KTM Goes Electric

At the Tokyo Motorcycle Show this week, KTM is displaying two "near-series prototypes", including an enduro and a supermoto powered by electric motors featuring KTM patented technology that enhances battery durability, water resistance and handling.

KTM has already anounced a production schedule and a pledge for competetive pricing that should result in the electric machines being available at a cost similar to combustion driven alternatives. The first production units should be available roughly 18 months from now in Europe.

The production enduro version should weigh less than 200 pounds, comparable to a 125cc 2-stroke motocross bike. Currently, KTM expects 30 peak horsepower, a maximum speed of 43mph, aproximately one hour of riding time per charge and 90 minutes to fully charge a drained battery. Battery units will be swapable, so a rider could drain one battery and swap in a charged unit.

If you think about it, it is logical for KTM to become the first major OEM to introduce a production, electric full-size motorcycle. With its heavy emphasis on offroad machines, KTM sees clearly the opportunity to expand riding areas into densly populated cities with a low noise, zero emission electric motorcycle. Offroad riding parks could be as accessable as the local park with a swing set for your youngster. We will see how quickly other major manufacturers respond, but currently full size electric motorcycles are largely the domain of smaller companies like Zero.