KTM Adventure Rally’s – A 2025 Experience in Breckenridge
What the heck is a KTM Adventure Rally?
by Daniel Dunn
Well, KTM is a motorcycle manufacturer that makes something in almost every category or style, while being a leader in the “adventure bike” category. This is a style of motorcycle that does off road as well as they go on road. Think of all the gravel roads in Colorado and around the American West, these bikes are completely at home on this stuff. This type of riding, combined with camping with the gear on the bike, over the course of a week, is actually a highly sought after activity. Lots of grown men and women use their vacation time to do this type of adventure. It’s not for everyone, but these riders are always just a bit off-beat.
The weather was mostly miserable that particular mid-September weekend in Breckenridge, Colorado when the annual KTM Adventure Rally took place. But those hardy riders and machines are built for Type 2 fun. If you’re not wet, cold, uncomfortable and in desperate need of 3 more espresso shots, what are you even doing? At least it didn’t snow.
Adventure motorcycles aren’t cheap, and by the time you get all the extras like GPS units, heavy duty waterproof clothing, moto luggage, you’ll think golf or skiing is an inexpensive activity. But we’re all a bit different from each other, and these guys (mostly guys) really do enjoy traveling great distances through wide open vistas, all in the name of having a meaningful pursuit of happiness. America is blessed with plenty of these vast spaces, mountains to meadows, streams and ranches, wildlife large and small. This weekend in Breckenridge was sort of a “gathering of the tribes” so to speak, to meet new friends, see new gear, and push yourself in rugged terrain and inclement weather.
KTM sets routes for different skill levels that utilize dirt and paved roads, taking riders to viewpoints with incredible scenes laid out for them. These aren’t guided rides, but the routes are swept at the end of day. Participants use their own GPS computers and/or phones, to take them high and low, through the mountains surrounding Breckenridge. One special part of the rally is the Extreme ADVENTURE Team Challenge for those wishing to really push themselves. It’s not a race, but the “challenges” in backwoods, mountainous locations really test riders and their navigational skills. Think Tough Mudder races, but for participants in full protective gear, with their 500 lb, $14,000 motorcycles.
There are also training seminars, demo rides with new KTM motorcycles, meet and greets with various legendary motorcycle personalities, and nightly dinners with keynote speakers such as Joey Evans, a rider who became paralyzed riding a dirt bike, but eventually recovered enough that he completed the famous Paris-Dakar Rally. This guy was amazing. The vendor village is also a huge draw for riders, as they get to see, touch, and try on new boots, helmets, gloves, goggles and more. You can hold in your hand new stuff from Colorado companies such as MotoMinded, based in Grand Junction or talk to the owner of TacoMoto, Mike, out of Las Vegas, who might convince you why his engine control unit (ECU) is what you need to really open up the engine on the new 500 you just bought. Riders love the gear, and the vendor village is great to see all the newest stuff.The location for the KTM Adventure Rally changes every year, coming back to a location maybe every 10 years.
KTM riders are a very loyal bunch and this happening goes on people’s calendars as soon as they discover next year’s location. Kellogg, ID is featured in 2026. Put this on your own calendar, go and push yourself, and discover what it really means to drink the KTM kool-aid. You can show up on any brand of motorcycle you want, but trust me, you’ll want to be riding the orange brand after attending this very cool event.
To Learn More About KTM Adventure Ride Rally’s CLICK HERE
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