Endurance test performance: 4,105 km | 42,830 altitude metres
Our tests had certified the Lycan's excellent rear suspension. But at the beginning of my endurance test, it wasn't the suspension that mattered. Because it started at a snowy 4 degrees below zero and continued with plenty of mud and slush - the sensitive deflections of the suspension played a rather subordinate role. The torture for the Lycan continued on my two Alpine crossings. The hard use left scratches in the paintwork, and the constant bombardment of dirt brought the Pushloc handlebar remote to its knees. It had to be cleaned several times.
The KTM clocked up the majority of the remaining test kilometres on countless rides in the local woods. There, the great suspension was finally able to show what it's made of. The Rock Shox Revelation fork and the Fox CTD shock harmonised like a well-rehearsed orchestra and provided plenty of traction - on gentle meadow paths as well as in rough terrain. As a result, I was always at the front of my "pinion shredder" clique on the trails. It was only uphill that I kept pulling a parking ticket, because that's where the high total weight slowed me down.
A suspension service after 3000 kilometres revealed undamaged running surfaces, with only the seals craving a new grease pack. The complete Shimano XT groupset worked perfectly until the end of the test. For testing purposes, I experimented with a lightweight Syncros wheelset and wide 2.4 X-King tyres from Conti. This gave the Lycan a boost. Nevertheless, I would have liked a few grams less for some of the climbs and a dropper seatpost for the Transalp downhills.
Conclusion: A successful touring bike and loyal companion in a wet test year. The successor is now available with a carbon main frame, which saves a lot of weight.
Functionality ******
Shelf life *****
(max. 6 stars)
CHANGES
- 25 km - Cockpit: Stem, handlebars and grips changed to adjust the riding position
- 1400 km - Tyre change: Two Continental X-King RS in 2.4'' fitted instead of Racing Ralph 2.25''
DEFECTS
- 1700/2900 km - Lockout lever: Pushloc lever cleaned several times as locking mechanism was jammed
- 1380/2730 km - Brake pads: Pads replaced for the first time after rainy Transalp. The second set also lasted a solid 1400 km.
- 1900 km - Pressfit bearing: Left shell of the pressfit inner bearing replaced as it was running rough
- 2750 km - minor service: Worn chain and both brake discs replaced
- 2950 km - Freewheel: Freewheel body disassembled, completely cleaned and regreased
