Salt Motorcycle Company is Building Two Stroke Road Bikes in Australia
BY PAUL CROWE
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 KTM 2 stroke power plant
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.
In the curves where this 2 stroke is at home
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!
