KTM PRESENTS BRAND NEW INNOVATIONS AT THE EICMA 2009

11/11/2009 Milan, Italy.

KTM is presenting a range of innovative new motorcycles at EICMA 2009, recognized as the world's biggest annual motorcycle trade fair. On show will be a radical new 350cc Motocross prototype, the new Duke 690R and future models in the 125cc segment.

KTM 350 SX-F FACTORY RACING
By presenting a 350cc pre-series racing bike, KTM again illustrates the typical determination of the Austrian company to go its own way. With the confirmation in Milan of the key data of the 350cc, including injection and linkage, the tradition-rich offroad specialist is forging "a new path" in Motocross.

While the company's 250 SX-F and 450 SX-F models have been so successful and oriented to suit the specific displacement of the sport's regulations, now KTM is the first manufacturer in the world to present a 350cc displacement bike for the sport of Motocross.

The completely new bike, which will be "ready to race" from 2010 carries the distinct development signature of MX legend Stefan Everts right down to the finest detail. With this project, the KTM MX team boss deploys meticulousness and all his unique ambition to catapult it to a new MX level. A concrete date for series production of this already very mature prototype has not yet been decided.

"KTM 125"
The developers at KTM don't have to learn about being consistent - it is a part of their natural daily creative process. Together with the company's enthusiastic customers, the Duke, Super Duke, RC8R and Adventure are all proof of this philosophy. Now this same dynamic is also evident in a smaller displacement bike segment with the introduction of a range of 125 cc products that have been one hundred percent developed at the company headquarters in Mattighofen, Austria.

The four-valve cylinder head, water cooling, fuel injection, two overhead cam shafts and 15 hp all demonstrate the desire for the highest level of technological development. The latticed tubular steel frame is the guarantee of perfect riding fun. As always, the very succinct KTM appearance comes from the extremely creative Kiska design team.

High quality suppliers like WP Suspension and Brembo are the guarantee of premium quality components throughout. Coming with individual design possibilities, these completely newly constructed motorcycles are a breath of fresh air for the segment.

Duke 690R
For KTM, the range of single cylinder LC4s represent tradition, legend and future and well as performance, rideability and the smooth, quiet, harmonious running of the engine.

When KTM introduced this motor concept in 2007, it elevated single cylinder enjoyment to a level that to date has not been surpassed. With the presentation of the Duke 690 in 2008 KTM caused another sensation among the worldwide community of Duke fans. But KTM wouldn't be KTM when the ambitious developer wasn't set on constant improvement and innovation. Now 70 full-blooded hp packed into a vehicle weight of just 148 kg lend the Duke 690 R unrivalled panache. Highest quality components and the unique optics are also typical KTM. As well as the highly potent motor, the 690R also features the orange frame specially reserved for the R models. Carbon mudguards, an extremely sophisticated fork and the new orange rear damper spring are among the outstanding features of the Duke R. Other improvements include an extended maintenance interval and ensure that this very hot street bike will continue to have no serious rivals.

All round and in very best form
As well as the very latest models, KTM also exhibits other models at EICMA that make the line-up of sports motorcycles for the model year 2010 broader and more attractive than ever. These also include the rare RC8R Akrapovic Race Replica; homage to KTM's impressive first season in Superbike, while the company is also exhibiting the successful twin Red Bull Replica for the first time. Meanwhile, in honour of the amazing success of the KTM MX factory riders Max Nagl and Marvin Musquin, the motor sports company is also displaying genuine replicas of the MX1 and MX2 racing machines - naturally with orange coloured frames.

All current model updates and new optics are being presented in Milan along with the comprehensive range of KTM PowerWear and PowerParts products. With qualitatively better clothing ranges and performance-oriented spare parts and extras, the brand illustrates the Austrian lifestyle in best "Ready to Race" style.


Source: KTM

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MMP preferred to any other electoral system

Good news for MMP today, with a UMR poll out today finding 48 percent are in favour of retaining MMP, with 40 percent in favour of changing the system to... well, they weren't sure.

The poll also revealed that people do not like unnecessary referenda. When they were told the upcoming referendum on MMP was going to cost $20 million, 60 percent didn't want one and 32 percent did. That means some people want to ditch MMP - but not through a referendum at more than three times the cost of the anti-smacking referendum. The survey results and graphs are here.

Also, most felt they knew a "fair bit" about MMP in 2000, that dropped to 45% now.That's because 13% knew " a lot" about MMP. increasing to 19% today. So, for those who don't know much, they need to be educated so they can make an informed assessment on how our current electoral system works.

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Maori Party leader disagrees with Race Relations Commissioner over Harawira e-mails

During the week Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres was careful to avoid saying that Hone Harawira's expletive-ridden email was abusive, because to do so would be an admission that Harawira had breached the Human Rights Act, which says

It shall be unlawful for any person to publish or distribute written matter which is threatening, abusive, or insulting

However, Tariana Turia disagrees with him, describing the e-mail as abusive.

I think that what was in the email was particularly distressing. There's no doubt that number one - nobody likes to be spoken to in that manner. No one likes abusive emails, least of all myself. So I have found that incredibly distressing.

So Turia thinks the email was abusive. Why doesn't Joris de Bres? For that matter whys doesn't Harawira's local electorate committee?

Ngahuia Kapa, the Te Tai Tokerau committee chairwoman, said the electorate supported Mr Harawira, but wanted to lay down three "conditions" to make sure a similar episode did not happen again.

Perhaps one of these conditions will be directed at the Maori Party leadership. There is a crack appearing between Harawira's electorate committee and the Maori Party leadership. The Maori Party leadership will not be at the hui today.

Update Pita Sharples unexpectedly attended the hui, turning up with president Whata Winiata. That's interesting, given that Turia said he wouldn't be attending.

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Shilpa Shetty Plans a Grand and Lavish Sangeet

 

Shilpa Shetty’s wedding preparations have kicked off by a private engagement party but Sangeet, she assures would be a lavish affair at Khandala.

She has zeroed in on friend-choreographer Ganesh Hegde for choreographing everyone’s dance movies for a perfect sangeet on November 21 which is just a day before her wedding.

    Ganesh Hegde confirmed the news saying, “The sangeet is not a professional thing for me. I am related to Shilpa. We are keeping this as personal as possible and haven’t involved any professional dancers. We’re planning something cute where all the family members pay tribute to each other. Raj’s younger brother is extremely enthusiastic about it. Raj’s family members will be coming down from London.”

    Commenting on the sangeet’s theme, Ganesh adds, “There’s no singular theme, but yes, we will explore and celebrate that Shilpa, who is from a South Indian (Bunt) family, is marrying Raj, who is a Punjabi. We’ll have a good mix of South Indian and Punjabi style dance and music.”

    About Shilpa and Raj’s special number, Ganesh says, “They will be dancing together on a lovely romantic number. We haven’t finalised the song yet but it will definitely be one of Shilpa’s own numbers. Apart from Shilpa’s own songs, there will be some high-tempo numbers too. The guests won’t dress in special costumes for their performances as they will anyway be dressed in their finery.”

    Is there a special bit about the ceremony that will be a surprise for the couple, we ask Ganesh. “Not really,” he says. “We all will be rehearsing together so planning a surprise will be difficult… Shilpa is aware and very much part of everything we have planned. We will start the rehearsals very soon.

We hope media gets too see the action in full monty!

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