Interesting 2cyl, 4-stroke, 97hp motor

[nhrxrider]

Well with no snow and spring only a couple months away, I've been checking out bikes for the summer. One of the bikes I checked out has a motor that looks like it would make a truly awesome lightweight sled engine. Its used in the KTM 950 Adventure. Its a 950 V-twin that puts out around 97hp. Its liquid cooled and looks pretty light. If it was redesigned for sled use, without a gearbox, it would be much lighter. It also has a 9500 rpm redline, and from all of the reports I've read about the bike, it pulls very hard all the way to redline.

This would seem to make a very interesting lightweight engine for a 4-stroke ditchbanger, or even a trail sled. Whatcha think?

Jim

 

[trekkr]

Have said this for years ever since the Europe-spec TDM engine came out. Surprised Yam hasn't used it already, except that torque is still sort of low for sled drag.

 

[black john]

2 stroke

thats not a 2 stroke. look very simler to the V 1000 that doo is useing. you can see the cam shaft bosses and cam plugs.

 

[nhrxrider]

Yea, thats what I said, 4-stroke. I would think it would be as torquey as possible while still having a fairly high RPM range. Knowing that company, it should be an extremely reliable engine. Considering a KTM won the bike class of the Dakar rally with this engine, it should be up for abuse.

Jim

 

[black john]

moter

yes i see that sorry my bad but that i am shure that thats the same moter that ski doo used. i think it made by aprila. monday,s chese pulling my hair out here.

 

[trekkr]

Sorry, just re-read... thought you were talking about the TDM engine from Yam, not the KTM. Doh!

 

[RSV]

This engine amongst others are why Polaris are colaborating with KTM for the future (sleds and ATV-engines). Their engines are top notch! Very reliable!
It sure will be some interesting years until 2012 with the EPA standars...

 

[nhrxrider]

Now that you mention it, I remember reading something about Polaris and KTM possibly hooking up. As much as i dislike Polaris, I wouldn't mind trying a sled with that engine.

Jim

 

[Bakemono]

You might see that in a Polaris sled in the future, but can you imagine the vibration that an engine like that would have?
Id rathar have a smooth triple or 4-banger over a rattly twin.

 

[nhrxrider]

Actually, in the KTM bike its mounted solidly as a stressed member, and all the ride reports I have read said that its very smooth, without vibes.

Jim

 

[RSV]

You might see that in a Polaris sled in the future, but can you imagine the vibration that an engine like that would have?
Id rathar have a smooth triple or 4-banger over a rattly twin.

Don't know about that. Not all V-twins are like the old Harleys. I would sertainly take a lighter weight 2-cyl. 4-stroke with a little vibration over the heavy smooth 4-cyl. None the less, it will be interesting to see what they come up with in the future.

My Yammie-dealer says they (Yammie) are coming out with a smaller 4-stroke for the trappers/hunters (along the lines of the new S-D Tundra). That is one machine I would like to try for sure! He said it will be around 70-80 hp (he's heard it's a twin 800), and a LOT lighter then todays 4-strokes. It has been developed here in Scandinavia for our specific needs (long track, better floatation, nimble, long travel-suspension). Don't know if he's pulling my chain, but he hasn't been wrong in the past... Take it for what it's worth.