KTM to flick the electric switch in 2011

Electric motorcycles are nothing new. Regular readers will have no doubt read a handful of articles on battery-powered scooters, motorcycles, prototypes and even race bikes.

But moves are now afoot at one of the motorcycle industry's mainstream players to sell electric dirtbikes to the masses. The company is KTM, and it has a pair of mud-slingers in development that are scheduled for sale in 2011.

Powered by 30hp electric motors that suck electric juice from lithium ion battery packs, the Freeride bikes are claimed to deliver similar torque to a 125cc two-stroker. If this turns out to be true, and the price point isn't exorbitant, KTM could find itself in a very handy position.

The Austrian motorcycle maker is proposing a price of around €10,000. That's about $15,000 in Australian currency, which isn't cheap, but neither is it priced out of range of many enthusiasts. But that is purely a price conversion -- there's every chance the new bikes will command a hefty premium in this country and could be priced closer to $20K.

There's an enduro and a supermoto version of KTM's Freeride bikes that have been shown in prototypical form at the 2010 Tokyo Motorcycle Show, which kicked off today in the Nihon, and the bikes tip the scales at around 91kg.

While both models share the same 30hp electric powertrains and basic frame, the photos show that the bikes are quite different.

The enduro Freeride model (first picture) is fitted with off-road tyres and has a fairly orthodox design, and from 50 paces away probably wouldn't look out of place amongst its petroleum brethren.

However, the supermoto model (second picture) is far more radical design. Beyond its street tyres it features a curious set of front forks, more akin to something from the bicycle world than that of the motorcycle. It's twin-fork system is topped off by a single tube stem that appears to have a bicycle-like headset. There's also a compact LED headlight, added almost as an afterthought.

One of the benefits of electric dirtbikes is their lack of sound, something that could lead to the reinstatement of urban motocross tracks, many of which have been shut down due to noise complaints.

If KTM holds true to its word and releases this pair of electric bikes in 2011, it will find stiff competition from entrenched rivals such as Zero Motorcycles. Nevertheless the move to electric motorcycles by a major manufacturer is a significant milestone in the electric motorcycle's evolution and you can bet your bottom dollar other marques will be watching very closely.