by Matt Francis
Racer X Films: Ryan Dungey Meet and Greet
Sunday, October 9, 2011 | 1:20 AM
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PrintWe were invited to the KTM West office today for a meet and greet with Red Bull/KTM's newest rider, Ryan Dungey. Our own David Pingree spoke with Roger DeCoster about acquiring Dungey, Ian Harrison, KTM's technical director, about their new fuel injected KTM 450 SX-F that Dungey is riding, and Dungey himself about the transition to orange, his thoughts on a championship, and some reader submitted questions that may have you scratching your head. Check out the video below.
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Looks like Dungey has an awesome program. I hope he can get KTM a title in 2012 !
When he said some reader questions I was thinking great but then but that didn't last long, how about what are the main difference's between your ktm now and your suzuki, good and bad points. How light is it..how bad is the suspension coz it don't look that good, was one of the reasons you left suzuki was because you didn't like the rockstar girls walking around with there puddings boiling over all the time! Geez come on ping what's with the disney crap and other lame questions. Disappointed!
Erm! Where was the leatt question? That was the most significant! Is he going to wear one when racing? Is he not going to bother anymore like Reed? It strikes me that a rider who was leatt's 'guy' last year isnt wearing one with all the media at the moment. I imagine the guy has like a 1000 of new ones at his house, so it can't be the fact that theyre all covered in rockstar logo's.. Instead you asked him a stupid Disney question, which was not only irrelevant and stupid in Dungeys mind. But he didnt even give an actual answer and it was a complete waste! Tut, tut Ping! ;)
Good job Ping, you shoul do more of this
Go Dungey Go! His interviews are getting better, still gets a little tripped up now and then, but I'm not a fan of his cause he can chat it up well with Ping, I'm a fan of his cause he's a clean cut, consistent, keep 'er outa the cabbage, class act kind of rider. I know KTM seems to have a curse by not winning any championships on American soil but if there's anyone that can pull it off its Ryan Dungey and this team. Good work Ping, that was a sick video too. Can't wait for A1!
You yankie fools, doubting the might of the European engineering giant that is KTM. This is their first REAL works effort in the land of the totally brainwashed and enslaved. Dung is gonna kick ass on the orange destroyers. Just wait and see. Since when could the japs out build the Austrians anyway. They are nearly Germans for crying out loud. Those slant eyes yellow devils might be great at making sushi, but better bikes than KTM????? Dream on.
Looks like KTM has clearly assembled the premiere team in motocross. Very respectable group and everything looks in place, now they just need to start winning some championships. I like where the things are headed with Dungey and Villipoto, great ambassadors to the sport.
thats pretty cool,i know roger for a long time and wish i was that cool! its pretty hard not to like dungy.he could,should be sx and national champ were it not for some dnfs,which had to affect his confidence a little.take nothing from viillie he is also a badass.KTM sure is putting some big effort $$$$$ in,it would be cool to see it pay off! not sure if any of it matters,mx bike sales are in the crapper and aint gonna get better.four strokes have killed entry level(kids) racing! MFGRS.dont forget your market,docters,lawyers,dentists,etc.dont let there kids ride.its a "red neck" sport at the grass roots level.i make 90 grand a year live modestly,and cant(wont) afford new bikes every year for my son and i. still love the sport though!
@jairtime If you look those number plates are autographed by Dungey, so i'll guess there for fans.
First..."Mr or Mrs Jairtime"...get an effin life! That second by second scrutiny of your previous is more than slightly troubling in my opinion. Second...We love you Ryan but from my track-side observation of 5 outdoor nationals this year...A) You shine on your old mount and B) The Katoom can never give you what you need. Although Alessi's results are indicative of an undisciplined camp and out-of-control intervention by those who oughta' keep their distance...Tony...When Mike...AND Andrew...were there "freshest" and did press the KTM for what it was worth, it's handling/suspension visually showed flaws I'm surprised you can overlook. Unless Team Katoom has something REALLY special for you in the upcoming MEC, "me thinks" that the time that other major competitors BRIEFLY in your tow will have even them shaking their collective heads over your decision to ditch a successful mount.(Sans JS7 for I'm sure he'll be wondering what that orange streak was that just passed...or rode over him) Granted, that "successful mount" did cost you the Outdoor National but, as an over-all package, those mechanicals were over-come with the talent matched only by RV, a team giving 100% at all times and again...a bike with the capabilities to get the job done. This AIN'T the KTM...and this is coming from one who has taken the floor version to Loretta's twice. Best of luck to the entire team and hope you prove us nay-Sayers wrong!
Watch the worms, like motodog, come crawling out the woodwork when the Dung gets the job done. He´ll probably say, I told you so, but we will know that´s BS.
KTM rules dude. They aimed to rule in GP´s and did, now they aim to rule in AMA, and that will be a doddle. Wait and see, and never forget who told you so. EUROMIKE.
The Bike looks great, too bad we can not afford to race anymore. Just the other day I was quoted out the door for a 450f Kawi $8400 and that was a good price ! It is time to quit and start saving for other stuff like Food !
I detect a slight push in that one left turn; I'm sure it's just too much water on the hard soil. They will have this bike dialed by A1. Go Dungey and KTM.
Pingree is a riot!!! I loved his last few questions!!!
Does anybody know where this meet and greet was at? Must have been industry people only. KTM will be a force this coming year. Good luck guys!!!
These manufacturers are basically pricing themselves out of the market and into an early grave which will be very detrimental to the sport I love but no longer can afford. In this economy do they really expect someone to pay $8400 for a dirt bike? Look at the factory teams that no longer exist like Yamaha and Suzuki, why is that? Like I have said before, bring back the 2 strokes and make it affordable again.
@kflorida - i feel you man, bikes are getting rediculous. and you cant get em cheap in the crate unless you're sponsored. go out and get some bread and peanut butter bud cause it's only getting worse.
He needs the EFI if he is going for the win. I've had my share of problems with my carburated RMZ 450
jairtime, it says in the Meet and Greet photo gallery they are autographed plates that are gifts to the media
$8400 was out the door if you get a dealer that wants to move a unit, but if not then retail is $8400, plus tax, plus set up, you could easily pay $9,000 and thats before you put any gas in it, or take it to the track. Bring back affordable 2 strokes. They are still for sale, Yamaha, KTM, Husky, $6200. Less maintenence for sure. More fun !
They're not going to price themselves out of any market. Different people will come in.
I see some motocross kids are ridiculous though, they think they need a brand new model every year. I ride a 2008.
People still buy street bikes and race those. People still race go-karts. People still race cars.
Sponsors need to start shelling out cash for riders. Or start giving more free product.
@dgizzy ...the RMZ also turned on a dime and gave change and with a stock pipe (which very few people need more than what its got ) or modded with proper jetting and no air leaks the carb works VERY well. That said EFI is now old news (1982 Honda)and its dialed for sure.I think the KTM's big task is handling and power delivery and RD getting acquainted with his new friend. The zook is very 'friendly' on both accounts. I liked Pings interview except the last three cornball ?'s .lol Semi informative , semi press release fodder. Looks like a great situation , great team,and rider with a bike full of potential. Will be ready for A1 ??? ,theres just 1 unsolvable problem and his hair is red and his bars and pegs are adjusted to 'repeat'. Also if Havoc7 goes yellow....major problem....
@EnglishMike-UH! EuroMike--whatever, give it up, Quit trying to sell yourself as German, we all KNOW you are from Great Britan--especially using the term "doddle" Its a English slang word for "easy" .. You are an idiot.. But I agree with you on the KTM's, they are the best bikes going at the moment. I love mine..
As, "Over the Top," that the Promotors, Sponsors like Supercross to be, I can only say KTM, Roger, Ian and Ryan are such a grounded group that they almost seem out of place. I for one, find their work ethic and team persona a very impressive lot. I wish Ryan and his new family at KTM all the best of success in their new venture.
That said; Euro Mike, you deface the prestige of Europe and everything Euro by using their well honored name in conjunction with yours.Why can't you just refer to yourself as menial mike, and pick up a copy of, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.
this bike is EFI - come on guys - it is based on the offroad 450
Should of asked why he not riding the monster race.Would love to see him dominate if everyone is healthy I think he'll be a 3 or 4th place guy.
@mx_phreek
Your dumb the questions were supposed to be funny and random he said " from via twitter" and the suspension, what are you just being a stereotype about KTMs? How would you know how the bike is from a video? Besides he looks and happy and the bike looks great. Smart One.
Bars look too low. Also see that front end push? Could have been track condition. Lot's of testing to do! Hoping things go well for the team and Dung can get wins and championships. IMHO just wins will help KTM sell bikes.
where's Dungey's Leatt brace?!! has he decided not to wear one? or is that a sponsor point of contention??
Don't worry about KTM, guys like RD, RV, Reed and JS ca put a Hodaka on the box. I agree about the cost of bikes getting out of hand. If MX goes back to 2smokes, KTM will be a real tough one to beat,... Snoop the internet and check out their 300cc 2NOsmoke direct inject with 84hp on pump gas. BMW/Husky and GasGas also have some killer DI 2-strokes in the works. None is them are premix and all are claiming 10-20% more hp out of a full race setup 250 2S then the $25,000 motor 450 4S. Last year the AMA debated outlawing DI.... to satisfy the $$s to Yens...
Dungy, your awesome and you've got guts making the move. I have no favorites and would love to see a new face on one of the boxes each week. But I'm thinking I would love to see you blow them all away and grinning all the way to the bank...
@ zrider I googled that ktm300 2nosmoke couldn't find anything on that.I,m going to have to call Bullshot on a 84hp 300cc single u don't have a clue.If they could get 84hp out of a 300 then surley KTM 250 2stroke that has 75+hp that would blow the doors off any factory 450f.Suddenly the 450 four stroke would become obsolete over nite.Dream on there Dreamweaver.
RCX1,you are dead wrong! of course hard core racers will race, but.the the life blood of any sport or buisness is NEW customers! i dont know many 30 plus guys taking up mx. we need new kids. the parents have to be involved! I am into it my whole life with my son since he is two.we stoped racing because of the cost of four stroke racing. we still ride, on used bikes.remember what i said before mx is a red neck sport.karting is mostly rich kids! have you seen the grid of a road race pro or local,anemic at best. am i the only guy who is barley able to still ride. any way i must be fu#king crazy,i feel if it keeps going our sport will just be gone!
@Fred, there were a few articles on the DI engines, but who knows if you will see them come to market. I am sure someday the 2 stroke will return. But zrider is on to something there, and I would like to see that Hodaka on the box again. lol
@TBonemx47- what? redneck sport? Yes your are crazy alright, but you have a good point. The sport is not getting any cheaper and needs to be fueled by new buisness. Thats why "Factories" are farming out their race teams. It is the sale of bikes that allow them to finance their racing efforts. So with this jacked up economy and high unemployment, who can afford to buy new bikes all the time. I have been riding since the early 70's and remember when you could get a new bike for $400. It's not as cheap anymore for the average joe and some of us old guys can't keep going for ever.
czmark,i mean" red neck", as sort of a term of indearment.like i said in my earlier comment,doctors,lawers and most high earning professionals,dont let thier kids ride or race dirt bikes. the market is 75% blue collar guys.anyway i hope i am wrong but the future dont look good for new entries into the sport,because of cost.
@TBonemx47- gotcha! In the over 40 yrs of riding there were those bleak years that look like the end, but it's riders, enthusiasts, and fans that have kept things going. Let's see what it takes for the next 40 for our kids and grandkids to enjoy?
@TBonemx--I agree, the 4-strokes and the cost to buy and maintain them is turning our sport into a "Yuppie" sport. When it used to be a blue collar deal. All you see at the big races is rich kids and thier rich parents. It will kill the sport eventually. I couldnt afford a new bike if I had to buy one.. I am really on my sons hard to keep up with the oil changes and maintenence just to avoid any unneccasary expenses due to lack of maintenence. Its getting to the point were the cost to own a bike and race is ridiculous.
my euro made orange flavored condom broke while taking my boy kroc to brown town now I have aides :(