TOP SPEC Our test machine was provided by Mark Fuller , who was bloody fast on a KDX200 back in the day too , and still a bit of a legend now , especially as he let us cut up his very nice and very wet farmland . Mark ’ s RR 200 is the high spec Racing version with lots of high spec kit , KYB forks and is certainly a stunner to look at . It ’ s powerful too with excellent torque down low , a strong midrange and great top end . Sure , to go quick you need to keep it on the boil , but in the slow , sloppy and slick conditions it could tractor through with the best of them – very impressive . Rain mode did beef up the torque feel down low in the rev range which improved traction , but also killed the top end once in the open . For me in mud I ’ d use full power , but if hardpack and ultra-slick , I ’ d go for rain mode . No doubt this engine is a winner ! And so is the steering and handling . It steers quickly with a light planted frontend that allowed the rider to understeer into a turn without the dreaded quickness of that tucking feel when going quick in the open . Yes , it is stable too . The steering was confidence inspiring and this translated to the overall handling as well , making quick riding effortless and relaxing which is important in
KIWI RIDER 55