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2024 KTM 500EXC-F DUAL-SPORT: FULL TEST

In the bike biz, there are many methods to measure success. If you might be speaking models offered, income and inventory worth, it’s one factor. If you’re speaking desires, ardour and efficiency, it’s fairly one thing else. Right now, KTM is on prime of the dual-sport phrase for real-world fanatics. For a protracted, very long time, the KTM 500EXC has been capable of set the bar for each efficiency and worth in that section. This 12 months the KTM 500EXC has undergone a big change. The body is new, the suspension is new and far of the motor is new. Now, the rank and file of the dual-sport world has to reconvene and determine whether or not or to not elect a brand new chief. The votes are nonetheless being tallied.

KTM hasn’t been shy about pushing dual-sport bike costs greater than ever. The 2024 500EXC sells for $12,949.

WHY CHANGE?

Unlike most different bike corporations, the wall between the racing division and the manufacturing division is paper skinny. In normal, the bikes that the corporate races on the professional degree are carefully associated to the bikes which are offered in each KTM dealership. That’s not solely true for the motocross bikes, however there’s a trickle-down impact for path and dual-sport bikes as properly. So, in KTM’s long-term plan, the adjustments that had been applied for the 2022 Factory Edition motocross bikes had been to unfold to the usual motocross bikes in 2023 and to the dual-sport/path bike in 2024. Thus, the brand new 500EXC has adjustments that had been impressed by Supercross bikes.

To be honest, that’s a little bit of simplification. The 500EXC doesn’t have the identical body because the motocross bike. The most evident distinction is that it makes use of PDS rear suspension with out linkage. But, the body design from the shock ahead could be very very similar to that of the SX-F. Likewise, the adjustments to the engine, bodywork and general format are just like the present motocross line. Additionally, the EXC has a really important suspension change. The fork is now a premium-level WP Xact fork slightly than the extra budget-driven Xplor unit. The new fork is similar to what comes on the present motocross/cross-country fashions, however makes use of metal coil springs slightly than air.

The EXC stays a real dual-sport bike that’s blessed by the EPA, DOT, CARB and the authorities in all 50 states. That means it’s quiet and clear. It additionally implies that the top person just isn’t supposed to switch the motor, airbox or gasoline system. Thankfully, there’s no method this may be policed aside from fix-it tickets issued by native authorities. For aftermarket corporations it’s a unique story; they’ll and have been fined for providing non-compliant equipment. The California Air Resources Board hasn’t been shy about utilizing this tactic, however more and more, the EPA has been getting in on the act on a nationwide foundation. The backside line is that getting extra efficiency out of a professional dual-sport is a shady enterprise. That’s one motive why KTM sport bikes are so extremely desired. The EXC line has a historical past of first rate efficiency regardless of the assorted bureaucratic obstacles.

For 2024, the EXC has stiffer suspension, however nonetheless loves its trails tight and nasty.

A NEW DEAL

So, how properly does a inventory KTM 500EXC motor carry out? It’s fairly darn good. To put a quantity on it, a box-stock 500EXC produces greater than 40 horsepower. That’s about the identical as a present 250F motocross bike. The distinction is that the EXC will get to that degree with torque slightly than revs. The 500 begins making energy at 4,000 rpm and stops revving at 9,000 rpm, whereas a 250’s prime zone is from 8,000 to 12,000 rpm. So, once you’re on the path and also you come to a giant, ugly hill, you don’t should downshift or abuse the clutch. You open the throttle, it goes up the hill. End of story. In fact, the one motive anybody ever needs extra energy is once they take the EXC out of its major surroundings. This is a path bike first and a avenue bike second. It’s not a race bike. The truth that folks race them is inappropriate. KTM really makes different variations of the identical bike which are extra acceptable for that. The 500XC-W is mainly an EXC with out the DOT lighting and emission stuff. The 500XW-F is one other model with out DOT lighting, however it nonetheless has many of the emission stuff in order that it’s eligible for a California inexperienced sticker.

KTM’s dual-sport bikes nonetheless use Brembo brakes at each ends.

The motor adjustments for 2024 end in a barely extra responsive energy supply and maybe slightly extra meat on prime, however it’s not important sufficient to warrant a trade-in. The chassis adjustments are extra dramatic. If you’ve been paying consideration, you in all probability know that the brand new frames for the SX fashions have drawn criticism for being too inflexible. If it was too inflexible for Supercross, that appears like it will be a horrible transfer for a dual-sport bike, proper? Actually, the suspension is so utterly totally different for the EXC that the body rigidity isn’t a big issue. Hard-core PDS followers will like it as a lot as ever, however any body change has been misplaced within the transfer from a progressive 63/69 N/mm spring to a straight 72 N/mm spring. In entrance, the brand new fork nonetheless has a 4.6 N/mm spring set, however the damping traits are utterly totally different—and stiffer.

The PDS no-link rear shock obtained a straight-rate spring this 12 months.

When you set all that collectively, it’s inevitable that the EXC is stiffer general, however solely in a great way. Suspension motion was a limiting issue with the earlier mannequin. It was nice in rocks and tight, twisty chaos, however it will dive and wallow in whoops. At excessive pace, even reasonable braking would end in fork dive in entrance and shock unloading within the rear. The new bike is way more secure at pace. In slow-speed sections, it’s nonetheless extra compliant than most bikes. You nonetheless have wonderful floor clearance because of the lack of linkage, and you continue to have all of the traits which have made PDS suspension so common within the off-road world. Now, nonetheless, the bike works in a broader vary of terrain and situations.

KTM is as quiet and clear as they arrive, however has efficiency that has grow to be the first affect within the dual-sport world.

NEW AND OLD

We anticipated the brand new bike to be slightly heavier this 12 months, as a result of that’s what occurred to all the opposite KTMs that obtained the brand new body. On our scale, it’s 246 kilos with out gasoline, which is 2 kilos greater than final 12 months. No huge deal. We had been hoping that KTM may equip the bike with new rubber for 2024, however no such luck. We left the inventory Continental TKC80s on the bike so long as we might, however the darn issues by no means appeared to wear down. Eventually, we put in full knobbies and life obtained significantly better. When you do this, it’s a must to set up rim locks as properly. KTM is aware of that and offers you a set within the toolkit. If you intend on using lengthy pavement stretches, you’ll in all probability wish to stability the wheels as properly. Other issues on the we’re-not-fans listing embrace the truth that you possibly can’t regulate the lever place very far as a result of the handlebar switches take up an excessive amount of house, the infernal push-button fuel cap is as onerous to open as ever, and the mirrors are all the time in the way in which and onerous to regulate. On the opposite aspect of the ledger, the headlight is far brighter, the license-plate bracket is extra sturdy, and {the electrical} switches are improved.

When you tally up the rating card, the 2024 KTM 500EXC is measurably improved over final 12 months’s mannequin. Considering that the bike was already probably the most desired and talked-about dual-sport bike, that implies that KTM will proceed to name the pictures within the dual-sport world. The EXC has earned its place on prime.

Technology

5 Must-Have Milwaukee Tool Instruments And How To Use Them

There are moments when utilizing a tape measure simply is not sufficient, particularly should you want the measure for a reasonably large area. Milwaukee’s 150 Ft Laser Distance Meter offers you the flexibility to not solely discover the size of any given floor as much as 150 toes, however you may also study the floor space, whole space, and quantity of the area you are measuring. The system even comes with a built-in two-position auto-detecting lever so you’ll be able to simply retrieve measurements from corners and past.

This laser distance meter prices $105 at Home Depot and acquired a 4.2/5 score from over 200 customers. There are a number of nice evaluations on the system, however a few unfavorable evaluations focus on how the laser is difficult to detect in daylight and that it appears to work higher in darkened areas or at night time. To use this laser distance meter, merely flip it on, choose your measurement sort, and intention the laser on the goal. From right here, press the OK button to lock in your measurement and proceed taking measurements if extra info is required.

Space

The Most Important Reason Humans Need To Go To Space According To Jeff Bezos

“The most fundamental measure is energy usage per capita,” mentioned Bezos, including, “You do want to continue to use more and more energy, it is going to make your life better in so many ways, but that’s not compatible, ultimately, with living on a finite planet, and so we have to go out in the solar system.”

Citing that the pure fantastic thing about the planet was “pristine” till the Industrial Age, Bezos argues that, by outsourcing the power wants of a rising trendy mega-civilization to asteroids, the Moon, and different close by objects within the photo voltaic system, we might help hold Earth within the state we initially discovered it. “We have traded some of that pristine beauty for all these other gifts that we have as an advanced society,” Bezos instructed Fridman. “And we can have both, but to do that we have to go to space.”

While Bezos appeared resolute in his perception that harnessing uncommon metals, fuels, and different supplies from intrasolar and interstellar our bodies was a needed process, he did concede that the timeline for doing so is malleable. However, he reiterated that mining power sources offplanet was the one approach to protect the pure fantastic thing about Earth as power calls for proceed to develop and assist enhance the general high quality of life for everybody dwelling on the planet. Referring to how people must go to house in the event that they wish to meet power calls for whereas additionally defending the planet, Bezos acknowledged: “Really you can argue about when you have to do that, but you can’t credibly argue about whether you have to do that.”

Car review

Kia EV6 GT

The EV6 GT is an incredibly fast car, surpassing other electric vehicles in its price range and even some combustion-engined cars. It achieves impressive benchmarks of 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds and 0-100mph in 8.0 seconds. Compared to a BMW M2 manual, which takes 4.5 seconds and 9.7 seconds respectively, these numbers are quite remarkable.

Although the EV6 GT offers exceptional performance, it doesn’t give you an overwhelming sensation of speed when you first accelerate. The GT driving mode from Kia sharpens the throttle response but doesn’t make it hypersensitive. Additionally, it lacks the launch control fireworks typical of combustion cars. Instead, the EV6 GT, like other 4WD EVs, delivers power effortlessly, thanks to the quick response of electric motors. They allow for immediate traction without struggling to regain it.

The EV6 GT feels like a supercar when accelerating up to 60mph and more like a sports car up to 100mph. Impressively, it completes a standing quarter mile in 11.8 seconds, surpassing the Mercedes SLS AMG from 2012 and trailing only a tenth behind the Nissan GT-R from 2017.

What other exciting features does the EV6 GT offer? Kia aimed for a performance character that is more textured and engaging than other EV6 variants. The car provides the driver with full paddle-based regen control, as well as powerful brakes that effectively manage its weight and inspire confidence when maintaining speed, even when regenerative braking is reduced.

However, besides its speed, the EV6 GT can feel somewhat unintuitive if not set up properly. It feels odd to have no battery energy regeneration when lifting off the throttle, similar to a high-compression performance engine lacking high-rpm engine braking.

Therefore, finding the right calibration and adjusting various drive modes may be necessary to achieve an optimal driving experience that suits your preferences.

Track Notes

When driven quickly around the Millbrook Alpine Hill Route, the EV6 GT demonstrates impressive dynamic composure and handling precision. However, like many other EVs, it heavily relies on its electronic traction and stability systems to achieve this.

You can feel these systems limiting the power of the motors as you straighten the steering wheel and then gradually returning authority to the throttle. If you disable these aids, understeer can easily occur, especially in tighter turns.

Alternatively, you can utilize the car’s drift mode, which significantly reduces power to the front motor during cornering. This allows the e-diff to shift torque to the outside rear wheel with minimal or no apparent traction control. The result is a sensation similar to driving on ice. On dry roads, the rear axle can easily slide with little power or speed, and no initial weight transfer to break traction. It’s a fun feature that may not offer substantial rewards but is entertaining nonetheless.

Technology

New iOS17 Features We Hope Android Phones Will Adopt

Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is an important security measure nowadays. Most of us are familiar with receiving 2FA codes via text message, which we need to input to log in to apps or websites. However, these codes can quickly clutter our message inbox if we don’t clear them regularly, making it difficult to find important conversations.

The good news is that iOS 17 has introduced a solution to this problem by allowing users to automatically delete expired 2FA codes. This is a small but impactful feature that would greatly improve the user experience on Android devices as well. It’s likely that Apple’s implementation identifies messages that resemble 2FA codes and removes them, which should be easy for Google to replicate on their own platforms.

In fact, Google’s default messaging app, Messages, already has smart sorting capabilities that categorize messages into “personal” and “business” sections. Adding a filter specifically for 2FA messages, with the option to automatically delete them after a set time period, seems like a straightforward addition for the team at Google.

Motorsport

New Porsche 911 Turbo S By Mansory Combines Wild Body Kit With 900 HP

Mansory, the German-based tuning company, is known for its extravagant modifications. Their latest creation, the P9LM EVO 900, is a heavily customized Porsche 911 Turbo S that features a striking body kit and a massive power upgrade.

Under the hood, Mansory enhances the already potent twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six engine by adding larger turbochargers, a new intercooler, 98-millimeter downpipes, a full exhaust system upgrade, and a tune. As a result, the P9LM EVO generates a whopping 900 horsepower and 744 pound-feet of torque. With its all-wheel-drive system, it manages to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 2.5 seconds, only a tenth quicker than the stock 911 Turbo S, but its top speed reaches an impressive 211 mph.

Visually, the Mansory P9LM EVO 900 stands out with its unique body kit. The front end features a full carbon fiber design with larger intakes for improved cooling. LED running lights and side flaps at the corners provide additional downforce to the front wheels. The car also sports exposed carbon fiber elements on the frunk, mirror caps, side sills, and massive side intakes ahead of the rear fenders. At the rear, there’s an attention-grabbing biplane spoiler, a new rear fascia with a diffuser, and a rear window scoop to ensure proper airflow to the engine.

Mansory offers a wide range of customizable exterior and interior color choices for the P9LM EVO 900. The showcased model flaunts a black and teal two-tone finish, which extends to the interior. The cockpit features luxurious leather and carbon fiber accents with custom stitching. Mansory branding is integrated into the materials to make a statement.

Overall, the Mansory P9LM EVO 900 is a truly extravagant and powerful modification of the Porsche 911 Turbo S. With its wild body kit and 900 horsepower, it is sure to turn heads wherever it goes.

Technology

5 Of The Best Home Energy Monitors Worth Checking Out In 2023

If you’re looking for a more cost-effective way to measure power consumption, and you’re only interested in certain appliances, a smart plug could be for you. The Wyze Plug can be bought in a pair for $20, and anything you plug into that socket can be measured. This works for things like your TV, Xbox, microwave, etc. The downside is you’re not going to be measuring your entire house’s energy consumption, but that’s what the other options are for.

The Wyze Plug comes with some cool features, too. If you’re on vacation somewhere, you can actually set your plug to a “vacation” mode that will randomly turn your stuff on and off to make it look like somebody is at home using it. It responds to both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so your heavy hitters are covered. You can put all of the plugs into the Wyze app and it works exactly the same as the other apps mentioned before.

The main difference here is you won’t have a main hub installed into your breaker box. Eventually, the cost of plugs will overcome the initial cost of having an energy monitor installed, so don’t go overboard.