Atom and Ktm

[nickthegreek]

Hi guys

Hope you are all well, not posted on here for a while now although i do log on from time to time!
Guys i got myself a x-bow a few months ago....(please be kind) i am happy to give  an unbiased opinion regarding these two cars, i know the ktm thread has been done a million times, but i would just like to share with you, what, and how these cars compare and differ...

RichardR and Andy, you up for a sunday drive when the weather gets better?

Nick.

[Bruce Fielding]

Go right ahead...

[Hedge]

Nick

Though the previous thread on the X-Bow got "a bit" heated at times, it also got hijacked and became skewed.

In essence, I think most/ all Atom owners think the X-Bow is a fantastic piece of kit. The main stumbling block is price.

That's a very generalised summation but that's the scoop, I believe. I don't believe we've heard from owners of each - as yet - to compare, though, which is a shame. Your views would be unique in that respect - at least on this forum.

I'd love to hear your views on them, personally, so please wax lyrically, as Bruce suggests...

Cheers, Hedge

[Bruce Fielding]

[quote="Hedge"]
Though the previous thread on the X-Bow got "a bit" heated at times, it also got hijacked and became skewed.

In essence, I think most/ all Atom owners think the X-Bow is a fantastic piece of kit. The main stumbling block is price.
[/quote]

Some people don't like the look of it either.

But I thoroughly approve that it exists! And I love KTM as a brand. Their sales people however, are rubbish. Having sat in one at the Geneva Show years ago, and ridden in one, my only objective comment is that I don't fit.

[benyeats]

I had a sit in one at Brands Hatch which an American Atom owner was considering buying.  I could fit in it more or less but no way as comfortably as the Atom (then again I am freakishly large) but was very impressed with the fit and finish on the car, you can see where the extra money goes.  But the car I was looking at was knocking on for £90k new so rather pricy vs an Atom.

Ben

[wattie]

I'm interested to hear your KTM views too! Comparison from someone who has lived with both cars would be excellent.

The last few articles I've read say the new KTM engine upgrade has bought the car to life.......that it generates more downforce than the Atom which makes it corner quicker and that it's still very expensive!!

I've gotta say that the look of it has grown on me - it looks "stealth like" I've never seen one in the metal tho! (there again i hadn't seen the Atom before i bought that either!)

Pistonheads has some nice sporty looking examples of the KTM just now.

Looking forward to your comments,

cheers wattie

[RichardR]

Hi Nick

Hope you're having fun.  Sunday drives are always good, and it'd be fun to bring Stratford to a halt when the weather gets a bit nicer!

You seemed to be getting on much better than expected at Silverstone! So slippy, I was spinning even when trying to tip-toe around; called it a day after lunch.

Cheers

Rich

[nickthegreek]

Thank's guys!

I know the price has been a big, well huge sticking point for the ktm, as i to was one of a few people to put my name down on one when they first appeared on the net but soon lost interest when the price started to go north!

Well going back a couple of months ago i met my mate up silverstone who had just purchased his new x bow so i did manage to get a few passenger laps in it and although it was not as fast as the Atom it had huge high speed grip. also while i was there i met a guy who had a modified 360 x bow who kindly offered me a few laps to, again i still don't think it had the straight line acceleration of the Atom,but did make up for it through the bends,

This is where and how i ended up with the x bow, again while i was at silverstone there was company called BDM who specialise in modifying x bow's and also service atoms and a few more cars, they had with them a customers x bow that had the 360 package that consisted of the following..
bigger intercooler,larger turbo, injectors, lightened flywheel, comp clutch, short shift gearstick,panel filter,lighter battery, and a few more more gizmos, reason why i have stated all of the upgrades this particular car has had is, because out the box it is not as fast as an Atom.

Which brings on to the price, again i was fortunate to pick it up (bare in mind all the upgrades total to over 10-12k) for the same kind of money you could purchase a second hand 300, i think i was fairly lucky the guy wanted a quick sale so hence why i have a x bow.

Now ill move on to the differences of these cars, Like the likes and dislikes, ill start with the Atom, again this will vary from person to person who owns one or two!

Dislikes.

Rattles, i found this of putting, although ear plugs sorted this little problem out!
lights and indicators it was a bore having to keep changing them although in the end i did change them to Led's
mud gards, for me i think ariel could come up with a fresher design, i just think they look like an old 50's 60's motorbike mud gard
i think thats about it really, i don't want to start nit picking because you can do that with every car,new or old, so ill leave it at that.

Now the likes,
Without doubt, there is not many cars out there that can give you a thrill like an Atom can, if there is please feel free and let me know!
The looks, there is absolutely nothing out there,that looks like it, that in it self is, well, friggin awsome!
steering feel and accuracy A++
i think i will not ad anymore on the Atom because like the most of you on this forum we all love the Atom for what it is,
so i will move on to the x bow..

Dislikes.

Initial driving position, what i mean by initial is this, the Recaro seat padding i found is just to high up, you seem to be siting on as to appose sitting in, like the atom, to compensate this, i have removed all of the padding and now manage to sit in it,and not on it! what i have done is, i have used a yoga mat that is grippy so i don't move around a bit like the ant-slip on the Atom.
steering although it's very good probably as good as the Atom it needs slightly more turn of the wheel, so it doesn't feel as edgy as the Atom,again a personal pref..
Gear change, a weak point for the x bow i'm afraid especially with the short shifter,it needs a firm grip when changing gear as missing gears is easily done.
Right then while driving.. do not attempt do drive one wearing a motorbike helmet like i did, it's a no no! 90 seems like your traveling twice that, there is so much buffeting it's really bad. i had the largest bubble screens on both my Atoms so not really sure what the Atoms like without them.
Again i won't nit pick to much so ill move on..

Likes,

German like build quality, it really is well screwed together.
steering wheel itself, it really is a great bit of kit, it holds tonnes of info for the central information pod, things like race/road modes, lap times, what winter/summer tires your running,outside temp, self cancelling indicators,and a far bit more info which i have yet to fully fathom out yet.
also the the wheel is reach/rake adjustable, so the driving position for me is much better now with it being sitting lower.
Ride quality is very good, one nice little feature on this model (superlight) it has the fully adjustable ride height with bound/rebound, so you can drop it not sure by how much maybe 20mm when your at the track and when you leave you can easily higher it back up again.
Although i have had it for a couple of months now i have only driven a hand full of times and not in great weather conditions so i would like to give a better review to the X bow once the weather turns for the better!!

Nick

Richard you think you had trouble with the rain!! i span it to! the x bow was set up for the dry and it was a real hand full especially with semi slicks!
when the weather gets better ill give you a shout.

Nick.

Wattie

Whats the weather like in cyprus at the mo?

[silver]

Thanks Nick that's much more informative than anything else I've read...appreciate the feedback.

[nickthegreek]

[quote="silver"]
Thanks Nick that's much more informative than anything else I've read...appreciate the feedback.
[/quote]

My pleasure!

I was very keen to give an un biased opinion on both these cars, but i was waiting till i had a few miles under my belt! i had the car delivered on a trailer to my home where it did not turn a wheel for about 3 weeks due to snow! that was torture! and i do know a thing about torture i have been married............... For 12 years.

[wattie]

Enjoyed reading that Nick - thanks. Backs up all of what I've read.

Does it get the same reaction from the public as the Atom...it's probably rarer 

So, in your opinion......Atom or Ktm.... no sitting on the fence 

Weather in Cyprus has been iffy to say the least. Didn't drive the car for circa2.5 months due to the rain/cold and it was still dodgy last week....hopefully 7 months of summer are just around the corner.

Cheers wattie

[deepdiver]

Thanks for that Nick,
good write up, i know its a bit personel but what was the cost difference between the the Atom and the Ktm,do you feel you got enough bang for your buck. and how about insurance any differance there. how have you found the aftersales service from ktm.

cheers
George.

[nickthegreek]

[quote="RS4 George"]
Thanks for that Nick,
good write up, i know its a bit personel but what was the cost difference between the the Atom and the Ktm,do you feel you got enough bang for your buck. and how about insurance any differance there. how have you found the aftersales service from ktm.

cheers
George.
[/quote]

Hi George,

I'm afraid it's still early to say about the Ktm aftersales service because i have not had it long.
as regard's to insurance i'm paying 885 with adrian flux, but they do not cover trackdays and thats with a millage cap of 3k per year..Oh and i also had get a tracker fitted.
Bang for bucks ,again still to early to say,but like i said for the same money as a used 300 i think i got a lot of car considering even a basic x bow (used) costs more! plus all the goodies thrown in/on it is always a bonus!!

Nick

[nickthegreek]

[quote="wattie"]
Enjoyed reading that Nick - thanks. Backs up all of what I've read.

Does it get the same reaction from the public as the Atom...it's probably rarer 

So, in your opinion......Atom or Ktm.... no sitting on the fence 

Weather in Cyprus has been iffy to say the least. Didn't drive the car for circa2.5 months due to the rain/cold and it was still dodgy last week....hopefully 7 months of summer are just around the corner.

Cheers wattie

[/quote]

Hi Wattie

Atom or Ktm, Hmm a tough choice (for me anyway) due to the fact i got a lot of car for the money, so i think i will be able to give you a better answer once i get to drive it a bit more....roll on sunny weather!

As regards looks from the public,so far at the petrol station i don't get asked 'did you build that" but do get asked who makes it and what engine does it have.

As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so for me what drew me to this particular car (price aside) it was not finished in orange, it's floating panels are in pearl white, so it looks quite stealthy.

I have asked RichardR to post some pictures up for me sometime later because i am having trouble trying to shrink them down with my Macbook, so please feel free to give your comments, good or bad..

If you like karting wattie theres a great place just on the out skirts of larnaca,(ardepou) called Luckystar great for the kids if you have any that is, with a nice set out track, if thats your kind of thing!

Nick

[RichardR]

Photos, posted on Nick's Behalf: