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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.

Motorsport

The New BMW M5 Reportedly Weighs 5,368 Pounds And We’re Worried

Whether we’re speaking about sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, or SUVs, it is at all times the identical story. Whenever a brand new automobile debuts, it is larger and heavier than its predecessor. If we’re fortunate, the automaker provides horsepower and torque to try to partially compensate for the rampant weight problems. The new BMW M5 matches the invoice, offered a brand new report from a good BMW insider is correct.

A Bimmer Post boards member with a very good monitor document of getting issues proper about future BMWs has shared some juicy technical specs. Codenamed G90, the tremendous sedan will inherit the plug-in hybrid V8 setup from the controversial XM. For this new software, engineers from Bavaria are allegedly dialing the electrified powertrain to 718 hp. The twin-turbo 4.4-liter gasoline engine is alleged to be good for 577 hp and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) whereas the electrical motor is rated at 194 hp and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft).


Motorsport

The Giulia Quadrifoglio, The Best Performance Sedan, Is Temporarily Dead

Pour one out for the Quads. We’re speaking concerning the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which have delighted efficiency followers for years with twin-turbocharged V-6 energy. As we slide by means of February, we now have official phrase that 2024 would be the finish of the Quadrifoglio. Or relatively, the Quadrifoglio as we all know it, anyway.

In this case, the official phrase comes from the very high – Alfa’s Head of North American Operations Larry Dominique. In a publish on Linkedin, he introduced the ultimate Quadrifoglio orders can be stuffed by late April, with manufacturing ending in June.

Here is his assertion:

“Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio Performance Models Bid Farwell to North America, For Now.

It’s time to get to your native Alfa Romeo vendor!

2024 represents the ultimate alternative to order a Giulia Quadrifoglio and Stelvio Quadrifoglio with a 505-horsepower bi-turbo V-6! This is the ultimate probability to personal a Quadrifoglio with solely combustion engine expertise as we proceed our metamorphosis to an electrified future, however this isn’t the top of the story. I look ahead to presenting the following chapter within the four-leaf clover’s journey.

The alternative to order a 2024 Giulia Quadrifoglio or Stelvio Quadrifoglio will near North America on the finish of April 2024. The final internal-only combustion-powered Quadrifoglio fashions for US and Canada will exit the Cassino plant in June 2024.”

His phrases have been additionally confirmed by Stellantis on X.

 

Sad as this is likely to be for some, Dominique’s phrases clearly suggest that one thing else with Quadrifoglio branding is within the works. Whatever it’s, electrification is nearly assured, and never just because Dominique made it a degree to say “this is the final chance to own a Quadrifoglio with only combustion engine technology.” It’s no secret that Alfa Romeo is steering towards an electrical future, emphasised by the painfully attractive 33 Stradale. Unveiled final August because the company’s last internal combustion supercar, it is also out there as a pure EV.

The Giulia and Stelvio aren’t supercars, however rumors of next-generation electric variants have circulated for fairly a while. And with Euro 7 rules easing up, the boosted 2.9-liter V-6 still has a future. We’ve actually seen loads of efficiency fashions from quite a few manufacturers make the most of hybrid powertrains not for effectivity, however severe efficiency. It’s affordable to suppose the identical may occur right here.

We reached out to Alfa Romeo for some further info on all this, however Dominique’s assertion is the extent to which the corporate is commenting. That features a touch upon whether or not Quadrifoglio fashions will stay in Europe, since his social publish particularly talked about North America. However, we will let you know that lower-spec variations of the Giulia and Stelvio with the two.0-liter engine will dwell on for the rapid future.

Motorsport

Ohio Has A Problem With People Crashing Into Snow Plows

This winter has been tough for some of us. In this case, we aren’t speaking about large quantities of snow or frigid temperatures. We’re speaking about Ohio drivers, who, going by stats revealed by the Ohio Department of Transportation, are drawn to snow plows like Mustang drivers are drawn to burnouts at automotive reveals.

ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning confirmed to Motor1 there have been 16 crashes between motorists and snow plows thus far this season. Speaking to us in regards to the scenario, Bruning revealed the latest crash did not result in severe accidents. That’s the case for all the collisions thus far within the Buckeye state, however the frequency of crashes is alarming. There had been 26 for the complete season final 12 months; the climate’s been comparatively delicate this 12 months and there are nonetheless a few months to go.

“We got to 16 quicker this year than last,” he stated. “The first was on January 7 in Cleveland, a plow was sitting in the gore of the highway waiting for snow to start. A driver drifted off the side of the road and hit the plow.”

Crash quantity 15 was the incident that caught our consideration. Shared on Facebook, ODOT says it was a case of distracted driving; nobody suffered life-threatening accidents. The identical can’t be stated for the mangled Audi, identifiable to us solely by the wheels. It’s a stark reminder that, in terms of absolutely anything on 4 wheels versus a snow plow, the plow all the time wins.

 

“None of these plow strikes have resulted in very significant damage to our trucks,” stated Bunting. “But it still takes time because we have to stop and call in law enforcement to complete a report. If there is enough damage, that plow has to go back to the shop and the driver jumps in a backup plow, or other drivers in the area adjust their route to cover. That means it’s going to take longer to clear the routes.”

And there’s lots to cowl. The state has roughly 43,000 lane miles to clear. ODOT maintains a fleet of 1,500 snow plows to handle all state and US routes outdoors native municipalities. The Ohio Turnpike has its personal staff, however there are nonetheless roughly 8,000 lane miles on interstates alone.

Of course, plow crashes definitely aren’t an Ohio-specific downside. A Subaru WRX was literally split in half by a plow after trying a ridiculous cross in New York in January. But Bruning has spoken with transportation departments in different states and located they are not having fairly the identical subject with vehicles crashing into plows.

“The common factors we see are distraction, or unfortunately impairment; overnight it’s usually an impaired driver that hits us, and we’ve had a couple of those this year,” defined Bruning. “Or it’s just people driving too fast for conditions. They are paying attention. They see the plow, they want to go around the plow, and they think ‘I’ve got a 4WD vehicle, no problem.’ They get in that left lane or go to pass on a two-lane road, and they realize they’ve bitten off more than they can chew and lose control.”

With no less than two months of potential winter exercise nonetheless to come back, Bruning hopes drivers in Ohio get the message that plows want house.

“The plow is 12 feet wide. The lane is 12 feet. A lot of the crashes are people either getting too close and hitting the plow, or rear-ending us. And it happens just as much on two lanes as on the interstate. When that plow is pushing snow, it’s going to create a snow cloud around the plow and visibility will be reduced the closer you get. They’re also dumping salt or brine out the back. I don’t understand why you’d want to get that close.”

Just give them some room,” he says. “Back off, keep a number of automotive lengths away.”

Motorsport

This Yamaha Golf Cart Is Powered By A Hydrogen Combustion Engine

Golf carts aren’t precisely vehicles, however we could not resist speaking in regards to the Yamaha Drive H2. It’s an idea based mostly on the present Drive2 Concierge 4 golf cart, however with an fascinating powertrain. It’s being touted as being the world’s first golf cart to have an inside combustion engine feeding on hydrogen.

Introduced this week on the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, the Drive H2 is supplied with a pair of high-pressure hydrogen tanks, every able to holding 25 liters of gasoline. One is situated beneath the motive force’s seat, and the opposite is mounted on the again of the rear seat. The thought behind this idea is to display {that a} typical engine can live on whilst firms push towards decarbonization.


Car review

Toyota Corolla

What does the phrase ‘quality’ imply to you? When speaking concerning the inside of a BMW or Range Rover, it’s typically taken to check with how subjectively ‘nice’ the supplies really feel. If that’s your precedence, the Corolla will not be the automotive for you. However, when you take it to check with the longevity of the elements, that’s a distinct story.

Obviously, we will’t check how a automotive will maintain up over 10 years, however the Corolla appears like you would set off a grenade in its inside and the grenade would come off worse. There isn’t any frivolity to be discovered among the many expanses of black rubberised ‘elephant pores and skin’ and plastic, however it certain feels constructed to final.

Most of this can be very simple to make use of too. There are apparent knobs and buttons for the local weather management, chunky switches for capabilities just like the traction management and handbrake, and a pair of military-grade rocker switches for the heated seats. They’re not fairly, however on a chilly morning, you’ll be very grateful you’ll be able to simply jab the change quite than look ahead to a display in addition up.

While the Corolla’s inside is pleasantly old-school in its strategy to switchgear, it’s considerably unpleasantly old-school in its versatility. The door bins are fairly small, and the cupholders are espresso-sized as effectively. There’s a tray in entrance of the gearlever. On increased trims, it’s a wi-fi telephone charger, however on decrease trims, it’s simply onerous plastic and stuff tends to slip out of it.

Overall, the Corolla will not be the roomiest hatchback you should buy. Compared with a Seat or Cupra Leon, the Corolla 1.8’s boot is barely smaller (361 litres versus 380) and the two.0-litre’s boot even smaller nonetheless, at 313 litres. It’s within the rear the place the Corolla is fairly cramped: by our measurements, the Leon has 10cm extra leg room, in addition to a good chunk extra head room. The property is extra comfy within the rear because of its longer wheelbase and straighter roof line, however most of its property rivals shall be roomier nonetheless.

Infotainment part – 3 Stars

Infotainment has lengthy been Toyota’s Achilles heel. It muddled together with a painfully dated system for a very long time, solely to switch it with an all-new interface that takes a number of steps forwards, however a number of steps again as effectively.

The Corolla launched with Toyota’s previous system, which had ugly graphics and a poor navigation system, however did function some chunky shortcut buttons, and gained wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in 2020.

In 2022, all trims besides Icon acquired the newer Toyota Smart Connect+ on an 8.0in display. The 2023 replace saved the identical interface, however upgraded the display to 10.5in for all trims besides the van. The new graphics look crisp and trendy, the menus aren’t too deep and are fairly logical. There’s no residence display combining media and navigation, nevertheless, and it loses its bodily controls other than the amount. There’s a digital shortcut bar, however it inexplicably disappears if you use smartphone mirroring (which is now wi-fi), which makes switching between the native interface and telephone mirroring fairly tough. As commonplace, there’s only a solitary USB port, which is joined by one other on increased trims.

Some early, low-spec variations had analogue gauges with a smaller display, however the majority of Corollas have a principally digital gauge cluster. It has by no means been the prettiest, most configurable or clearest interface in the marketplace, however for essentially the most half, it has at all times been largely inoffensive. The 2023 replace introduced a way more trendy and clearer interface that permits for extra personalisation. The greatest annoyance stays, nevertheless: some automobile settings, together with a number of the driver help methods, have to be adjusted in a clunky, black and white interface that’s stuffed with impenetrable abbreviations.

Motorsport

Crashed Mustang Ends Up Perfectly Wedged Into The Side Of a House

Someone’s new 12 months is not off to a great begin. We aren’t simply speaking in regards to the proprietor of this sixth-gen Ford Mustang, seen right here with its bottom protruding of a home in Indianapolis, Indiana. Presumably, any person lives there, and now there is a gaping gap within the wall roughly three toes up from the bottom. And sure, the truth that the home is on Shelby Street is not misplaced on us. 

This crash occurred on January 5 at roughly 1:00 pm native time, based on the Indianapolis Fire Department. Responding firefighters discovered the motive force nonetheless inside upon arrival. Photos present the automotive neatly wedged within the facet of the home, albeit just a few toes within the air.

 

According to a Facebook submit by the fireplace division, the Mustang was the one automotive concerned. The driver was capable of exit below his personal energy, and went to the hospital for analysis. There was no point out of anybody being within the constructing, so regardless of the vehicular carnage, there seem like no notable accidents. The division says it would not understand how the crash occurred, and that Indianapolis police are investigating.

Indianapolis Metro Police Department was not capable of present any further info when reached by Motor1. A name to the Indianapolis Fire Department referred us again to the police, so we’re left with what we see within the pictures.

Mustang Crash

Scuff marks on the embankment clearly present the Mustang’s path, nevertheless it will need to have been going fairly shortly to finish up via the wall. And although it is off the bottom, we suspect that might be the results of hitting one thing fairly darned stable inside. The view from the again reveals the horse automotive sitting on some sort of platform, seemingly the ground of the home. We can even see from this angle that it is a GT. But the true thriller is all of the injury on the correct rear quarter panel. It wasn’t attributable to the home, and the highway signal we see on a Google Maps screenshot of the realm remains to be in place. We have many unanswered questions.

Shelby Street In Indianapolis

If we get extra info on how this occurred we’ll leap in with an replace. But with regulation enforcement in Indianapolis at present mum on the topic, we aren’t optimistic. At least there have been no main accidents on this melee, however we suspect the Mustang might be down for the rely.

Technology

5 Affordable Air Pumps For Your Camping Air Mattress

If we’re speaking about baseline ideas, a correct air pump solely must do two issues: put air in issues and take air out of issues. If that is the one order of the day, then a easy electrical air pump will get the job completed simply nice, and if easy is what you are searching for, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious with the AGPTEK Electric Air Pump.

This compact gadget options inflation and deflation ports – merely plug the inflation finish into your air mattress’s air valve, flip the change, and let the wind circulate. When it is time to break camp, plug the valve into the deflation port, and it will suck the air proper out. This pump comes with three interchangeable valve nozzles, guaranteeing you’ve gotten the right match on your air mattress, regardless of how huge or small. As for energy, the pump does require an exterior energy provide, but it surely comes with an AC adapter and a automobile charger, so so long as you are close to your automobile or have a transportable battery, you are golden.

The AGPTEK Electric Air Pump is on the market on Amazon for $20.99, with a 4.4 out of 5 consumer ranking. Users recognize this pump’s easy, no-frills design, doing precisely what it must do conveniently and expediently. Several customers have stated it is also nice for blowing up inflatable toys for the pool and seaside.

Motorsport

Ram TRX Shorty Takes on Off-Road Drag Race With Polaris UTV

The Ram 1500 TRX is known for its powerful performance, and it’s not just limited to drag races. This beast of a truck can handle high speeds, jumps, and corners on various surfaces. In this video, it faces a tough off-road challenge, but this particular TRX has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Unlike a regular TRX, this modified version has been shortened, giving it a two-door configuration and a shorter wheelbase. Under the hood, it features the stock supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The performance truck also boasts impressive suspension travel, with 12 inches at the front and 13 inches at the back. Additionally, this shortened truck is around 800 pounds lighter than the original, which weighs nearly 6,400 lbs.


Motorsport

Kia Pickup Truck Teaser Coming Soon, Says Design Boss

Kia has finally confirmed its plans to launch two electric pickups by 2027. The South Korean brand has been discussing the possibility of a Kia pickup for many years, and now, it seems that we are close to getting a glimpse of one of these vehicles. Karim Habib, the company’s design boss, revealed during the EV Day event in South Korea that a teaser is just around the corner. He stated, “I think you’ll get a peek pretty soon,” in an interview with Australian magazine Carsales.

According to rumors, the Kia pickup truck might be named “Tasman,” as suggested by a trademark filing. It is expected that the Kia truck will feature a design language similar to the recently unveiled EV3 and EV5 crossovers. Habib emphasized that as designers, their role is to serve the brand and customers. They design products with the intention of creating a family look that aligns with the brand’s attributes.