MXA TEAM TESTED: RIDE ENGINEERING FULL PERFORMANCE KTM LINKAGE

WHAT IS IT? The Ride Engineering Full Performance linkage is designed to offer more comfort and stability to the new 2024-1/2, 2025, 2025-1/2 KTM and GasGas models. It is designed to improve the balance of the motorcycle and eliminate pitching under braking and acceleration by providing a linear damping curve.

WHAT’S IT COST? $474.90 

CONTACT? www.rideengineering.com or (949) 722-8354  

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Ride Engineering 2025 KTM linkage.  

(1) Balance. Even though the 2025 KTM 450SXF won our shootout, it’s not a perfect bike. Some of our test riders, especially our smaller and lighter testers, complained about the shock riding too high in the stroke coming into corners. This can cause instability and oversteer. By lowering the rear end and opening up the damping on the shock to compensate for this, we were able to improve corner entry; however, the shock would get too low and have a harsh feeling through acceleration bumps. This is where the Ride Engineering linkage shines. After installing the linkage with a one-rate-stiffer shock spring, which is required for this linkage to work, our test riders were impressed. 

Ride Engineering recommends 106mm to 108mm of race sag, which is just slightly more sag than the standard 105mm we run with the stock setup. Lowering the rear end of the bike gave our test riders increased stability on corner entry and long, fast straightaways. The stiffer shock spring allowed us to run less preload on the shock spring, which tends to create a better feel than a lighter spring with more preload. The heavier shock spring also prevented the shock from getting low under heavy acceleration, which resulted in greater traction and forward momentum.(2) Performance. Installing the Ride Engineering Full Performance linkage gave test riders increased confidence around the whole track. Not having to compensate for pitching of the motorcycle gave us more setup options. We found that we could run a softer clicker setting on the forks because the shock didn’t put as much pressure on the forks as with the stock linkage. Consistency was improved. The bike would react the same way over the bumps as the lap before, which helped test riders build confidence.                

(3) Installation. When installing the linkage system, you will need to use your standard bushings and spacers. The linkage system comes with bearings already installed. Installation is simple and can be done in 20 minutes. Be sure to refer to your owner’s manual for the correct torque specs.    

(4) Fitment. This linkage was made for the 2024-1/2 KTM/Husky/GasGas Factory Edition models and the 2025 and 2025-1/2 KTM and GasGas models. It will also work on the 2025 Husqvarna models, but because the standard Husky models have a different linkage ratio to lower the seat height, the Ride Engineering link will raise the rear end to the standard height of the KTM/GasGas models or the Husky Rockstar Edition models. It won’t fit on the 2023–2024 models because the linkage bolts were made smaller for 2024-1/2 and beyond.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Your current shock spring may not work. We recommend that you go one spring rate stiffer to feel the full benefits of the linkage. If you are sending your suspension off to get worked on, be sure to let the tuner know that you will need a spring that is one rate heavier. Although getting a stiffer spring is not difficult, it does add to the cost of this upgrade.

MXA RATING: If you’re having issues with your rear end feeling tall and out of balance, the Ride Engineering linkage will fix that and boost confidence. Although the linkage and shock spring will set you back about $600, they are worth the price given the benefits we felt on the track.