Hi, I'm very pleased to see that there are people who are still passionate about the history of the 950 rally and Fabrizio Maoni, in my small way I paid a tribute to Fabrizio, two years of work to transform a 2004 950 Adventure into the splendid rally that I have in the garage, all together with Romeo Feliciani, Fabrizio Meoni's historic friend and mechanic. It would be wonderful to tell this story and show again how much grit an icon of the past like my KTM 950 Rally has. Maybe someday.....
I know you. We met in a forum. I have 22litres in my rear tanks and lot's of Meoni parts including his rear brake set up and under seat oil tank ...... You disappeared too quick. Shame as we had lots to talk about @maurotanci5631
I followed the LC8 development alongside Dakar when I was in high school. At age 20 I purchased a new 2004 KTM 950 Adventure. It was more than a motorcycle, it was an emotion, and a part of an identity. I owned that bike for 11 years. I sold it shortly after my first child was born, to fund the down payment on our home. I miss that bike dearly.
I've still got mine! Iim too old a feeble and talentless to do much with it off road any more, but there's nothing like it for covering ground on the road.
@@richardsimpson3792 100% I have two; one in great condition with 225,000 km on it, and a second in perfect condition that I bought for when the first wore out, except it didn't wear out completely. I'll be rebuilding the engine for the second time this summer. Its a truly wonderful bike.
Awesome story.. I knew it was banned but never knew all this story, thank you for making it. 😢. I always wanted one, I sat on the S version but considered them all too tall. Then I saw guy who really wasn't tall get on one, started it up, rocked it off the center stand and took off... I then got a year old 2004 (orange of course).. what a bike.. fell on difficult times 5 years later and couldn't afford to fix it or keep it.. but so glad I had it.... even if it was too big, too fast, too expensive and too scary lol.
I'll never forget watching the Dakar back in those days. I distinctly remember reading an article saying that KTM 950 had been clocked on radar doing 202km/h ON SAND! 🤯🤯🤯 It takes a special kind of Man to get those numbers on sand. What an absolute LEGEND! 🏆
What a tribute. Not only to Dakar. Or KTM. But, to a Legend. Fabrizio Meoni. And the rememberence of fallen Dakar Racers. Tastefully done with reverence and respect.
I have been searching for a video like this for many years to help me understand and process my grief over the loss of one of my biggest dirt bike heros. Fabrizio and I were born just months apart and both of us developed a lifelong passion for off road motorcycling and especially for desert racing. I have followed the Dakar since its inception and was familiar with all the top riders. I bought a 2003 KTM 525 EXC in large part because of Fabrizio. I eagerly awaited the Dakar each New Year and watched as much video and reporting as I could. When Fabrizio passed it was like getting punched in the gut and loosing your breath and to this day I feel an emptiness in the world that still hurts me to my core. Thank you for explaining everything to me about Fabrizio, his amazing 950 and his ultimate and horribly tragic demise.
I worked at the Dakar this year and had the pleasure of meeting Gioele, Fabrizios son. A truly nice guy and a heck of a motorcycle rider who managed to complete the toughest category of the Dakar with very little rally raid experience
ho guardato questo video tante volte, ma ogni volta mi viene la pelle d'oca. Bellissimo. Era il mio mito ed il motivo per cui ho una 990 adventure che non venderò mai.
Meoni's accident is one of my childhood trauma. Much like you, I'd come home from school to watch the Dakar on TV and Fabrizio really was the rider to look for. But that day, he never showed up..
I was introduced to the Paris to Dakar when I was stuck at home healing a broken leg I "won" on my brand new KTM 520. I would watch the highlights every night. The coverage was excellent and I was a huge fan of Fabrizio, albeit mostly because of his name being cool. I watched it every year and would rush home from work to be there at 5 pm to watch. When Fabrizio had his accident I was in disbelief. They said the trail was easy where it occurred and it looked like he was adjusting his road book. I shed some tears and later saw some pictures where they had placed his race jacket and helmet on his coffin - prompting more tears. I'm so happy you finished up his story. Most of this information I never knew. I'm very happy to see his son followed in his footsteps and honored his great father. Great Job!
I'm glad I was able to shed more light on it. Unfortunately, a lot of times, the most serious of crashes can come out of something simple, stupid at times... I'm not sure if this was the case here, but it does happen a lot at all levels
Outstanding documentary work. I've owned and ridden three KTM 950 Adventure and they will always have a place on my heart. They are a dirt bike, they are a street bike, they are a dune weapon, they are a grocery getter and everything in between all of those. Masterpieces of engineering... and Fabrizio was behind it all. I've never seen so many clips of him being who he was, but the fire in his eyes and purpose in every movement explains everything about why these bikes and this motor are and always will be so awesome.
Thank you, these was really excellent documentary. I do watch alot of stuff in youtube and rarely come across such quality videos as these one. Well done! I had the 950SM and it made the even more intresting.
this is the first video of your's that ive seen. the quality of production and storytelling is excellent. this will not be the last of your content i consume!
Epic episode. Fabi is STILL the man and thanks for bringing his legend to the forefront again. Awesome channel and content. I'm spreading the Word for you. Never stop! Thanks- "hoosky".
Great content! Amazing storytelling and yes, Fabrizio was (and still) kind of a hero. I have a 950 R and it is the only bike that I cannot consider selling. The carburetor Lc8 is a beast, you can definitely feel that was built with passion, not just for selling bikes. No other engine is comparable
The 950 was such a monster, I got one as my daily rider when my back was hurt at work and couldn’t use my old sport bike anymore. I loved that bike so much, it was everything I ever wanted in a bike! Unfortunately I lost mine to a fire, and now I’m moving onto a more modern ADV bike. I’ll miss that bike forever, it was an icon and a half, and such a journey!
Thank you for this and thank you for telling it so compassionately and also so well. I grew up with the early Paris-Dakar and remember this awful day. Actually, I stopped following it after this, wherever I was deployed in the world. Once again, many thanks, mate. A great video.
Amazing video, thanks dude 🙏 Although I was young, I still remember that day very clearly. Watching the terrible news almost live on french television. Fabrizio was the best 🏆 One day I'll have a 950 in the garage for him that's for sure ! 💪
Oh my God!!! If I liked mine 990, now I'm extremely happy. In some way it is the continuation of this story. And due to my ignorance, now it's because there are so many KTM and parts in Italy. lol great story! Congratulations on the incredible video.
Amazing Story! Really took me back to my childhood staying Up late watching Dakar on Eurosport. And remember feeling devasteted when I received the news on Fabrizio. Thank you!
Wow. One hell of a story! I’ve only been into motorcycles for around 8 years now, nine bikes so far - seven Hondas (including two Africa Twins), one Suzuki and finally, a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. Adventure bikes are my absolute favourite and as such, I’ve taken an interest in Dakar over the last few years. It is looking into the history of KTM that has brought me here and boy did I not expect what just happened! I did not know of Fabrizio Meoni when I started watching this video, but was almost crying by the end of it. Thank you for telling this story, what an incredible rider, navigator and Human Being.
You bought a badass bike with an even more badass engine. I've had every iteration of that LC8 starting with the '08 RC8(sold at 30k miles), '15 1190 ADV-R (60K miles and still going), and '17 1290 SD-GT (28K miles and still going as well). Solid and bulletproof engines, I'd recommend the Rottweiler Stage 4 kit with the Dynojet tuner btw
Thanks so much, man! Took me back to my childhood and watching Dakar as a kid with riders like Pal Andes Ullevalseter (?), Stephan Peterhansel still on a bike, Gerard de Rooy in his crazy front-and-rear cabin truck and bikes like the Gagiva Elephant. This still inspires me today to ride my Husqvarna 901 expedition. Great video
Meoni was one of the heroes on two wheels that are never celebrated enough. Not only was he courageous and incredibly fast, he was capable of designing a bike. Only Gaston could match his talent. His daughter died at age 16 from an incurable disease. Why does one family have to endure so much. Prayers to his wife and her brother Gioele.
Beautifully told, I love the passion and determination of the Meoni's both father and son and the fact they did not ignore the people of the African desert.
i grew up watching and getting al sorts of posters from the Peugoet Automible Nigeria PAN where my mother works for over 27years. THe bikes were an iconic image for me with the trucks doing watching these machines besides 205t16 406t16 with wide open throttles on the dunes. these were the days when safety was on the back burners until fatalities. Heroes and Legends that inspire many of us to try and grow some hair on our chest. am still a junkie for the open wilderness especially sub shara and the namib dessert. i planned a bike rife from uk to namibia but never got to do it. Fabrizio Meoni. one of the greatest motorsport legend. guts, mind and the guts many of us well only dream of. Ride the clouds FM
God bless you Fabrizio and may god rest your soul.When the " Showroom Dakar models" came out in the 80,s i bought one used and rebuilt it.I rode it in the Negev desert after driving it there from the uk.The dakar was an inspiration for freedom /adventure motorcycling.Just got back from a day out on my old KTM 525 exc.Thinking of you and thanks for all the dreams to all the Dakar riders.
Bravo Amigo super professional video about a bunch of interesting subjects that I didn't know enough about I ride a dual sport over here in the United States and the Italian boys are A Cut Above over the pond
I got to ride a 950 Superenduro all day on a local ride. Insane bike. Often the rear tire was spinning under power and you wouldn't know it until you let off. Then it would hook and you could feel that it had been churning away. The other riders made me go last! I was pelting them and didn't know it. But what a day! I have ridden and raced high hp off road bikes all my life. (60 yr. old fellow). Nothing felt like that. And the one I rode only hat 110 horsepower! The Dakar version reportedly had 140. Insane. But in a good way!
I bought an '03 950 after i partially drowned an '06 gs1200! I didn't know much about the 950 until i was 'shopping' for another adventure bike with the insurance payout from the gs. The 950 just kind of came up on my radar and made more and more sense the more i learned about them. It is now the bike i have owned the longest in my motorcycling career so far! I've owned probably over 50 bikes in my 40 years of riding. I absolutely love it. Not the easiest bike to work on because of the engine layout and trellis frame but it is an absolute hoot to ride. Love it. Handles well (even for a big dirt bike and on road too with knobbies). Can load it up. Its a reasonably heavy(ish) bike but once its on the move you do not notice the weight. Brakes well. Plenty enough power and comes on even stronger after 6k rpm. I've embarrassed plenty of more road orientated bikes on the road (mine with knobbies on too!) This bike is one of the most versatile bikes I've ever owned. An absolute keeper. If i had to whittle my modest collection of bikes down to one....the 950 would be my choice. It ticks so many boxes for me. I really do appreciate it. There is still no other bike on the market i would replace it with.....seriously! Such a good, well designed bike. It does exactly what it says on the tin and more. Full of character and very well built. I recommend that every serious adventure rider should try one. Maybe a little too utilitarian for some as it really is a big, powerful dirt bike....but what a bike! I love mine. Totally awesome!
Gegen das Design der aktuellen KTM Modelle, war der Prototyp richtig schön 😅 Meoni war einfach der größte und die Dakar hat nach ihm nicht mehr die selbe Strahlkraft gehabt...RIP
I missed the opportunity to buy a 950 super enduro R a few years back. I wanted a more powerful dirt bike than my skills could handle. Beautiful machine
Wow, that will teach me not to judge a book by its cover! I am seriously impressed with the research and delivery of this short docu-movie. You are wise beyond your years and very, very talented!
The term you're looking for at 1:47, is "put on the back burner". Derived from cooking, where it means to let a dish stew over a low heat, in industry it means to keep a project in the back of your mind while working on other projects, while taking note of any ideas that could be useful for the original project. In the case of KTM, I suspect that much of the delay between the initial Big Twin idea, and the Big Twin being built, was down to a lack of machinery suitable to make the twin. Over the intervening years, as machinery was replaced or updated, the capacity to make the twin was a consideration for any new equipment or updates. This would explain the speed of the project when it finally started - they knew they had the machine capacity to build it, they just had to finalize the design, and build it. An excellent documentary, remembering a heroic bike and rider.
Can we please get an ktm 950/990 review from you with all the history bits, and everything else you love to tell. You know that there are tons of 9XX fanatics out there just waiting for it!
Im not a KTM fan, but their "ready to race" slogan is not just marketing, and thats really cool! BTW, i find it interesting that the 2001 bike looks like the 640 ADV, and the 2002 looks like the civilian 950 ADV
Binge watching this channel and its been so long since I came across just a wonderful channel which is quality content. The last I can think of is Fortnine. Excellent story telling, simple yet powerful cinematography. Just wonderful. Loving the video guys. Keep em coming.
I had a chance to say hello to Gioele at the start of the last stage of Dakar this year, he is truly a wonderful human being, even with the few words we exchanged you could tell he has a great character.
I dig deep to the things i love todo and this here has all my respect, i just raced an amateur race as a novice on my harley dirt bike in the desert. I found out what heavy was right away, thankyou for this video
The "S2" referenced for a number of clips throughout the video appears to be a SuperSport logo for SuperSport channel 2, a south African sport tv channel. Incredible video by the way.
So, Meoni's racing KTM was a prototype and COMPLETELY different from any KTM you could buy. Classic KTM. You put a 9 on it, and say same, same? Great racer for strapping on that rocket. A man of courage and skill. Pure Dakar.
for a race bike the prototype is actually very similar to the production bike if you look at it. basically same frame and same engine. Yeah sure it was tuned up and had bigger suspension travel suitable for the environment but not completely different by any means.
I have one and will never sell it. I have raced in the UK in an enduro! The bike will go anywhere an enduro bike will go as long as you can see the exit. Stopping is never an option.
Maaan it was a great story.... I bought 990 Adventure a month ago. Now, I saw your document.... It moved my heart and I will always remember Fabrizio and his legacy 🥲
That was an amazing Video, not only the topic but also the edit and narration. It was a bittersweet journey watching it, nicely done. Consider yourself one german sub richer.
This is the story of a legend how's start the venture bike and also the legendary Fabrizio is.. this video educate me about adventure bike I love endurance bike. Thank you sir for making this video salute you.. sir
It's not everyday that a man cries. Today that's my day. I love the 950 and the design is amazing, but the story behind was unknown for me. Thanks for this amazing story!
Two stories nicely told thank you @KRANKiT . Too fast? Nah, Too heavy, yeah maybe :) I've had a 990ADV since 2006. They go like a cut cat ;) although tame versions of their true potential! My motorcycle mad friend and I knew the local KTM importer in the 80's and after hearing a hot 1000cc Weslake /Norton howling behind me in speedway we used to sometimes contemplate "the perfect bike" over late-night beers. I settled on a KTM version of the Weslake thinking it was only a dream and that such a bike would never exist. I also dreamed of racing in the Paris-Dakar. I knew though that my finances would never permit me to do either even if a 1000cc V twin KTM was created. I was so very happy when I eventually heard KTM was researching a big V-twin (with Rotax input , wasn't it? I can't remember now) but I was subsequently disappointed with the styling when initial drawings and pictures began to appear. I was persecuted by a neighbour owning the first 950 model and hearing it start up every morning, especially being in northern Australia with all of its' wide-open spaces at the time! I had to wait until 2006 before I could afford to buy the 990 and I loved it although I was somewhat disappointed at it's detuned state (compared to it's true potential). Under that ugly skin was some beautiful engineering though - engine and suspension, and it handled better than anything I had ridden until then. Thank you so much FABRIZIO MEONI for your desert /bike passion and your strong input into the creation of this great bike, the LC8! All the best Gioele. and FYI everyone, cervical spine injuries suck. I suggest, take care of yours.
Even if the number of followers does not correspond to the value of the video production, I beileve that the quality of thoes who follow this channel is to be appreaciated, and this can give the real value of the effort made. Congratulations.
I learned how to ride dirt on a 990, I still miss her but the lack of spare part just was too annoying, still I had it for a year and did almost 25.000km and only left me stranded once.
This is an amazing tribute to Fabrizio! I know he also has a statue as a tribute to him in Castiglion, hope to go see it one day myself to pay tribute to the legend who gave birth to the motorcycle I have and love!
Hi, I'm very pleased to see that there are people who are still passionate about the history of the 950 rally and Fabrizio Maoni, in my small way I paid a tribute to Fabrizio, two years of work to transform a 2004 950 Adventure into the splendid rally that I have in the garage, all together with Romeo Feliciani, Fabrizio Meoni's historic friend and mechanic. It would be wonderful to tell this story and show again how much grit an icon of the past like my KTM 950 Rally has. Maybe someday.....
Now my 950 has even more value in my heart knowing FM was in many ways part of it. 👌🙌
That has got to be a pretty sweet bike! I'm sure Romeo knows quite a few tricks
@@KRANKiT Romeo developed the Rally together with Fabrizio and the official KTM team, I am proud that my Rally is not just any replica!
What are the differences between the road bike and Dakar bike?
I know you. We met in a forum. I have 22litres in my rear tanks and lot's of Meoni parts including his rear brake set up and under seat oil tank ...... You disappeared too quick. Shame as we had lots to talk about @maurotanci5631
Thank you for your effort, really emotional for me and my family ✌️
I'm glad you liked it, you guys have quite the story!
Thank you for keeping the promise
a legacy to be proud of!
Your father was a hero to so many. We got to live our dream vicariously, by watching him make the almost impossible look easy.
🤩
I followed the LC8 development alongside Dakar when I was in high school. At age 20 I purchased a new 2004 KTM 950 Adventure. It was more than a motorcycle, it was an emotion, and a part of an identity. I owned that bike for 11 years. I sold it shortly after my first child was born, to fund the down payment on our home. I miss that bike dearly.
2004?
@@CommieHunter7 oops, good catch. Yes, 2004
I've still got mine!
Iim too old a feeble and talentless to do much with it off road any more, but there's nothing like it for covering ground on the road.
@@richardsimpson3792 100% I have two; one in great condition with 225,000 km on it, and a second in perfect condition that I bought for when the first wore out, except it didn't wear out completely. I'll be rebuilding the engine for the second time this summer. Its a truly wonderful bike.
Awesome story.. I knew it was banned but never knew all this story, thank you for making it. 😢.
I always wanted one, I sat on the S version but considered them all too tall. Then I saw guy who really wasn't tall get on one, started it up, rocked it off the center stand and took off... I then got a year old 2004 (orange of course).. what a bike.. fell on difficult times 5 years later and couldn't afford to fix it or keep it.. but so glad I had it.... even if it was too big, too fast, too expensive and too scary lol.
I'll never forget watching the Dakar back in those days.
I distinctly remember reading an article saying that KTM 950 had been clocked on radar doing 202km/h ON SAND!
🤯🤯🤯
It takes a special kind of Man to get those numbers on sand.
What an absolute LEGEND!
🏆
What a tribute. Not only to Dakar. Or KTM. But, to a Legend. Fabrizio Meoni. And the rememberence of fallen Dakar Racers.
Tastefully done with reverence and respect.
I have been searching for a video like this for many years to help me understand and process my grief over the loss of one of my biggest dirt bike heros. Fabrizio and I were born just months apart and both of us developed a lifelong passion for off road motorcycling and especially for desert racing. I have followed the Dakar since its inception and was familiar with all the top riders. I bought a 2003 KTM 525 EXC in large part because of Fabrizio. I eagerly awaited the Dakar each New Year and watched as much video and reporting as I could. When Fabrizio passed it was like getting punched in the gut and loosing your breath and to this day I feel an emptiness in the world that still hurts me to my core. Thank you for explaining everything to me about Fabrizio, his amazing 950 and his ultimate and horribly tragic demise.
I'm glad I could help!
I worked at the Dakar this year and had the pleasure of meeting Gioele, Fabrizios son. A truly nice guy and a heck of a motorcycle rider who managed to complete the toughest category of the Dakar with very little rally raid experience
ho guardato questo video tante volte, ma ogni volta mi viene la pelle d'oca. Bellissimo. Era il mio mito ed il motivo per cui ho una 990 adventure che non venderò mai.
Great piece. I had the 950 super enduro and would still admire the 950 adventure. Great bikes and the golden era of KTM.
Thanks!
Meoni's accident is one of my childhood trauma. Much like you, I'd come home from school to watch the Dakar on TV and Fabrizio really was the rider to look for. But that day, he never showed up..
What a great tribute to him. Thanks for putting it together and telling the story of it all.
I was introduced to the Paris to Dakar when I was stuck at home healing a broken leg I "won" on my brand new KTM 520. I would watch the highlights every night. The coverage was excellent and I was a huge fan of Fabrizio, albeit mostly because of his name being cool. I watched it every year and would rush home from work to be there at 5 pm to watch. When Fabrizio had his accident I was in disbelief. They said the trail was easy where it occurred and it looked like he was adjusting his road book. I shed some tears and later saw some pictures where they had placed his race jacket and helmet on his coffin - prompting more tears.
I'm so happy you finished up his story. Most of this information I never knew. I'm very happy to see his son followed in his footsteps and honored his great father.
Great Job!
I'm glad I was able to shed more light on it. Unfortunately, a lot of times, the most serious of crashes can come out of something simple, stupid at times... I'm not sure if this was the case here, but it does happen a lot at all levels
What a great story. I will always remember the day I heard he had passed away. I ride a blue KTM and always smile when I get on it.
Outstanding documentary work. I've owned and ridden three KTM 950 Adventure and they will always have a place on my heart. They are a dirt bike, they are a street bike, they are a dune weapon, they are a grocery getter and everything in between all of those.
Masterpieces of engineering... and Fabrizio was behind it all.
I've never seen so many clips of him being who he was, but the fire in his eyes and purpose in every movement explains everything about why these bikes and this motor are and always will be so awesome.
Who is dicing onions? 😭
Yes, please stop. 😢
That's me just need a little bit more for my chicken tikka masala.
I saw your comment before it started... I thought it was a bit random... now I get it.. that was emotional.😢
I'm not crying, you are!
Chef's 😂
Thank you, these was really excellent documentary. I do watch alot of stuff in youtube and rarely come across such quality videos as these one. Well done! I had the 950SM and it made the even more intresting.
It's crazy what stuff they ended up doing with the 950 platform, like your SM or even the Super Enduro.
this is the first video of your's that ive seen. the quality of production and storytelling is excellent. this will not be the last of your content i consume!
Epic episode. Fabi is STILL the man and thanks for bringing his legend to the forefront again. Awesome channel and content. I'm spreading the Word for you. Never stop! Thanks- "hoosky".
Great content!
Amazing storytelling and yes, Fabrizio was (and still) kind of a hero.
I have a 950 R and it is the only bike that I cannot consider selling. The carburetor Lc8 is a beast, you can definitely feel that was built with passion, not just for selling bikes. No other engine is comparable
Krankit, seems you like a man of honor.
Thanks for all those videos about our sport and the storys beyond.
I've had a 990 Adv S for 13 yrs now and also followed the Dakar Rally (& Africa Eco Race) for several years. Very well told story and quite moving.
The 950 was such a monster, I got one as my daily rider when my back was hurt at work and couldn’t use my old sport bike anymore. I loved that bike so much, it was everything I ever wanted in a bike! Unfortunately I lost mine to a fire, and now I’m moving onto a more modern ADV bike. I’ll miss that bike forever, it was an icon and a half, and such a journey!
Thank you for this and thank you for telling it so compassionately and also so well. I grew up with the early Paris-Dakar and remember this awful day. Actually, I stopped following it after this, wherever I was deployed in the world. Once again, many thanks, mate. A great video.
Amazing video, thanks dude 🙏 Although I was young, I still remember that day very clearly. Watching the terrible news almost live on french television. Fabrizio was the best 🏆 One day I'll have a 950 in the garage for him that's for sure ! 💪
Fantastic video, amazing story of a true hero and also an example of a human being.
Still fighting off the tears.
Oh my God!!! If I liked mine 990, now I'm extremely happy. In some way it is the continuation of this story. And due to my ignorance, now it's because there are so many KTM and parts in Italy. lol great story! Congratulations on the incredible video.
Amazing Story! Really took me back to my childhood staying Up late watching Dakar on Eurosport. And remember feeling devasteted when I received the news on Fabrizio. Thank you!
I would assume this quality of content would come from a channel with hundreds of thousands, loved watching this you deserve more subs
Fabricio, what a Legend. I was one of the first in Germany who ride the 950 back in 2003. Still owend my 2004 950 Gooooo and love it since then.
Wow. One hell of a story!
I’ve only been into motorcycles for around 8 years now, nine bikes so far - seven Hondas (including two Africa Twins), one Suzuki and finally, a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. Adventure bikes are my absolute favourite and as such, I’ve taken an interest in Dakar over the last few years.
It is looking into the history of KTM that has brought me here and boy did I not expect what just happened! I did not know of Fabrizio Meoni when I started watching this video, but was almost crying by the end of it.
Thank you for telling this story, what an incredible rider, navigator and Human Being.
You bought a badass bike with an even more badass engine. I've had every iteration of that LC8 starting with the '08 RC8(sold at 30k miles), '15 1190 ADV-R (60K miles and still going), and '17 1290 SD-GT (28K miles and still going as well). Solid and bulletproof engines, I'd recommend the Rottweiler Stage 4 kit with the Dynojet tuner btw
A great story well told. Fabrizio and the 950 are both legends, and always will be.
Proud to have one in the garage...and, it's silver!
Thanks so much, man! Took me back to my childhood and watching Dakar as a kid with riders like Pal Andes Ullevalseter (?), Stephan Peterhansel still on a bike, Gerard de Rooy in his crazy front-and-rear cabin truck and bikes like the Gagiva Elephant. This still inspires me today to ride my Husqvarna 901 expedition. Great video
Who knew id be 40 years and shift from road bikes inti advs and offroaders and learn such emotional story related to rally.❤
I don't know how I've never heard heard of your channel. Extremely good content, nice job!
Ahhh, I’m feeling like I knew Fabrizio as a friend; Rest In Peace my friend🙏🏽 Well done!
I began to watch this video looking for a great motorcycle one..but find a way better video: a video about a GREAT HUMAN BEING..SALUTE MEONI!!..
Amazing video and trust me, I appreciate the time and effort that went into making it, But what a Story, what a man and what a bike....
Meoni was one of the heroes on two wheels that are never celebrated enough. Not only was he courageous and incredibly fast, he was capable of designing a bike. Only Gaston could match his talent. His daughter died at age 16 from an incurable disease. Why does one family have to endure so much. Prayers to his wife and her brother Gioele.
Beautifully told, I love the passion and determination of the Meoni's both father and son and the fact they did not ignore the people of the African desert.
Thank you for telling this amazing story. I was deeply moved by the end.
i grew up watching and getting al sorts of posters from the Peugoet Automible Nigeria PAN where my mother works for over 27years. THe bikes were an iconic image for me with the trucks doing watching these machines besides 205t16 406t16 with wide open throttles on the dunes. these were the days when safety was on the back burners until fatalities. Heroes and Legends that inspire many of us to try and grow some hair on our chest. am still a junkie for the open wilderness especially sub shara and the namib dessert. i planned a bike rife from uk to namibia but never got to do it. Fabrizio Meoni. one of the greatest motorsport legend. guts, mind and the guts many of us well only dream of. Ride the clouds FM
Superb story, you did the Meoni’s and KTM proud, nicely done.🙌
That was not a story I expected tonight. Thanks for telling it.
I may never ride that well or fast but I love my 1090 adv r.
Fabrizio was and still is an example for many. A great man before a super champion !
For sure he was!
amazing story, great narration.
Thanks for bringing these great stories around the motorcycle world which goes unseen
got one grey 950 adv in the garage.... it is a motorbike from another planet... but it is a delicate girl you have to take well care of!
Super way of telling the story about the legend!
Forza (Fabrizio) Meoni!!!
Fabrizio Meoini per sempre nel nostro cuore ❤ Viva Fabrizio, viva L'Italia
What a excellent video this was, you have done a wonderful job in paying homage to a great man and Human being (and a great bike too)
Wow! Excellent work! I thoroughly enjoyed your video! Great story telling, good script and a very good story! Thank you!
God bless you Fabrizio and may god rest your soul.When the " Showroom Dakar models" came out in the 80,s i bought one used and rebuilt it.I rode it in the Negev desert after driving it there from the uk.The dakar was an inspiration for freedom /adventure motorcycling.Just got back from a day out on my old KTM 525 exc.Thinking of you and thanks for all the dreams to all the Dakar riders.
Bravo Amigo super professional video about a bunch of interesting subjects that I didn't know enough about I ride a dual sport over here in the United States and the Italian boys are A Cut Above over the pond
such a good story, i've got a tonne of work to finish but I didnt have the heart to stop. Amazing work.
beautiful documentary. very sad. thank you for your work
I got to ride a 950 Superenduro all day on a local ride. Insane bike. Often the rear tire was spinning under power and you wouldn't know it until you let off. Then it would hook and you could feel that it had been churning away. The other riders made me go last! I was pelting them and didn't know it. But what a day! I have ridden and raced high hp off road bikes all my life. (60 yr. old fellow). Nothing felt like that. And the one I rode only hat 110 horsepower! The Dakar version reportedly had 140. Insane. But in a good way!
Owned 2 950’s they are just pure joy, engineering and motorcycling at its raw form. I can only imagine the skill to ride one flat out off road
I bought an '03 950 after i partially drowned an '06 gs1200! I didn't know much about the 950 until i was 'shopping' for another adventure bike with the insurance payout from the gs. The 950 just kind of came up on my radar and made more and more sense the more i learned about them. It is now the bike i have owned the longest in my motorcycling career so far! I've owned probably over 50 bikes in my 40 years of riding.
I absolutely love it. Not the easiest bike to work on because of the engine layout and trellis frame but it is an absolute hoot to ride. Love it. Handles well (even for a big dirt bike and on road too with knobbies). Can load it up. Its a reasonably heavy(ish) bike but once its on the move you do not notice the weight. Brakes well. Plenty enough power and comes on even stronger after 6k rpm. I've embarrassed plenty of more road orientated bikes on the road (mine with knobbies on too!)
This bike is one of the most versatile bikes I've ever owned. An absolute keeper. If i had to whittle my modest collection of bikes down to one....the 950 would be my choice. It ticks so many boxes for me. I really do appreciate it. There is still no other bike on the market i would replace it with.....seriously!
Such a good, well designed bike. It does exactly what it says on the tin and more. Full of character and very well built.
I recommend that every serious adventure rider should try one. Maybe a little too utilitarian for some as it really is a big, powerful dirt bike....but what a bike!
I love mine. Totally awesome!
Gegen das Design der aktuellen KTM Modelle, war der Prototyp richtig schön 😅
Meoni war einfach der größte und die Dakar hat nach ihm nicht mehr die selbe Strahlkraft gehabt...RIP
I have a 990R in the garage because of this man. I remember checking the stats that day, couldn't believe what I read.
I missed the opportunity to buy a 950 super enduro R a few years back. I wanted a more powerful dirt bike than my skills could handle. Beautiful machine
This channel deserves so much more credit than it gets
Appreciate it!
You are an excellent storyteller. Keep up the good work.
such a great video. Thank you
I runned with Fabrizio in his last enduro stage at il ciocco italy. I was really exited
Wow, that will teach me not to judge a book by its cover! I am seriously impressed with the research and delivery of this short docu-movie. You are wise beyond your years and very, very talented!
I'm curious but how did you originally judge him?
The term you're looking for at 1:47, is "put on the back burner". Derived from cooking, where it means to let a dish stew over a low heat, in industry it means to keep a project in the back of your mind while working on other projects, while taking note of any ideas that could be useful for the original project.
In the case of KTM, I suspect that much of the delay between the initial Big Twin idea, and the Big Twin being built, was down to a lack of machinery suitable to make the twin. Over the intervening years, as machinery was replaced or updated, the capacity to make the twin was a consideration for any new equipment or updates. This would explain the speed of the project when it finally started - they knew they had the machine capacity to build it, they just had to finalize the design, and build it.
An excellent documentary, remembering a heroic bike and rider.
Can we please get an ktm 950/990 review from you with all the history bits, and everything else you love to tell. You know that there are tons of 9XX fanatics out there just waiting for it!
I'd have to get a 950/990 first :) Can't guarantee anything, but who knows, maybe one day
Some of the best production quality on UA-cam keep of the great work.
Love your videos mate, keep it up!🤘
👏👏 very nicely done. RIP Champ, you shall always be missed 🙏🙏🙏
Fantastic story and a beautiful documentary!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Im not a KTM fan, but their "ready to race" slogan is not just marketing, and thats really cool!
BTW, i find it interesting that the 2001 bike looks like the 640 ADV, and the 2002 looks like the civilian 950 ADV
I have owned 14 bikes..the 950Adv S is the one I miss the most, but back then I could just tame it, now I think it would be the end of me.
Also had a 950, one 1190 and two 1290s. Now have an 890, the best of all of them.
Binge watching this channel and its been so long since I came across just a wonderful channel which is quality content. The last I can think of is Fortnine. Excellent story telling, simple yet powerful cinematography. Just wonderful. Loving the video guys. Keep em coming.
I had a chance to say hello to Gioele at the start of the last stage of Dakar this year, he is truly a wonderful human being, even with the few words we exchanged you could tell he has a great character.
Such an amazing story and a fantastic video. Thanks!
I dig deep to the things i love todo and this here has all my respect, i just raced an amateur race as a novice on my harley dirt bike in the desert. I found out what heavy was right away, thankyou for this video
That... sounds like quite the challenge!
Goosebumps, what a story, video and telling story are incredible, subscribed from italy🇮🇹, you deserve it
Thank you!
The "S2" referenced for a number of clips throughout the video appears to be a SuperSport logo for SuperSport channel 2, a south African sport tv channel. Incredible video by the way.
Thanks for clarifying!
So, Meoni's racing KTM was a prototype and COMPLETELY different from any KTM you could buy.
Classic KTM. You put a 9 on it, and say same, same?
Great racer for strapping on that rocket. A man of courage and skill. Pure Dakar.
Stéphane Peterhansel's Yamaha's were one offs.
for a race bike the prototype is actually very similar to the production bike if you look at it. basically same frame and same engine. Yeah sure it was tuned up and had bigger suspension travel suitable for the environment but not completely different by any means.
I don't like ktm, but I got a 950 adventure, fkn love it
Your script and presentation are super, this channel deserves more subs & views. Subscribed!
Thank you very much! I try my best!
This video is a masterpiece
Congrats, bro! In my opinion, this is one of the best youtube moto channels.
Appreciate that!
I have one and will never sell it. I have raced in the UK in an enduro! The bike will go anywhere an enduro bike will go as long as you can see the exit. Stopping is never an option.
i came to KTM 20 years into riding, wish id got one sooner. They're proper tools, quick, tough and make much of the competition look like toys.
Best Dakar rally story, RIP legend 😢
Maaan it was a great story.... I bought 990 Adventure a month ago. Now, I saw your document.... It moved my heart and I will always remember Fabrizio and his legacy 🥲
O poveste super. Dar și spusa cum trebuie. Bravo. Ține-o tot asa
Mersi mult!
Postările tale se îndreaptă, în bine spre cele ale lui Fortnine. Super interesante
That was an amazing Video, not only the topic but also the edit and narration. It was a bittersweet journey watching it, nicely done.
Consider yourself one german sub richer.
What phenomenal storytelling! Keep making videos my friend ❤
I've owned mine for 20years and we are inseparable ironically I am attending a circuit track day this weekend with the ktm950.synchronicity.
Awesome video, thank you. Fabrizio Meoni, what a Legend.
This is the story of a legend how's start the venture bike and also the legendary Fabrizio is.. this video educate me about adventure bike I love endurance bike. Thank you sir for making this video salute you.. sir
It's not everyday that a man cries. Today that's my day. I love the 950 and the design is amazing, but the story behind was unknown for me. Thanks for this amazing story!
Fantastic tribute to Meoni. And i had a 950 ADV. Great motorcycle when it worked properly.
Thank you for the superb documentary, a quality production ❤
Two stories nicely told thank you @KRANKiT .
Too fast? Nah, Too heavy, yeah maybe :)
I've had a 990ADV since 2006. They go like a cut cat ;) although tame versions of their true potential!
My motorcycle mad friend and I knew the local KTM importer in the 80's and after hearing a hot 1000cc Weslake /Norton howling behind me in speedway we used to sometimes contemplate "the perfect bike" over late-night beers. I settled on a KTM version of the Weslake thinking it was only a dream and that such a bike would never exist. I also dreamed of racing in the Paris-Dakar. I knew though that my finances would never permit me to do either even if a 1000cc V twin KTM was created. I was so very happy when I eventually heard KTM was researching a big V-twin (with Rotax input , wasn't it? I can't remember now) but I was subsequently disappointed with the styling when initial drawings and pictures began to appear. I was persecuted by a neighbour owning the first 950 model and hearing it start up every morning, especially being in northern Australia with all of its' wide-open spaces at the time! I had to wait until 2006 before I could afford to buy the 990 and I loved it although I was somewhat disappointed at it's detuned state (compared to it's true potential). Under that ugly skin was some beautiful engineering though - engine and suspension, and it handled better than anything I had ridden until then.
Thank you so much FABRIZIO MEONI for your desert /bike passion and your strong input into the creation of this great bike, the LC8!
All the best Gioele.
and FYI everyone, cervical spine injuries suck. I suggest, take care of yours.
Even if the number of followers does not correspond to the value of the video production, I beileve that the quality of thoes who follow this channel is to be appreaciated, and this can give the real value of the effort made. Congratulations.
Thank you!
I learned how to ride dirt on a 990, I still miss her but the lack of spare part just was too annoying, still I had it for a year and did almost 25.000km and only left me stranded once.
This is an amazing tribute to Fabrizio! I know he also has a statue as a tribute to him in Castiglion, hope to go see it one day myself to pay tribute to the legend who gave birth to the motorcycle I have and love!
Yes, he does, it's a small city inside Tuscany. Apparently a lot of people stop by that statue!
Excellent documentary and beautifully written. Thank you for sharing