Turn Your KTM Into An AWD Monster With This Kit!

A lot of off-road enthusiasts might’ve gotten stuck in a rut, literally, at some point of their lives. Motorcycles, being rear-wheel driven, have one vulnerability: if you get your only driven wheel (the rear) stuck, you’re left to just your wits or brute force to get out of the obstacle. This is where an AWD motorcycle can really change the game.

A Pennsylvania-based company called Christini is now offering AWD kits for select KTM and Honda motocross bikes.

The kit includes a full AWD system integrated into the forks and the front portion of the frame. Since it involves frame modification, you can either get the stock unit altered by them or opt for their own frame. For KTM bikes, the frame cost is dependent on the market, whereas for Honda bikes, it costs USD 500 (about Rs 34,700). With frame exchange, the entire kit for KTM bikes cost USD 3995 (Rs 2.77 lakh). It is compatible with 2005-2011 models of the KTM 250/300 XC, XCW, KTM 450/530 XCRW and EXCR.

On the other hand, the kit for the Honda CRF250X and CRF450X (both 2005 to 2012 models) is priced at USD 3595 (Rs 2.49 lakh). Christini’s kit features a complete all wheel drive system with a modified frame, axle clamps, custom fuel tank, custom front hub which allows the fitment of stock wheel, an engagement switch, CNC triple clamps and fork guards. Here’s how it works:

Christini is also working on providing AWD kits for the KTM 1190 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure by mid-2019. It will be priced at USD 4595 (Rs 3.19 lakh). Christini claims the kit powers the front wheel only when there’s a loss in traction at the rear or if the front wheel skids. What’s more, the front-to-rear speed ratio can also be changed to suit different terrains, and the whole system weighs just 5.4kg! The company also claims that the system uses only 1/10th of the engine power, so there’s minimal transmission loss as well.

Christini says any other motorcycle can also be converted to AWD system. However, due to engineering and manufacturing complexity, such projects start from USD 20,000 (Rs 13.89 lakh). Now that the 390 Adventure’s launch is on the anvil, we simply can’t wait for Christini to launch a kit for the upcoming baby ADV!