I'd like to see someone use a 300KTM in the Dakar.
I believe it would be only a slight disadvantage against 450s, mainly that being the inevitable one of having all the top riders and teams committed to riding 4ts - the same thing present now in most aspects of competition today.
I think many here would know of the Honda EXP400 that achieved either 4th or 5th in the 90s (I took a bit of a smack to my noggin over the weekend and am a bit fuzzy headed at the moment
) in the Dakar - against the big twins, and perhaps even the 4 cylinder Yamaha, in the era of big speed Dakars. Honda getting the EXP engine out of mothballs, with a top rider on it, would get them results quicker than the CRFX or Rs, but that will Never happen , of course...... just being a stirrer.
Herbert Scheck (sp?) and his daughter did the Dakar on 500 Maicos. Herbert attended to back his daughter up, who I think broke her arm. At the time I was working at the Maico importers (not that we still brought in many Maicos - we brought in only my 320, 1 500 GS WC, and a Air cooled 490 / 500 for Keith Stacker in 89 - the AC was blue, with a red tank, as Merkle only had old stock of AC tanks - these were the last Maicos imported by Off Road Imports).
Herbert reported at the time, that, if they were to do it again, they found that they wouldn't need the huge tank set up they had. Because of the power, torque and much lighter weight of the 500s, they did not have to cane them like the 4ts, and they didn't use the amount of fuel they had thought they'd need. They basically could have cut the tank(s) capacities by at least a 3rd, and make the bikes much slimmer than they had set them up to be.
So, I think a 300 would be a very good bike for the Dakar. They've found the 450s to be a pretty good thing, especially the weight loss and subsequent maneuverability gained. Having 450s as the limit from now on, could really be a great chance for 2ts to start to get into Rally / Raid use at the top level. I think the Marathon class, doesn't allow engine replacement, only repair, so privateers would benefit.
I'm far from being up on the rules, but I know the Pro teams were limited to 3 engines - that was a real fear for the last couple of days for both Coma and Depre (well, for everyone, I'd say), as they were on their last engines. I'm not sure if engines are sealed and they can't do top ends, but if you were allowed to do top ends, plus have 3 engines, I think it would be a bit of a nice advantage with a 2t, as it would be much easier on the riders / mechanics back in the bivouac. With the size of a 300 top end, you could even carry one with you
.
Not that I think you would need to do more with maintenance, with a well set up 300.
I wish KTM would try this out, or at least help a couple of riders through the back door, as them finishing, or doing well, would be a great way to bring even more recognition to the brand, even one that has had such a strangle hold on the Dakar / Rally scene. But, if they couldn't see the benefit of having Cedric on a KTM250 in SX, there's probably not much chance of us seeing this.
Perhaps they may do it, when (if?) they ever pull their fingers out and bring out the DFI 2ts.
