I've had my KTM 200 EXC where I liked the softer enduro-based setup since it was new in 2003. Since then, I've gained some weight and standard settings of newer bikes have stiffened up. I wanted this EXC to work more like a newer XC. Since the components on the KTM have not changed drastically, I sent the fork and shock to Race Tech to see what the company could do for me.
It started off with needing stiffer springs front and rear. Then, Race Tech likes to use its KTM shock bladder kit, Gold Valves and a valving setup to make all these parts work together, taking into consideration what I'd asked for in the first place. I basically wanted the bike to hold itself up better initially, not be too stiff or sticky, control the stroke better with the damping and resist bottoming a lot better. A tall order, indeed. And when I got it back the suspension accomplished 90 percent of this, just missing out on the bottoming resistance I was looking for.
Since Race Tech has a policy of revalving until it gets it right for free, I took it up on this and brought the suspension back. Race Tech made the changes to get even more bottoming resistance. Bingo! They nailed it and now I have an old KTM that works almost as good as a new KTM. Now, the suspension isn't holding the EXC back, but the older round-tube frame and different swingarm are! The price was right in the ballpark for the improvement, at $1050. That may seem pricey, but for a bike to ride like it was at least 3-4 years newer, that isn't so much. Turnaround time of about a week was good considering I had the second revalve done right in the middle of all the brand-new 2009 testing the company was doing with new bikes and team riders. -Jimmy Lewis
| SUSPENSION | 91.0 |
| Turnaround Time | 18/20 |
| Function | 48/50 |
| Communication | 9/10 |
| Design | 8/10 |
| Price | 8/10 |