MOTORCYCLETRADER 49
KTM
ALANA BARATTO
KTM Group marketing
manager, Australia and
New ZealandWhat local conditions influence
what bikes are distributed in
Australia and New Zealand?
Our riders are the influence of what models are
distributed in the Australian and New Zealand
markets. The needs and desires of our riders on
the racetrack, in the bush and on the road have
always been the focus when we develop our model
range and unit planning.What do you see as the long-term global
influences on what kind of bikes we’re
likely to see here in the future?
The needs of the motorcyclist will always be our
influence. Of course, the changing environment
of regulations will also have an impact on both
product and usage.How much influence does your input have in what
your parent company decides for its model range?
As the third-largest subsidiary of the KTM Group,
Australia has a lot of input into the model range and
also the research and development of product. The
most recent example of this is the KTM 790 Adventure
R, which was designed and built based on the opinion
of adventure riders in Australia.How is your brand planning for
a very different world in 2030?
We are leading the way in the development of electric
technology and e-mobility. The year ahead will see
the introduction of the KTM SX E-5 and Husqvarna
Motorcycles EE5 on tracks across the country for
young riders. Next year will also see the introduction
of an electric bicycle range.What will be your best-selling bike in 2030?
That’s a tough question, especially in this declining
market. Technology will continue to advance, our
riders will continue to change as will regulations and
accessibility. It would be great to see more kids riding
and for sure the next generation of riders will have
the opportunity to grow through electric technology.in Australia, for example, has to be
better than current performance
because everything is so far away here.
Governments have to get onto the fast-
learning curve to make it easier and
cheaper for people to get motorcycle
licenses to maximise the environmental
and congestion benefits of bikes in inner-
city areas.
Distributors have to pick bikes from
what’s available to them to maximise
sales potential attached to good margins.
This will inevitably be low- and mid-
capacity bikes (125-900cc). Monster bikes
will go the way of ancient creatures,
but it doesn’t mean the lower-capacity
machines will be slower. It’s a good time
to buy a Triumph Rocket III Touring and
wrap it in cotton wool.
For Australia, bikes that can travel
comfortably on outback roads will still
be big sellers for the next 10 years. PetrolBikes that can travel
comfortably on
outback roads will
still be big sellers for
the next 10 yearsYamaha stunned the market
with this electric trials bike
prototype, for a market
segment where range is not
such a major issue, but it is
already producing electric
scooters and motors for
‘pedal-assist’ electric
bicycles.