Posts
5702
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
Yellow Pine, ID
US
Edited Date/Time
10/8/2021 11:28pm
It just so happens to be a Rally Bike....Click bait title I know....but it's the off season.
https://enduro21.com/en/bikes/latest/all-new-2022-ktm-rally-bikes-break…
This bike is trick as hell, and easily the most factory "production" dirt bike that you can hope to buy (if you have the right connections/wallet). Not a ton of details on all the changes yet but if they are calling it "all new" I would assume some of them are pretty significant.
According to the article all the Factory boys except Walkner will be racing it in the Morrocco Rally this week, a good shakedown before Dakar. Walkner is sticking with the old bike since he's leading the Championship.
https://enduro21.com/en/bikes/latest/all-new-2022-ktm-rally-bikes-break…
This bike is trick as hell, and easily the most factory "production" dirt bike that you can hope to buy (if you have the right connections/wallet). Not a ton of details on all the changes yet but if they are calling it "all new" I would assume some of them are pretty significant.
According to the article all the Factory boys except Walkner will be racing it in the Morrocco Rally this week, a good shakedown before Dakar. Walkner is sticking with the old bike since he's leading the Championship.
The Shop
It's too bad Honda doesn't sell something akin to the Rally bike they race, I think they'd sell every one they made just like KTM does.
I know they sell everyone they make, easily. Mostly to private Rally Teams, a few to 'Tour' companies and probably fewer to dudes with deep pockets that just want something cool.
And $30k for a KTM Rally Replica is a bargin. I can't build a comparable Honda for $30k (and I build trick off-road bikes all day).
But, 48s instead of 52s.
Yes, they have always been a bit different to what the Factory Boys ( and Girl ) have under them, but not hugely. Generally, a year behind with major changes. But this one, is out at the same time as what the Factory Team(s) have. That is, If the Factory Team(s) will still be using the same 'basis' for their racer. And that would be a Very Big Change, that wouldn't be a good look, so to speak.
And, of course, the Factory Riders will always have "unobtainium" that no one will ever get.
The customer 450RRs have always been a 'relative' bargain. Truly. I'd love one, but I've other things, like all my Travel, that takes my money.
This new one looks very, Very different to previous generations, especially with regards to the frame. It
has previously been a trellis / lattice design with the engine 'hanging' from the frame. Engines could be taken out of the frame in minutes, by the well practised mechanics / riders.
This looks to be a somewhat conventional loop / cradle frame.
That Is a Massive change.
It will be interesting to see what they've done to make it still easy to work on.
The Teams and monied up privateers that go into a paid team structure, or have their own helpers, have mechanics that can do everything for them in the Parc Ferme each night, other than on Marathon stages, but the Male' Moto riders have to do Everything for themselves. Well, other than help from other riders, and, I think , maybe, tyres can be changed for them in the PF - though, I even think that may be verboten?
It will be a weapon, that's for sure, that engine performance wise, would stun most riders.
Even Highly paid factory MXers - and, they are made to last. Last time I looked, a few years ago, a Piston kit alone, was a few K. You can find parts listings, diagrams and prices on KTMs and dealers websites, just as you can for a EXC, or an SX.
One thing that always sticks out to me is that the Rally Team is the only arm of Factory KTM that is still using Xtrig clamps over the KTM version. One can only assume it's a strength thing, the Xtrig are much beefier than the KTM split clamps.
Finally, i think it is pretty sweet kawi is selling suspension that is used by pro's on a production bike instead of as a part you can buy separate from the bike you purchase.
Just to enter to race costs like 10 to 20k, for each race. So yeah, 30k for a bike, that is "cheap" compared to the 300k you could have just spent on a car that you would have destroyed in a few thousand miles
In all cases the sport is getting more and more either for the ultra rich people on 1 side and for the 0.000001% most talented kids on the other side. We have to be careful what we wish for, because the conflicting interests between the broadcasting and the market will hurt the industry in the long run.
Pit Row
Post a reply to: KTM Drops a New FE with Cone Valves stock!