Forget four-wheel drive and a utility rack-the sport ATV market caters to those looking for race-ready speed and handling. One of the options in this hot category is KTM's awesome 525 XC.
Yep, you read that right; this machine has over 500 cc's of power. More precisely, 510.4 cc's of single-cylinder, four-stroke, SOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled goodness. That's a big engine for a machine that weighs only 351 pounds. The engine has a pair of Eaton oil pumps, electric start, and a Keihin FCR-MX 39 carburetor, along with sick torque and eye-watering horsepower. Also important to note, KTM engineers took waterproofing seriously by mounting the airbox high, right under the seat. Further, the engine draws air through the very top of the airbox lid. This is a feature you'll appreciate when crossing deep water. The engine's power is routed through a five-speed transmission, with Reverse, to a chain-drive drive system.
Out back, there's a swingarm...
Out back, there's a swingarm suspension with Ohlins coilover shock. This system offers 10.4 inches of wheel travel. Also out back is a chome-moly axle and Magura braking system. Not ehte built-in skidplate that protects the rear differential, sprocket, and brake rotor.
The 525 XC has a strong foundation in the form of a chrome-moly frame and aluminum 7020 subframe. To this is mounted a twin A-arm front suspension with fully adjustable Ohlins remote-reservoir coilover shocks, and a rear swingarm suspension with fully adjustable single Ohlins PDS coilover shock. This suspension system offers a generous 10.2 inches of front wheel travel and 10.4 inches of rear wheel travel.
When it comes time to decrease forward velocity, the 525 XC offers a pair of big 180mm floating WAVE front disc brakes with-get this-beefy four-piston calipers. Out back, there's a fat 200mm disc brake with a single-piston floating caliper. Aiding the brakes are grippy Maxxis Razr tires. Speaking of the tires, they help the 525 XC perform, thanks to a solid knob design to improve traction and reduce tread squirm.
The 525 XC has a high-mount...
The 525 XC has a high-mount air intake. Air is actually drawn in from the top of the box, too.
Nobody wants to ride an ugly ATV and the KTM engineers apparently know this, which is why they obviously spent a considerable amount of time making the 525 XC look good in addition to being mega-functional. The rig sports smart styling and colors, while at the same time offering a wide and soft seat, Magura tapered aluminum handlebars on an adjustable aluminum steering stem, and large foot guards.
The KTM 525 XC is almost an exact duplicate of its sister machine, the 450 XC, with the exception of larger engine displacement. Both are designed to be ready-to-race right off the showroom floor. So, whether you want to bust big on the track or in GNCC racing, or if you simply want to get to your neighbors house really fast, the 525 XC is plug-'n'-play.
Specifications
General
Vehicle model: 2009 KTM 525 XC
Base price: $10,998
Engine
Type: Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve, liquid-cooled
Displacement (cc): 510.4
Bore and stroke (mm): 95 x 72
Drivetrain
Transmission: XC 5-spd. semi-close ratio w/Reverse
Final drive: 520 X-ring chain, 5/8 x 1/4
Suspension
Front: Ohlins fully adjustable, twin A-arms, 10.2 inches of travel
Rear: Ohlins PDS mono-shock, fully adjustable, 10.4 inches of travel
Brakes
Front: 7.08-in. floating WAVE discs, dual 4-piston calipers
Rear: 7.87-in. disc, single piston floating caliper
Tires
Front: 21x7-10 Maxxis Razr
Rear: 20x11-9 Maxxis Razr
Dimensions/Capacities
Weight (lb): 351.1
Length (in): 71.26
Width (in): 45.2
Height (in): 44.29
Seat height (in): 32.2
Ground clearance (in): 11.42
Fuel capacity (gal): 3.54
Wheelbase (in): 50.39