KTM Shows Zero Emission Sport Motorcycles at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show

31st March 2010

The Austrian brand KTM is presenting two versions of an electrically driven motorcycle for the first time. Both a sports-oriented off road machine and a dynamic on road bike are on display at the Tokyo
Motorcycle show under the label “KTM Freeride”.

One and a half years after it’s commitment to develop an electrically-driven bike, KTM, the sports motorcycle company based in Austria, is now on the way towards the production of a series-ready zero emission motorcycle.

The foundation for this development is KTM’s clear commitment to off road motorcycle sport and its intention to further offensively expand the strongest pillar of the company business – and with a unique product, which to date, there is no real comparison. Thanks to the positive aspects of the design concept (no noise pollution and zero emissions) this revolutionary development opens up opportunities for completely new applications. The Freeride creations offer a more socially acceptable use of a motorcycle for sporting activities, also in urban areas.

Hubert Trunkenpolz, Head of Sales at KTM Sportmotorcyle AG, comments on the philosophy and focus of the revolutionary motorcycles at the press conference at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show: “The KTM Freeride project is extremely important for the brand KTM. As the world’s leading manufacturer of off road sports motorcycles, it is part of our responsibility to do everything possible to ensure the ongoing vitality of off road sport. One consequence for us is to realize a new drive solution via a pure electric motor. This means that
we, as an extremely sports-oriented brand, can stay true to our “Ready to Race” philosophy...”

Trunkenpolz adds: “We would like to prove our competitive power, not only with the technology but also with the prices we offer. We can already say that the first Freeride motorcycle from KTM will be under € 10,000 – which is on a similar level with an Enduro motorcycle with a combustion engine currently
being deployed in the world championship.”

Also from a technical standpoint, the first Freeride motorcycle is revolutionary from a drive perspective, comments Harald Plöckinger, COO and Board Member of KTM Sportmotorcycle AG: “It is not only that the performance capability of the 100 kg light machine is comparable to that of a 125 cc 2- stroke machine with a combustion engine. It is also factors like abrasion resistance, dirt and water resistance, life span, handling and above all safety that have been solved in an impressive way for the maximum 22 KW strong
motor. This is thanks to the battery drive unit, which has been patented worldwide by KTM,” he adds.

“The Freeride project motorcycle also profits from the competence and experience of all of KTM’s past activities in motorcycle racing. This and the high quality components, which to a large extent have been developed and produced in Mattighofen, characterize how determined we are to introduce KTM zero emission products that exceed the demands of the sport’s strict regulations,” Plöckinger concludes.

The series production of the new KTM Freeride sports Enduro is expected to begin in the coming year. Additionally the Supermoto-oriented Freeride variant serves to illustrate the vast potential of other future applications for KTM’s zero emission concept.