ATK Motorcycles
| Company type | Various |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorsport |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Horst Leitner |
| Headquarters | |
| Products | Motorcycles All-terrain vehicle |
| Website | http://atkusa.com/ |
ATK is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, established in 1985 with its headquarters located in Centerville, Utah. Since 2016, the firm’s focus has shifted primarily to supporting existing models by providing parts and service documentation. Initially, ATK concentrated on unique chassis engineering combined with customized engines; however, after 2004, the company transitioned to sourcing and rebranding motorcycles from international collaborators.
Origins
The company was created by Horst Leitner, an Austrian engineer and former Grand Prix motocross competitor, who moved to the United States in 1980. After securing a patent for an innovative motorcycle drive-tensioning mechanism and designing custom frame kits for Honda XR350 engines, Leitner collaborated with Puch to establish a motorcycle business rooted in his patented technology. The acronym ATK stands for Anti-Tension Kettenantrieb (Anti-Tension Chain Drive), a system developed by Leitner to minimize chain torque and enhance handling characteristics.
Early prototypes quickly demonstrated competitive prowess:
- Victory overall at the 1985 Four-Stroke Nationals with rider Brian Myerscough
- Semi-final triumph at ABC’s 1985 Superbikes competition ridden by Steve Eklund
- Pro Open Class championship at the 1986 Four-Stroke Championships with Doug Dubach
By 1987, ATK’s groundbreaking chassis design attracted Can-Am’s interest, leading to the creation of new off-road motorcycles powered by Rotax two-stroke engines. When Can-Am withdrew from the off-road segment, ATK obtained financial backing and dealer support through North American Can-Am outlets to maintain production. From 1989 through 1995, ATK held the position of the fifth largest off-road motorcycle manufacturer across North America.
The company earned recognition for pioneering four-stroke technology well before major Japanese manufacturers embraced it, solidifying its status as an innovator within motocross circles.
Product Line
ATK’s first model, the 560, incorporated a Rotax four-stroke engine and was subsequently upgraded to the 604 with frame enhancements until an engine update in 1994. In 1988, the firm introduced the 406—a two-stroke, air-cooled bike powered by Rotax—which became a cornerstone of their two-stroke offerings and expanded into additional variants.
In 1991, ownership passed from founder Horst Leitner to an investment group that relocated headquarters to Utah and expanded the product portfolio. This expansion included a second four-stroke model called the 350, along with electric-start options and lighter versions across various models. The company also launched its initial ATV based on the 604 platform and developed XR kits compatible with Honda XR350 engines.
By 1994, the 604 model evolved into the 605 series, which was complemented by the introduction of the 600 Flat Track bike. In 1996, liquid-cooled models in 250 and 260 cc categories were unveiled alongside a Limited Edition version of the 406 as ATK phased out its open-class two-stroke motorcycles. The entry-level motocross/pit bike named 50MX debuted in 1999 and remained available for two years. After acquiring Cannondale Motorsports in 2003, ATK began integrating and rebadging these newly acquired models—a strategic shift in their product development approach.
| 604 | 604 Electric Start | 604 Cross Country | 350 | 350 Electric Start | 350 Cross Country | 406 | 406 Cross Country | 250 | 250 Cross Country | ATK Quad | Special Models | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | X | |||||||||||
| 1986 | X | |||||||||||
| 1987 | X | |||||||||||
| 1988 | X | X | X | |||||||||
| 1989 | X | X | X | |||||||||
| 1990 | X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| 1991 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | XR Kit |
| 1992 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | XR Kit |
| 1993 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | XR Kit |
| 1994 | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 605 | 605 Dual Sport | 605 Cross Country | 350 | 350 Dual Sport | 350 Cross Country | 406 | 406 Cross Country | 250 Cross Country | 250 Liquid Cooled | 260 Liquid Cooled | Special Models | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | X | X | X | |||||||||
| 1995 | ||||||||||||
| X | X | |||||||||||
| - | X | X |- |- |- |- |- |- | X | X | 406 Limited Edition |- | X | X | X |- | X | X |- |- |- | X | X |- | - | X | X |- | X | X |- |- |- | X | X | 605 Law Enforcement |- |
| 605 Cross Country | 605 Dual Sport | 490 Cross Country | 490 Dual Sport | 350 Cross Country | 350 Dual Sport | 500 Flat Tracker | 600 Flat Tracker | 250 Liquid Cooled | 260 Liquid Cooled | 50cc MX | Special Models | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - |- |- |- |- |- |- | X |- |- |- |- | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
Cannondale acquisition
ATK acquired Cannondale Motorsports following an unsuccessful attempt by Cannondale Bicycle Corporation and private equity investors in the late 1990s to invest over $80 million in launching off-road motorcycles and ATVs. The X400 Motocross model was introduced at the 1998 Cincinnati Motorcycle Dealer Show but encountered multiple engineering setbacks, including two separate engine redesigns, which delayed its market debut until 2001. Although Dirt Bike Magazine honored it as Bike of the Year two years prior to its release, the motorcycle faced persistent reliability problems and recalls that undermined both sales and investor trust.
After filing for bankruptcy in January 2003, Cannondale Motorsports’ remaining stock was acquired by ATK. While the initial Cannondale motorcycle is generally viewed as a commercial disappointment, the FX400 ATV earned favorable evaluations for its chassis design and was reissued with minimal changes under ATK’s stewardship. ATK concentrated on refining the X440 model by enhancing fuel delivery systems, suspension geometry, and overall durability, eventually relaunching it as the ATK 450 with various configurations, including a street-legal SuperMoto variant. These offerings maintained modest sales through 2008.
In 2003, ATK broadened its product range by introducing different versions of the 50MX, two-stroke Enduros in 125cc, 250cc, and 260cc capacities, four-stroke Enduros in 605cc and 500cc sizes, as well as a specialized 600 Police Edition. The highlight was the ATK 700 Intimidator—a rebranded motocross bike equipped with a robust 700cc two-stroke engine producing 78 horsepower—released in limited numbers. Alongside its Maico equivalent, this model ranked among the fastest off-road motorcycles ever manufactured and was sold sporadically until 2008. This bike played a key role in reinforcing ATK’s reputation for badge engineering after acquiring Cannondale.
ATK continued marketing its 450 MX motorcycles and ATVs through 2008. Although these vehicles carried the ATK brand name, many ATVs retained Cannondale-style graphics and were sometimes promoted as "ATK C-Dales," demonstrating the company’s strategic use of subsidiary branding to sustain its market footprint.
Hyosung collaboration
In November 2009, ATK announced a partnership with Hyosung to manufacture small motorcycles intended for distribution via select Harley-Davidson dealerships. While Harley-Davidson did not officially endorse this arrangement, it initially did not object; however, most dealerships discontinued Hyosung models prior to Harley-Davidson’s introduction of competing small-displacement motorcycles in 2015.
By May 2011, ATK began offering three Hyosung-based models under its own brand with slight modifications: the GV250, GV650, and ST7, powered by , , and V-twin engines respectively. This collaboration lasted until S&T Motiv divested Hyosung to Kolao Holdings in 2014.
1989 print advertisement
In 1989, ATK released a nationwide print advertisement depicting four Asian men looking at an ATK motorcycle accompanied by the slogan "To us, the Japanese all look alike." Intended to emphasize the uniqueness of ATK’s motocross bikes compared to Japanese rivals, the ad has since been criticized for its racial insensitivity in marketing.
Review of the Cannondale X400 by MXA
In November 2000, Motocross Action (MXA) released a critical evaluation of the 2001 Cannondale X400 model. While recognizing some of its promising aspects, the article pointed out several drawbacks, including overly soft suspension, an unconventional configuration, starter malfunctions, inconsistent power delivery, difficulties in upkeep, and safety issues such as unintended movement without throttle engagement. Cannondale leadership believed that this unfavorable review significantly contributed to the model's disappointing sales performance. Years later, in 2018, test rider Jody Weisel revisited the motorcycle in an article titled "The Worst Bikes I've Ever Raced," underscoring its inherent design and performance shortcomings.