Have you ever looked at a two stroke off road bike and thought, you know, with a few changes, that would be pretty sweet on the road? After all, some of the most desirable vintage bikes are two strokes, but they’ve disappeared from the showrooms in the US. Down in Australia, though, Salt Motorcycle Company is transforming KTM enduro bikes into lightweight corner carvers. They begin with a brand new KTM 300 EXC TPI and set to work.
The motorcycle is stripped down, and almost every component is modified, to produce a beautifully handcrafted ultra-lightweight road bike.
The motorcycle is then handed to Australian and British motorcycle road race champion, and former World Championship rider Paul Lewis, to ensure the Salt Two-Stroke is more than a pretty face on the road.
The 293cc two stroke engine produces 52 horsepower, 34.5 ft-lb of torque and runs through a six speed transmission. There’s a hand crafted aluminum tank, carbon fiber bodywork and a stainless steel custom exhaust. Dry weight of this little road burner is 245 pounds! That should get your attention, two stroke power in a flickable little featherweight.
What was I saying just the other day about too much technology in motorcycles? These guys get it:
There are no screens or electronics here. Just the pure analog experience of the rider, the motorcycle and the road.
You can ride older two strokes on the road in the US, but in Australia, regulations evidently differ.
They’re producing a limited run at a price of $39,990 AUD which is $28,688 USD.
These look like a helluva lot of fun. Nice work guys!
stephen bogert says
Lets just register it as a 1968 Bultaco Metralla. wink, its been restored and renovated.
Connie says
Ah, memories. Owned a Suzuki dealership in the early 70’s, Trying to figure out stinger lengths, diameters, etc., fun. Installed quite a few Ocelot chambers. Aussies always good on bikes. I have a 2000 Triumph triple with a 3 into 1 (Thunderbike) exhaust out of New Zealand because couldn’t find one in US. Pricey, but worth every penny.
Surprised these guys can get out of the house to ride, considering the recent government shutdown over there. Not the same country it used to be.
JP Kalishek says
If I felt I could make one here in Michigan. I have a frame with title and well, Insure it and license it have enough lights the police leave you alone (until you crank the grip a bit too hard (~_^)), and that’s all they go by up here.
I was never much of a two stroke fan, but a CR500 with a lighting coil kit in a cafe kitted custom? Oh yeah.
It’s be even fun to experiment with injection of whatnot (those bits are coming more and more and more accessible
todd says
the KTM 300 two stroke is a different animal, very torquey. Many people think of 2-stroke dirt bikes as peaky and a narrow power band. This 300 is more like classic enduros that make good use of lower rpms. I don’t know how this one has been tuned but that all can be whatever you want with some light porting changes and different pipe geometry. Interesting that a Rekluse clutch is fitted. Those are handy on rocky river bed trails and special forces where you shoot from the saddle but less useful on the street.
JP Kalishek says
the woods enduro bikes would be good engine donors. tourqueyer, and tend to already have a lighting coil. Doing a classic a Yamaha IT or an old Husky would be cool, In Texas I saw a KDX 200 with a plate for road use (He did classic enduro events) KTM/Penton were always good enduro motors, and yeah, they got the 300 for a more modern version. GasGas had/has a 300 enduro too, don’t they?
todd says
the GasGas EC300 is a KTM. Some people have posited that KTM uses lower quality components on the GasGas to hit the lower price point. I’m not sure if that’s the case.
Michael Clark says
There is no better E-ticket ride than a Two Stroke , 50 hp 245 lbs it can’t be beat !
Walter says
Great looking machine with excellant power to weight. My vintage 2 stroke flatrackers only a few pounds less. Simple, functional, rideable bike with technical parts only where needed. Back to the basic.!
Mark says
Very cool bike, however it’s a lot of money to convert a dirt bike into a road bike.
The KTM EXC 300 is about $17,000 brand new and road legal.
$23,000 to change the bodywork, suspension, wheels, tyres and an exhaust.
I’d love to ride one for a day though.
Axel says
Lovely idea and nice looking bike.
I’ve heard that dirtbike engines do not agree with street riding (or even racetracks) and they all die an early death.
Is the EXC 300 different in this regard?
gunk says
There is a company in Calgary Alberta Canada that builds a complete conversion kit to take KTM 250 AND 300 2 strokes to 500cc h.p. starts at 70hp and goes upwards depending on options to almost 90hp. If a guy won the Lotto. 🤔
Marcel Willis says
Can I buy for use in the United States? Thank you, Marcel.
Tony h says
Connie, you probably shouldn’t comment on the restriction in place in Oz! I lived through the restrictions, didn’t stop me going anywhere. The restrictions were greatly exaggerated by people like yourself, probably from watching misinformed media outlets who covered the lockdowns. In short, the reporting was rubbish.
As for the bike, Great, but $39,000, you gotta be joking!