The smaller manufacturers can avoid the Euro emissions rules as they don't produce enough bikes to be forced to implement them.

Yamaha don't make dirt bikes to comply with road regulations and the EU now bans unlockable ECUs. I don't know if that's one reason why the new TBIs don't come with a map switch as standard. More likely a way to sell a £2 switch for £102.35 !!!!!!!!!!!!!, FFS.

Carbs are simple and understood by many and don't need 5 Kgs of flaky electronics to make them work. All this is reflected in the price they can sell them for.

 

What’s going on? Why haven’t we got 2t FI bikes with the adjustability that Yamaha have been doing for ages on 4t bikes?

That's what you will get soon, where soon means approximately up to 5 or 6 years. TBI is easier to manage than TPI for sure. A big problem is that most people think that smokers are less complicated than 4 bangers. It's true if we talk about engine construction and number of parts. However, the gas pulsation, the gas changes and the high sensitivity to pressure and temperature changes show a completely different picture. Two-strokes are far more complex than four-strokes.
A four stroke does not react if cold water splashes over the header, a two stroke does. And this is just a very simple example. Emission control is no problem in my opinion as -at least over here- 99,99% of two stroke enduro bikes have been uncorked and hence are illegal if driven on public roads.

 

All the above plus the fact that carbs work, have always worked, and will always work. They are only being threatened because of environmental factors. KTM are big enough to lead the way and if the law changes they are well ahead of everyone else. If carbed 2t are banned then we may even see smaller companies just stop producing 2t. I for one wouldn't be buying a Beta EFI 2 stroke. The electrics on the carbed models are bad enough.

I used to be completely anti-tpi but I have to admit KTM got it pretty well dialled and there have been very few issues in the last couple years. The bikes do ride very well. If TBI comes with the option to go to premix (which I bet it will) then I can see me getting one in two years when they have ironed out the teething issues.

 

I kept my Cone Valves in case I ever got another KTM. However, I think if I did end up back on orange I’d get 6500s. Then you think what’s the point I that. 10k bike plus another grand for inserts. If I stick on what I’ve got now is 8.5k and needs no mods. It’s not a hard choice.

 

Until about two weeks ago, I would have said the same. But I had my Beta shit itself (electrical failure) and now I'll be thinking very carefully about my next bike. This Beta is going to Romania with me and it was too close for comfort to have it die like that. My KTM has been nothing but reliable but even that had a stator failure so I guess all bikes can stop, it just seems that the KTM brands do seem very reliable.

Also, I don't think the pre-2024 suspension fits the new bikes. Maybe it can be made to but everyone is shifting their pre-2024 stock.

 

I had a total engine failure with my Beta but I’ll have another because of the warranty that means something. You can’t ignore that.

TBi at three months old and you have a snag it’s all down to you.

In fairness though. KTMs were very solid bikes. I’ve never had an engine failure or clutch go on several KTMs. No failures at all come to think of it. Everything I had go bad was on my 2018 150 XCW. That was a shocker. Most expensive bike I’ve ever owned. Let down by crappy niggly stuff from cost cutting.

Only time will tell if KTM agave gone back to making quality parts that last.

 

They’ve said forks and shocks are not interchangeable before but they always seem to. Different spacers, adjust for length etc and they tend to fit. If you can’t interchange some parts with older models, it’s a very silly move by KTM as it means people won’t be able to use up kit from previous bikes. That makes a very expensive bike even more expensive!

 

tell me about it. i have a set of 6500s and a new style trax shock. Both of which wont fit my 24 when it arrives

 

Ouch!
They will sell though. There’s a shed load of old KTMs out there needing the kit. I’ve got sets of Xplor and Cones to sell myself. They will sell though. You could be a clean set of spare Xplor for you 6500s and use them instead of the new ones? Are you sure there won’t be a fitment kit for 6500s into the new forks?

I can understand the shock might be tricky. Length can be adjusted and eyes can be changed but how the bike wraps around the shock could be the deal breaker. Only a test will reveal all.

It’s a massive shame that they haven’t done a direct head to head with KYB shod bikes and just given the enduro bikes 6500s full stop. Not the corner cut version they come with. The new forks will certainly be better than the 1950s tech Xplor.

 

Ouch!
They will sell though. There’s a shed load of old KTMs out there needing the kit. I’ve got sets of Xplor and Cones to sell myself. They will sell though. You could be a clean set of spare Xplor for you 6500s and use them instead of the new ones? Are you sure there won’t be a fitment kit for 6500s into the new forks?

I can understand the shock might be tricky. Length can be adjusted and eyes can be changed but how the bike wraps around the shock could be the deal breaker. Only a test will reveal all.

It’s a massive shame that they haven’t done a direct head to head with KYB shod bikes and just given the enduro bikes 6500s full stop. Not the corner cut version they come with. The new forks will certainly be better than the 1950s tech Xplor.

The fork feet need to be changed or modified as the new cartridges are different from the Xlpor. That said the new CC forks are too similar to 6500s minus the fancy coatings and preload adjusters to warrant the modifications required to fit the 6500s in my opinion.

 

There are a fair few main parts that appear different to 6500s and the new forks from what I’ve seen in internet videos. Yes they are similar but it’s critical parts that are different. Things like the pistons have a very different flow rate. When I’m keen to see how they are stock compared to 6500s. My guess is anyone paying 10k for the stocker will be very happy. You would have to be but they won’t be 6500s unless you get changing parts.

KTM are the absolute masters of marketing and creating hype over product. I’m not sure others brands bother with marketing that much? Beta win world championships without hype. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday. Sherco do great one offs. Rieju also do some great positions. It’s been a while since KTM had it all sown up. They will however get there in MotoGP. That’s a genuine fascinating KTM story at the moment. Very impressive what they have done and will continue to do so.