KTM is perhaps best known for its cross-country rally supremacy, dominating the grueling Dakar Rally for nearly 20 years straight from 2001 to 2019. Now, for its 2021 model year lineup, KTM is offering the new 450 Rally Replica.
KTM's new 450 Rally Replica is packed with performance components requested by KTM factory team riders, Toby Price, Matthias Walkner, and Sam Sunderland; all competitors in off-road, enduro and Dakar. Their factory racing team has been crucial to the development of the new transmission, giving buyers the same feel of the competition bike they used at the Dakar.
For 2021, the 450cc, SOHC, EFI powerplant has been tweaked to be more potent than ever, thanks to experiences in rally races during the past few years. The engine package has been honed with a brand-new gearbox and revised shift mechanism. The direct influence of PANKL Racing Systems materials inside the KTM Motorsport department meant technicians were able to further hike the bike’s excellent reliability, but also benefit the rider with a larger gear spread.
Additionally, specs include a refined WP XACT PRO closed cartridge suspension with sophisticated Cone Valve technology and purposeful aerodynamics and ergonomics crafted for peerless handling across a wide breadth of terrain.
The 2021 KTM 450 Rally Replica will be retailed at EUR25,900 + VAT and shipping – roughly PHP2,000,000 – from September 2020 onwards.
Will it be available in the PH?
MotoPinas.com has contacted one of our friends at KTM BGC, Gani Baybay, head of sales for the importer. “We can order the 450 [Rally Replica] here,” said Baybay. He noted, however, that due to the very limited production of the 2021 450 Rally Replica, it may be a little difficult to procure one, especially if we consider that there are also hundreds of privateer teams that are also on the waiting list for one.
“Just to manage expectations, only 85 units will be produced worldwide. And professional rally [privateer] teams are also on the [waiting] list,” he added.
The next best thing, he says, will be the locally-produced 790 Adventure R. The 790 Adventure R was designed with the Dakar Rally in mind and with a few aftermarket tweaks like dual tanks, a rally tower (for navigation) and some kick-ass decals. It will be the closest thing to the rally bikes we see competing at the Dakar.
