MXA TEAM TESTED: RIDE ENGINEERING KTM TRIPLE CLAMP

WHAT IS IT? Ride’s 19mm and 20.5mm triple clamps change the KTM’s offset (from 22mm), trail and wheelbase while adding the benefits of rubber-mounted bars.

WHAT’S IT COST? $529.90 (rubber-bar model) $449.90 (solid-bar model), $99.95 (required one-piece rubber bar mounts).

CONTACT? www.ride-engineering.com or (800) 805-1516.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Ride Engineering 19mm and 20.5mm offset KTM triple clamps.

(1) Offset. The MXA wrecking crew has been changing triple-clamp offset on KTMs for over 15 years. Our original impetus was KTM’s change from conventional forks to upside-down forks in 2000. We didn’t like the 20mm offset, so we switched to 18mm offset on KTM four-strokes and 16mm on KTM two-strokes. KTM joined the fray in 2003 when they changed from 20mm offset to 14mm. It was a mistake. Then, from 2005 to 2009, KTM equipped their bikes with reversible offset triple clamps that could be changed from 20mm to 18mm by rotating the steerer tube. Never content, KTM reversed direction in 2009 and went to 22mm offset triple clamps, which they will keep in 2015, but with one caveat—for 2015, KTM will use 22mm clamps but change the axle offset by 2mm—in effect mimicking 20mm offset clamps.

(2) Upgrade. Ride Engineering has kept up with KTM’s changes over the years, and they offer 19mm and 20.5mm offset triple clamps for 2013–’14 models that will enable KTM owners to get closer to the 2015 spec. Best of all, Ride offers these triple clamps with rubber bar mounts. If you don’t want rubber mounts, Ride makes KTM clamps that use your stock bar mounts, which will save you $180.

(3) Installation. The Ride Engineering clamp comes with the bottom bearing already pressed in, but you do need to change the lower bearing race (which comes with the Ride clamps). Ride’s rubber-mounted triple clamps require their $99 bar-mount kit.

(4) Performance. After riding with the 19mm offset clamps, we felt that turn-in was improved, but felt that this would only be a benefit on tight Supercross-style tracks. We preferred Ride’s 20.5mm offset clamps for most outdoor-style tracks. In truth, every test rider was most impressed by the benefits of the rubber-mounted handlebars—and said they would switch to Ride clamps for this feature more than the offset change.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? The rubber-mounted clamps are expensive add $100 to the cost oved fixed mount bars.