RUST magazine: RUST #44

DAKAR | CRAIG KEYWORTH
FACTORY REP
We’re obviously talking about one, or two
(now three technically...) brands of bike here,
but this is really the only full blown factory
rep available direct from a factory. For sure
there are contenders, but currently the only
other real option aside from a self build is
the Drag’on Yamaha satellite type set up. To
own one of these Husqvarnas puts you in
a pretty exclusive club. Whether there are
actual rules, guidelines or any hierarchy to
the obtaining of one will remain a mystery
even after having bought one, but suffice to
say the order form has a requisite space for
your international race licence number. So
not necessarily a first come first served kind
of thing.
The engine is based on the ‘normal’ FE450
enduro bikes, but the spec is wildly more
exotic. Whether my factory rep is entirely
the same as Toby, Sam and Simon’s is
unknown and of little concern to me, the
KTM rally engine has more finishes to its
name than any other. You’re starting to buy
your own luck. Hopefully. Certainly this is my
sentiment.
The actual spec is somewhat unprinted, but
what we do know is that the crank, con-rod
and piston are significantly re- and overengineered,
the head is a world apart and
the inlet manifold, throttle body and plenum
chamber (which were calling the bit between
the filter and the throttle body) is straight
from the book of building race engines. Look
at any F1 engine, Le Mans winning Porsches
or high-revving, screaming engines in
competition of any nature and you’ll see a
similar scene. I’ve massive hands, but can
almost fit one into the throttle body. This
thing steals oxygen from bystanders when it’s
running. The through put of air is obscene.
The Akrapovic pipe, underslung, naturally,
could house small dogs.
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