It’s a motorcycling adage that bigger isn’t always better. It is most often displayed in the latest crop of adventure bikes, which have gotten smaller and lighter as the years have gone.
As it would turn out, one does not need upwards of 1,000cc. And 100 horsepower to ride comfortably and confidently on both the open road and technical off-road terrain.
If bikes like the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and KTM 890 Adventure are anything to go by.Middleweight ADVs are considerably more capable as they strike the perfect balance between weight and performance.
Now, it might seem like we are talking about regular sport/touring bikes with big bags or even fitted dual-purpose bikes.
KL Motors has unveiled their latest ADV creation, the Raticosa 500X.
With this the Italian motorcycle manufacturer KL has entered a new arena with the debut of its Raticosa 500X adventure bike. The bike is made according to the letter of the law. And gets more than just a name that’s connected to one of Italy’s most famous roads.
Specs
It features a four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine (dual overhead cams, eight valves, fuel injection and electronic ignition) that displaces 471cc. And puts down 48 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 8,500 RPM, and 32 ft-lbs of torque at 6,500 RPM. rpm.
Curb weight is 229 kilograms (505 pounds).Which is not bad for a bike meant to roam both the asphalt and various dirt roads.
The KL Raticosa 500 is just one of many small-bore adventure bikes built right now. But it also happens to be the first (to my knowledge) small 500cc bike to make its way in Italy.
The KL Raticosa 500X draws its name from Passo Della Raticosa.A mountain pass situated in the toe of Italy’s boot as it straddles Bologna and Florence.
Just like this roadway.KL’s new bike also has a little bit of off-road mixed in with either side of the pavement.
