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[skadamo]

Mike Werner at motorbiker.org has some pics of the KTM eFreeride electric dirtbike unveil...
http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/eicma-2011-ktm-presentation.htm

[skadamo]

[skadamo]

[Air Marky]

very cool Bike 

[gasdive]

They're talking 10 000 euro for a bike that would have been a market leader 4 years ago that won't hit production until at least 2013.  Does this look like something that's set up to fail?  It's twice the price an half the bike of the 2012 Zero MX.  How will it fare against the 2013 Zeros?

=:)

[skadamo]

gasdrive, I think you are right. Some things the Freeride E has going for it...

Good looks
Suspension and components are high quality (this is an assumption based on KTM's Race Ready motto)
KTM dealer network
KTM Freeride 350 as a gas powered brother
KTM brand
$$$$ - KTM will not go broke

KTM will reach folks who never considered electric and may not know about Zero. KTM can say "It's like the Freeride 350 (the most cool, usable dirtbike to come along in ages), only electric". KTM is more loved than Honda in the dirt.

Can all these things help KTM succeed? Not sure but it will go a very long way. I would buy a Zero over the KTM though at this point.

[gasdive]

Skademo, you're right.  KTM has a great reputation in the dirt world.  I've got a KTM and back in October 2008 I was very excited by this bike.  It was to be a 2010 which in KTM speak means shipped to dealers mid 2009.  However it's now been "launched" 3 times and the earliest estimate for delivery is 2013 (making it a 2014 bike in KTM speak).  It may well sell on brand name alone, but already the Zeros from a couple of years ago will hose it and the 2012 Zeros look even better.  It's going to be a tough sell to anyone who's even slightly informed.

Of course given the amazing success of the useless BMW GS giants based on two actors falling off them a lot, stranger things have already happened.

=:)

[skadamo]

Of course given the amazing success of the useless BMW GS giants based on two actors falling off them a lot, stranger things have already happened.

=:)

Lmao. I know your joking but those GS bikes have had a surprisinly large following long before the long way round. love watching good riders throw them around.

Yeah if this ktm drops in 2014 or even 2013 it's gonna be a really tough sell.

One thing I missed earlier is it's 300 volts. I'm speaking over my head but doesn't this give more top speed in general? Still prob not gonna make up much ground.

[Marshm]

I wouldn't say more volts means more speed.  Power=Current*Volts, so with more volts you can keep the current lower.  Current is what heats up the wires, and heat loss is just wasted energy.  So maybe the higher voltage will help with cooler running and less waste.  That is why the power company runs really high voltage over their transmission lines instead of really high current.  Of course that is AC not DC, but same concept. 

[Marshm]

Sure the production is pretty late compared to the others, but I don't think that means it will be 2011 technology in 2014.  The great aspect of the e-bike is the ability to upgrade batteries if new developments happen.  KTM could make late changes to the battery, it doesn't seem that difficult.  Sure the battery suppliers need lead time to make them, but every company faces that.  I guess time will tell whenever they really do release it.  Maybe their motto of race ready hinders them.  I actually do not race, but I buy and ride motorcycles. 

[skadamo]

Power=Current*Volts, so with more volts you can keep the current lower.  Current is what heats up the wires, and heat loss is just wasted energy.  So maybe the higher voltage will help with cooler running and less waste.

Got it. For what it's worth Zero says your right...

New, higher voltage power system that allows the motor to run cooler and with more RPMs than ever before

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-mx/features.php