Test: At last year's Media Days, KTM already showed the first 3D printing studies of the new AM-Fullys with the name Prowler. A short time later there was a first assembled prototype of the 150mm carbon bike at the Eurobike in Friedrichshafen and after that it was quiet about the new offspring of the traditional Austrian manufacturer. However, as part of the Bike Festival in Riva, we now had the chance to test one of the first ready-to-ride prototypes on the trail.
The KTM Prowler made our editorial team open-mouthed when it was presented for the first time last year. The carbon frame comes with an extremely modern, almost futuristic design language and breaks with the established look of long-travel KTM fullies of recent years. The shock absorber, which is almost parallel to the top tube, forms a line with the seatstays and the Prowler fits very well into the Austrian portfolio – because it is reminiscent of the Scarp race file for XC and marathon fans.
The Prowler is available in all frame sizes on 29″ wheels and will only be available with a carbon frame. Speaking of being available: At the KTM stand in Riva, people were confident that the new bike would be launched this season. With 150mm of travel at the rear and 160mm at the front, the Prowler seems to be swimming in the wave of 29″ enduro bikes that is sweeping through the industry this year – at least that’s what you might think. But you don't necessarily want to trim the Prowler for race enduro, but rather build a bike for everything and for everyone. Will the plan work?
In any case, the frame not only looks good, but also pleases with some beautiful and clever detailed solutions. For example, there is a cable outlet directly on the shock on the underside of the top tube for those who want to mount a remote lock and route the cable inside the frame. The large bearing covers also look good and also protect against dirt and moisture. Our test bike came in a subtle raw look with raw carbon and a clear coat. In series production, however, there will probably be a different finish.
The geometry data of the Prowler are a bit surprising at first glance - at least if you read beforehand: 29″ wheels and 150 or 160mm travel. At 67°, the steering angle is a little steeper than we would have expected, and the main frame is also a bit shorter than the competition. On the other hand, this also means that the wheelbase remains nice and compact and the bike should be nice and manoeuvrable despite the larger wheels.
KTM Prowler geometry
| 17 | 19 | 21 | |
| seat tube (in mm) | 430 | 480 | 530 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 590 | 610 | 630 |
| head tube (in mm) | 90 | 105 | 120 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 436 | 436 | 436 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1163 | 1186 | 1208 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 67 | 67 | 67 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 |
| Reach (mm) | 426 | 443 | 459 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 611 | 625 | 639 |
When it comes to equipment, the choices are not yet set in stone and some of the components that were fitted to the prototype frame are unlikely to be found on the production bikes. You can probably look forward to a Sram XX1 Eagle gearshift and the Fox Factory suspension with Float DPS damper and 36er at the front on the top model - just like on our bike. Instead of the TRP Quadiem on our test bike, there will probably be one later Four-piston brakes from Magura must be installed.
First driving impressions of the KTM Prowler
Right in the morning we set off from the exhibition center to the Coast Trail to put the KTM through its paces there. The rear end pleases right away with its great neutrality and even with the shock open, there was hardly any bobbing. The seating position is a bit unusual for this spring travel class - a little more tournable than expected, we would say. The cockpit with its short stem, wide handlebars and overall good ergonomics is particularly pleasing.
Even by Lake Garda standards, the trail is rather heavy fare and demands a lot from the bike. Flowy passages with loose scree alternate with fast berms and technical steep sections. In flowing terrain, the Prowler plays big and lets the sparks fly: The chassis works excellently and tempts you to take your finger off the brake and just let it run.
When the terrain gets more demanding, the KTM comes up against its limits: it always remains manageable and does well overall, but at times it seems a bit more stilted than we would have liked. But that's no wonder, because large parts of the trail are clear enduro terrain and given the Prowler's somewhat tour-oriented orientation, it can still keep up very well here.
Unfortunately, we got two punctures during our ride, despite the high air pressure. This is certainly also due to the installed Schwalbe tires, which work well, but had to do without the thicker SnakeSkin carcass. However, this can still change before the bike is ready for series production.
