M. Hausknecht Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 Well, I've gone and done a thing. I've always liked smaller, lighter race bikes. I started racing on a 1988 FZR 400, then moved to a 1995 Yamaha TZ 250, and then to a 1995 Ducati 748SP. My MT 07 fits that mold, less than 340 lbs race-ready and agile. I've been aware of Kramers, hand-built track and race only bikes, and drooled especially over the model powered by a 690cc KTM single cylinder. Sorta like the old Woods/Rotax bikes I raced against on my FZR but modern in all respects. But the wait for a new one is, and has been, well over a year and they don't come cheap so I never seriously considered putting myself in line for one, and used ones are rare as hen's teeth. So, there I was last Thursday evening cruising Facebook when I see a used HKR EVO2R show up in a track day group. Here is the scoop on the bike. https://www.kramermotorcyclesusa.com/2020-hkr-evo2-r The guy was asking more than a new one and other than some nice photos there was little said about the bike. I shot the guy a private message with a bunch of questions. The bike, a 2021 Kramer HKR EVO2R, was delivered last November and the owner, who lives about 2.5 hours from me, rode it during two track days, less than 400 miles. So, basically a new bike; it hasn't even been painted. A call to Kramer U.S. confirmed that all the 2022 bikes are spoken for, there is a list of people for the 2023 production run, and no idea when the 2022 bikes will even show up (last year not until November). Fast forward to Saturday morning , we agree on a price and to meet half way to exchange $ for bike on Tuesday. I'm pretty excited. Performance-wise, its probably a little quicker than my 07; although nearly 20 less rwhp, its also 60 lbs lighter (and my 07 is already below 340lbs) and uses the same size tires. The motor is a stock KTM 690, but with more power because of the airbox, ecu tune, and race gas. Additional horsepower is available, of course, with the consequent increase in cost and decrease in reliability. I'll keep the 07 for the time-being but assuming the Kramer is at least close to what I expect (Kramer CEO describes the EVO2R as a Moto 3 bike for grown ups), I can't imagine keeping it indefinitely. But I do have a race weekend next weekend, so the 07 will continue to occupy me for the foreseeable future. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twf Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 Uncrated one last week for local guy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Hausknecht Posted June 6, 2022 Author Share Posted June 6, 2022 Hey Zoran, That's what mine looks like, but without the box. If I might ask, what is his/your plan for it? Leave it stock or have you work your magic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator Pursuvant Posted June 6, 2022 Global Moderator Share Posted June 6, 2022 Just now, twf said: Uncrated one last week for local guy. If lightening came in a box, this is it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twf Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 Just now, M. Hausknecht said: Hey Zoran, That's what mine looks like, but without the box. If I might ask, what is his/your plan for it? Leave it stock or have you work your magic? He is just doing track days so probably bike will stay stock. The way this guy goes through bikes I would not be surprised he sells it before end of year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AP996 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Never heard of a Kramer before but read the spec and definitely sounds interesting, congratulations on your new purchase. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator Pursuvant Posted June 7, 2022 Global Moderator Share Posted June 7, 2022 Just now, AP996 said: Never heard of a Kramer before but read the spec and definitely sounds interesting, congratulations on your new purchase. I thought I was the idiot, 63 & never heard of... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manshrew Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 The 890 Kramer is what the KTM RC 8C is based off. The Kramer is actually a little bit faster because the RC 8C has wings that cause drag. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Hausknecht Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 6 hours ago, AP996 said: Never heard of a Kramer before but read the spec and definitely sounds interesting, congratulations on your new purchase. Thanks! Don't feel bad, Kramer only makes race/track bikes, and it hasn't existed for even 10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Hausknecht Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 Just now, manshrew said: The 890 Kramer is what the KTM RC 8C is based off. The Kramer is actually a little bit faster because the RC 8C has wings that cause drag. The 890-based bikes are wonderful but, unfortunately, not competitive for road-racing in the US in any class for which they are legal. Too big for middle-weight twins, and too small for big twins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scratchpad Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Ive always liked those Kramers. Purpose built race bikes. Theres been a few guys on them for over a handful of years ive raced against at chuckwalla and afm. Been racing against 3-4 of them the last year or so. In the right hands they are dangerous. Troy Siahaan goes really good on his. Have fun! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manshrew Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Just now, M. Hausknecht said: The 890-based bikes are wonderful but, unfortunately, not competitive for road-racing in the US in any class for which they are legal. Too big for middle-weight twins, and too small for big twins. With the new Supersport rules in WSBK and over in BSB they should start to fit in that class soon enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Hausknecht Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 Yeah well, I'm not in GB or looking to ride WSS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manshrew Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 5 hours ago, M. Hausknecht said: Yeah well, I'm not in GB or looking to ride WSS. Or on the 890 I suppose. Cool to see that you've got the 690. Over in Europe they say about 1 or 2 seconds slower than a Moto3 bike with the same rider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member cornerslider Posted June 11, 2022 Premium Member Share Posted June 11, 2022 I've never ridden one, but a few of my friends own Kramers. Everyone that rides one, usually ends up buying one (kinda why I've never ridden one ).... I can say the fit & finish is MUCH higher than I would expect on a race bike. 1 ""W.O.T. until you see god, then brake" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Hausknecht Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 On 6/11/2022 at 12:56 AM, cornerslider said: I've never ridden one, but a few of my friends own Kramers. Everyone that rides one, usually ends up buying one (kinda why I've never ridden one ).... I can say the fit & finish is MUCH higher than I would expect on a race bike. Yes, I'm aware there are several in your neck of the woods. I haven't dug into it other than to remove the bodywork for a peak. It appears well thought out, uses high quality components, and should be easy to work on. I have a new friend with a '15 Kramer that loves it, of course. We had a back and forth battle at a WERA CMP event yesterday in Lightweight Twins Superbike Expert. He was quicker in the twisties but my 07 is very strong so I owned him whenever we were in fifth or sixth gear. On the penultimate lap, I made a pass and rode cleanly to beat him to the line by about a 1/2 second. Great fun. We're both looking forward to battling with our Kramers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member cornerslider Posted June 14, 2022 Premium Member Share Posted June 14, 2022 Our local club racing circuit is what I would call an FZ-07R "rich" environment.... Andy Palmer lives not far from me, and built a lot of them. I do know some of the FZ-07R folks were not too happy once the Kramers were allowed to race in the same class. I'm getting my race license next year (@ 54 years old) ... I'm going to run my 2019 R3 in featherweight. 1 ""W.O.T. until you see god, then brake" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Hausknecht Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 Just now, cornerslider said: Our local club racing circuit is what I would call an FZ-07R "rich" environment.... Andy Palmer lives not far from me, and built a lot of them. I do know some of the FZ-07R folks were not too happy once the Kramers were allowed to race in the same class. I'm getting my race license next year (@ 54 years old) ">... I'm going to run my 2019 R3 in featherweight. GO FOR IT! I'm a bit older than you but I've done lotsa racing on two and four wheels over the last 45+ years. I returned to road-racing motorcycles on my MT-07 last year after 17 years away from motorcycles. The biggest challenge for me is maintaining an adequate level of fitness to match my still ultra-competitive nature. I cycle a lot, gravel bike and mountain bike. Adding to the challenge for me is the heat and humidity in the southeast US. It was 103 degrees in my trailer yesterday for my second race; air temp was a smidge over 90 and it was really humid. I feel just fit enough now for some morning practice and two 8 lap sprint races in the afternoon but I'd like to run some WERA 4 hour races. I think I'm going to need to find an athletic trainer with experience working with "senior" athletes and then stick to a serious training regime to have any hope of surviving a 60-75 minute stint. The R3 is a great bike to start with: lightweight and low power, so you'll be forced to work on your technique and when you fall off, you won't be going frightfully fast. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AP996 Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Just now, cornerslider said: I'm getting my race license next year (@ 54 years old) ... I'm going to run my 2019 R3 in featherweight. Well done, if not now when, hope you have a great season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyribs Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Everything in this thread is great. I love the sound of a big bore thumper straining. Man, I bet that bike is a rush! Congrats on your score! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now