The KTM brand is one of the Best Dirt Bike Brand in the World offering the best motorcycles for its customers. This year it has launched KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle for its customers. The XC stands for Cross Country whereas W represents the wide-ratio transmission. This off-road is more fun and less fatigue. This model is the race ready bike built for closed course Enduro riders. It features the agile chassis with the stronger frame and powerful engine. The engine is best known for ultimate performance in all conditions. The graphics on chassis in brilliant and attractive. The seat is carefully designed for outstanding seating position. The wheels and tires offer the superior grip on all kinds of surfaces. The review of new KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle with its specifications and pictures are given below.
KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle – Features
Engine
The new KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle comes with the powerful and most competitive engine in its class. This 150 cc engine features the latest KTM technology offering an impressive torque across the entire rev range. It features the compact cylinder featuring the bore of 58 mm with cutting-edge power valve unit having the impressive mechanism for lateral support exhaust ports. The twin-component cylinder head offers the best performance like in 2018 KTM 250 EXC TPI Six Days Enduro. The water jackets layout in the cylinder and head ensure an efficient heat dissipation. The crankcase is strong enough to ensure a minimum level of vibration plus it allows to decrease the displacement up to 125 ccs just by replacing the cylinder, head, and piston. There is no need of changing the crankshaft anymore. It is two-in-one is no time. The lightweight and die-cast crankcase contains the high crankshaft and clutch shaft position, which is located close to its center of gravity. It results in an optimal mass centralization and outstanding ride-ability. The body of the engine is extremely lightweight and compact with enough space to accommodate E-starter. The engine cover contains an advanced surface structure to reduce the wear caused by rider’s boots.
The wide-ratio of 6-speed Enduro transmission is specially designed for the smaller 2-stroke Enduro engine. It has the compact design and minimal weight. The piston is strong with incredible state-of-the-art cylinder layout. The clutch is being activated by the hydraulic system made by Brembo. It is reliable and self-adjusting unit ensuring the light operation and high controllable modulation. The new KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle comes with the latest E-starter system powered by the reliable lithium ion battery. The latest MIKUNI TXM carburetor is being used in this Enduro motorcycle. The latest flat sliders carb or 38 mm offers the smooth and controllable power at all rev limitations. The carburetor is being tuned to 7-degree just to reduce the overflow of fuel. It is less sensitive to altitude and temperaature. The latest CDI control unit having an advanced hardware is being used for better starting behavior. The overall ignition curves remain unchanged. The latest KTM’s proven cooling system routes its coolant from its cylinder head directly to an aluminum radiators developed by WP. This system is very efficient due to the flow optimized internal circulation and CFD-calculated ventilation. The latest radiator protections also improves the heat dissipation. The engineers tuned the exhaust pipes for maximum power.
Chassis
The new KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle comes with the much lighter weight as compared to the previous 2017 KTM 150 XC-W Enduro and it is considered as the slimmest and lightest bikes in Enduro scene. Its frame is high-tech and lightweight chrome-moly steel, which helps in an easy handling, excellent stability and precise cornering. It offers the best torsional rigidity and low longitudinal stiffness. It provides better absorption of energy created from its rear and front suspension. The laterally mounted lightweight engine head also contributes to ensure the minimum level of vibration. The two threaded inserts in the lower cradles tubes allowing for safer fixation of an optional skid plates. The engineers are able to make the frame a kilogram lighter and slimmer. It is very easy to maintain and it supplies more space for the tank and other components. This endure has an extra-light sub-frame made up of stable aluminum profiles. This new design of swingarm provides an optimized mounting position of the PDS shock absorber giving more progressive action. The cast aluminum design ensure the low weight and perfect flex behavior. The solo component casting process eliminates the weak points created during welding process. The lightweight wheels featuring the CNC machined hubs having high-end Giant rims guarantee an outstanding stability and minimum weight. These wheels are fixed with the best Dunlop tires. The front suspension consist up of WP XPlor 48 upside-down fork, which is developed by WP in close collaboration with KTM. It is attached with the spring on both sides but has separated functions for each fork legs. The compression damping is being mounted on its left side while the rebound is on its right.
The fork can easily be adjusted for rebound and compression with just twist of a dial. The outer fork tubes and the reworked setting are made for more sensitivity having an improved damping behavior with less weight. The sealed hydro-stop ensure an excellent resistance to bottoming-out. The new WP XPlor 48 fork having the travel of 300 mm gives an excellent response and better damping characteristics. The comfortable preload adjuster can also be retrofitted allowing for simple spring preload setting in three steps without any use of tools. The rear suspension system consist up of the PDS, which is directly connected to the upper side of swingarm. This setup boasts the geometry offering an amazing progressive damping. The shock absorber is attached close to the centerline, providing symmetrical loads for swingarm and frame offering more space for exhaust system. The second piston works together with the closed cup towards the stroke end plus it is support by the progressive shock spring for an exceptional bottoming resistance. The various machined and anodized components and the distinctive WP color trim makes it a valuable and high-end product offering the less refined shock absorbers of the competitions. The latest triple clamps having an offset of 22 mm ensure the solid grip with precise handling. The handlebar can be adjusted forward and backward in 4 different positions. The braking system has been refined for stronger, faster and better stopping force. The latest high-tech Brembo calipers are combined with the lightweight Wave brake discs. The steel-flex front brake hose features an efficient protection and there is an integrated channel for speedometer cable. The lightweight polyethylene tank have the capacity of 10 liters and rider will always check the remaining fuel left due to see-through plastic. The design of air filter box offers the maximum protection of air filter against soiling and it ensures the maximum airflow. The large Twin Air filter is attached in the stiff cage. Its design is very simple so that one can easily pop a fresh one in with the face full of mud, without any use of tools within few seconds.
Ergonomics and Comfort
The new KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle features the perfect ergonomics and comfort like in 2018 KTM 125 XC-W Enduro. The KTM engineers have successfully designed the handlebars. It has the tapered unit made up of high-strength aluminum by NEKEN. It features the throttle assembly with the strong aluminum body. An ODI volcanized grip sits on its right side while ODI lock-on is mounted on its lift side. The latest No Dirt footpegs are used in it. They are 6mm higher to those used in SX models.
Bodywork and Graphics
The new KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle features the latest KISKA Design which has the ability to establish the complete harmony between the riders and bike. The Enduro bikes are best known for their comfort and maximum movement. The I-beam structure on its front and rear fenders ensure the maximum stability and low weight. The new graphics are very attractive and it provides an awesome look.
Technology
The new KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle features the KTM’s proven E-starter offering the quick start. The compact lithium-ion battery powers up the engine and it offers three times starting energy as compared to conventional batteries. The battery and wiring harness is entirely centralized in the compartment just above an air filter box. It lets the mechanic to remove its sub-frame without getting into an electric.
KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle – Technical Specifications
Engine
| Design | 1-cylinder, 2-stroke engine |
| Displacement | 143.99 cm³ |
| Bore | 58 mm |
| Stroke | 54.5 mm |
| Starter | Kick and electric starter |
Transmission
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Primary drive | 23:73 |
| Secondary gear ratio | 13:50 |
| Clutch | wet multi-disc clutch, Brembo hydraulics |
| EMS | Kokusan |
Chassis
| Frame design | 25CrMo4 steel central-tube frame |
| Rear suspension | WP Xplor PDS shock absorber |
| Suspension travel (front) | 300 mm |
| Suspension travel (rear) | 310 mm |
| Front brake | Disc brake |
| Rear brake | Disc brake |
| Front brake disc diameter | 260 mm |
| Rear brake disc diameter | 220 mm |
| Chain | X-Ring 5/8 x 1/4″ |
| Steering head angle | 63.5 ° |
| Wheelbase | 1471 ± 10 mm |
| Ground clearance | 370 mm |
| Seat height | 960 mm |
| Tank capacity (approx.) | 10 liters |
| Weight READY TO RACE (without fuel) | 91.5 kg |
Conclusion
This article is the review of new KTM 2018 150 XC-W Enduro Motorcycle, which is really an incredible dirt bike for those who want power and off-road riding in one bike. The engine offers an impressive amount of torque and acceleration while an E-starter provides quick starting. The chassis and frame are very strong and has attractive graphics on it. The seat offers the comfortable riding positions and allows maximum rider movement.
