Christini has put together a bolt-on upgrade kit that adapts the company’s front-wheel drive system for KTM adventure bikes.
For years, Christini has been building all-wheel drive systems (technically, front-wheel drive systems) when the industry has, as a whole, abandoned the idea. Early experiments into AWD bikes have all been abandoned by the Big Four, even though there were definite advantages to the systems.
Those advantages mean some users, particularly military, remain interested in these sorts of machines, and Christini has been supplying them for years. Christini’s been selling complete bikes, based on made-in-China offroad bikes or dual sports, with the Christini system grafted on. Christini has also offered bolt-on systems for some popular Japanese and European dirt bikes.
It’s not a bad plan, but what if you don’t want a 300 or a 450? What if you want AWD on your big-bore adventure bike?
That’s where Christini’s new frame kit comes in. It’s made to be bolted on to KTM’s 1190 and 1290 adventure bikes.
In the photo, you can see how the system works: there’s a power take-off that is driven by the bike’s front sprocket. That power is run through a gearbox, then a clutch. From there, a system of driveshafts and chains powers a front hub, provided by Christini, that is installed into the stock KTM front wheel.
In total, the kit comes with:
- Complete AWD system
- CNC triple clamps with integrated AWD system
- Billet Axle clamps with integrated AWD system
- Front Wheel Drivers (allows for use of stock wheel)
- AWD gearbox with slipper clutch
- Engagement Switch
- Radiator (necessary for AWD drive system fitment)
Pricing for the kit is $4,595 US for the big-bore KTM systems. The small-bore Honda systems are $3,595 US, and small-bore KTM systems are $3,995 US. The small-displacement bike systems are available now, but you’ll have to wait for summer for the big-bore system. Find more details here.
Why would you do this? To make your bike better in really tough off-road conditions? I saw the comment about military applications but I still don’t get it. Furthermore it doesn’t look all that robust. It’s close to 5 grand Canadian for the small-bore systems.
I read about it several years ago and apparently there was some benefit in off road applications. As with most bolt-on accessories (I HATE the word farkle) it’s mostly just jewellery and, “look what I can afford” stuff.
I should also point out that IF I had an unlimited pile o’ money I wouldn’t be adverse to at least try one out with an eye to buying it. It might be kind of fun.
It’s much easier to ride it off-road, especially in hilly terrain, as the front wheel drive is designed to kick in when the rear wheel starts to slip. US military trials therefore concluded it was much less exhausting to ride, and they’ve been buying them ever since for the “jump out of a C130 with a knife in your teeth” types.
Thanks Zac. It sounds like fun. I imagine that if the US military applied this to the diesel KLR’s they’d have a real 2 wheel tank.
As a potential customer, I’m less the “jump out of a C130 with a knife in your teeth” type and more the “I won’t walk down the stairs with a toothpick in my mouth” type, but I still think it would be fun.