All-new KTM to Gorbach to basics in 2008
By TMX Archives on 12th Jul 07
Peter Gorbach is Head of KTM's Mechanical Engine Development Department. While at the recent launch of the new KTM 450 EXC-R, Jonty Edmunds took the chance to find out all about the new motor which KTM hope will keep them at the head of Enduro development...
T+MX: Firstly, why did KTM decide to build a completely new 450cc enduro engine?
Peter: ''We decided to go this way because last year we introduced a new 450cc motocross engine, totally dedicated to motocross.
It is impossible to use that engine for endurosbecause there is no room for a sixth gear, a kick starter or for alarger displacement version.
We have now used all of the potential that ourexisting 450 motor has and to maintain our leadership in the endurosegment we needed a new engine, dedicated to enduro.''
T+MX: Did KTM see anything wrong with the old engine?
Peter: ''No, there was nothing wrong with the old engine and we havemany, many satisfied customers who are using it. It is a goodperforming and reliable engine. We just felt that it was time for thenext step.''
T+MX: So the main reasons why you didn't use the 450cc motocross engineas a starting point for the new 450 enduro engine was because there wasno space for a sixth gear, a kick starter etc?
Peter: ''KTM's standard for an enduro gearbox is to have six gears, so using the motocross engine was never going to work.
Also when we made the engine for motocross we made it only for motocross with an aggressive, responsive engine.
To make a good enduro engine we needed to focusmore on a motor that provided great power but also traction. It simplymade no sense to use the SXF engine''
T+MX: Did KTM ever try a DOHC cylinder head with the new enduro engine?
Peter: ''Right from the beginning we decided to use a SOHC. SOHCengines reduce space as well as being reliable and being extremely easyfrom a maintenance point of view.
Although the new engine has a very competitive rpmlevel, one that is very competitive, we focused on having good low-endtorque.''
For full story and pictures see T+MX NEWS, Friday, July 13, 2007.