Can KTM build a significantly lighter 700-800cc twin? Is there a market for it?

[Scutty]

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

OK. I think the poll results and comments are pretty conclusive....so who's gonna phone KTM and tell the to get cracking on the build?

And once the first weeks' production has full-filled those 160 orders do they move back to making a bike to beat one that 50,000 people wanted last year?

[Dotbond]

Originally Posted by kareblak

I don't know to what degree my local dealer is in the inner Mattighofen info loop, but they keep assuring me that a 700-800cc twin is the next shit coming. Anyone else heard any "semi-realiable rumors"?

Yes heard it from my dealer recently. Last year he used to ask me if I had heard anything, now he's telling me.

[jerdog53]

Originally Posted by LukasM

I don't want a stripped down 950/990, I want a smoother, slightly more powerful and more reliable 690.

690 Twin!

Has to be a Twin!!

[Flanny]

Originally Posted by kareblak

I don't know to what degree my local dealer is in the inner Mattighofen info loop, but they keep assuring me that a 700-800cc twin is the next shit coming. Anyone else heard any "semi-realiable rumors"?

Not a twin. 690 in adv trim. Possibly styled like 1190, not rally...not till 2014.

[pdpete]

if you look at the mock-up they showed the dealers its a 690 duke with Adventure body work

[wpbarlow]

Originally Posted by kareblak

... Anyone else heard any "semi-realiable rumors"?

Yeah- I read some solid rumors on AdvRider

As an aside, CW recently had an article on a company that rents turnkey 450cc Dakar bikes and full support. They are TM based and have a wet weight of 350 pounds.

[It'sNotTheBike]

It doesn't need to be a twin, it just needs a gearbox which allows for
riding on long pavement sections and slower dirt sections without the
need to change the countershaft sprocket. The 690 engine doesn't vibrate
enough to matter, and if you disagree you are probably better off taking
up a comfortable hobby like golf or bowling. A dual-range gearbox on a KTM
690 would get me to open my wallet in a hurry.

One thing which has not been mentioned yet is the potential of a monocoque
frame structure for saving weight and distributing loads while also increasing
fuel capacity. The future WILL involve composite monocoque structures in
motorcycles because the benefits cannot be ignored.

Another thing that needs to happen is active suspension. Active suspension can
allow a lower ride height and yet also be able to deal with extreme cases which
would normally require a large suspension travel. The best of both worlds ( lower
ride height AND a suspension which can deal with a wide range of obstacles ) is possible
and all it takes is money for the R&D and customers to validate the decision by buying
the products which result.

But the short-term bottom line is that the world economy is in bad shape right now
and that reality doesn't encourage small ( or large ) companies to spend significant
amounts to bring the future into the present. Accordingly, I will ride bikes that actually
exist, rather than wait for bikes which have not been made yet.

The longer term bottom line is that the next leap in motorcycle design won't come from
a company which bases its decisions on a marketing survey, but will come from a company
which takes a courageous leap into the future and in so doing creates a bike which customers
did not even realize they wanted. This requires vision, courage, and financial backing. It won't
come from the Japanese or from BMW, because they are ruled by accountants who make sure that
mediocrity is the end result.

[NKL]

My mate was told by a KTM main dealer that they have been long term testing a 700 twin for two years, up to 250k miles.

[It'sNotTheBike]

Originally Posted by wpbarlow

Yeah- I read some solid rumors on AdvRider

As an aside, CW recently had an article on a company that rents turnkey 450cc Dakar bikes and full support. They are TM based and have a wet weight of 350 pounds.

What does "TM based" mean ?



.

[crofrog]

Originally Posted by It'sNotTheBike

It doesn't need to be a twin, it just needs a gearbox which allows for
riding on long pavement sections and slower dirt sections without the
need to change the countershaft sprocket. The 690 engine doesn't vibrate
enough to matter, and if you disagree you are probably better off taking
up a comfortable hobby like golf or bowling. A dual-range gearbox on a KTM
690 would get me to open my wallet in a hurry.

That's one thing I _really_ like about my ktm 200exc. The 1-3 spacing is CR and the 3-6 spacing is wide ratio. You feel a bit of a gap between 3 but 4-6 is just awesome spacing for going fast and 1-3 is bang on for in the woods.

One thing which has not been mentioned yet is the potential of a monocoque
frame structure for saving weight and distributing loads while also increasing
fuel capacity. The future WILL involve composite monocoque structures in
motorcycles because the benefits cannot be ignored.

That's not going to fall in below the 1190 in price point, also I'm not sure about composite frames for an off-road bike. While strong there failure mode is shitty compared to metal.

[crofrog]

Originally Posted by It'sNotTheBike

What does "TM based" mean ?



.

I'm guessing based on this

http://www.tmmotorcyclesusa.com/

[jerdog53]

Originally Posted by NKL

My mate was told by a KTM main dealer that they have been long term testing a 700 twin for two years, up to 250k miles.

do tell.....

[Yardstick]

Where is the option for those of us who would say, "The LC8 based, dirt-biased bikes are my unicorn! I have no interest in the 1190 or the mythical, small twin."?

They all have trade-offs, but I think the 9X0 Adventure is one of the most versatile bikes in existence.

[cjracer]

Some old pics to mull over.





New Frame Style:

[LukasM]

Anybody know the transmission ratios of those Highland engines?? Are they manufacturing all their own engine parts are sourcing from another supplier?