KTM XPLOR FORK UPGRADE — K-Tech Australia

Magazine Article by:
Trail Rider Magazine USA

K-Tech’s ORVS Installation Performed by:
Works Enduro Rider
Motorcycle Handling Specialists
#1 Jenny Jump Avenue
Great Meadows, NJ 0783

Got to love evolution in off-road motorcycling industry. We’ve been fortunate to have seen some giant strides in recent years. Tire technology has come a long way with the new gummies for technical terrain and now we’re getting familiar with fuel injected two strokes. Competition between manufacturers is strong, and we as racers and riders are reaping the benefits.

Suspension upgrades have always been a heavily debated topic. Casual trail riders tend to leave their stuff stock and adjust clickers to their taste. Heavier riders require stiffer springs to keep ride heights and rear suspension sag in check. Heavier riders on an under sprung bike can result in a quick trip to the forest floor. It all goes back to how serious one takes the sport of off-road riding.

Last fall, we took delivery of a new ’19 KTM 300TPI. Having been fans of the KTM product for literally decades, we instantly fell in love this new model. In fact, I’d been accused of actually gloating over how well I liked the bike and I wasn’t kidding, it’s the best out of the box KTM I’ve owned to date. As we racked up miles and added gear (along with a few extra winter pounds) I’d found the limits of the stock suspension. To be honest, I feel we’re all somewhat guilty about lying to ourselves when it comes to upgrade spring rates. Well I’d lied to myself a bit too long and decided to place a call to our buddy Drew Smith at Works Enduro Rider to see what he could do with our KTM’s XPLOR fork and PDS shock. Having been at this game long enough, I knew that just throwing heavier springs on top of stock valving wasn’t a wise decision. Having just turned 57 years old, I’d like to limit my trips to the forest floor so we opted for the full Monty so to speak.

During our KTM 150 XC-W build (Every Option Available), WER was chosen to lower and revalve the forks and shock. Along with taking a full two inches of travel out of the suspension, Drew installed the K-Tech bladder system in the shock. The difference was felt immediately, compliance over sharp-edged trail trash was much improved over the piston design of the stock reservoir. We like products that deliver and thought this time around we’d opt for K-Tech’s ORVS (Off-Road Valve System) for the XPLOR forks.

Now don’t get me wrong, the XPLOR is a pretty damn good fork. It’s plush and doesn’t defect off hidden trail surprises. Its fine in the slow going, technical terrain but it’s easily taxed when speeds pick up. As with most everything today, it’s a compromise, geared for the slower rider with adjustments limited to this type of riding. The left leg has compression damping duties and the right leg rebound. When speeds pick up, the right leg is limited in its ability to handle rebound demands. The left leg, handing compression for both forks, easily blows through the stroke. The range of clicker adjustments for compression and rebound is very narrow.

K-Tech’s ORVS fork piston kit replaces all internal valving in the stock XPLOR fork. The ORVS ads compression and rebound damping to each leg. There are two complete compression stacks in the bottom of each fork along with their own hydraulic anti-bottoming cups, sealing the cartridge tube while greatly improving damping and response time. Rebound adjusters are now fitted to both upper fork caps. K-Tech’s compression and rebound assemblies offer a much wider and more, precision range of adjustment.

Technical mumbo jumbo aside, you probably want to know, how does the K-Tech ORVS system work? Well, I’m not one to be easily impressed. You’ve got to earn it and we’re happy to say we’re thoroughly pleased. What’s appreciated is plushness is not lost one bit. It’s still incredibly supple. Where K-Tech’s system really shines is when speeds pick up. The bike rides higher in the stroke with compression being incredibly lineal in travel. K-Tech’s hydraulic anti-bottoming cups work well as with the spring rates WER installed, it’s nearly impossible to bottom. Our test rider, AA/Pro-Vet, Beau Vines, was attacking obstacles intentionally at speed, to see how the new suspension would react. We’re happy to report the results were incredibly positive. With rebound now in both forks, along with a wider clicker adjustment range, made a tremendous difference. There’s zero deflection and no wild reactions as one would experience in an under dampened fork.

For those looking for the best out of their stock XPLOR fork, we highly recommend the K-Tech ORVS system.

-Kurt

Our Australian customers are raving about the incredible difference in fork performance this kit makes.
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