RUBICON RALLY RIDE REPORT — KROOZTUNE TEST
We rolled into the Rubicon Rally with our Marriotts motorcycle's KTM 500 EXCF, KTM 150 EXC plus Aidans Clubman Vic Offroad winning KTM 250XC ( linkage Equipped) , all prepped and set for loamy Victorian single-track. We were all running 2025 krooz setups on these bikes set to medium level, plush up top with a balanced feel for flowy terrain.
But, Rubicon had other ideas on the Saturday shakedown.
The Saturday loop quickly reminded us that this wasn’t your average trail ride — it was rocky up here in the Rubicon Forest, really loose , choppy and unpredictable with sharp edges and side hits that called for a more planted, stable setup. The rocks were rolling when you hit them , it took confidence away in seconds riding with little grip and scary deflections that exposed bad rider form. And we are not the best riders, medium level riders maybe.
Krooztune's own parts guy Dan and myself need the bike to be forgiving. Aidan on the 250XC made a few tweaks to his personal offroad setting and was just happy to smash away into the distance . So myself and Dan went to work dialling in the EXC's to these conditions and learning how far we could take this all new 25 EXC kit.
For Rocky Terrain we made a Few Key External Adjustments:
First move: Fork height.
We raised the forks through the clamps to line two, giving us a more aggressive front-end stance and better directional stability through the rubble. It was much more planted with the forks set at just over 2 lines through.
Second: Steering feel.
We tightened the headstem slightly beyond normal spec — not to bind it, but just enough to give the bike a dampened, settled feel in fast rock sections. It worked like a charm especially at high speed and accross the loose rock. Stability
Third: compression damping.
Our Flow Adjuster Fork kit allowed us to easily soften things up — using the new Flow Adjuster mech, just a few clicks out (softer) brought instant plushness without losing control. It soaked up the sharp spikes, even the hidden ones, with that perfect mix of forgiveness and feedback. High speed front end deflection was improved to near gone. We went further again a click or two and we were stoked. Also happy knowing we could click it back easily once this rocky ride was finished.
And then…
We ran slightly less sag in the rear (A higher rear end) to bias weight forward for a planted front end, and dropped the tyre pressure to the lowest we dared (without moose tubes) for added compliance and grip. Maximum grip without hopefully smashing up the rims. The front end 'sat in' and we just then had to keep the power smooth accross the rubble piles and rocky littered trail and keep up good momentum.
The result on Sunday was unreal — the Marriott KTMs felt locked-in, stable, and confident through everything the Rubicon Forest threw at us. The combination of smart chassis tweaks and Krooztune suspension internals turned the ride into one of those days where the bike just works.
Our all new 2025 Flow Adjuster kit, paired with the right spring and chassis balance, made all the difference. These kits have upgraded settings, better adjustability , stonger upgraded fork parts that all got a final tick on Sunday at Rubicon before being released.
Upgraded parts tested and available this coming week to suit all current WP Xact closed cartridge forks.
Excited to see the results Worldwide with this kit #Krooztune
Built for the ride. Proven in the dirt.
