With tighter emissions control, KTM has become a leader in the production of a zero-emissions, electric-powered dirt bike…and one that’s reported to be competitive.

Ron Lieback
AllAboutBikes.com Staff Writer

When it comes to dirt bikes, the last thing on one's mind is quietness and cleanliness. But as the electronic, zero-emission trend begins grabbing the attention of motorcycle manufactures around the world, quieter and cleaner are slowly becoming part of dirt bike language.

The Australian manufacturer KTM is spearheading this trend with its development of a fully functional, zero-emissions enduro prototype that’s expected to be in mass production in 2010. In testing since mid 2008, KTM is keeping with its "Ready to Race" adage, saying the electric bike will be a full-on competitive race machine.

With little experience in electric motors, KTM partnered with another Australian company, Arsenal Research, who’s assisting with the battery system, power management and the compact motor that uses high-voltage technology. The prototype motor was reported to have 9.5 hp and 29 ft-lbs of torque, and is powered by lithium ion batteries capable of lasting an hour under full load (recharge is said to take one hour). As with most electric vehicles, the motor acts as a generator during braking, re-energizing the battery.

The battery pack and electric motor are reported to weigh 37.5 lbs, but with the offset of what an internal-combustion motor would weigh, and the removal of exhaust, fuel and cooling systems, the bike is 198 lbs, which is actually a few pounds lighter than the KTM 125 EXC.

KTM reported its zero-emissions motorcycle products will help reach a wider audience and allow increased access to areas where noisy combustion engine dirt bikes are currently banned. Due to the advantages that the electric bike would give both the market and environment, the project is being partly financed by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Traffic, Innovation and Technology. And with the recent uprising of land being taken from off road motorcyclists, a zero-emissions dirt bike may be the answer…a very quiet and clean answer.