KTM’s four Enduro Competition 4-Strokes comprise the most comprehensive range of any marque worldwide with the 250 EXC-F, the 400, 450 and 530 EXC models ready and waiting for their new owners.

And when a brand new bike off the showroom floor has machined hubs, wave disks, a hydraulic clutch, Brembo brakes, Inmoulded radiator shrouds, No-Took airbox, tapered bars, CMC triple clamps, electric start and a factory exhaust you have to expect something special.

Add the fact that for 2010 all of the EXCs get new settings for both front and rear suspension, with the rear shock getting a new PDS needle to allow the damping to come in a little earlier for a more progressive feel through the stroke.

Likewise, all of the 2010 EXCs have a lighter and more compact caliper bolted to the bottom of the fork leg while new Toyo B153 brake pads are slotted in to give better performance all round.
The 400, 450 and 530 get a revised chassis and a six-speed gear box while all 4-Strokes get new Nitrated steel rings, updated cam shafts, valve train and piston.

250 EXC-F

My first ride on the 250 EXC-F was nothing short of sensational. The terrain was challenging at times with everything from open trail to snotty, tree infested single track and the smallest of KTM’s four bangers was a delight in every way.
Power wise it is extremely smooth when transitioning from no throttle to easing it on in slippery conditions, but when you decide to give it the berries it has enough punch and revability to get you to that next corner up that next hill as fast as most would care for.

The new brakes were great, forks and shock were faultless so you could be really aggressive through the rough stuff without too much sideways deflecting in the rear and no head-shake from the front.
The bike felt light in the tight stuff and handled the open road stuff with ease.

400 EXC

Hmmm…I wasn’t too sure why KTM would bring out the 400 and the 450. Now I know. The 400 is for the rider who would find the 450 and/or the 530 intimidating and let's face it, once you have your open motorcycle licence most wouldn’t think of buying a 250 so the 400 is perfect for that ‘next step’.

The 2010 KTM 400 EXC handles great, it does everything you would want it to do without scaring the pants off you and remains one of the easiest bikes to ride in almost any situation.
With all of the upgrades the new KTMs have received, the 400 ended up to be the best all-round package for the average rider.

450 EXC

Now we are getting somewhere. As a former Pro motocrosser I couldn’t wait to get on the big bore KTMs. After 300km of riding all of the smaller bikes I was interested to see if more power would change the handling capabilities of the ‘faster’ KTMs.
After 10 minutes of playing around on the 450 I decided to push it really hard through the next sections of trail and was instantly impressed.
The 450cc motor is so usable. If you decide to let it hit maximum power it goes like a cut cat but still handles great. Many bikes lose some of their stability when full horsepower is drilled into them and this KTM isn’t one of them.

Even around a motocross track I found the 450 more than capable with the suspension pliable early in the stroke but firming up nicely to absorb Manjimup's famous sand whoops.
Again, with all of the upgrades the 2010 KTM 450 is a winner and it was difficult giving it back after an hour or so in the saddle but I was all smiles when I noticed that my next ride was on the 530…

530 EXC

The first thing any man worth his salt does when he gets aboard a big bore four stroke is to see how good it is to wheelie….third gear, standing up and don’t put it down until you're in top gear and the front wheel is just rolling around its final rotation. That’s what life is all about.
The KTM 530 was a blast. OK, more of a handful it must be said, obviously amplified in the tighter stuff but on the open trails it could not be beaten and I thanked the new brakes several times when corners came up a lot faster than I thought possible.
The bike is still narrow like the other models, you can move on top of the 530 like it’s the little 250 but obviously the heavier moving parts in the motor just makes it a little lazier when you are trying to throw the 530 around.
But, I suppose if you're in buying a 530 you already know that, you are just after the fun factor mixed with the adrenalin rush...yep, Amen to that...

So, why buy one?
Would I buy a KTM. Yep, at the drop of a hat.

But you are reading this test because you are interested in what’s out there for 2010 and obviously there are other brands out there vying for your hard earned dollar. What I can tell you is this…. each bike in the the 2010 KTM 4-Stroke range is sensational to ride in almost any terrain.
I rode mud, rock, sand, motocross, open trail, virgin pine needle, single trail snotty woods, over logs, through sand whoops, through water crossings, over small kicker jumps, over large floating jumps, through sandy berms, through deep ruts, up rock infested hills, over sharp edged g-outs and almost any other terrain known to man and I would be a liar if I had anything seriously negative to say about any of the 2010 KTMs.

Hope that helps…