Very interesting. Sounds like it would be an awesome track toy for those that can afford it.
The numbers seem a bit optimistic though. 78bhp from a 654cc single would be quite a feat. That would put it on par with current 650cc twins. Getting over 140mph with that 78bhp would also be impressive.
Spdkls, one of my bosses has the mototard KTM 950 on nitromethane as a hill climber and the Superduke 990. We swapped bikes a couple weeks ago. If I were looking for bikes in the XBS/Speed Triple/Superduke/Monster cat, the KTM would be the most fun. As a second bike to my Buell? Nah...
This is such bull-oney why couldn't Buell just come out with a race-only version of their dirt-bike, except converted for pavement racing in the new 450 single class? Mr. Buell used to race on pavement.
This gets the Buell/Rotax development going, they don't have to write owner's manuals nor stock the parts like they would if this was a fully release model.
And they could eventually use what they learned to release a new revised street Blast that would kick ash when it finally came out as a full-size 600cc street single.
That new KTM single is beautiful compared to the monstosities they've been selling the last few years. I hope this new bike signals major changes in their styling department.
LOL - I've been told on this board so many times a performance single wouldn't sell.
I guess Honda and KTM don't know what they are talking about - lol -
Seriously - great gas mileage, light weight, power to play - these attributes won't sell? As I've said before - the naysayers need to rethink their philosophy on this!
i agree, if anybody could get 78 hp out of a single it could be erik. especially if he got rotax involved. ie...take half a 1125r engine and you already have 73 hp. i know its not just that simple, but...
Yeah but that KTM is still a rumor (November last year)
KTM are masters of making rumour happen. You only have to look at their recent progress to see that they are not letting the grass grow under their feet.
The LC4 sports single has been tested since the middle of 2006 so should be ready for production this year, especially given that most of the components are already in use on the new KTM Duke. Latest 'official' sketches released by KTM show the styling to closely follow the RC8.