The wonders of the internet and Google Patent Search . No longer do we need to wait for some spy shots of heavily camouflaged motorcycles. One quick trip to Google, and you know what the motorcycle manufacturers have in store.
On January 3rd, 2008, KTM filed a patent for an off-road motorcycle. Jeez, I would have thought they would have done that a bit longer ago. But there it is, a patent filed for an off-road competition motorcycle.
Except, this is not a normal KTM from what I can see. Its fuel tank has been fitted behind the rider, above the rear wheel.
Reading the patent is funny, specially when you're not a lawyer:
1. An off-road competition motorcycle comprising: an internal combustion engine (2) having at least one cylinder; a front wheel (3) and a rear wheel (4); a tubular trellis frame (5); and a self-supporting fuel tank configured as a rear tank (11) mounted at the rear end of the off-road competition motorcycle (1) and releasably secured to said tubular trellis frame (5);
wherein said rear tank (11) comprises the sole fuel tank of said off-road competition motorcycle (1), and a lower portion of said rear tank (11) extends by its bottom (16) in a yaw axis direction of said motorcycle (1) into a region of one end of the tubular trellis frame (5).
2. The off-road competition motorcycle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said motorcycle has a deadweight and applies a load on said rear wheel (4) of the upright off-road competition motorcycle (1), and wherein further said load comprises at least approximately 53.5% of said deadweight.
3. The off-road competition motorcycle as set forth in claim 2, wherein said load on said rear wheel (4) of the upright off-road competition motorcycle (1) is between approximately 53.5% and approximately 56% of said deadweight.
4. The off-road competition motorcycle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an electrically operated fuel pump (15), at said bottom (16) of said rear tank (11), for supplying fuel to a fuel injector system of the engine (2).
So the whole patent is about the fuel tank. It makes sense, since fitting a fuel tank behind the rider on an off-road motorcycle will provide more rear tire grip, and make the front lighter.
What I can't understand is that the patent was filed early this year, but the KTM 690 already has a rear fender fuel tank. Is it only because it's an off-road competition motorcycles..? So what's the deal? Someone fill me in....
Interesting... now Mr. Trunkenpolz, now that I've discovered your little secret and kept it quite, can I have a first look at your prototype??
. No longer do we need to wait for some spy shots of heavily camouflaged motorcycles. One quick trip to Google, and you know what the motorcycle manufacturers have in store. 
