Post by Crossbones Dennis on Apr 25, 2010 8:18:22 GMT -6
KTM will be displaying street and off-road prototypes of its Freeride electric motorcycle at this weekend’s Tokyo Motorcycle Show. In conjunction, the company has released more details on the models, which are slated to go on sale in Europe in the late spring of 2011.
Click here to download a PDF of the full press release, which contains specifications and a Q&A. Weighing in at about 198 lbs., the Freeride models have a top speed of nearly 44 mph and a recharge time of 1.5 hours. Ride time between charges is about an hour. Riders can recharge the battery while it’s installed. They also can quickly replace it with another.
KTM showed the first prototype of a zero-emission motorcycle in October 2008. The company says that a strong impetus for the model was strict European noise regulations. “Regulatory requirements and demands from residents and general objections are leading to the closure of Enduro and motocross tracks,” KTM states in the release. “The decisive criterion against the use of competitive bikes in heavily populated areas is almost always a question of an excessive level of noise.”
The Freeride, KTM says, will allow off-road riding and racing to exist close to densely populated areas, leading to new parks and riding opportunities. The use of the bike closer to residential areas may generate interest among nonriders.
“With the electric drive system of the zero-emission motorcycle, KTM has succeeded in taking a decisive step forward in the future of the motorcycle industry and two-wheel motorsports,” Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM Sportmotorcycle AG, states.
KTM plans to offer the Freeride at a price comparable to that of a similar dirtbike with a combustion engine. The price most likely will be under 10,000 euros, the company says.
Click here to download a PDF of the full press release, which contains specifications and a Q&A. Weighing in at about 198 lbs., the Freeride models have a top speed of nearly 44 mph and a recharge time of 1.5 hours. Ride time between charges is about an hour. Riders can recharge the battery while it’s installed. They also can quickly replace it with another.
KTM showed the first prototype of a zero-emission motorcycle in October 2008. The company says that a strong impetus for the model was strict European noise regulations. “Regulatory requirements and demands from residents and general objections are leading to the closure of Enduro and motocross tracks,” KTM states in the release. “The decisive criterion against the use of competitive bikes in heavily populated areas is almost always a question of an excessive level of noise.”
The Freeride, KTM says, will allow off-road riding and racing to exist close to densely populated areas, leading to new parks and riding opportunities. The use of the bike closer to residential areas may generate interest among nonriders.
“With the electric drive system of the zero-emission motorcycle, KTM has succeeded in taking a decisive step forward in the future of the motorcycle industry and two-wheel motorsports,” Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM Sportmotorcycle AG, states.
KTM plans to offer the Freeride at a price comparable to that of a similar dirtbike with a combustion engine. The price most likely will be under 10,000 euros, the company says.