If I said that there was an 81hp track bike that weighed less than 280 lbs ready to race, would that be something you’d be interested in? If so, say hello to the Krämer HKR EVO2, a purpose-built track bike from Germany.
Built around KTM’s 690cc single-cylinder engine, which is found in KTM 690 Duke and Husqvarna’s 701 series of bikes, the Krämer HKR EVO2 features a bespoke steel-trellis chassis, custom bodywork, and a host of top-shelf components.
The real tasty part about the Krämer HKR EVO2 though is the attention to detail and the purposefulness of its design – take for instance the 12-liter XPE plastic fuel tank that doubles as a subframe, which has integrated crash sliders, and a sighting hole for easy adjustment of the rear shock damping.
Up-close, the build quality is excellent and the bike feels incredibly light. Oddly enough, the riding position is even comfortable for riders over six-feet in height, and as such we are itching to get some ride-time in the coming weeks.
Starting life out as a KTM 690 Duke in RC8 clothing in 2009, the HKR EVO was designed to race in the SuperMono classes that were popping up in Europe. Honing the design into a weapon, the HKR EVO2 was born, as was Krämer Motorcycles in Germany in 2014.
The Krämer HKR EVO2 comes in two flavors for the US market, and three flavors for friends in Europe.
In the USA, the Krämer HKR EVO2 S is a 75hp machine, with cast wheels, and single 320mm front brake disc; whereas the Krämer HKR EVO2 R makes 81hp, comes with forged aluminum wheels, and has dual 290mm discs up front.
For Europe there is also the Krämer HKR EVO2 RR model, which builds off the R model and sees its KTM LC4 engine bumped up to 733cc and massaged into a 90hp weapon.
All the bikes have fully adjustable WP suspension forks and rear shocks, and a custom exhaust (with available silencer).
Of course, the inevitable day will come when a Krämer HKR EVO2 hits the tarmac and crashes, for which the Krämer folk have a full parts list and available spares, both in Europe and in the USA, which is impressive in its own right, for such a small company.
Potent on the track, we have seen several of our local racing friends here in Oregon making mince meat of the OMRRA Lightweight Superbike class with their Krämer HKR EVO2 R race bikes.
Though, the Krämers have found stiffer competition from OMRRA’s Middleweight Superbike entries, where fully built SV650s, MT-07s, and “cripple triples” are more on par with the big thumper.
Still, powerful, small, and lithe, the Krämer HKR EVO2 R promises to get more potent as base setups are honed over the course of this inaugural season.
Accordingly, we will be curious to see where they stand at the end of the season, and whether the exceptionally long sections of PIR have any adverse effects on the longevity of the single-cylinder engine.
If you are so inclined to have one in your garae, the Krämer HKR EVO2 S fetches $16,000 from Krämer USA, while the Krämer HKR EVO2 R will set you back $21,000.
