Q&a
Q&A
CW
HORST LEITNER
A short talk with the man behind the newest American motorcycle company
Q
Even though ATK has been around for several years and has gained quite a reputation among off-roaders, many people will find the name unfamiliar. What does your company offer?
A
We have a line of motorcycles: a 250 two stroke, a 406 two-stroke and a 604 four stroke and one with electric-start. Plus, we have accessories. We have fork-spring kits, the chain-torque eliminator and rear-shock springs.
Q
ATK originally built limited-production, spe cial-order four-strokes only. How did you make the transition to the full-line, off-road motorcycle company you are today?
A
competitive When we started four-strokes in 1983, for we all mainly kinds of built racing—MX. desert and playriding. We built up a good reputation. Then Can-Am stopped making motorcycles for itself, and Jeff Smith (Can-Am general manager), who was an old friend of mine from the days when he was world champion, asked if we could make two-strokes under the Can-Am name. We built a prototype and they were all excited about it, but the Canadian owners decided to get out of the motorcycle business for good. So we were stuck with a prototype and no place to sell it.
We decided that there was a market and that we could do it ourselves. There were quite a few Can-Am dealers out there who were stuck without motorcycles.
Q
How big is the company now?
A
We are producing about 200 four-strokes a year. In `85 we built 200. in `86 and `87 we did a little less. We came out with the two stroke near the end of 1987 and altogether last year we sold about 600 motorcycles. This year it will be a little over 1000.
Q
Why do you think someone would buy an ATK instead of a Japanese or European bike?
A
Simplicity. ATKs are very low-maintenance. The air-cooled engine appeals to a lot of peo ple. Also we have built a reputation for being light and having good handling and suspen sion. And we're American-made. People like that.
Q.
But all that doesn't come cheaply. At a time when Honda sells its XR600 for $3600, and the Husqvarna thumper and new KTM go for $5000 each, your 604 Electric Start is priced at $6980. Just who buys a $7000 four-stroke?
A
This motorcycle is for the guy who rode in the ’70s and probably has been out of it for a few years. Now he’s older and more affluent. and he's getting back into some kind of rac ing again. About half of our buyers are racers and half are play-riders. There are some younger riders, too.
Q
The 406 two-stroke sells for under $4000. Why is it so much less than the four-stroke?
A3.
It's mainly the engine cost, but the four stroke's frame is much more costly. as well. Geometry of the two machines is very simi jar, but the construction is much different.
Q
You have some unique features on ATKs. Why is it that we don't see them on other motorcycles?
A
Motorcycle engineering has been stagnant for about the last seven years. The Japanese don't want to copy things anymore. They are on their own in the motorcycle world and don't want to buy anything from the outside. For example, my chain-torque eliminator has been tested and proven by all the Japa nese manufacturers. But they all try to work around it, to get similar effects through other techniques. It isn't just that they don't want to buy any patents. it's more of a prestige problem. But they all know; Roger De Coster has tested it and he knows all the benefits.
Kawasaki has tested it, Yamaha too. They all know they have work to do and now are working even more seriously in that direc tion. And as for our countershaft rear brake, it only works well in conjunction with the chain-torque eliminator. Without it you would get a lot of rear-wheel hop.
Q
Do you ever see ATK growing large enough to compete with Japanese companies?
A
I don't think we will ever compete with them directly, as we shouldn't. We should go on to fill a little niche in the market where those guys can't get in. We should never think that we can compete. We can't. If we keep it small, we have a chance, but if we try to go head-on with the Japanese. we won't be able to make it.
Q
What will the future bring for ATK?
A
We will continue to grow. because even if we make 3000 motorcycles a year, we are still filling a very small niche. We are working constantly on improvements, and you may still see some revolutionary ideas from us, maybearound'91.
