KTM Macina Kapoho Prestige in review – The name is the game. But is it?

If you hit your local trails aboard the flashy KTM Macina Kapoho Prestige, you are sure to turn heads. But is “Prestige” a mere model designation or can the Austrian eMTB allrounder with its Bosch motor, wide tires and bling suspension impress on the trail and hold its own against the competition?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2021 – 25 models in review

**KTM** Macina Kapoho Prestige | Bosch Performance Line CX/625 Wh | 160/160 mm (f/r)
24.85 kg in size L | € 7,849 | Manufacturer’s website

Retailing at € 7,849, the Macina Kapoho Prestige is the top-of-the-range version of KTM’s eMTB all-rounder. For the Kapoho, KTM have developed a carbon frame around the Bosch Performance Line CX motor and complement this with an alloy rear end that offers 160 mm travel. Alongside the silhouette of the frame, the most striking features are the eye-catching finish with its orange accents and super-wide 2.8” rear tire. Not as striking but still well thought out is the integration of the drive system with its 625 Wh battery. The speed sensor is safely tucked away in the dropout and the corresponding magnet is neatly integrated into the rear brake rotor. However, the real highlight is KTM’s in house cockpit: the Kiox display is incorporated into the stem thanks to a special bracket and cables are neatly routed behind the handlebars, where they’re not visible to the rider. Compared to standard Bosch display mounts, KTM’s in-house bracket makes for a very tidy cockpit but it can’t match the excellent solutions possible with Shimano and Specialized systems. In typical KTM style, the Kapoho Prestige is compatible with a wide range of everyday accessories. “LFC-Ready” means that your trusted KTM dealer can easily retrofit a suitable lighting system, fender, carrier rack and kickstand.

Prestige doesn’t equal performance! The spec of the KTM Macina Kapoho Prestige

The name speaks for itself: “Prestige” designates the top-spec variant of the Macina Kapoho which comes equipped with the most expensive components. While the spec is unquestionably bling, it’s not necessarily the most sensible. Just take the 160mm FOX suspension, made up of a DPX2 Factory shock and 36 Factory fork. The latter allures with its shiny orange lowers and sparkling Kashima coating but comes fitted with the inferior FIT4 damper rather than the excellent GRIP2 one. Shifting and braking are taken care of by Shimano’s high-end XTR groupset. However, the 180 mm rotor that comes standard on the back of the Kapoho is far too small for an eMTB and we recommend upgrading to a bigger model. DT Swiss supply the high-quality alloy wheelset, which combines a big 29″ wheel up front and smaller 27.5″ one at the back. KTM call their mixed wheel setup DiMMiX. At the rear, the Austrian brand runs a 2.8” Schwalbe Eddy Current tire, which makes them one of the few manufacturers in test to use such a wide rear-tire with a mixed wheel setup. While the Shimano remote of the FOX Transfer dropper post offers top ergonomics, the 150 mm stroke is too little for a size L bike.

**Poor match**
The wide 2.8” Eddy Current rear tire is a tight squeeze and fits the rear of the KTM only when stationary. Once you start riding, it rubs against the chainstay pretty much non-stop.

**Ready for more**
The Macina Kapoho is compatible with all common everyday accessories, allowing you to install lights, fenders and a pannier rack without problems.

KTM Macina Kapoho Prestige

€ 7,849

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 625 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox
Fork FOX 36 Factory FIT4 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX DPX2 Factory 160 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer 150 mm
Brakes Shimano XTR M9120 200/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XTR 1x12
Stem KTM Team Trail 35 mm
Handlebar KTM Prime Trail 35 Carbon Rizer20 800 mm
Wheelset KTM E-Prime Trail 29"/27.5"
Tires Schwalbe Eddy Current EVO SuperGravity 2.6/2.8"

Technical Data

Size S M L
Weight 24.85 kg
Perm. total weight 124 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 99 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount yes

**Homemade**
KTM place the KIOX display on top of the stem. Thanks to a special mount and in-house stem, the level of integration is better than with SIMPLON or Cannondale.

**Shimano meets Bosch**
The Bosch speed sensor is safely tucked into the dropout and combined with a Shimano XTR rotor with integrated magnet. Excellent!

**Very steep**
All test riders found the seat tube angle to be pleasantly steep. This is also what gives the KTM its good handling characteristics, especially uphill. For longer rides you should push the saddle far back!

The KTM Macina Kapoho weighs 24.85 kg and is only available in three sizes. With its 465 mm reach, the bike is rather compact. Particularly striking is the steep seat tube angle which, thanks to the straight seat tube, doesn’t slacken excessively as the dropper extends. On the flats, even tall riders are positioned centrally on the bike. However, the short 609 mm top tube makes for a very compact riding position and combined with the low cockpit puts a lot of pressure on the hands during long rides.

Size	M	L	XL
Seat tube	430 mm	450 mm	480 mm
Top tube	589 mm	609 mm	639 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	125 mm
Head angle	65.0°	65.0°	65.0°
Seat angle	76.0°	76.0°	76.0°
Chainstays	442 mm	442 mm	442 mm
BB Drop	9 mm	9 mm	9 mm
Wheelbase	1,216 mm	1,238 mm	1,271 mm
Reach	447 mm	465 mm	492 mm
Stack	605 mm	614 mm	627 mm

**Helmet** KED PECTOR ME-1 | **Glasses** Adidas Evil Eye Halfrim | **Backpack** Fox Utility Hydration Pack
**Jersey** GORE C5 Trail | **Shorts** GORE C5 Shorts | **Shoes** Five Ten Trailcross Mid Pro
**Gloves** Roeckl MALIX

A climbing specialist – The KTM Macina Kapoho Prestige on the trail.

The KTM prefers steep uphills over flat trails. In other words, climbing is what it does best. The wide 2.8” Eddy Current rear tire copes well with low pressures and offers more traction than any other tire in the test. We can confidently say that the KTM is the only bike in this group test that fully reaps the benefits of an MX setup! This, in combination with the powerful Bosch motor, provides endless traction and only requires minimal weight shifts to keep the front wheel tracking – the steep seat tube angle and relatively stiff suspension come in handy too. As a result, the KTM sticks to the chosen line in a composed and predictable manner but doesn’t encourage you to play with the trail when cornering or pulling off ledges.

One-way: with the KTM Macina Kapoho Prestige, tricky uphill sections can be negotiated without problems. Downhill, the Kapoho prefers to be ridden leisurely on flowing trails.

Tuning tips: 200 mm rotor at the rear | volume spacers in the shock

On slow descents, the KTM Macina Kapoho Prestige feels predictable and good-natured, not least thanks to the grippy tires and balanced weight distribution. The suspension offers good support and generates sufficient traction, allowing you to negotiate open corners and implement active riding manoeuvres with composure, even when riding at slightly faster speeds. However, that composure comes at the cost of handling, which is sluggish and curbs the fun factor. One major problem: through fast corners and berms, the wide rear tire rubs against the chainstays, even if you’re a light rider. The rear end of the KTM doesn’t offer enough clearance and we even had to trim the chainstay protector to accommodate the wide tire. With bigger impacts, the rear of the Kapoho reaches its limit and blows through its travel abruptly and without warning. High-speed sections and rough trails are off-limits. While uphill the KTM Kapoho rides towards the front of the pack, downhill it falls far behind.

Riding Characteristics

Agility

sluggish
playful

Stability

nervous
stable

Handling

demanding
balanced

Riding fun

boring
lively

Motor feeling

digital
natural

Motor power

weak
strong

Value for money

poor
top

Application

Forest road

Flow trail uphill

Flow trail downhill

Technical single trail uphill

Technical single trail downhill

Downhill tracks

Conclusion

The KTM Macina Kapoho wasn’t given its “Prestige” model designation spuriously and really catches the eye with its bling components. Unfortunately, the spec is just as flashy as it’s inconsistent. The bike shows its strengths on technical climbs with loose rocks but doesn’t stand a chance against its competitors downhill. As a result, it doesn’t offer good value despite its attractive price.

Tops

solid climber in all conditions
good-natured handling at low speeds
LFC Ready (prepared for lights, fenders and carriers)

Flops

tire rubs against the chainstays
quickly reaches its limit at higher speeds
inconsistent spec

You can find out more about at ktm-bikes.at

The test field