KTM spending $570 million on developing electric bikes?

drt410 wrote:

This could lead to inner city sx parks just like there are skateparks. This could be the best thing to ever happen to the sport.

MyersAvionics wrote:

I have a little Sur-Ron Lite Bee. I even ride it to work when it's nice out. Great little Ebike. I will often take it to...

I have a little Sur-Ron Lite Bee. I even ride it to work when it's nice out. Great little Ebike. I will often take it to the local park in town that has a lot of wooded single track trails and ride it around. No issues with people. The people that do stop and ask me about it think it's awesome. If you're interested in an Ebike, check this one out. They're popping up all over the place here in the midwest since a few of us with them bring them to races for our pit bikes. My wife loves riding it around at the Hare Scrambles to get to different parts of the trail to watch.

My normal bike is a 2019 KTM 300XC. I'll be very interested in a full sized Ebike when it is better than my 300 (Tall order).

Just some quick facts below:
1. Shipped to my door it was $3,700
2. With the battery installed it weighs approximately 110-115lbs
3. You can swap the battery in about 20-30seconds
4. Range is awesome - Riding 10 miles round trip to work (including fast/hilly single track on the way home) I use about 15-20% of the battery.
5. Top speed recorded on mine (Not the X-Controller) is 47mph.
6. Aftermarket parts are popping up - Different controllers & hard parts.

nytsmaC wrote:

Alta lost my interest for a few reasons. 4CS forks, Warp9 wheels, odd looking plastic and footpegs that belonged on a dual sport and too many...

Alta lost my interest for a few reasons. 4CS forks, Warp9 wheels, odd looking plastic and footpegs that belonged on a dual sport and too many proprietary parts for a premium price. I realize they eventually addressed the forks and footpegs but it was hard to take them serious after that.

A small startup brand really needs to make it so that you can use parts such as wheels, suspension, footpegs, etc off of another brand. A lot of consumers demand decent aftermarket support to consider buying a new brand and not many aftermarket companies are interested in developing new products for a brand that will offer them very limited sales numbers.

Derek Harris wrote:

E is the future if we have one Saddens me, Ill quit when it comes. Gas is more exciting and interesting The battery tech is the...

E is the future if we have one


Saddens me, Ill quit when it comes. Gas is more exciting and interesting

The battery tech is the largest hurdle, as the motor power and tech is easily all there power, size and weight

Lot of jobs go away once e comes

BobPA wrote:

Alta used all KTM based parts. Sprockets and rotors were the same as KTM, as were the forks, shock, and I believe the footpegs. The Warp...

Alta used all KTM based parts. Sprockets and rotors were the same as KTM, as were the forks, shock, and I believe the footpegs. The Warp 9 wheels are actually a pretty decent product.

I think Alta really hurt themselves being based in California. They could have save a bunch of cheddar of they were based in a cheaper state.

drt410 wrote:

This could lead to inner city sx parks just like there are skateparks. This could be the best thing to ever happen to the sport.

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being...

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being built within cities. Can't forget that.

whateversclever69 wrote:

Fact: You sound like a toddler who refuses to wear a coat when it’s cold outside.

user760a wrote:

or a person who does not like a silly new style of overpriced coat. One that looks like a burlap sack yet costs 50 percent more...

or a person who does not like a silly new style of overpriced coat. One that looks like a burlap sack yet costs 50 percent more than a decent coat. A coat that keeps you warm for a half hour and then has to be removed and reheated for up for 10 hours . do I sound like that person?

Mx 117 wrote:

You could have the silly new style coat that you neighbors don't complain about and can wear right outside your house. But you settled for already...

You could have the silly new style coat that you neighbors don't complain about and can wear right outside your house. But you settled for already paid for coat, that your neighbors despise and you have to drive an hour to go wear it.

drt410 wrote:

This could lead to inner city sx parks just like there are skateparks. This could be the best thing to ever happen to the sport.

Titan1 wrote:

I would agree with you...IF...the Ebike were priced the same as a skateboard or bicycle. How many inner city families can afford a $12K bike? Virtually...

I would agree with you...IF...the Ebike were priced the same as a skateboard or bicycle.

How many inner city families can afford a $12K bike? Virtually none? or will the ebike "black market" (coughstolencough) become a thing, to support these "inner city sx parks"?

drt410 wrote:

This could lead to inner city sx parks just like there are skateparks. This could be the best thing to ever happen to the sport.

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being...

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being built within cities. Can't forget that.

rmgsxr wrote:

Why does "Liability" never come up? Farmers and land developers are not all of a sudden going to open theirs arms and welcome you to ride...

Why does "Liability" never come up?

Farmers and land developers are not all of a sudden going to open theirs arms and welcome you to ride on their land because you are not making noise. They are still going to worry about getting sued.

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being...

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being built within cities. Can't forget that.

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being...

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being built within cities. Can't forget that.

motokawi818 wrote:

Counter point, walls, giant shed, or old industrial buildings. Ventilation will no longer matter, it just has to have high ceilings.

drt410 wrote:

This could lead to inner city sx parks just like there are skateparks. This could be the best thing to ever happen to the sport.

Titan1 wrote:

I would agree with you...IF...the Ebike were priced the same as a skateboard or bicycle. How many inner city families can afford a $12K bike? Virtually...

I would agree with you...IF...the Ebike were priced the same as a skateboard or bicycle.

How many inner city families can afford a $12K bike? Virtually none? or will the ebike "black market" (coughstolencough) become a thing, to support these "inner city sx parks"?

drt410 wrote:

This could lead to inner city sx parks just like there are skateparks. This could be the best thing to ever happen to the sport.

Tarz483 wrote:

That would be excellent and i could see it happening, i know there is a Canadian city with a nice MX track Are there any in...

That would be excellent and i could see it happening, i know there is a Canadian city with a nice MX track
Are there any in the USA?

drt410 wrote:

This could lead to inner city sx parks just like there are skateparks. This could be the best thing to ever happen to the sport.

Titan1 wrote:

I would agree with you...IF...the Ebike were priced the same as a skateboard or bicycle. How many inner city families can afford a $12K bike? Virtually...

I would agree with you...IF...the Ebike were priced the same as a skateboard or bicycle.

How many inner city families can afford a $12K bike? Virtually none? or will the ebike "black market" (coughstolencough) become a thing, to support these "inner city sx parks"?

BikeGuy321 wrote:

All the state run parks I've been to require current registration for all vehicles. E-bicycles maybe not, but electric MX bikes will definitely require registration to...

All the state run parks I've been to require current registration for all vehicles. E-bicycles maybe not, but electric MX bikes will definitely require registration to use government trails/tracks/sand dunes.

Titan1 wrote:

I would agree with you...IF...the Ebike were priced the same as a skateboard or bicycle. How many inner city families can afford a $12K bike? Virtually...

I would agree with you...IF...the Ebike were priced the same as a skateboard or bicycle.

How many inner city families can afford a $12K bike? Virtually none? or will the ebike "black market" (coughstolencough) become a thing, to support these "inner city sx parks"?

BikeGuy321 wrote:

All the state run parks I've been to require current registration for all vehicles. E-bicycles maybe not, but electric MX bikes will definitely require registration to...

All the state run parks I've been to require current registration for all vehicles. E-bicycles maybe not, but electric MX bikes will definitely require registration to use government trails/tracks/sand dunes.

Titan1 wrote:

And license/registration fees are even MORE cost for inner city families...further preventing inner city sx parks from being a thing because inner city families can't afford...

And license/registration fees are even MORE cost for inner city families...further preventing inner city sx parks from being a thing because inner city families can't afford to participate.

And dust can be controlled...so I don't see the dust thing being an insurmountable issue.

Liability is though.

drt410 wrote:

This could lead to inner city sx parks just like there are skateparks. This could be the best thing to ever happen to the sport.

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being...

I've said it many times before and I will say it again.. Dust will still be an issue and will continue to keep tracks from being built within cities. Can't forget that.

NITRODOG wrote:

Wonder how high are the registration fees going to have to be to offset for not getting gas taxes?

GCBC wrote:

if they are smart they should 100% just take an existing complete bike design and make the electric work for it. having shared suspension etc parts...

if they are smart they should 100% just take an existing complete bike design and make the electric work for it. having shared suspension etc parts commonality as much as possible will help resale values which will help new sales and not scare people away and eliminate a lot of new tooling and manufacturing and shipping for special other parts.

top of the line e bike should be less than a 250f.

stillwelding wrote:

That’s okay, I’ll be dead pretty soon anyway.

GCBC wrote:

if they are smart they should 100% just take an existing complete bike design and make the electric work for it. having shared suspension etc parts...

if they are smart they should 100% just take an existing complete bike design and make the electric work for it. having shared suspension etc parts commonality as much as possible will help resale values which will help new sales and not scare people away and eliminate a lot of new tooling and manufacturing and shipping for special other parts.

top of the line e bike should be less than a 250f.

GCBC wrote:

if they are smart they should 100% just take an existing complete bike design and make the electric work for it. having shared suspension etc parts...

if they are smart they should 100% just take an existing complete bike design and make the electric work for it. having shared suspension etc parts commonality as much as possible will help resale values which will help new sales and not scare people away and eliminate a lot of new tooling and manufacturing and shipping for special other parts.

top of the line e bike should be less than a 250f.

Fearo wrote:

That is simply not possible with current battery tech. Look at the Alta's, the battery is large, heavy and has a very inconvenient shape for a...

That is simply not possible with current battery tech. Look at the Alta's, the battery is large, heavy and has a very inconvenient shape for a motocross chassis.

Anyone with knowledge on the subject will tell you: Electric motors aren't the problem. They can build a compact, affordable motor, that would blow the doors off a 500 2-stroke if they had to... The problem is the current battery tech. It is too heavy, bulk, dangerous and non-recyclable. The energy density is too low.

It's what's holding up hundreds of different applications at the moment, and when the new battery tech arrives, it will be the great revolution of our time: E-vehicules that will run all day without a charge, phones and computers that will last weeks, convenient storage for renewable energy,.. the list goes on.

NITRODOG wrote:

I think I heard all of their 2020 50cc dirtbikes will be electric, I wonder how electric bikes do in limewater?

mikec265 wrote:

I heard that too, but I can't see them just giving Cobra a 100% monopoly on fast 50s.