KTM withdraws from Dakar

[warewolf]

The timing is still the worst bit of it, it's just too short notice. The 450s are nicer bikes to ride fast; the LC4s are too heavy. Although the big bikes probably cope with the extra weight better, and the sustained high-speed runs, which is probably where KTM are coming from.

Re: 450s not having tyre issues... ummm I think that's wishful thinking.

Re: shoe-horning a sleeved-down 530 into a 640 (actually the Rallye models were 660s) or 690. An engine/frame swap will create more problems than it will solve. Apart from the drive chain being on the opposite side, which is kinda hard to fudge up, why would you bother when you can wheel out your existing well-regarded 450 model? Fit up the rally tanks/fairings and away you go.

The Dakar is the grand-daddy of all the rallies, where the big bikes shone in the long fast sections. End of an era...

[NordieBoy]

They've been running the sleeved down 660 as a 450 for 4 years now.

[warewolf]

As a 450cc version of the LC4? That doesn't sound like much fun, but I'll bet it'll run forever if they aren't trying to get stratospheric power from it.

[buggsubique]

just don't think they will be all that reliable really. isn't there a lot of constant throttle high speed work involved? and factoring in the extra load being carried etc its gonna be pretty hard on the motors if they gonna run mx type hp.

I could be wrong though and can be enlightened.

Travis Pastrana did the Baja 1000 (well most of it) on a DRZ 400 before it died on him (choked airfilter). But yeah, it would sure be toasted after a dakar, even if you could load it up with gas and chose to big bore & stroker it, re-carb it, suspend it etc etc.



Check it out - two moons!