KTM Macina Kapoho 8971

After our extensive and highly insightful interview with KTM Bikes at the beginning of the year, we seized the opportunity and took a test bike home for a story.
This bike turned out to be KTM's Macina Kapoho specced with Shimano's Cues drivetrain. On one hand because it is packed with exciting technology and the groupset is new even to us; on the other because Bosch and Shimano will expand the innovative eShift concept to further Di2 groups in autumn, including the Cues fitted here. Also, a performance upgrade for the motor is coming soon (up to 100 Nm torque, 750 W maximum output, 400 % maximum support).

The Macina Kapoho looks impressive - with corresponding weight and handling, that bring both advantages and disadvantages. You'll read more about these after the technical info.

Macina Kapoho is the antithesis to my purist MTB hardtail – not only with regard to weight, but also to built-in electronics. Features like configurability via app, one-button shifting, all information readily available on Bosch’s Purion 400 display make an electronics‑lover’s heart beat faster.

KTM’s bike is a massive machine with many amenities and a powerful battery. Although the overall weight is pretty much the same as with most motorized touring bikes including parts and accessories, the Kapoho feels much more adventurous thanks to the tires and suspension travel.
Right from the beginning I feel confident on the bike, very much like a unit. This is important as of course you immediately realize that this bike is a handful and geometry and riding position should not make bike handling even more difficult.

All levers and switches on the cockpit are exactly where you’d expect them, arranged very ergonomically. That is especially true for the Shimano Cues remote, which of all the electric shifters I have ridden to date, is one of the most pleasant.
Rolling resistance on the paved roads to the trails or in the city maze is negligible on a bike like this, as is the weight. What really matters is handling and ride quality – provided the battery still has enough juice, because without motor assistance it becomes a completely different mission.

Off-road is of course another story. On dirt suspension and motor can unfold their full potential. My personal highlight in this context is definitely the new Bosch motor’s walk- or start-assist, which help you get going on steep climbs depending on whether you want to push or pedal.

The latter works so smoothly that oftentimes you may just stay put in the saddle even in steep ascents without having to worry about being thrown off by a bucking bike. There’s no more need for sensitive pedaling and rear-brake use while inching forward on a climb.

I was also positively surprised by the suspension and the overall handling of the bike when riding uphill. As long as you don’t need to lift or push the bike much, its weight even becomes an advantage, creating huge traction in combination with the long wheelbase and grippy tires – and thus a lot of confidence in steep terrain. Even on the steepest sections of my favorite tour, where finding the ideal riding position becomes challenging on some bikes, the KTM stoically keeps on climbing.
The 800 Wh battery provides excellent range depending on system weight and assist mode, and capacity should be plenty for most riders even on longer tours. Shimano’s Cues changes gears crisply and precisely even under load – albeit not quite as smooth as the latest generation of SRAM’s AXS groupsets.

KTM’s Macina Kapoho goes downhill like it’s on rails. It almost feels like skiing, when the KTM rips through corners and it makes very clear that it is neither a nimble dancer, nor a lightfooted featherweight, but rather a long-distance train with all‑inclusive business class.
Once in motion, the KTM is a confident, secure ride even on winding trails that especially accommodates beginners and occasional riders. The suspension rounds off this robust impression, it works reliably and irons out trail chatter, making the smooth, noiseless KTM Macina particularly fun on fast, and technical, trails. The Fox suspension and the great Maxxis tires infuse confidence even on loose and rough terrain.

Aside from lower weight, I’d appreciate the Shimano Cues shifting gears a little bit faster. I strongly suspect that Shimano’s XT and XTR groupsets would work a notch quicker.
Upgrading the rear wheel rotor to 200 mm is certainly sensible for heavier riders, and those who are willing to invest in some tuning measures after purchase, best start with the wheels to lower the weight.

All in all, the KTM is a potent and coherent package: solid suspension, well-chosen parts and equally well manufactured, assembled and quality‑controlled in Austria. The 800 Wh battery guarantees massive range and is easy to swap thanks to its special mounting; Shimano’s Cues Di2 changes gears with minimal hand force; and the Bosch motor at the heart of the system is a real highlight. eShift mode will be added with an update in autumn of this year, allowing gear changes depending on the mode, e.g. without pedaling (Rollshift). Also, as mentioned at the beginning, a performance upgrade for the CX motor is coming soon. Both show how much Bosch cares about customers and dealers even after purchase.

As long as you don’t want to do big air jumps on the KTM or head into winding alpine terrain, you can have plenty of fun with it. The Macina Kapoho is neither nimble nor lightfooted, but a down-to-earth bike and a reliable ride on trails thanks to its rather high weight, top suspension, clever tire choice and geometry.
The Bosch start-/walk-assist is an absolute highlight in steep climbs, and as you’ll quickly become one with the bike, you’ll soon be as confident as your ride on descents.