I know I tend to write quite a bit about Ducati Motorcycles, but while surfing the ‘net tonight I came across a link to an KTM Advertisement for their new 990 Super Duke Motorcycle. It’s more MTV than art, but as far as motorcycle ad campaigns go it’s pretty damn good. Someone at KTM definately gets the idea. Unlike the current Ducati Ad campaign where everyone’s pushing their bikes, this vid sings with sex appeal. On a whole it’s not nearly as artistic as the British Think Road Safety Mpeg Video (Direct Link) that I mentioned several months ago, but as far as hyping a bike in order to move units sitting on dealership floors, I tend to think this sure hits the mark.
Certainly the video is worth a watch because it sure gets your blood pumping and gives you that visceral sense of what it’s like to ride a motorcycle. Whomever produced the video/ad did a really nice job in terms of camera placement and composition. Personally I’m not in love with the soundtrack choice, but like I said, it’s MTV not art. For more information on the 990 Super Duke be sure to check out KTM’s website.
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Dylan,
I remember reading a while back that KTM pulled the video from their website. Seems some sensible people saw it as too much “hooliganism” to be appropriate for the KTM brand. Some even managed to see homo-erotic stuff in the fighting depicted in the video. I guess men with their shirts off beating the crap out of each other does that to some people.
I’m glad to see that KTM grew a pair and decided to follow their gut instincts and not worry so much about being politically correct or at least being entirely socially proper. People interested in riding motorcycles are not the type to spend much time worrying about what’s proper and what isn’t. “You meet the nicest people on a KTM” doesn’t really have much appeal.
I do have a problem with reckless riding and it’s effect on the non-riding public and consequently it’s influence on the regulation of motorcycles but in the end, it’s just a KTM advertisement, not a call to break the law or terrorize the populace. Goodness knows none of us would ever consider exceeding the speed limit in the pursuit of speed and living a little closer to the edge unless urged to do so by a commercial.
Doug
It gets you yearning for the road, thats for sure. But it gets me wondering about their marketing campaign. It is hip, it is cool, but who is this ad targeted to? The guy is weaving in and out of traffic in an music video style. I don’t know the pricing of bike yet but I bet it is above what most 18-24 year olds can afford. And even if they can, the bike style is not the kind that most young riders are attracted to. It looks like a naked sport bike with dual sport styling. And with all the increased popularity of motorcycles and disposable income coming from the retiring baby boomers, I would think that they would be the low hanging fruit they would target. Even it’s website is pretty cutting edge, all in Flash with a very unconventional design. I was close to abandoning the site a couple times and I work in web development. Does that mean I am old?
Only time will tell how well the Super Duke does but the CBRs and GSX-Rs sell themselves to young riders, KTM should spend their marketing dollars elsewhere.