MXA TEAM TESTED: KTM POWERPARTS 38-PIECE TOOL KIT

 

de__0707WHAT IS IT? There is no doubt that recent transfers from Japanese-brand motocross bikes to KTMs are confused by the different types and sizes of bolts used on the Austrian bikes. Most perplexing are the 13mm hex heads and the heavy reliance on Torx-style bolts. Most racers don’t own a wide selection of Torx tools, and even if they did, it is unlikely that they would have a #10 Torx bit.

WHAT’S IT COST? $74.95.

CONTACT? www.ktm.com or your friendly local KTM dealer.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the KTM PowerParts 38-piece tool kit.

(1) Need. Although the 38-piece KTM PowerParts tool kit is fairly comprehensive, it is just a 1/4-drive system. What does that mean? The size of ratchets and sockets are referred to in terms of the size of the square hole that the two parts interface with. Tools come in three common “drive” sizes: 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch. Most mechanics, backyard or professional, prefer 3/8-inch drive tools because they have longer ratchets, can handle higher torque loads and, obviously, have more metal on both the ratchet and socket to handle heavy-duty jobs. There are bolts on a motocross bike that a 1/4-inch drive may simply not be strong enough for. The 1/2-inch drive is for very big jobs. What does that leave for the 1/4-inch drive to do? The small jobs like Allen bolts, Torx bolts and socket sizes below 14mm.

(2) Weird sizes. Believe it or not, if you don’t own a #10 Torx bit, you can’t replace the clutch-side grip on any late-model KTM or Husky. The ODI clamp-on grips are held on by a teeny-tiny Torx bolt and nothing else will work. Additionally, the air-bleed screw on the damping leg of a WP AER fork uses a #20 Torx bolt, as does the right-side panel of the 2016–2017 Husqvarna.

(3) Tools. KTM’s 38-piece tool kit (there is an identical Husqvarna kit, only in blue instead of an orange case) includes 13 sockets—from 4mm to 14mm. Of these 13 sockets, you will get use out of the 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 13mm.  There are six metric Allen bits (3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm and 8mm), six Torx bits (#10, #15, #20, #25, #30 and #40), three different Phillips-head screwdriver bits and three flat-bladed bits. To make the Allen, Torx, Phillips and flat-bladed bits work with the ratchet, screwdriver, short extension, long extension or swivel extension, there is an adapter to fit the bits to the 1/4-inch drive. As a rule of thumb, most MXA test riders use the screwdriver with the bits and not the ratchet. There is also a small, 1/4-inch-drive breaker bar, but since it is shorter than the length of the ratchet handle, it is unnecessary. All the tools are chrome-vanadium-plated.

(4) Performance. The tools we needed the most were limited to the #10, #15 and #20 Torx bits and the 6mm socket (for the wood screws). Everything else duplicated the tools that most serious racers already have. It would be much cheaper to buy those three tools separately.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Price.

MXA RATING: Unless you just love to own tools, this is too much money for four tools that can be purchased separately with any 1/4-inch screwdriver.

 

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