Their job is riding bikes – KTM R&D Endurance department
An essential feature of motorcycle development is to reel off kilometre after kilometre during the test rides. KTM maintains a special department that is responsible for these endurance tests only.
The KTM endurance test department is a subdivision of the KTM vehicle development department that every bike has to pass through in addition to plenty of other tough test bench procedures. In order to gain practical experience on how the bikes behave in daily use they are ridden on public roads for several kilometres. The department tests prototypes, recent developments and spare parts. The evaluation is based on the mileage data that is determined beforehand by the responsible project leader. Even at a brief function test the bikes cover more than 3000 km and at a long term test it can be up to 50000 km, occasionally 100000 km.
The implementation of an endurance test is always bound to a certain project and involves professional and freelance test riders that ride bikes all day long. The group consists of 20 test riders that are deployed on a rotating basis. To make sure things run smoothly the entire process is observed by a department head, four mechanics, someone who takes care of the documentation and two apprentices.
Every day the test riders reel off between 600 and 800 kilometres on each bike. Usually five days a week, sometimes even over the weekends. In order to enable the testers to ride the bikes throughout the winter, the entire test run procedure is relocated to one of the Canary Islands for three months in winter time, since cold temperatures, snow and ice make it impossible to ride in Austria.
The focus for all the tests depends on the bike and the stage of development. When it comes to special tests it is sometimes necessary to work through special routes with certain requirements at determined load states. Apart from that, functionality, durability and wear behavior of the bike are tested.
The way of riding while testing the bike is pretty close to what a customer would ride the bike. Maybe a little bit more precise, since the KTM test riders are experienced and versed across-the-board. If there is the need for high load states the test rides are located to race tracks or German motorways in order to ride at high torque at full speed over a long period, but usually the test rides are operated on ordinary highways and motorways.
The set of test riders consists of diverse people. A relatively small group rides bikes professionally, others test during their leisure time, but even for them it is a full time job. One not only has to physically bear a daily workload of several hundred kilometres on a bike, but also has to have a real passion for such kind of job. It’s not a big exaggeration to call this a “back-breaking job”. In general riding bikes is a pleasure but riding a bike at summery 35 degrees or wintry four degrees can turn this pleasure into an exhausting undertaking.
About the test riders one could say: The riders got a lot of experience and can asses themselves pretty well. Amongst the set of test riders are instructors of riding trainings, as well as motor patrols and pensioners. Several test riders have a more sporty background but in general are in control of their race ambitions, since the target is to reel of the desired amount of kilometres on the bike.
The endurance run department is diligently taking the minutes. All observations, comments and additional work are noted – digitally, not on paper. That saves time and simplifies the situation for the workshop with regard to overview and access to the data – as for all the departments in vehicle engineering.
The endurance run processes are the same for 125cc and big bikes. The only exception is, that the total distance is shorter and the daily workload smaller. Apart from that the processes are very similar, even the test riders are the same. Most of the endurance runs are hold for onroad bikes, but of course offroad bikes are as well part of the test runs. In wintertime, when the department is testing in Southern Europe, from time to time the KTM test riders are also given EXC models with the order to conduct test runs of 150 or 200 hours.
Of course all KTM engineers are enthusiastic motorcyclists, since without a driving license it is impossible to work in the KTM R&D department. However, engineers and project heads are running low on time for prolonged test rides of several thousand kilometres. Performance, riding impressions and the set-up of the bike have priority during the bike’s prototype stage. To ride kilometre after kilometre and especially focus on the long-term durability is the important task of the endurance run department.
Im owned a 390 for 2 year and my mileage is already roll over and counting. Eventhou got few breakdown issues small and major im still lovin it. 😆
I’ll try clock 200k mileage after this and see how it end up
Im owned a 390 for 2 year and the mileage is already roll over and still running. Tht machine is sure something. I’ll test it out until 200k Km.
Adventure 1190 from 2013, my 1st KTM machine. Lovelly bike but too much recalls and we can wondering if it has been ever tested. This summer I may consider seeling it if nothing happens with KTM.
How could KTM ignore this heat issue coming from rear cylinder!?!! Really, do they believe we are stupide….
What do they wait to recall and update the rear exhaust pipe with the new one applied today to Adventure 1290? 15000euros but still a bike that you can not really use when it is summer with 30 degre Celsus ambient. Amazing…
But as well, a bike that you can not really trust neither when it is winter time as you are never sure whether it will start yes or no on morning. Without surprise, Replacing free of charge the batterie did not help… Here again, what KTM has been waiting to recall for starter upgrade!???
Look to any forum, wherever it is, we are all very well aware (as KTM is!) and fed up with those 2 big issues with our Adv1190. What does KTM????? Today nothing.
Frankly speaking, I may reconsider KTM next time. Indeed, I am not convinced that KTM is adopting the right attitude toward his clients.
Philippe, 50y., Alpes Mountains, France
EXC 300. Yes I dislike White power suspension. Too harsh over small irregularities but OK over huge jumps. I think needle system is a gimmick and works to the detriment of overall compliance. I hesitate to buy another KTM because of this suspension system.
Once I have an opportunity or better say luck to meet a guy from this department on my way trough Austria on my 640 ADV. I think you all applicants can forget about sending the CV, it’s kind of position recruited from internal resources only 🙂
Dream Job! I really want it!
Could you please give me a chance to apply for such a great job of whole live ?
Thank you then if you could let me E-mail address of KTM R&D ENDURANCE DEPARTMENT .
When do you expect to make a selection of new riders ?
If any , I am available immediately .
How to send you many thanks again ?
Best regards
L.uc
p.s. : enjoy always riding any bike !
: – ) : – ) : – )
KTM is famous for its sports bikes and recently it has started producing street motorcycles also. KTM has racing sponsorship of several events. KTM 640 Adventure, KTM Supermoto bike and KTM 950 Adventure are its off road motorcycles. you can search for more…
All I can say is you guys could not feel the heat comming from the rear cylinder on the 1190, you must be very thick skinned. This problem has ruined what should have been the ultimate all round bike. Sold mine before they become wotthless and bought a R1200GS LC
Those guys are professionals, but with the testing of ADV 1190 they did a lousy job. The ADV 1190 has been tested only in environments with a maximum of 20 degrees? I’m sorry but maybe it should have to figure out what is a motorcycle for large distances.
Hi KTM, im from malaysia, owned duke 200 previously and duke 690 R 2014 now, we ktm ckd owner in malaysia now got so many bike problem, engine always leaking on duke 200, front sprocket dislodged on duke 390, Y bracket broke, engine dead on duke 690 R 2012, leaking fork and many more. Some of them was a new bike and KTM Malaysia CKD not doing anything about it, SILENT!!! Ktm bikers now start comparing ktm with other brand including taiwan brand bike, got also ktm bikers involve in accident because of factory defact..this only happen at CKD ktm bike..please do something about it..look like KTM brand in malaysia will dead if KTM not doing something to prevent this…
Thanks for sharing this guys! I love it! I wish I could be a test rider myself. I love the brand, I love the motorcycles , I love the colors! Can’t get any better than this!
Hi, my 1190 Adventure is my 48th consecutive motorcycle and the most satisfying yet, amazing ‘do-everything’ machine and am extremely pleased with it – thanks KTM.
Regards,
Les
Hiring?
Suchen nach Testfahrer?
I want job,This blog entry needs to have a CV upload function.To Where can send my CV? I want that job as well so pls need full
I have to say, my 1190 adventure is a great bike, but it’s been riddled with faults. This has taken the shine off the whole experience. To be fair, KTM have extended my warranty by a year as compensation. However, I’m not sure I will buy another KTM. I don’t trust the bikes reliability anymore.
I want that job as well. I will work for free…
To Where can send my CV?
You don’t test bikes in winter conditions at all? Have you ever heard of studded tires?
After your comprehensive testing how could you put the old 1190 adv airbox into production?
Is your test riders riding only in tarmac when sun shines and it’s warm enough?
Best Regards,
all weather 990 adv rider. 100 000 km and stil going strong.
This blog entry needs to have a CV upload function.
I think you guys haven’t done the same with the duke390. Many people are facing issues with their bikes complaints like the fork oil seal damage, Disc brakes making sound, body rattling sound and the worst wheel rims cracking. I hope you guys at KTM are looking into these issues and helping us with solutions to it. I own a duke 390 im facing an issue with body rattling sound which is very irritating.
Hello,
Could you please provide more information about any chances to work at this Testing Department?
Regards,
V.Telycenas
I want that job! 🙂