KTM USA is down at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show at Long Beach, debuting the 2013 models that will make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean. Already surprising us with the 2013 KTM 690 Duke for the North American markets, KTM USA has another trick up its sleeve for American riders, namely the KTM 990 Adventure Baja. What we assume is a venerable adventure-touring machine, considering the pedigree that the KTM 990 Adventure has established, the shock move here with the “Baja” model is that it even exists since KTM has already shown its next generation machine at INTERMOT, the KTM 1190 Adventure. We are a bit baffled and confused by pretty much all of KTM USA’s street-going models for next year.
The following news from KTM USA today might shock you, but the KTM 690 Duke is headed to America’s favorite democracy in 2013. That’s right, the previously available everywhere but here model is coming to North America (both the US and Canada), much to the surprise of A&R…and just about everyone else. KTM isn’t talking dollars yet, though it says that the KTM 690 Duke will be competitively priced in its North American markets. Assuming the US model is the same as the European version, we can expect that 90% of the bike is completely brand new from the previous iteration of the 690.
The date of the German round of MotoGP at the Sachsenring is once again surrounded by uncertainty. A minor readjustment…
Erik Buell Racing is well on its way, after announcing today that the American sport bike company has secured inventory financing from GE Capital. An important step in setting up a strong dealer network, GE’s commitment to Erik Buell Racing means that EBR dealers will be able to purchase their inventory on credit (the standard industry practice) from a top-tier financial institution. GE Capital has become the go-to financier in the motorcycle and powersports industry, and the group has been making some very competitive offers to up-start motorcycle companies in the recent years. For EBR, getting GE Capital on-board with the fledgling company is a crucial step in building out the company’s dealer network.
Former Rizla Suzuki-man Chris Vermeulen may be returning to the big show, as the Australian has been linked to a…
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme General Assembly met in Monte-Carlo this past weekend, where 76 of 107 of the member federations were in attendance. Conducting a bit of FIM business, one of the more interesting points to note from the meeting was the FIM General Assembly’s acceptance of two new applications to join the FIM. One of the applications came from Fédération Motocycliste de Côte d’Ivoire (FMCI), which replaces the Ivory Coast’s previous federation, the FISAM. The second application though is a bit more interesting, as the FIM General Assembly accepted the Palestinian Motor Sport and Motorcycle Federation (PMSMF) as the FIM’s 108th member federation.