KTM will race in GPs to develop road bikes

KTM is turning to the new GP class to help it break into the mass road bike market and its V4 four-stroke will form the basis of a 1000cc sports bike for the road.

The firm, best known for off-road bikes, knows GP racing will build the brand in the eyes of road riders.

The superbike will be launched to coincide with KTM’s entry in GPs in 2005 and it will head up a range of road-going machines from the Austrian company.

Both the GP bike and its road-going cousin will use an all-new 16-valve V-four engine already under development.

It’s understood the bike will be close to the 990cc limit for the series. The engine will have a 72 degree V-angle, and a short stroke configuration to allow high revs and therefore a high power output.

KTM’s chief executive, Stefan Pierer, said: ” We went for a V4 because we wanted to develop a very powerful engine without having to use too much expensive technology. ” ” We want to launch a street bike more or less ready to race. It is difficult to say exactly when it will go on sale.

” For the race bike, we were initially looking at entering GPs in 2004. Realistically I think we will be racing in 2005. However, the engine will be running by the end of this year. ”

More on this in MCN on sale Wednesday, February 20, 2002.

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