Steve Christini and his merry...
Steve Christini and his merry and band prepped an AWD KTM 450 XCW for the worst possible conditions. Our conditions turned out to be a little dry, but largely perfect, and that wasn't the best for this bike.
The Christini AWD KTM 450 XCW is built to turn your average Zero into a Hero with its special blend of All-Wheel-Drive and sleek, bold lines. Our unique AWD system will give you the confidence to conquer the toughest terrain, and look good doing it, which is sure to draw the attention from the ladies in the crowd.*
* Results not typical. Very few women are actually present at any motorcycle events.
Christini Technologies Inc. started with the solid platform and frame geometry provided by KTM Motorcycles with their advanced 450 XCW. Throw on an FMF Exhaust system to amp up the horsepower and a Christini AWD Conversion kit, and you have an ultimate performance bike. The limited-slip AWD system provides increased traction and stability in all aspects of riding. Its improved cornering and climbing abilities in conjunction with a Rekluse auto clutch and Maxxis SI tires allows the rider to hook up in any terrain and finally get all the power to the ground. The suspension duties were handled by the experts at Factory Connection to compliment the drive system's unique needs and action. The result is a machine that handles well and will go anywhere the rider points the front wheel. Add trick Carbon/Kevlar by P3, Enduro Engineering Handguards, Fastway F6 pegs, Custom Graphics by PG, Cycra Powerflow plastics, and custom Christini guards by Bulletproof Designs and you have a motorcycle that looks as good as it performs.
Christini Technologies Inc.: www.christini.com; 215.351.9895
KTM four-stroke AWD conversion kit: $3995
Rekluse Motorsports: www.rekluse.com; 866.REKLUSE
Z-start Pro clutch: $629
Rekluse billet clutch cover: $139
FMF Racing: www.fmfracing.com; 310.631.4FMF(4363)
Q4 muffler: $359.99
PowerBomb header: $299.99
Maxxis International-USA: www.maxxis.com; 770.962.5932
M7311 Maxxcross SI front: $80.95
M7312 Maxxcross SI rear: $94.95
Enduro Engineering: www.enduroeng.com; 517.393.2421
Evolution black Debris Deflectors w/Evolution Clamps: $67.95
Evolution black plastic Roost Deflectors: $24.95
P3 Pirie Performance Products: www.pirieperfprod.com; 609.377.5571
Mike Lafferty signature Carbon/Kevlar skid plate: $164.95
4-stroke Carbon/Kevlar boot guard: $95.95
4-stroke Carbon/Kevlar heat shield: $102.95
ProMoto Billet/Fastway Performance: www.promotobillet.com; 866.466.4762
Fastway F6 footpegs: $129.95
Fastway F5 footpeg cleats: $22.95
Fastway KTM billet chain blocks: $49.95
BulletProof Designs: www.bulletproofdesigns.com; 816.695.3784
Custom Christini radiator guards: $225.00
Custom Christini rear disc guard: $94.00
Custom Christini swingarm guard: $50.00
Powersport Graphx: www.ridepg.com; 800.903.6764
Custom Christini KTM graphics kit: $130.95
Like most modern KTM off-road...
Like most modern KTM off-road models, this one was actually pretty happy on the track. Much more so than you would think for such a serious off-roader.
Dirt Rider Post Torture Evaluation
The best all-around bike because:
The Christini KTM has that magical all-wheel drive to get you out of the nastiest trail messes on the planet. It carves through drifted snow, claws through hideous mud and laughs off rocky, rooty stair steps. You love technology and owning something very different.
Not the best all-around bike because:
The basic goodness of the AWD platform is diluted and disguised with too many changes to a great basic package, and not enough human engineering combined with a little too much weight for our test conditions.