Frank White put the ATK through the
paces for a few laps at the Desert Vipers
Grand Prix. |
ATK,
the American-based company, has been around
for a long time now. And for much of that
time, they used Rotax engines of one sort
or another in their own unique frames. However,
the Rotax two-stroke technology has become
rather dated, so ATK went hunting for some
new powerplants. And while they were at
it, they also came up with entirely new
chassis designs.
Interesting,
for sure.
Their
approach is one that we like: all the bikes
will be considered multi-purposes off-road
machines, not pure motocross or pure enduro
bikes. This means, simply, that all the
bikes will come with lighting capabilities.
They won’t come with headlights/taillights,
but if you need to have lighting for some
reason, all you’ll have to do it bolt on
the lights and hook ‘em up.
Now,
for the big news. Here’s the new line-up
for ATK:
THE
700cc ATK INTIMIDATOR!
New King of the Beasts? The 700cc ATK
is certainly in the running for that
title. |
Naturally,
our attention was drawn to the 700. Based
on the latest technology from the folks
who built the famed Maico/M-Star motors,
the Intimidator (good name!) has a piston
big enough to use to mix paint in.
I
was scheduled to test ride the Intimidator
at the Desert Vipers Grand Prix, but
my motorhome lost the rear wheels on
the way to the event, and I spent most
of the weekend getting the thing fixed
and back home. However, Mike Hobbs from
ORC, was there and managed to get some
photos and feedback on the bike. Frank
White (CEO from ATK) put in a few laps
on the beast to shake it down a bit,
so we can at least give you a preview.
We’ll
arrange a full test session with ATK later
on and give you some actual riding impressions.
For
now, here are some specs and info on the
700:
ATK
is going to let the potential customer,
custom order their motorcycle with the options
noted above to fit their individual riding
desires and conditions. This is new to this
industry.
The
retail price has not yet been determined,
but after talking with ATK folks, it
will almost certainly be in the ballpark
of between $6000 and $7000. When you
consider the astonishing amount of top
dollar items that come on the bike as
standard equipment, you start to wonder
how they can do that. Go price items
like Talon rims, Protaper bars and a
quality steering stabilizer, and you’ll
see what we mean.
Performance?
Since we have yet to sling a let over the
bike, we’ll give you the thoughts of
Frank White, the ATK CEO who rode the
bike at Adelanto:
“It
pulls right off idle and all the way to
peak revs with more power than anyone will
ever need. It’s sort of like a 490 Maico
on steroids. The power is simply amazing
and very electric!”
With
this sort of statement lodged in our mind,
we’re looking forward to a serious ride
on this beast, and others in the 2004 stable
of ATK bikes. |
