I was kinda surprised by that. Seems like KTM is just throwing bones to Husqvarna to get the brand back to the top. Can't imagine the Ajo team package being any different than a rebadged KTM for next year.
WTF... Pretty much a 'not for USA' gambit. Maybe its something to promote the little screamers in SE Asia and Europe???
Well, I assume it's like the rest of the Moto3 field and it's a prototype. The KTM motor/chassis that's been in use wasn't something you could go to a dealer and pick up.
What's confusing about this is they didn't say anything about Jack Miller being on Husqvarna even though he's in the same team and was leading the testing they just had for next year.
Sure, but where does that lead if you dont sell street bikes? General motorsports brand awareness? Maybe NASCAR is next! Softdrinks..."Husqvarna-aide; start your day with a big Swedish kick" If Red Bull can take over motorsports I guess someone could go the other way and slap motorcycle logos on energy drink cans.
Im hoping these Moto3 engines will help develope some better trickle down performance to us normal people. High revving and reliable 4 stroke engines. Theyre pushing the limits of a 4 stroke single cylinder engine. Nevertheless, heres a KTM engine parts price list if anyone's interested lol http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/KTM_Moto3_Engine_Price_List_Version_2.pdf $12K euros. Cheap.
More interesting Moto3 info http://www.eniracing.com/en/2012/02/27/tecnica-panoramica-motori-moto3-parte-1/
SP said this would happen in one of his interviews and also about Husky when it was roadracing. Supposed to be its own complete brand eventually. KTM and Husky competing on the same bikes is going to start the separation. They are on even ground and have the opportunity to do their own R&D for future models through racing. This is good news weather you're into sport bikes or not
Yes, as it is, so far , this is just rebadging. It is of great use for KTM - in that it will reduce the sea of KTMs ( though, there are slightly more Hondas in the class - in the top 45 finishers in the class, 18 were KTMs, 20 were 'ID'd' as Hondas, but KTM are higher up in the standings - the first 5 being KTMs, and 3 Hondas and 2 Mahindras - a Swiss / Indian 'team' - rounding out the top 10 - with a Mahindra being infront of the first Honda -That would 'upset' Honda more than being beaten by KTM ) out there on the grid of Moto 3. There's already much 'noise' about it becoming The Class Of One Brand. Not that it is KTMs 'terrible deed' , they are just the one, mainstream company that has taken the Moto 3 class deadly, deadly seriously. You can buy the KTM Moto 3 bike - but you'd have to jump through some hoops. To my recollection, they are around 47,000 Euros, and, in articles I've seen about them, about the same amount spent brings them up to lower level Moto 3 Team specs. KTM went straight for the maximum bore allowed - 81mm, despite the very low maximum rev limit imposed on the class - Initially 14,000 rpm, but lowered even further. I think it's 13,500 rpm currently, with perhaps intentions for it to be further lowered. Strange, when production MXers hit higher revs, but, that's the way they've done it. Perhaps the only real mechanical limit that has met the "affordable racing" intent of the class. Aprilia, had made 125 racing at World Level, very, very expensive, indeed - if you wanted to be remotely competitive. So, we end up with a 'control class' 250 4t, instead of what would have been far more affordable, a control spec 2t class. Honda have taken a much more 'hands off' approach, with their Moto 3 bike, it being made and sold as an 'everymans road racer' - it's NSR designation stands for "New (Sports / Standard?) Racer". I think the basic Honda sells for around / below the 20,000 Euro mark. There has been talk of Honda either pulling out of Moto 3 - mind you, they've had very limited "factory involvement" in the class, so I don't think there's much for them to 'pull out' of - quite different to KTMs approach to the class. Or, just getting deadly serious about the class, and wiping the floor with a serious factory effort. It would be idiotic petulance on their part , that I think only 'observers' are thinking exists, that I doubt that they feel, as they have 'held back' on dominating the class, by choice. If you think they couldn't, well, you're a rather silly blighter. I just expect to see them offer higher spec engine mods, to the teams in Moto 3. As it is, Honda are selling quite a few of their NSR250Rs, around the world. I'd love to be able to 'bend' myself enough to fit on one. I could just about afford one. I ride, and favour 2ts in my dirt riding, but, I've often pointed out to rabid 2t freaks the Moto 3 engines as being an indicator of what is still, easily, to come from 250 4ts. The garden variety Honda Moto 3 bike came with just over 47 HP, at, I think, 13,200rpm. Think about it boys, just for a moment. Thats good HP, at low revs (for a 4t), with a dirty great big muffler on it - as it is intended as a bike that the average Joe can take to a track, and use, passing sound tests. Just hoicking the exhaust system to meet the Moto 3 class sound rules, probably pops the Honda over 50HP. Honda's first effort, has just a 78mm bore. Honda put the Rev Max Limits on the drawing board, and made the engine to suit that. They've got 3mm to use, when they want. Obviously, with such, relatively low, rev limits, Honda felt there was no need to go for the maximum bore, minimum stroke. 250F MX engines with 81mm bores - hello (even more than now) mind boggling revs, and HP at the production level of around 50, and modded ones in the high 50s. They are coming, if no rev limits are applied to MX bikes. Whether or not people could afford to maintain them, I don't know............... Hyper little mongrels, they would be, too. I, and others, are pretty cynical about the various Husqvarna Re-Emergences. But, on my part, it's thought out, logical, and intended to be constructive, cynicism. Better to be a bit 'loud and obnoxious' , and kicking them in the goolies, during KTM / Huskies planned use of existing products, to be heard / seen as being one of the many, I hope, that want them to Really seperate the brands, over the coming years. If we all roll over for a tummy scratch, and accept just slightly different, white KTMs, that's all we'll end up with. The accountants, will win, if we are complacent.
