Turn your KTM950 into AWD in 3,4,5,??? easy steps

[Katoom119]

Originally Posted by cjracer

At the moment I'm not building any. There is only 1 of these built and future bike test is on going.

If Geek ever got ahold of one you'd never hear from him again...

[cjracer]

Originally Posted by Katoom119

If Geek ever got ahold of one you'd never hear from him again...

He did.... Mine. It's worked out well so far, but this spring he'll be back here. Hope he doesn't try to ride home with the wrong bike.

Part of the reason for the paint job. Keep the lookers away trying to find the next pretty bike.

[Katoom119]

Originally Posted by cjracer

Hope he doesn't try to ride home with the wrong bike.

My point exactly!

[Dieseljo]

What an opportunity
After riding motorcycles for over 40 years I was faced with a gifted opportunity. Craig Johnson from CJDesignsllc.com offered his KTM 950 Super Enduro to me for the weekend. It should be noted this was not any weekend, it was the 2012 Big Woods 200 in Wabeno Wisconsin. The Big Woods 200 offers two incredible days of riding with friends you may only see once a year. Even now just talking about it makes my body tingle with excitement

Some may say the KTM 950 SE is overkill for this ride. After all, Saturday‘s 150-200 miles (depending on how much you double back) is full of forest roads, two track, single track, ATV trails, deep sandy roads and technical Hero sections. Overkill? Hell Yes! With that said Craig's 950 SE is no pack mule, in fact it is more of a high strung black stallion with a hard mouth. The bike looks angry just sitting on the center stand. After several test laps on a private track I had to decide if I was man enough. Could I tame the mighty SE through the tight hero sections and endless single track, or would it shake me off like a fly out in the pasture? With a smile of uncertainty I put the bike in my truck and asked Craig to wish me luck.



The Ride
Saturday morning Craig and I decided we would ride at a conservative pace. So I put my gear on... had a silent talk with the angry SE... and mounted up. "Ahhh the saddle feels so good!" I could not stop smiling as I sat there listening to the 950 Vtwin wake up. In my head I just kept thinking "Are you kidding me, this day is going to be nuts". Craig mounted his KTM 950 Adventure and our "moral coach" for the day Jim Fitzgerald mounted his KTM 450, we were ready to head out.

Taking to the pavement for a few miles was a great way for the SE and I to get to know each other. In the first Hero section we became one, I used a smooth throttle approach and the SE responded with predictable precision. The deep sand was conquered by the throttle stop, and speeds that kept the front tire floating. By the time we hit the single track we were old friends like the Lone Ranger and Trigger. After a short swimming break, the SE and I once again took to the trails like we were competing in a pony express job interview.

Early afternoon Craig asked me to swap bikes... WOW! Not only did Craig give me his mighty SE for the day, now he is offering a chance to ride the world's only Two Wheel Drive KTM 950 Adventure. Yes two wheel drive, I watched Craig build this incredible bike from the frame up. It is truly a master piece of motorcycling technology. Once rolling it was very apparent that I was no longer on the high strung stallion, but instead on a very strong work horse. In short order my riding style changed from aggressive to relaxed. At first I thought the extra weight might be too much for me. After I was moving my brain kept trying to understand where all the weight went, the bike was not fighting me at all, It was like I had been put on a rail. In two wheel drive the deep sandy roads were almost like riding pavement. Steep long hill climbs were a joke, with stability from bottom to top. The traction and control were unlike anything I had ever ridden before. Truly an amazing experience!

I finished the day smiling and wishing my middle age body had more to give.

BIG THANK YOU to Craig and CJ Designs for burning more great memories into my mind's eye!

Written by:
Dieseljo

[cyborg]

Great stuff Dieseljo!

CJ is a pretty darn cool guy, and I had a chance to ride with that maniac for a few days recently, watching that Monster 2WD eat up rough terrain and twisty road alike Great fun to watch!

I understand a little of your excitement riding the 2WD, having had a chance to ride it for short while and sticking it in a pickle a normal big bike could not have gotten out of, then riding it right out of it. Amazing. Thanks again Craig!

[Dan950ser]

Jealous of you guys getting a chance to ride the 2wd beast and way to throw that super enduro around.

[cjracer]

A little front wheel Roost action.

[Pete640]

Very nice pics CJ. They look advertisement quality - any announcements coming up re the 2WD???

Hijack - I know u did a better basket but have u considered a booster? The OEM part is sub par for a bike this size compared to the LC4 part and the rallye

[cjracer]

Originally Posted by Pete640

Very nice pics CJ. They look advertisement quality - any announcements coming up re the 2WD???

Hijack - I know u did a better basket but have u considered a booster? The OEM part is sub par for a bike this size compared to the LC4 part and the rallye

I've been working on finishing some stuff for it's little cousin.

Larger 4 gallon tank for AWD 450 DS




Working on these little bikes is Odd. I'm use to my big KTM, Seem so roomy. 450s sure are a tight fit.


More info on this bike build here : http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=161

And here : http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=162

[Pete640]

Nice. Very nice. I was just reading about the christini 450 in a mag over here. Very positive write up

[cjracer]

Had some dyno time with the 450 DS last weekend. 44 HP. (FCR carb and pipe)

One of the Honda 450R we had run was about 50 HP, not so far off considering this is a 450 X based engine with smaller valves and lower compression for longer life.


Anyone want to test out the AWD 950 or AWD 450 this Sat?

8-Noon Nov 10, We have a few time slots left. Email me if interested.

We're working testing setup while it's warm before we set it up for the ICE this winter.

AWD 950 Demo ride-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h_-Q9F_EXY

[Apple Jam]

Originally Posted by cjracer

Anyone want to test out the AWD 950 or AWD 450 this Sat?

Duh, yeah....

but yer soooo faaaar awaaaaay

[cjracer]

Maybe in Sept at the KTM National in Steamboat Springs, CO.


One more fun video before I get back in the shop.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=3330300297126

[Apple Jam]

Originally Posted by cjracer

Maybe in Sept at the KTM National in Steamboat Springs, CO.

[Questor]

Hey CJ.

It's great to see the work you are doing.
Keep doing cool stuff.

See you next season...

Q~