KTM is bringing a taste of the Dakar Rally to India with the KTM Adventure Rally Extreme, a two-city experience led by 2018 Dakar Rally champion Matthias Walkner. The event will take place in Mumbai and Bengaluru, giving KTM Adventure owners and enthusiasts a chance to learn directly from one of rally racing’s biggest names.
The experience will be divided into two parts: Face to Face and Ride & Train.
A chance to learn from a Dakar champion
The Face to Face sessions are open to all motorcycle and motorsport enthusiasts and will see Walkner share stories and insights from his Dakar career. Tickets are priced at ₹500.
The more immersive Ride & Train programme costs ₹5,000 and is reserved for selected KTM Adventure owners. Only 50 riders per city will get the opportunity to participate.
The sessions will cover:
- Rally mindset and physical preparation
- Roadbook navigation
- Motorcycle recovery and trail-side repairs
- Off-road riding techniques
- A scored rally challenge on the KTM 390 Adventure
The Mumbai Face-to-Face event will be held on September 11 at Rangsharda Auditorium, followed by the Ride & Train programme on September 12 and 13 at Adventure Square, Amby Valley.
Bengaluru follows with the Face to Face session on September 15 at NIMHANS Convention Centre, while the training programme will take place on September 16 and 17 at Tribal Adventure Cafe.
From India to Europe
The standout performers from Mumbai and Bengaluru will each win an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe for a two-day advanced roadbook navigation training programme with Matthias Walkner.
Walkner, who won the Dakar Rally in 2018 and the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship in 2015, will be visiting India for the first time through this programme.
Final Take
KTM Adventure Rally Extreme goes beyond a conventional customer event. With a genuine Dakar champion teaching navigation, recovery, and off-road skills, Indian Adventure riders gain access to an experience that is usually far removed from everyday motorcycling.
For KTM owners looking to seriously sharpen their adventure riding skills, this could be one of the most interesting events on the Indian motorcycling calendar.
