as if they're 15 kilos lighter than they actually are.

Hit the start button and it fires up first time, every time. At idle, the 525's exhaust noise is quiet. We reckon it sounds like someone blowing through a straw, which is a good thing. Too much riding area is being lost to the rabid greenies, and their number one complaint is noise. But give the KTM a handful and she develops a lovely deep rumble without being provocative. The motor actually helps you because it has two notes, the quiet "I'm gonna look after you and not do anything wild" note and the "okay, let's rock!" note.

Power off the bottom is strong but not scary. It builds up rapidly rather than coming on in an explosive rush. It's complemented by a very strong midrange and a top-end that's healthy and useable. Tough but not intimidating is how we'd describe this engine. We found the best way to ride it in the tight stuff was to short shift (you can't steer while the front wheel is in the air). Get it on the open road and it's quite willing to rip the fire trails to shreds and inflict helmet damage on your mates. It's not intimidating but it's got the lout factor we love and a 'don't give a shit' attitude that frightens weenies.

THINGS THAT GO BOING
The WP fork and shock do a great job. They're supple over the rough stuff but still resist bottoming. They came to us with the clickers set dead in the middle and we liked them so much we didn't touch them. The wheels were always on the ground, which meant we could go fast because we were always getting drive. Both ends were a little on the soft side but that's how we like them; we don't like having the chocolate belted out of us for 160km.

The slim lines and light feel make tipping into corners very easy. It doesn't feel as big as it is and is much more manoeuvrable than a big bore should be. The KTM is sure-footed and generally stable, although it still shows the characteristic headshake of this marque. We're used to it and don't think it's scary but there are plenty of people out there who don't enjoy it one little bit. We don't believe for one second that KTM are unaware of this but we're a bit baffled as to why hey haven't rectified it.

WHOA!
The brakes at both ends are okay. They're what we'd call good but not outstanding. They are certainly up to the task of hauling up 113kg of Mattighofen big bore, and we'd be moaning like a yak on heat if they weren't.

FUEL CONSUMPTION
The KTM has lost it's frugal nature in the last couple of years. We rode 82km on 6.5litres of fuel. That's 12.6km/L which is down on the 15km/L we were getting over the same trails from the big KTM a few years ago. While 2.4km/L less mightn't sound much it equates to over 20km less out of a tank of fuel and that's a long way to push.

OVERALL IMPRESSION
Pick any single attribute and there are other big bores out there that are better. The TM has class leading handling, the Husaberg has more power, but put it all together and the KTM is an excellent package. It's truly a case of the whole being more than the sum of its parts.

This is a model line that is seven years old now (the 520EXC was released in 2000) and KTM has spent that time refining the 525.

It's a well sorted handling package coupled with a motor that's proven to reliably punch out a lot of ponies. KTM have sold a boatload of 525s, literally, and will sell just as many again this year. With good reason we say. It's easy to ride and it's easy to ride fast.

WHAT THE OTHER BLOKES THOUGHT
Jacko: "An extremely user friendly bigbore. It's an easy bike to ride. If you want to push it there's bags of power to do it. Suspension is great. I couldn't fault it".

Bazz: "This is the great hell raisin' larrikin of the 21st century. I love every inch of it".