Features 25 Aug 2015

Five Questions Why: Angus Reekie

Nakedbike champion on a variety of KTM-related topics.

Reigning Australasian Nakedbike Champion Angus Reekie has been the face of KTM in domestic road racing over the past few seasons, piloting his 1290 Super Duke R – and before that, an RC8 – to success in the category amongst the Pro-Twins. A multiple Supermoto champion as well, Reekie has a high profile and impressive level of professionalism, which is exactly we we tracked him down for this month’s Five Questions Why interview.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Why weren’t you on the grid at Queensland Raceway in the FX-ASC?

Unfortunately we had some bike issues on the Friday and we pretty much didn’t have any parts there with us to rectify the issue, so that’s the reason why we were not on the grid unfortunately. It ended up being a small fault that we found, which caused a bigger fault. Since then we have fixed it and it’s ready to rock and roll now – we didn’t have the right tools and the right parts to fix the issue at the track.

Why do you believe the 1290 Super Duke R is so good for racing?

It’s just a super-easy to ride [laughs]! In all honestly, with my KTM hat off, it’s the most versatile type of bike I have ever ridden. You can ride the bike to the track and easily do a track day, then ride it home very comfortably and not be sore. The KTM 1290 Super Duke R has an extremely usable amount of power. It stops phenomenal, the chassis on the bike is really, really good, and it turns on a dime. Overall the 1290 Super Duke does not wear you out as a rider, like any other bike that I have ridden. It’s a combination of the big V-twin engine, the chassis, the brakes and also the WP suspension. They have also done a really good job on the electronics as well, which makes it just that bit easier to roll on the throttle comfortably and safely.

Why haven’t we seen more of you in the Superbike ranks?

Obviously my commitment is with KTM. At the moment KTM doesn’t have full-fledged Superbike as such. Dad and I are winners, we enter races to win and try and to get as much exposure for our sponsors as we can. KTM may have the RC8R, but it’s a very low volume bike and they are actually decreasing manufacturing of it as of next year. The biggest and baddest KTM on the market at the moment is the 1290 Super Duke R, so that is what we want to ride and push to get out there. We want to show everyone what exactly that bike can do and show what the bike is capable of. Anyone – Tom, Dick or Harry – can go and buy a 1290 Super Duke R with all the parts on it; there is not one part on the bike that you can’t buy from your local KTM dealer. That is what we want to portray to the public.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Why is your relationship with the KTM brand across all disciplines so strong?

I have been riding for KTM since I was 13 years of age. It all started in motocross and since then KTM have supported us in every way possible. As a family we are extremely loyal and we have gelled very well with KTM since the start of my career. The product is really, really good! I love the product, I bleed orange and pretty much can’t see myself riding anything else other than a KTM.

Why can KTM eventually be competitive in MotoGP as a factory?

I think because they are innovating. They keep striving to win. KTM as a company enter races to win. Their motto is ‘Ready to Race’ and they are always raising the bar with whatever they do, whatever bike they manufacture. They always try to do the elite and I think KTM have the goods to do it – there is no reason why they can’t. They are strong in Moto3, they did it in the German Superbike Championship with the RC8 and they are dominating in off-road all over the world at the moment. Once they get a few years under their belt I think they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with, accompanied with the correct riders as well.

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