KTM and Linkage?
bayodome
- May 28 2009
- 30,536 views
- 40 comments
Out at Pala Raceway, some of the KTM factory team was out doing some testing. What they were testing, however, was something very unexpected. As one of their test riders rounded the track, we noticed something oddly familiar…on Japanese bikes. That’s right, apparently KTM is looking at their options for a linked rear suspension system. Unfortunately all we have at the moment are some spy shots. As details come in though, we will let you know more about if, and when, KTM will be introducing their new suspension. For now though, check out the gallery below.
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May 28th, 2009 at 7:07 am
what!?!?!
never thought that would happen. ha.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:30 am
bout time!!
May 28th, 2009 at 8:03 am
No more excuses KTM will have the holeshot power plus Linkage. their front suspension still sucks.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:54 am
kawiguy do you really THINK that WP`s front suspension sucks? YOu dont ride the factory forks huh? Then you should stop the b.s . Those WP front factory forks are definitly not bad.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:56 am
linkage blows, when ever they come out with it, im only geting the old model with out linkage
May 28th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
that doesnt make sense unless u ride trails the linkage is almost for sure to be better.
May 28th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Of course we ride trails with our KTM's, that's where we rule. Tracks are too boring and too crowded and linkage sucks out in the woods. They (KTM) can put linkage on motocross bike but leave our trail bikes alone, thanks.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I think KTM should go back to using dual shocks, oh and while they are at it they should go back to push rod engines and air cooling! Ride orange? YEAH RIGHT!
May 28th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
We already went through this a few months ago. We saw pictures of a KTM with linkage, KTM responded, saying that it was merely for testing purposes and they had no intent of a production linkage bike. Honestly, just go back in history a little bit on all these sites and you'll see what I'm talking about.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I WISH THEY WOULD HURRY UP AND BRING OUT THE 350F WITH LINKAGE ALREADY…SAY WHAT YOU WILL ITS HAPPENING.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
over here in belgium KTM has tested it a lot, Tyla tested it last year and he was supose to ride it this year if he was gonna stay whit KTM on the 450.
It worked very well, so i've heard anyway, but their was a problem whit the person who made it.
It wasn't made by KTM personel nor WP , it was made by a dutch guy if i'm correct.
he led the KTM riders test it and they loved it, KTM wanted the factory bikes to use it in mx 1 for testing but the deal fell true whit the founder & WP ( and the money offcorse)
May 28th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
about time!
May 28th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
A reliable source inside KTM has stated that linkage is going to be standard on all 2010 motocross models only, and yes the long awaited 350sx will be on the dealers floors in the US no later than September of this year. I saw a prototype KTM 150sx with a "Honda" style perimeter frame and rumor has it that it is in preproduction and will be a 2011 model. And finally the news that will rock Japan. In a joint venture KTM and Kawasaki have struck an agreement which allows KTM to produce replicas of the KX 450 perimeter frame design for their 2010 model release. That's right. KTM will have linkage and an aluminum perimeter frame for 2010! Kawasaki won't say exactly what it is getting in return, but sources on both sides have reportedly said that Kawi wants valuable engine R&D that has propelled KTM to the front of the race for horsepower.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
no offense buddy, but that's a seems a little too well scripted to be true.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
https://www.ktm-parts.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen...
May 29th, 2009 at 2:01 am
I just had an update from my source in Austria, the aluminum frame joint venture with Kawi is gonna be a 2011 deal. I just got off the phone with an industry insider that has close ties to the KTM R&D team. KTM is outsourcing the design and manufacturing of their linkage system to Mitch Payton at Pro Circuit. Did anyone see that one coming? Sources close to Mitch say that the KTM, Kawasaki, Mitch Payton team have been working together for some time now. Bones is reported to have flown to Austria on a private jet to Austria immediately following Glen Helen. Apparently he is there to oversee testing of the latest prototype. I will pass along updates as soon as I hear anything.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:20 am
uh huh….yeah. seems a little outlandish at this point.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:39 am
i love cyber argueing about wether to linkage or not the linkage. Lets see. KTM's have had bad suspension. All other bikes have no complaints. TO LINKAGE!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 4:02 am
Haha YES!! that is the best thing i have heard all day
May 29th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Jealous because I am connected? I am so close to the hub of the motorcycle industry that I personally tighten the spokes on my lunchbreak for good measure. Please respect my insight. It may not be what you want to hear but it is the truth. I can't control rumors anymore than the AMA can control Jason Lawrence. I can however tell you that Yamaha is talking to James Stewart directly about hiring him to contest the outdoor series. They are certain that with his speed he can easily catch up in the points and still win the championship.
The other hot topic circulating the rumor mill is that BBR is prototyping a full size MX 250 and 450 frame and subframe. It is basically a full size version of their popular 110, 150 etc. works perimeter aluminum frame. You will be able to actually purchase the frame and install your 250f or 450f motor, forks, shock wheels, etc. What is the advantage over your stock frame? That's just it. It's stock. Want a one off works frame? You'll have to wait for the late 2010 release.
May 29th, 2009 at 5:43 am
man, people are so full of sh!t on the internet. I have breaking news that Jesus Christ himself will be riding for Mitch Payton for the 2010 supercross series. Word is, he claims he doesn't need to wear a helmet either.
May 29th, 2009 at 5:52 am
your just a plain idiot ! simple as that
May 29th, 2009 at 7:13 am
dude… you make me giggle
May 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am
sorry but everything what you have written is not true, best regards from austria
May 29th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
HAHAHA i love this shit.
May 29th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
now who is going to win every shootout they always get slagged off for not havin it so nw the have it they should be the best bike to buy if it handles lk a jap bike
May 29th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
The power advantage of the KTM comes from the straight shot of the intake runner into the combustion chamber due to the lack of a linkage and the offset shock that this allows.
W/ an MX-Tech valved shock w/ their proprietary parts the KTM has rear suspension on par w/ the best Jap linkage suspension, even thru the whoops. The PDS can be made to work perfectly w/ the right parts.
PDS is lighter and more simple than linkage. In my book this is better.
KTM's steel frame is more forgiving than the competing aluminum frames and tends to 'flick' less making a much more forgiving MX bike to ride at the limit. They also don't fatigue like Aluminum does. They are also lighter because they use less material and simply take up less space which is accomodating for things like jetting changes and other maintenance.
KTM's are dominating the GPs and are getting respectable results w/ non top-tier riders in US Supercross.
Just because a bunch of internet blowhards, that for the most part wouldn't know the difference between a properly working suspension or not claim the PDS is a failure doesn't make it so.
May 29th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
It's not the bike that wins the races it's the riders everyone has there own personal preferences some people might feel more comfortable with KTM's non linkage setup.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I'm calling shenanigans on Homeskillet.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:22 am
Most of us here in the US have always ridden Jap's. I wonder if we ask Max Anstie if a Jap bike handles better?? Does anybody gets my point?
May 30th, 2009 at 2:02 am
dont talk crap if you havent rode a ktm i have 2 and both have stock suspension handle awesome i really hope they dont go JAP with linkage it would be 4 more shitty bearings to replace and probably 20 more pounds on the bike they are already great bikes DONT MESS WITH IT
May 30th, 2009 at 2:11 am
likage is just made by JAPS for the american market that they dominate KTM could give a rats ass what america thinks about their bikes KTMs are the most sold bikes world wide they dont care if us americans want a piece of metal under our shocks
May 30th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
hey homeskillet your a liar. 2010 bikes have nothing new on them. ive seen all the designs and all other information on them their dropping a ton of models and changing the frames head angle and lowering the motor. then a little triple clamp change. 2011 is efi perim frames and 150sxf and 350sxf.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Go The Katoom!!!!!!!!!!!! Turning the wourld orange!!
May 31st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
….spy ktm photos??!!it's usually my game and my playground!
May 31st, 2009 at 11:25 pm
KTM's are still gonna suck. So n matter what they do to them there always gonna suck!!! Kawasaki guy here..
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I own a ktm 250sxf and a ktm 150sx i agree completely. i rode a yamaha 125 and all i got to say is its easier to ride in a sense but its so light feeling its easy to get headshake going down the strait aways and the motor is fast but not evn close to my 03 ktm125.
June 29th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Cool maybe the old 2 smokes will drop in price once the linkage bikes come out. Been wanting to get a 200 woods bike.
July 4th, 2009 at 4:13 am
Husquvarna for Life! Linkage, EFI for the win!