KTM quits Dakar over capacity rule

**James Deuce** · 30th December 2009, 17:56

Originally Posted by tri boy

KTM isn't the Dakar. It is one of many companies that have won, (and profited from those wins). Times change, adapt or stop competing. The 690 range will still sell, as it is a good range.
Dakar was about testing a firms range of bikes in challenging environs. If they hedge their marketing angle on one or two annual events, then they need a serious board reshuffle. MHO

It has been of late. They were the only manufacturer pumping money into it. Yamaha, Honda, et al had ditched factory teams in favour of semi-pro privateers. KTM are a tiny company and the "board" is essentially three guys, one of whom retired earlier in the year. KTM were also pumping big money into 125GP and they got no thanks for that either. The Dakar is where they made their name and rightly or wrongly they kept supporting it when it went to another continent where there was no hope of ever reaching Dakar, and propped it up through falling numbers and recession.

Whoever thought the 450s would be cheaper is nuts. They're designed to run 200 hours tops, and won't be in good nick at the end of that. 60 hours is more like the interval they'll be looking at which means a compulsory engine change if you want to be competitive.

It smacks of the sort of politics designed to drag Honda back in with their cute little uni-cam CRF wheezers, and to get Yamaha back into the spotlight in Europe. Tenere's and Super Tenere's sold on the back of Dakar reputations 20-30 years ago.

**pzkpfw** · 30th December 2009, 19:06

What's a uni-cam?

(I figure it's not a video camera in a Hostel shower.)

**James Deuce** · 30th December 2009, 19:22

SOHC 4 valve head with the intake valves operated by lobes and the exhaust by rockers.
Supposed to lighten the valve train and flatten the combustion chamber.

Honda have trade marked the term for bike use, but have been doing the same thing in their fuel efficient SOHC VTEC Civics for, like, forever.

**PeeJay** · 31st December 2009, 06:44

Originally Posted by Ocean1

Bugger.

I was SO looking forward to a wee thrash.

You can still go. According to KTM's website they will have their support truck out there. 690s are still running, just with air restrictors. Sounds like they have all sat down and had a talk and a pizza and will come up with something that works for everyone. It doesnt sound like they are 'quitting' just not having a factory team there next year. I am sure they are up to the challenge of building a successful 450 Dakar.
Although if they get on this thread they might change their mind
Theres more to the Dakar than KTM,
79 bikes out of 161, even a couple of Jin Shengs having a go,
2 quads out of 40
0 cars out of 140
0 trucks out of 52.
Although from a manufacturers point of view 81 vehicles is probably more than any one else has there.

**rok-the-boat** · 3rd January 2010, 08:24

Why 450? To give others a better chance? If so, what is wrong with that?

**McJim** · 4th January 2010, 09:09

The point is that 450 is totally unsuitable for a long distance rally - the engine is too small and requires shorter service intervals. 650-690 is far more suitable for an endurance event. Having lots of 450cc bikes will mean many simply blow up leaving their riders stranded and could ultimately end in fatalities.

Irresponsible.