Special Prize

After scooping the Indoor Enduro World Cup title, Manuel Cervantes had a surprise bonus in store

 
KTM factory rider Ivan Cervantes won the all-new Enduro Indoor World Championship ahead of Taddy Blazusiak (also KTM), Fabio Mossini and Mika Ahola after battling hard in three gruelling finals. "El Torrito" also earned himself a KTM Supermoto T, awarded by the Spanish importer as a special bonus. The bike comes with equipment bags, which are particularly useful when touring, and was given to him by PR representative Deborah Nicolescu . As you would expect, the Spanish motorbike enthusiast was not only surprised but completely over the moon.

On his last visit to Mattighofen, Kenny Lee, a KTM importer in Malaysia brought a newspaper with him in his hand luggage which featured an interesting photo - a KTM Duke in front of a D.U.K.E. sign. The word "duke" in English makes you think of the aristocracy. However, in Malaysia, D.U.K.E. stands for the "Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway", a recently completed motorway feeder project in Kuala Lumpur. This will make it easier for people to travel more quickly from the megacity with the world famous Petronas Twin Towers to any of the motorways surrounding it, and then continue their journey to neighbouring regions.
 
Now scores of Brennraum employees will be dreaming of going for a burn on the D.U.K.E. on a Duke.

Duke and D.U.K.E.

Sports motorcycles driven by a two-stroke engine traditionally play an important role at KTM especially in racing and for encouraging new talent. KTM head Stefan Pierer therefore remains committed to this efficient engine design for the future.

 
KTM takes the position that, over the medium term, it will be legitimate to have various engine concepts on the market. According to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer: “There is no ‘either/or’. In the coming years, sophisticated two-stroke engines will find as many takers as modern four-strokes - although there are also good opportunities for completely new engines such as the electric engine that we will see on the market for a sports Enduro in under two years. KTM must also consider a market situation that will be more intensely specialised and focused on niche requirements in a number of areas including engine development.”
 
“It was always clear to us that the two-stroke engine would play an important role, both now and in the future,” comments Pierer. “Currently two-strokes make up almost half of all off-road motorcycles. This equates to over 20,000 customers who have decided on a two-stroke in just the last financial year, which provides the best possible evidence of the ongoing demand for this technology. For the next generation of offroad riders - and here we are speaking about a very influential target group of consumers - the two-stroke is unbeatable in terms of efficiency and costs. This is why we have never stopped refining this technology, the potential for which is far from exhausted. Young off-road riders in particular want to train a lot and need to have a clear overview of the associated costs.”
 
Stefan Pierer continues: “There are also areas in serious motor sports where it is difficult to gain an edge over two stroke technology. One of the most obvious examples is the increasingly popular Extreme Enduro events. We also welcome the FIM decision that, from next season, there will again be a junior class on 125 cc two-strokes as part of the MX1/MX2 Motocross World Championships.”
 
The KTM boss and motor sport enthusiast finishes by summing up: “At KTM, the two-stroke will continue to remain an integral part of our future model planning. We have already identified new focus areas and established a project group to develop even more powerful and quieter two-stroke sports models with lower emissions.”

A future for two-stroke engines

Peter Krackowitzer reports for Brennraum on the 1st KTM Vintage Rally in memory of Ernst Kronreif

 
The "First KTM Vintage Rally" in memory of Ernst Kronreif, which took place on 24 May 2009, attracted a lot more fans of vintage motorbikes than expected. Almost 500 visitors came to the "Hohlwegwirt" guesthouse in Hallein-Taxach to marvel at a special exhibition of more than 40 vintage and modern models manufactured by the Austrian bicycle, moped and motorbike company KTM, co-founded by Ernst Kronreif in 1953.
 
Many visitors came on vintage bikes and enjoyed interesting conversations on the early days of KTM in Hallein-Taxach with people who were there at the time, as well as with veteran racers such as Inge and Edi Kranawetvogl, Egon Dornauer and Manfred Magnus.
 
You could experience the sounds and smells of vintage KTM bikes as some thirty vintage models rode around the old town of Hallein and parts of the old municipal racing track. The convoy was led by a KTM X-Bow driven by Erika Trunkenpolz (widow of Erich Trunkenpolz, son of the second founder of the company) and the owner of the X-Bow, Bertl Wimmer from St. Koloman.
 
Rally organisers Ernst Kronreif II, Peter Frohnwieser and Heinrich Schubert from "KTM Austria Historic IG" were pleased with the amazing response and all the memories of Ernst Kronreif I that people were sharing. A unique exhibition of pictures from the private Kronreif family archives was the perfect end to this successful event. Next year, on Sunday 30th May 2010, there will be a commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the death of the KTM co-founder.

Fond Memories

Luc Alphand introduces the new EXC "CHAMPIONS EDITION" at Trèfle Lozérien

Like many other top rate sports personalities, French skiing star Luc Alphand also belongs to the KTM family. As proof of Enduro’s legendary quality in France, Alphand recently took part in the Enduro competition in the Trèfle Lozérien riding a KTM Special Edition "Champions Edition" EXC machine. Alphand, one of the world’s most decorated alpine skiing champions (Overall World Cup 1997; Downhill World Cup Champion 1995, 1996, 1997 and Super-G World Cup Champion 1997), and since his retirement from the sport a very successful international rally driver, attacked the course without having previously inspected it. He finished second in the Veterans Category in the 3-day race and his enthusiasm and top result was living proof of his amazing sporting prowess. Alphand finished the Scratch Class in 58th place.  
Alphand was onboard a special "Champions Edition" EXC, a model with which KTM has celebrated 35 years of successful motor sport. The EXC "Champions Edition" models are available at all official KTM dealers and are easily recognised by their exclusive Kini Red Bull Graphics. A free "Champions Edition" Shirt and a Leatt Neck Brace comes with every bike. And as the icing on the cake, the first lucky owner of one of these motorcycles will be invited to spend 24 exclusive hours with a KTM champion like Johnny Aubert, Cyril Despres, Fabien Planet or Eric Bernard. More information can be found at www.ktmchampion.com. Sense of family: To celebrate the introduction of the EXC "Champion Edition" KTM customers who took part at Trèfle met together in the KTM Bar for a glass of beer straight from L&L Alphand’s own mountain region. This was a great occasion to discover everything about this new model and to exchange information with Luc, Fabien, and the KTM representatives present at the event. 

champion edition

Ruling German Touring Cars champion Timo Scheider switches to two wheels for KTM in summer 2009.

 
Timo Scheider has the “ready-to-race” spirit in his blood. In the 2008 season, the young driver and father of one experienced the greatest success of his career by winning the championship title in the German Touring Car Masters (DTM).
 
For the summer of 2009, KTM has provided the champion with a brand new KTM 990 Super Duke R for his riding pleasure. A pleasure that is sure to be shared by his father-in-law to be, superbike racer Peter Rubatto.

DTM champion rides KTM

At the opening of the KTM Track N' Test Days at the Bresse race track in France, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sébastien Loeb.

 
Already the owner of a KTM 250 EXCF, used for his hobby enduro racing, this time Sébastien met us on asphalt. On the day, Sébastien Loeb was able to try out and get to grips with his new KTM 1190 RC8 Superbike. His model is equipped with the latest racing accessories and parts, specially developed for the RC8.
 
(Jérôme Delziani (Marketing and Communications Manager): "It's a great pleasure to see Seb flying past on our latest Superbike model. Even our slogan, Ready To Race, shows our passion for performance and competition. With a track record that commands respect, he is a formidable champion and a great man." graceful even on wheels."

Sébastien Loeb gets to grips
with the KTM 1190 RC8.

KTM auctions a limited-edition 950 Superenduro Erzberg in aid of the Wings for Life Foundation.

 
Mark Schilling from Austria is the lucky winner of an auction for a KTM 950 Superenduro “Erzberg Edition”. Schilling, who comes from Vienna, secured the exclusive off-road bike with the highest bid of 10,500 euro in the online auction started by KTM. The IT expert personally collected his new acquisition from the KTM factory in Mattighofen with a large smile on his face. “I have a strong emotional connection with the Erzberg, which is why I felt I must have this KTM,” explained the visibly happy auction winner. Bettina Söllradl, Marketing Manager for Austria, handed over the vehicle key. KTM veteran and Wings for Life founder Heinz Kinigadner and KTM Marketing and Sales Director Hubert Trunkenpolz were also present at the handover to congratulate the winner. The proceeds of 10,500 euro have been donated to the Wings for Life foundation, a non-profit research institute which follows the principal aim of promoting research in order to expedite scientific and clinical progress towards a cure for spinal cord injury paralysis.
 
The 950 Superenduro Erzberg Edition is a bike for the harshest of conditions and the most demanding requirements. With 942 cc displacement and 98 hp, this limited-edition Superenduro excels in harsh off-road conditions and offers unbounded power and speed on paved roads.

10,500 EURO
FOR A GOOD CAUSE

After a last-minute change of regulations, KTM will not be sending a factory team to the start of the next Dakar Rally. However, an official service truck will be on hand to provide the best possible support to KTM private riders.

 
After the decision by rally promoter (ASO) to refrain, at least for the present time, from enforcing the new capacity regulations for non-professionals riders, KTM has decided to continue to offer its official race service to private KTM riders at the Dakar Rally.
 
“We have a responsibility to all our customers. I am therefore pleased that we and the ASO have reached an agreement to secure the participation of “KTM Customer Service” in 2010 and 2011,” explained KTM Motor Sport Director Winfried Kerschhaggl.
 
The KTM Service Truck will accompany the entire rally for the next two years and will continue to supply the same level of spare parts plus logistical and technical services to KTM participants.
 
The world's leading manufacturer of off-road motorcycles therefore continues to place great worth in providing optimal support to the huge number of KTM privateers competing in the big rallies.
 
The withdrawal of the KTM Factory Team from the rally because of the short term, radical changes to the regulations by the organiser is final and is not influenced by this decision.

KTM SERVICE TRUCK
JOINS THE DAKAR RALLY

When I arrived at the hotel, I realised that I had escaped this unbelievable collision without so much as a scratch or bruise. It was not until the next morning that I took a peek at the damage to my KTM. The left safety bar on the tank, which had taken the impact of the cow, had been bent backwards a good 15 centimetres. The radiator was battered and the tank had been ripped out of its mounting and burst open.
 
It took the whole morning to repair my bike. I removed two cells from the radiator, soldered it together and re-fitted the ventilator. The tank was repaired with a two-part adhesive while the cover between the tank and the headlight mask could no longer be used.
 

There was a hard impact which sent a sharp pain through my arm and caused my rear wheel to lift, sending the bike skidding on its side, and then my KTM Adventure 990 shot underneath the cow's belly.
 
The impact, which could be better described as a punch, only reduced my speed by about 30 km/h. In these conditions, I emerged from the danger zone with only a slightly painful left knee and leg. No doubt due to the adrenalin rush, I decided not to hang around, especially since I could feel warm liquid around my leg and my only thought was to get to Malargüe as quickly as possible. Within a few minutes of setting off again however, I noticed that the warm liquid around my leg was not blood but coolant
   and petrol.

As we all know, when you go riding on a KTM Adventure you always have a lot of experiences. On a tour of Chile, Roland Spaarwater* had the kind of encounter you'd rather avoid.

 
This April, 18 KTM riders met in Romeral near Curico, 250 kilometres south of Santiago, to enter Argentina via the Vergara Pass. After a short stretch of asphalt, they made their way through the mountains on bendy gravel paths. The team was faced with strong wind, driving rain and even sleet. However, this was not the only reason that more time was required for the journey than usual. After we had started our descent on the Argentinian side, one of our friends' rear tyres punctured.
 
Me and two other riders helped to replace the inner tube. In the time taken to carry this out, darkness had crept up on us. I decided to push ahead as it was only 50 kilometres to the village of Malargüe. After travelling on a long and winding road, I finally came to a straight section of well-tarmaced highway.
 
I was travelling at about 140 km/h in the dark when a black Angus cow suddenly loomed in front of me. In a split second, I decided to give it full throttle and shift my body weight backwards, cling onto the tank with my calves and grip onto the handle bars with all my strength.

A Happy Accident

Victor Balázs, PR and marketing manager of KTM Central East Europe in Hungary sent us pictures and info on a home-made machine for Erzberg.

 
"I'm sending you a picture of a really pretty flower grown especially for the Erzberg Rodeo, which I would like you to put in Brennraum. The owner is Leopold Distlberger, member of the MRC 17er Club. The motorbike consists of a 950 LC8 engine with added fuel injection. The framework came from a Cagivo Mito, the rear section from some sort of Ducati and the speedo from a Honda scooter. There is an extra radiator under the seat and an additional spring in the front fork. The stand is also worth checking out. Of course, the part was completed just one day before the Erzberg Prologue."

*Roland Spaarwater is a general importer for KTM and Husaberg in Chile and organisesadventure trips several times a year. With his subsidiary www.southpacificcross.cl, he offers guided motorbike tours of Chile and Argentina, where customers from across the world can rent a bike from a fleet of 25 KTM vehicles as part of the service.

I was able to tackle the almost 600 kilometres home next day on my 990 Adventure without any problems, although the bike looked slightly rough and a bit like a Terminator machine.
 
On the way back I was able to piece together the collision. The cow came running from right to left, where I caught it in the rear end of its stomach. It was catapulted upwards and forwards out of the way by the headlight. The animal therefore flew over my body without touching me. I only felt my left leg making contact. The poor creature then died of internal injuries.
 
This incident is a bit of a one-off. However, I'm sure that my distinctive decision to accelerate was right. If I had braked, I would not have been able to apply enough supporting force and would have been catapulted over the bike. If the cow had been bigger, I would not have escaped with such minor injuries. In any case, I am certain that I have my guardian angel and the very solidly built 990 Adventure to thank for being here to tell you the tale.

Pretty Flower

Take note of the following:

Although it may currently be summer, winter is just around the corner. Together with brake specialist Brembo, KTM provides important tips on maintaining brake systems.

 
Observation of the motorcycle market has shown that braking systems need extra care and maintenance during winter operation on wet or gritted roads. KTM motorcycles are developed to meet the highest standards and due consideration is also given to environmental influences. Nevertheless, suitable maintenance is essential to ensure that the motorcycles continue to operate correctly. Under normal circumstances, there is no need to carry out additional maintenance on braking systems outside of the prescribed service intervals. However, if motorcycles are poorly maintained and ridden in a highly corrosive environment, the ensuing corrosion and accumulation of dirt can, in extreme cases, have a negative influence on the free movement of pistons in the brake calliper and on the brake pads. If motorcycles are subject to excessive dirt or salt, particular attention must be paid to maintaining the components of the front and rear-wheel brakes.
 

Cleaning and maintenance
of KTM motorcycles,
especially for winter use

Especially if the motorcycle is not going to be used for an extended period of time (i.e. 2-3 days or more), the entire vehicle must be cleaned thoroughly. Wash out the brake callipers well and dry them using a weak jet of air; otherwise there is a risk of contact corrosion between the pads and the disk.
 
Some countries spread large amounts of grit or use aggressive salt compounds. In these countries in particular, it is essential that you regularly clean all components exposed to the salt.
 
KTM SPORTMOTORCYCLE AG
Customer Service
 
BREMBO S.p.A
Motorcycle Business Unit