Orange KTM EXC Motorcycles, page #24

Moto blog

KTM RC8R: The first month

First impressions are everything so the gearbox niggles on the first RC8s meant I didn’t become an instant fan. There was never a problem for normal road riding but when the pace was increased on track days false neutrals were found and gears were missed. Ironically I might have been able to help here as KTM signed me up for pre-production shakedown testing before I got sidelined with appendicitis.

2013 KTM SX Lineup Revealed

KTM revealed its 2013 motocross model lineup featuring a new 250 four-stroke engine and updates to the 350 powerplant. The 2013 KTM 250 SX-F gets a new powerplant said to be lighter than the previous engine thanks to a new high-strength aluminum alloy. The new engine has a 78mm bore and a 52.3 mm stroke, compared to the previous model’s 76mm bore and 54.8mm stroke.

WSB, Nobby Ueda and my KTM RC8R

WSB last weekend at Donington Park, once again delivered some amazing racing but I'm not sure what Leon Haslam has to do to get that first victory on the BMW. He looked the strongest prospect for the win in race one until Marco Melandri appeared to brake a tad early at the Esses sending the Pocket Rocket across the gravel. I really believe it was a case of innocent victims though at the last corner on the last lap in race two.

Report: KTM Developing 375cc Twin for Bajaj

Austrian manufacturer KTM is reportedly working on a new 375cc Twin-cylinder engine for Indian partner Bajaj. Bajaj owns a 47% stake in KTM and the two companies have worked together in the past for the KTM Duke 125 and Duke 200 as well as the Bajaj Pulsar 200NS (pictured above). According to India’s Business-Standard, KTM and Bajaj are collaborating on a new 375cc engine at Bajaj’s research and development facility in Akurdi, India, outside of Pune.

AMA Supercross: 2012 Las Vegas Results

Ryan Dungey scored his fourth win of the season but it was not enough to take second place in the points race behind champion Ryan Villopoto. That honor went to JGRMX Yamaha‘s Davi Millsaps who placed second to Dungey in the season-ending race at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. Dungey took the holeshot and led every lap to take the win for Red Bull KTM.

A postcard from Moto GP Jerez

If the weather over the Jerez Moto GP weekend was dull then the atmosphere in the press room was the complete opposite.  After the carnage and chaos during the Moto 3 race, the amazing Romano Fenati (in only his second GP) had the Italian journalists celebrating as he crossed the line to win. I smiled as they simultaneously began singing ‘Y Viva Espana’ as if to signify the end of Spanish dominance in the junior GP class.

AMA Supercross: 2012 Salt Lake City Results

Ryan Dungey returned to the top of the podium for the first time since late February with a victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. With the injured Ryan Villopoto already crowned the 2012 AMA Supercross Champion, the win put Dungey back in contention for second overall. The Red Bull KTM last tasted victory Feb.

The North East,Prescott and fast laps with Chris Walker at Mallory

A big thanks to all at Newcastle Motorcycles for lending me a Honda CB1000F on Saturday to do nothing other than join mates for a blast round some fantastic roads in the North East. The buddies in question were Alan Smith (Bradley’s dad) and two stroke addict and race fan Chris Berriman. We headed east over the moors from the ‘Toon’ heading towards Barnard Castle then back through Consett before finishing up at the picturesque Tynemouth.

Rok Bagoros' stunt KTM 690 Duke

KTM's official stunt rider Rok Bagoros has stepped up from his 125 Duke to this factory prepared 690 Duke. However, as seen in this video, his first test on the bike hasn't been plain sailing. Chatting with me about his new bike this morning, Rok said: "The 690 Duke goes like a rocket in comparison to a Japanese bike, it has a lot of torque and really good power in the low revs." When asked about his first ride on the 690 Duke, after being at home with the 125cc machine in his stunt shows over the past year, he added: "I have to really respect this bike, because it throws me around like a mad bull.

KTM Adventure 1290 Spied Testing

German photogs have captured images of a new prototype suspected to be the upcoming KTM Adventure 1290. The photos, published by Italian site InfoMotori, reveal a very early prototype with a large V-Twin engine, a 21-inch wire-spoke front wheel and KTM‘s distinctive orange frame. The profile resembles KTM’s current Adventure 99o, but the fairing appears more angular and the headlight appears to be new.