RUST magazine: Rust#2

Enduro
EXCs
My standout bike in stock trim was the 350F.
The track was a two mile loop with a good
part being tight turns with loads of roots,
braking bumps and ruts combined with
faster sections littered with rollers. The 350F
provided just the right amount of torque for
these type of riding conditions and was
nimble and easy to ride. I felt I was quickest
around the track on the bike and had no
feeling of exertion when back in the pits.
The 450F was equally good but would fare
better on a faster, more flowing track. I just
couldn’t put the power to good enough use
on this track on the 450. The 500 had the
best seat by far, so comfortable, and felt the
right height for me. Again, like the 450 it
would be better suited to a more expansive
track. Having just ridden a six-day tour in
Portugal on the 450 it left me wondering if I
would have preferred the 500… which was
surprising.
The two-strokes were all a bit of a handful
for my weight and height on their stock
settings. The stock rebound is way too fast
on both the shock and the forks, which
made the bikes extremely skittish to ride.
The four-strokes on stock settings were far
more manageable and as such my initial
impressions were that the 350F came out
on top with the 250F a close second.
I am around 95kg in full kit and just shy of
6’1in. I adjusted the suspension settings to
my liking which is 17 out on the compression
and rebound on the forks, and 17 on
Oranges,
no Lemons...