KTM withdraws from Dakar

**JATZ** · 5th June 2009, 19:11

FYI

http://www.ktm.com/KTM-News.223.0.ht...ash=ecd1127720

**Sparky Bills** · 5th June 2009, 19:21

WOW! That must have really pissed them off! What a time to do that.

**Taz** · 5th June 2009, 19:21

Well that's very shortsighted by the organisers. I hope Honda/Yamaha made it worth their while......

**Choco** · 5th June 2009, 19:21

what are the Dakar organizers doing?

**.chris** · 5th June 2009, 19:21

The whole Pro level 450cc restriction is an interesting move from the ASO.

But then again, I would love to see/own one of those BMW G450 setup with large tanks as a dakar bike. That would be one fun adventure machine.

I see this change as setting up for a heap of 450cc adventure style bikes filling that gap of a trail bike that can cover some decent km's

**Box'a'bits** · 5th June 2009, 19:24

Originally Posted by JATZ

FYI

http://www.ktm.com/KTM-News.223.0.ht...ash=ecd1127720

Looks like the Dakar organisers have shot themselves in the foot again....I wonder where this trend will end. Will the Dakar just becoming another six day (or 10 day) enduro....?

**Paladin** · 5th June 2009, 19:27

Geez thats a bit of a shocker; looks like the ASO has really stuck it to KTM unnecessarily for this year - very harsh!

**Gremlin** · 5th June 2009, 20:08

Wow... you would think people would learn from the arrogant actions of other bosses... like F1

Lets hope KTM sticks it to them and creates a more exciting competition!

**warewolf** · 5th June 2009, 20:09

Terrible!

Even if they could justify the change, making it apply to currently-preparing teams mere months out from the event is extremely poor.

**Paladin** · 5th June 2009, 20:14

Originally Posted by warewolf

Terrible!

Even if they could justify the change, making it apply to currently-preparing teams mere months out from the event is extremely poor.

Too right! That's just a seriously shitty thing to do to people! Its gonna really put people off havin any trust in the ASO - very short sighted of them!

**Taz** · 5th June 2009, 20:15

Honda and Yamaha will be sweet.....

**CrazyFrog** · 5th June 2009, 20:18

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!! !!!!
Especially with only 6 months to go, think of all the pissed off competitors who've spent so much time/money prepping bikes over 450cc, not just the factory teams. I could understand a 18 month advance warning of class change, but hell, nearly everyone would have already commited race entry fess etc, and be riding 690 rally bikes or BMW's.

I guess David Fretigne will be stoked....

**Padmei** · 5th June 2009, 20:24

FM!!!

How arrogant of the organisers. Surely if the <600cc bikes were better they'd be leading the most winningest bikes list.

Over the last year I have been folowing trailbikes & from all the reviews there seems to be NO bad 450. This will open the field up immeasureably.