Photo: KTM
Austrian bike maker KTM likes to describe itself as "the most successful team in rally history," not only in a broader sense, but with specific reference to the world's most grueling such competition, the Dakar Rally. And it's from the experience the company has in this competition that the factory-made KTM 450 Rally was born.
Just talking about this year's edition of the Dakar is enough to see what an important name KTM is in Dakar. In the motorcycle side of the race, the win belonged to Argentine Kevin Benavides, who managed to snatch the win, 55 full seconds ahead of runner-up Toby Price.
Both men rode into battle as part of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, on the backs of KTM 450 Rally bikes. The same machines that now inspired the 2024 model year Replica version the bike maker announced this week.
Put together with input from Benavides himself, and by taking advantage of the lessons learned this year as well, the bike is intended for "those racing in national and international rally competitions," but also for multi-stage cross-country outings.
At the core of the machine sits the 450cc engine tied to a Pankl six-speed transmission, the same one used by the KTM Red Bull racing team. The engine sits in a race-spec chassis which comes with a chromoly steel frame, and uses a Keihin Management system and ECU maps specifically developed for rally racing. Handling the engine's breathing power is an Akrapovic exhaust system.
Because in this kind of activity suspension is of critical importance, KTM cut no corners when it comes to this type of gear either. The 450 rests on 48 mm WP XACT PRO closed cartridge forks at the front, backed by a WP XACT PRO fully adjustable shock at the other end.
"The bike is READY TO RACE out of the crate, and has all of the needed capabilities for high-level success. Many riders have relied on this motorcycle to help them achieve their rally goals, and it is developed in-line with our Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Dakar Rally winning machine," said in a statement KTM Rally Technical Manager Stefan Huber.
KTM says it will make this two-wheeler in race-ready configuration in limited numbers, with just 80 of them to roll off assembly lines. The bike is already available on the company's website, but no mention is made as to how much it costs.
As usual when it comes to KTM limited editions, we do get a warning that this one could just as well sell out fast, so if you're planning something big in your racing career this year it's probably best not to wait for the competition to snatch all available rides.
Both men rode into battle as part of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, on the backs of KTM 450 Rally bikes. The same machines that now inspired the 2024 model year Replica version the bike maker announced this week.
Put together with input from Benavides himself, and by taking advantage of the lessons learned this year as well, the bike is intended for "those racing in national and international rally competitions," but also for multi-stage cross-country outings.
At the core of the machine sits the 450cc engine tied to a Pankl six-speed transmission, the same one used by the KTM Red Bull racing team. The engine sits in a race-spec chassis which comes with a chromoly steel frame, and uses a Keihin Management system and ECU maps specifically developed for rally racing. Handling the engine's breathing power is an Akrapovic exhaust system.
Because in this kind of activity suspension is of critical importance, KTM cut no corners when it comes to this type of gear either. The 450 rests on 48 mm WP XACT PRO closed cartridge forks at the front, backed by a WP XACT PRO fully adjustable shock at the other end.
"The bike is READY TO RACE out of the crate, and has all of the needed capabilities for high-level success. Many riders have relied on this motorcycle to help them achieve their rally goals, and it is developed in-line with our Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Dakar Rally winning machine," said in a statement KTM Rally Technical Manager Stefan Huber.
KTM says it will make this two-wheeler in race-ready configuration in limited numbers, with just 80 of them to roll off assembly lines. The bike is already available on the company's website, but no mention is made as to how much it costs.
As usual when it comes to KTM limited editions, we do get a warning that this one could just as well sell out fast, so if you're planning something big in your racing career this year it's probably best not to wait for the competition to snatch all available rides.
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