KTM to build electric off-road bike

**Bob** · 23rd October 2008, 00:37

KTM announced plans to start mass production of an electric all-terrain endurance bike ‘within two years’.

The Austrian company has built a ‘very quiet’ prototype that can develop up to 35 horsepower and run for 40 minutes before recharging. The 90 kilo bike has been specifically designed for off-road use.

**Hinny** · 23rd October 2008, 05:14

40 minutes ...Woohoo!

**tri boy** · 23rd October 2008, 06:26

Should be interesting the first time it's drowned in a creek.

**Hinny** · 24th October 2008, 16:16

Electric fishing. Quick get downstream with a net.

**noobi** · 24th October 2008, 17:11

it should be a genuine contender in th IFME(internation forty minute enduro)

**Motu** · 24th October 2008, 18:29

There are some electric trials bikes developed in the US for kids....I think someone sells them here.Electric motor - torque from zero rpm,the throttle IS a rheostat,low centre of gravity,engine braking.What more could you want from an off road motorcycle engine?

**skidMark** · 24th October 2008, 18:45

Maybe they are designing it for the time it takes to satisfy a women, us men take longer.

**tri boy** · 24th October 2008, 18:45

More than 40mins of riding would be nice.
Don't get me wrong, the principle of the project is worthy, but having dealt with electric forklifts etc, they will never get decent running time from light weight batteries, and the circuitry will suffer from enviromental issues, ie vibration, moisture et all.
Now, a nuclear powered motocrosser................

**Coyote** · 24th October 2008, 19:07

If you don't drain the measly sized tank of a petrol powered dirt bike within 40 minutes, you're not trying hard enough. So long as you can have spare batteries like you can have extra containers of fuel in your van or strapped to the pack-rack, then this should make for an excellent dirt machine.

**Coyote** · 24th October 2008, 19:14

Originally Posted by tri boy

Now, a nuclear powered motocrosser................

Motocrossers already have a knack for their engines going bang. I don't think that'd be a wise idea

**tri boy** · 24th October 2008, 20:39

Another angle to view this thing from, is, would you really enjoy riding what for all intent and purposes will be like your grandma's Bernina sewing machine?
It won't go "suck, oomph, hiss bang, bwaaahaaaa bwaahaaa ta tang tang tang"
More like the linear hum of your sisters favourite dildo.

**oldrider** · 24th October 2008, 21:06

Well, all the other battery powered devices I have heard of always seem go flat just as you get to the interesting bit!

I guess this bike will be typically the same!

All that aside, I like to see a new approach, it gets interesting and exciting.

John.

**Crazy Steve** · 24th October 2008, 21:07

Fckin Avanti Electra's I brought two mnths ago..

Girlfriend used her three times and it went blisistic today over taking cars.....And burnt the electric motor out...

They take 10hours to charge for one hour of riding...

Crazy Steve..