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ATK Motorcycles

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Main article: Types_of_motorcycles § Off-road

ATK is a former competition Motocross, off-road and Sportbike motorcycle manufacturer/distributor from 1985 until 2015, who also briefly offered All-terrain vehicle models, marketed under both the ATK and the Cannondale banner. As of 2016, they operate primarily as an extensive ATK parts and service manual supplier, located in Centerville, Utah, USA.[1]. While ATK initially was founded on superior in-house chassis designs and uniquely modified sourced-engines, the brand has exclusively focused on acquisition and badge-engineered models from multiple companies worldwide since 2004.

ATK
Company typeVarious
IndustryMotorsport
Founded1985; 39 years ago (1985)
FounderHorst Leitner
Headquarters
Centerville, Utah, U.S.
ProductsMotorcycles
All-terrain vehicle
Websitehttp://atkusa.com/

ATK Rotax Era

1985 ATK 604
ManufacturerATK Leitner Corp
Production1985 - 1993
AssemblyLaguna Beach, California
PredecessorATK 560
SuccessorATK 605
ClassMotocross
EngineRotax 562 cc (34.3 cu in) air cooled four-valve four-stroke single
Bore / stroke94mmx81mm
Compression ratio9.4:1
Top speed<70 Mph
Power44.1hp@8000rpm
Torque34.0@6500rpm
Ignition typeCDI
TransmissionManual wet-clutch
5-speed
Chain Final Drive
Frame type4130 Chrome Moly
SuspensionFront: Inverted Forks w/11.8” Travel
Rear: White Power Monoshock w/12.6" Travel
BrakesFront: Hydraulic Disc
Rear: Drum
Tires3.00x21 Front
4.50x19 Rear
Wheelbase58 in.
Seat height37.5 in.
Weight252lbs (dry)
271lbs (full tank) (wet)
Fuel capacity2.8 gal
Related$4295 MSRP
Footnotes / references
Information provided via:
1989 ATK Brochure[2]
Dirt Rider Magazine Oct 1985[3]


ATK was founded by Austrian-born engineer, Grand Prix motocross racer and ISDT Gold Medalist Horst Leitner, following his relocation to the United States in 1980. In 1985, after successfully patenting a new motorcycle drive-tensioning system, and marketing custom-frame kit-bikes designed to accept Honda XR350 engines, Leitner was approached by Puch, who offered to fund a motorcycle company based on his designs. Leitner named the new venture ATK after his patented device to eliminate chain torque for improved handling. Known later as the A-Trak, Leitner originally called this device the Anti-Tension Kettenantrieb (German: Anti Tension Chain-drive).[4] Within months he had produced his first prototype machine, and within a year this machine would produce the following placements;[5]

  • Overall Win at the 1985 Four-Stroke Nationals; Ridden by Brian Myerscough
  • Semi-Win at ABC's 1985 Superbikes Event; Ridden by Steve Eklund
  • 2nd in Semi at 13th Overall at Ascot TT Nationals; Ridden by Warren Reid
  • Pro Open Class Winner at the 1986 Four-Stroke Championships; Ridden by Doug Dubach
  • Placement at the 1986 CNC Four-Stroke Nationals; Ridden by Cycle World Staff riders

An article by Motorcross Action in December of 2019 states Leiter would produce thousands of Four-Stroke ATKs between 1985 and 2003[6]. By 1987, due to the high regard for ATK's chassis, which already utilized a Rotax engine, Can-Am approached ATK about creating a replacement for their off-road line, using dated 250cc and 400cc two-stroke Rotax engines. From this foundation, ATK Created the 250 and 406 models. These models retained many of ATKs unique chassis features, including counter-shaft mounted rear disc brake, side mounted single rear shock with no linkage, offset gas tank filler, air filter located beneath the gas tank, and backward facing brake pedal. As the prototypes were delivered, Can-Am cancelled the deal and announced they were withdrawing from the off-road motorcycle market.

This lead to an agreement between Leitner and North American Can-Am dealers to fund the production of the 406 and future motorcycles. ATK gained a nationwide dealer network and funding, and Can-Am dealers retained a product to sell. From 1989, and continuing until 1995, this seven year period saw ATK as the fifth-largest off-road motorcycle manufacturer in North America.[7]

Models

ATK would initially release the 560 Model, based on the 562cc Rotax four stroke engine displacement. Modifications to the frame would see the designation change to the 604. This designation was used until the motorcycle received an engine revision in 1994. In 1988, ATK released the 406, the two-stroke air cooled Rotax-powered model that would become synonymous with their two-stroke line. The two-stroke line was also the first to receive a second bike, as the line launched with a 250cc counterpart.

In 1991, Leitner would sell the company to a conglomerate[8], who would move the corporation to Utah. The new owners would expand the product line-up greatly, offering a second four-stroke, the 350, as well as Electric start and Lighted variations of most models. The company also released the ATK ATV, based on the 604 Model. Also advertised was the XR Kits, a full set of ATK accouterments that accepted a Honda XR350 engine.

1994 would see the 604 revised into the 605, as well as the introduction of the 600 Flat Track model. 1996 brought the liquid cooled 250 and 260 lines, as well a farewell send-off Limited Edition 406 model, as ATK retired their Open Class two-stroke offering. 1999 would see the introduction of the 50MX, an introductory Motocross model/Pit Bike sold for two years. In 2003, with the purchase of Cannondale motorsports, ATK began to assimilate the acquired models into their line-up. Thus began a new era for the company, as it began to Badge Engineer its line-up.

604 604 Electric Start 604 Cross Country 350 350 Electric Start 350 Cross Country 406 406 Cross Country 250 250 Cross Country ATK Quad Special Models
1985 X
1986 X
1987 X
1988 X X X
1989 X X X
1990 X X X X
1991 X X X X X X X X X X X XR Kit
1992 X X X X X X X X X X X XR Kit
1993 X X X X X X X X X X X XR Kit
1994 X X X X X X
Information provided Via ATK Advertising and Service Manuals - See references
605 605 Dual Sport 605 Cross Country 350 350 Dual Sport 350 Cross Country 406 406 Cross Country 250 Cross Country 250 Liquid Cooled 260 Liquid Cooled Special Models
1994 X X X X X
1995 X X X X X X
1996 X X X X 406 Limited
Edition
1997 X X X X X X X
1998 X X X X X X 605 Law Enforement
Information provided Via ATK Advertising and Service Manuals - See references
605 Cross Country 605 Dual Sport 490 Cross Country 490 Dual Sport 350 Cross Country 350 Dual Sport 500 Flat Tracker 600 Flat Tracker 250 Liquid Cooled 260 Liquid Cooled 50cc MX Special Models
1998 X
1999 X X X X X X X X X X X
2000 X X X X X X X X X X X
2001 X X X X
2002 X X X X
Information provided Via ATK Advertising and Service Manuals - See references

ATK Cannondale Era

In January 2003, Cannondale Motorsports filed bankruptcy and ATK Motorcycles acquired all remaining Cannondale Motorsports inventory.[9]

ATK USA Era

2014 ATK-Hyosung ST7
ManufacturerHyosung Corp
Production2011 - 2014
AssemblyChangwon, South Korea
PredecessorATK-Hyosung GV650
SuccessorHyosung ST7
ClassMotorcycle
EngineHyosung 678.2 cc (41.39 cu in) Liquid cooled 8-valve four-stroke 90° V-twin engine
Bore / stroke81.5 x 65mm
Compression ratio11.5:1
Power46.0kW / @8000RPM
Torque57.3Nm / @7000RPM
Ignition typeCDI
TransmissionManual wet-clutch
5-speed
Belt Final Drive
Frame typeSteel
SuspensionFront: Telescopic Forks
Rear: Hydraulic Double shock
BrakesFront: Hydraulic single disc, 4 pistons caliper
Rear: Hydraulic Single disc, 2 pistons caliper
Tires120/80-16 Front
170/80-15 Rear
Wheelbase66.5 in.
DimensionsL: 97.2 in.
W: 37.8 in.
H: 44.6 in.
Seat height26.5 in.
Weight538lbs (dry)
Fuel capacity4.5 gal
Related$7299 MSRP
Footnotes / references
Information provided via:
Total Motorcycles 2014 ST7 Review [10]

In 2008 ATK offered the Intimidator, a Badge engineered Maico-produced 700 cc two stroke Motocross bike available in limited quantities. This Bike is powered by a 78 hp (58 kW) Maico two-stroke engine,[11] and, along with its Maico counterpart, rank consistently among the fastest off-road motorcycles released.[12] The ATK/Maico bike continued the tradition of badge-engineering that has been the make-up the ATK line since its acquisition of Cannondale.

In Novemebr of 2009 it was reported that ATK and Changwon, South Korea based Hyosung would be collaborating on a line of small motorcycles to be distributed through select Harley Dealerships.[13] While Harley-Davidson did not endorse the distribution, they would not actively prevent it, as Hyosung bikes were pulled from most dealerships prior to the introduction of Harley's competing small motorcycles in 2015. In May of 2011, ATK began delivering the first of three models with ATK nameplates, and a few requested changes to the standard Hyosung Motorcycles. The market would see the distribution of the GV250, GV650 and ST7 models, each featuring the respective 250 cc (15 cu in), 650 cc (40 cu in) and 700 cc (43 cu in) (appx.) V-Twin engines, until S&T sold ownership of Hyosung to Kolao Holdings in 2014.

See also

References

  1. ^ "ATK History". ATK Motorcycles. Archived from the original on 2005-09-23. Retrieved 2004-03-11.
  2. ^ "ATK 1989 Brochure" (PDF). ATK usa. 1988. Retrieved 2020-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "ATK 560; World Class on Straight Gas!" (PDF). Dirt Rider. 1985-09-03. Retrieved 2020-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Patents". AMP Research. Archived from the original on 19 March 2006. Retrieved 2006-03-11.
  5. ^ "ATK 560; Anatomy of a Winner". {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Americas Most Famous Dirt Bike Designer". Retrieved 2020-05-23. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "ATK 406 MX Racer". Retrieved 2020-05-23. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Leitner Design (Bernard Leitner)". Retrieved 2020-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "ATK BUYS OUT CANNONDALE MOTORSPORTS INVENTORY". Motocross Action.com. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  10. ^ https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcycles/2014models/2014-Hyosung-ST7 |title=2014 Hyosung ST7 Review |website=Total Motorcycle|date=2014 |accessdate=2020-05-23 |url-status=live}}
  11. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2008-06-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ^ "Worlds fastest bikes". Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  13. ^ "ATK and Hyosung collaborate on Bike range for Harley Dealers". Retrieved 2020-05-23.
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