Return of the KSM200?

A couple weeks ago we told you that we figured Konker was out of business. Well, we still haven’t heard from them, but it looks as if another company has taken over importing the KSM200 – under a different name, of course.

The Konker KSM200, a Suzuki DR200-based supermoto with optional dual-sport wheels, was one of the CMG long-term test bikes last summer, and we liked it. We weren’t the only ones. Sven Bernard of Alberta’s W.C. Distributing, Western Canada’s Johnny Pag distributor, has now confirmed that his company’s working on a deal with the KSM200’s Chinese manufacturers.

Bernard says his company hasn’t come up with a new name for the bike yet, but they hope to bring in the upgraded version of the machine we mentioned in our last story; it will have a 250cc motor, up from 200cc. It’ll have fuel injection, and will be available in black, white, or orange. Bernard says W.C. Distributing hopes to make the dual-sport wheels standard, and the supermoto wheels optional.

The upgraded motor hasn’t passed Transport Canada testing, although it is EPA approved, which is a good sign. W.C. Distributing is also hoping to import a small cruiser with the same engine, and maybe even a 50cc scooter from the same company.

In the meantime, they’re also trying to work out a deal with the KSM200’s U.S. importer, Dafier Inc., based in Richmond, Virginia. Bernard says his company is hoping to get spare parts through Dafier to keep Canadian Konker owners on the road.

So, this sounds like good news for Konker owners. We’ve only heard complaints about the business practices of the company’s management, not the bikes themselves. If a responsible outfit can take the line over, and import parts for the bikes already in-country, these machines could remain a great bang-for-your-buck bargain.