ATK motorcycles

ATK was founded by Austrian-born engineer, Grand Prix motocross racer and ISDT Gold Medalist Horst Leitner, following his relocation to the United States in 1980. In 1985, after successfully patenting a new motorcycle drive-tensioning system, and marketing custom-frame kit-bikes designed to accept Honda XR350 engines, Leitner was approached by Puch, who offered to fund a motorcycle company based on his designs. Leitner named the new venture ATK after his patented device to eliminate chain torque for improved handling. Known later as the A-Trak, Leitner originally called this device the Anti-Tension Kettenantrieb (German: Anti Tension Chain-drive).[4] Within months he had produced his first prototype machine, and within a year this machine would produce the following placements;[5]

• Overall Win at the 1985 Four-Stroke Nationals; Ridden by Brian Myerscough
• Semi-Win at ABC's 1985 Superbikes Event; Ridden by Steve Eklund
• 2nd in Semi at 13th Overall at Ascot TT Nationals; Ridden by Warren Reid
• Pro Open Class Winner at the 1986 Four-Stroke Championships; Ridden by Doug Dubach
• Placement at the 1986 CNC Four-Stroke Nationals; Ridden by Cycle World Staff riders

By 1987, due to the high regard for ATK's chassis, which already utilized a Rotax engine, Can-Am approached ATK about creating a replacement for their off-road line, using dated 250cc and 400cc two-stroke Rotax engines. From this foundation, ATK Created the 250 and 406 models. These models retained many of ATKs unique chassis features, including counter-shaft mounted rear disc brake, side mounted single rear shock with no linkage, offset gas tank filler, air filter located beneath the gas tank, and backward facing brake pedal. As the prototypes were delivered, Can-Am cancelled the deal and announced they were withdrawing from the off-road motorcycle market.

This lead to an agreement between Leitner and North American Can-Am dealers to fund the production of the 406 and future motorcycles. ATK gained a nationwide dealer network and funding, and Can-Am dealers retained a product to sell. From 1989, and continuing until 1995, this seven year period saw ATK as the fifth-largest off-road motorcycle manufacturer in North America.[6] An article by Motorcross Action in December of 2019 states ATK produced thousands of Four-Stroke ATKs since 1985, predating the move to Four-Stroke by major Japanese manufacturers by over a decade.[7].

The acquisition of Cannondale Motorsports by ATK was the result of a failed $80-million dollar+ investment between Cannondale Bicycle Corporation and private equity firms[10] in the late 1990's, to create a subsidiary producing off-road motorcycles and ATV vehicles. First announced at the 1998 Cincinnati Motorcycle Dealer Show (at which Cannondale began accepting dealer orders) their X400 Motocross bike would not appear on showroom floors until 2001[11]. The delays of delivery were the result of several engineering issues related to the many advancements Cannondale attempted to incorporate into the motorcycle, including two engine redesigns[12]. So impressive was the potential of the new machine, Dirt Bike Magazine named it Bike of the Year[13], two years ahead of its release. In February of 1999, Dirt Bike editor Ron Lawson was quoted regarding the unreleased bike; "the new bike will probably appeal to [older moto guys who want kind of a status symbol] and not the younger racers getting their first motorcycle"[14].

Approaching release, several publications were provided test machines. Many noted unreliability but focused on the advanced features, such as reversed-placement engine, aluminum frame, electric start, unique air intake, and Electronic Fuel Injection. Only one publication gave the machine a scathing review[15], a foreshadowing of public reception. Once the machine was released, word-of-mouth and consistent recalls tanked sales. Confidence wavered, and the outside investors called against Cannondale. While Cannondale attempted to correct various issues with the 2002 X440 model, it was "too-little, too late"[16], as one publication noted in 2013. In January 2003, Cannondale Motorsports filed bankruptcy and ATK Motorcycles acquired all remaining inventory.[17].

While the initial Cannondales Motorcycle was considered a failure (and oft-appear on lists of worst off-road motorcycles ever produced[18]), the Cannondale FX400 ATV was more positively received due to its chassis[19]. As ATK took over sales and production of Cannondale products, the ATV required marginal attention, and was re-released to the market. ATK turned their focus to the X440, continuing to improve on the 2002 model. Resolving fuel delivery issues, suspension geometry and reliability, the machine was placed back on the market. After another brief hiatus, additional refinement and a slight displacement increase, it was rebranded as the ATK 450 and offered in various trims. These models, including the street-legal factory SuperMoto set-up, sold modestly through 2008.

For 2003, ATK continued to offer variations of the 50MX, as well as a two-stroke 125, the 250 and 260 Enduro's, the four-stroke 605 and 500 Enduro returned, and a 600 Police Edition was available. But the biggest news was the release of the ATK 700, marketed as the Intimidator[20]. This Badge engineered Maico-produced 78 hp (58 kW) 700 cc two-stroke Motocross bike was available in limited quantities[21]. Along with its Maico counterpart, it ranks among the fastest off-road motorcycles ever released.[22] The ATK/Maico bike was offered intermittently until 2008[23], and solidified the reputation of badge-engineering, partly earned by its acquisition of Cannondale.

ATK would continue to sell their 450MX bikes and ATV's in various trim through 2008. While always marketed under the ATK banner, ATV's continued to use Cannondale graphics, and at times used ATK C-Dales monikers for marketing.

In November of 2009 it was announced that ATK and Changwon, South Korea based Hyosung would be collaborating on a line of small motorcycles to be distributed through select Harley Dealerships.[25] While Harley-Davidson did not endorse the distribution, they would not actively prevent it, as Hyosung bikes were pulled from most dealerships prior to the introduction of Harley's competing small motorcycles in 2015. In May of 2011, ATK began delivering the first of three models with ATK nameplates, and a few requested changes to the standard Hyosung Motorcycles. The market would see the distribution of the GV250, GV650 and ST7 models, each featuring the respective 250 cc (15 cu in), 650 cc (40 cu in) and 700 cc (43 cu in) (appx.) V-Twin engines, until S&T sold ownership of Hyosung to Kolao Holdings in 2014.

ATK is associated with two controversies regarding the marketing of their machines, but it is worth noting both were perpetrated outside the control of the current ownership.

• All-terrain vehicle
• Harley-Davidson_Street models
• Hyosung
• Motocross
• Tiger ATV LTD