Rare ATK 490 ESDS Electric Start Dual Sport | USA Built Motorcycle Spotlight

Welcome back to The Mighty Garage! In this episode, I’m delighted to welcome back my friend Todd, who last visited the cul-de-sac in September 2022 aboard his classic Suzuki GS1000. This time, he arrives on something much rarer and far less familiar—a fascinating ATK 490 ESDS (Electric Start Dual Sport) motorcycle. If you've never heard of ATK, you're not alone. Many people mistake these motorcycles for Hondas, but ATK was actually an American motorcycle manufacturer that produced some remarkably innovative machines. The company was founded around the revolutionary chassis concepts developed by legendary racer and engineer Horst Leitner, whose Anti-Tension Kettenantrieb (ATK) rear suspension design helped set these bikes apart from the competition. Todd explains why he chose the ATK 490 ESDS, including its impressive build quality, strong performance, electric start convenience, and tall riding position—an important consideration for a rider standing 6 feet 4 inches tall. We'll take a closer look at the unique engineering, premium components, and the features that made this American-made motorcycle both highly respected and relatively expensive when compared to its contemporaries. Join us as we explore one of motorcycling's best-kept secrets and learn why the ATK 490 ESDS remains such a special machine today. If you enjoy classic motorcycles, rare motorcycles, vintage bikes, American-made motorcycles, dual sports, and unusual engineering, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment below. #ATK490 #ATKMotorcycles #DualSport #AmericanMotorcycle #HorstLeitner #VintageMotorcycle #ClassicMotorcycle #TheMightyGarage #MotorcycleReview #RareMotorcycle #ATKESDS #MadeInUSA #DualSportMotorcycle #VintageBike #motorcyclehistory You are invited to the cul-de-sac! Do you have a vintage motorcycle with a story behind it? Please bring it over to the cul-de-sac — because the best bikes always come with great tales! Contact me for more info at [email protected] Previous visitors and great Tales from the cul-de-sac:    • Tales from the Cul-de-sac   ________________________________________________________ 🔗 LINKS Todd’s One Owner 1978 Suzuki GS1000 Superbike:    • 1968 Norton Commando Fastback in iconic BR...   ATK USA: https://atkusa.com Norton Commandos in the bedroom:    • Norton Commandos in the bedroom   _____________________________________________________________ 📖 CHAPTERS 00:00 Arrival 00:57 Intro 01:13 What is an ATK? 01:56 Origins & Horst Leitner 05:04 Todd describes his bike 06:51 What’s it like to ride? 07:32 Where did the bike come from? 09:24 How well has it held up? 10:10 But the seat! 10:33 The irony of the ATK name 11:23 Conclusion 12:09 Leaving the cul-de-sac 13:36 Outtakes If you have an ATK seat, please let me know at [email protected] _____________________________________________________________ SUPPORT 🔴 Please SUBSCRIBE to The Mighty Garage https://www.youtube.com/c/themightyga... ☕ Coffee & Tea fuel my channel 😉 If you enjoy my videos and would like to support my channel, please consider donating here: https://buymeacoffee.com/themightygarage A huge thank YOU in advance 🙏 _____________________________________________________________ 📧 CONTACT [email protected] _____________________________________________________________ SOCIALS   / themightygarage