Rumors of a KTM 500cc two-cylinder road model circulated some time back, but it begot nothing thereafter. KTM CEO Stefan Pierer confirmed Bajaj will build the new KTM 500cc two-cylinder model during the recent interview with Speedweek. He had also expressed his interest in Ducati during the same interview.
Having Bajaj build the bike means it will be priced competitively. Pierer says it’s because KTM wants to compete with the Japanese in this perpetually growing segment around the world.
It should bode well with riders who want a KTM but finds the 390 Duke/RC too small while the 790 Duke/Adventure too big or expensive. a 500cc platform will most probably include both Duke and Adventure variants, as with the 790.
The new 500 could well be called the 490, going by the Austrian manufacturer’s tradition. But what can we expect?
The new generation 390 Duke features a TFT display, ride-by-wire throttle, ride modes, ABS, WP suspension, and such. The 790 Duke is also bedecked with those features. Consequently, we can safely assume that the new 500cc bike ought to include the same features.
As for the engine, KTM dabbled into a new direction for themselves with 790. Instead of being either a single or V-Twin, they went with a parallel-Twin called LC8c. Its 285ocrankshaft timing mimics the 75oV-Twin (360o– 285o– 75o) in the manufacturer’s larger bikes.
Hence, we should be able to expect of the same in the 500cc model. The engine should be compact and lightweight such as the 790’s, although we don’t know if it’s sleeved-down from the bigger engine.
What happens to the 690 Duke then? KTM may just replace it with the new bike, since a two-cylinder 500cc engine should produce equivalent of more power than a 690cc single.
We’ll definitely bring you more so watch this space.
Everyone seems to want Ducati ever since the Volkswagen Group said it may be up for sale. Now KTM CEO Stefan Pierer says he’s interested.
In an interview with German publication Speedweek, Pierer recorded his interest to add the Italian marque to his collection. He even went as far as naming a few ideas on how Ducati could fit into KTM’s strategy.
The conversation started from his desire to turn KTM into the world’s third largest large capacity motorcycle manufacturer behind Honda and Yamaha.
Bold words in this soft global motorcycle market, but they were with substance. KTM is one of the very few brands to record sustained growth. Husqvarna, now owned by the Austrian manufacturer is also seeing a resurgence under Pierer.
How does it bode for Ducati, then? For one, the Italian brand will be at home with a brand owner who knows motorcycles instead of milking it as a financial instrument.
Instead, Pierer said that he saw that it’s the automotive industry which pioneered the “platform strategy” (building different models based on one engine or frame). “Today, engines and chassis are built partly identical for both KTM and Husqvarna, but in the house we are not working against each other,” he added. It makes sense since offering two brands increases customer frequency.
Yet, how should we imagine Ducati will fit in as a platform to KTM? Desmo LC8 engines? 75oV-Twins in Ducatis? These individual traditions and identities will not mix like orange juice and blood. We’re not even talking about the two brands’ racing effort yet. On second thought, however, Ducati may well benefit KTM in finding the magic equation in MotoGP, after all.
Still, it’d be interesting to see IF Pierer successfully adds Ducati to their stable.
Source: Asphalt & Rubber
The 2019 KTM 790 Adventure and 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R have been finally unveiled at the EICMA show.
The two models have spent much time in development, while KTM launched the 790 Duke first.
There are two versions with both sharing the same basic specs. However, the base 790 Adventure is biased more for road use, while the 790 Adventure R is for hardcore off-roading.
As with any KTM, there are a bucket load of features, but we’ll cut to the chase. The engine produces 94bhp and 88 Nm of torque. The engine power is down by 11bhp from the 790 Duke’s engine, as it tuned for a broad spread of torque rather than outright speed.
The base 790 Adventure uses the WP APEX 43mm forks and WP rear shock, providing 200mm of travel on both ends. On the other hand, the 790 Adventure R is equipped with WP XPLOR forks and WP rear shock, both with 240mm travel for more ground clearance. Both models use 21” front and 18” rear wheels.
Besides that, the base model’s seat is a flat 2-seater, while the R has a stepped dual-seat arrangement.
As for electronics, both bikes utilize an IMU (inertial measurement unit) for lean-sensitive Cornering ABS and traction control. The ABS can be turned entire off or just for the rear wheel.
There are three standard riding modes in addition to an extra “Rally” mode. Rally modes is optional for the base model and standard on the R.
The styling gives the bike the look of a Dakar Rally race bike and utilizes the split LED headlamp.
Dani Pedrosa may not have won a world championship but he has come pretty darn close a few times. There is no doubt that he is one of the best riders on the Grand Prix grid, so it was quite sad when he announced that he was going to retire at the end of the 2018 season (click here to read about Dani’s retirement).
But as with many great riders retirement does not mean the end of their careers, it is just the beginning of another great career, and for Pedrosa, that new career starts at Red Bull KTM.
The Austrian team recently announced that the current Repsol Honda Team rider will be the official test rider for the team’s MotoGP line-up in 2019 and 2020.
Pedrosa, who raced in the premier class for 13 seasons, will work alongside Mika Kallio to develop the KTM RC16, which has been competing in MotoGP for three years now.
Pedrosa who recently turned 33, has over 30 MotoGP wins and over 50 wins in all classes. He has three world titles but none in the premier class, and has been on the MotoGP podium over 110 times.
Source: MotoGP
KTM has also unveiled a couple of new bikes at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany. New for 2019 are the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT and 1290 Super Duke R.
First introduced in 2016 before the advent of the 1290 Super Adventure S and R, the previous GT was “old tech.” Indeed, the 2016 model didn’t have a TFT screen and the LC8 engine was based on the older 1290 Super Duke R, although it did have excellent WP Semi-Active electronic suspension.
https://www.bikesrepublic.com/featured/2019-ktm-1290-super-duke-gt-spied/
So it’s no surprise that the 2019 1290 Super Duke GT receives many updates.
The 1301cc 75o V-Twin engine has been revised to produce 175 bhp by using new resonator chambers, titanium inlet valves and engine mapping. There is now Track riding mode in addition to Tour, Sport and Rain.
The traction control system is now lean angle sensitive, while the quickshifter has been upgraded to Quickshifter+.
The WP Semi-Active suspension is retained and still allows the rider to select from Comfort, Street and Sport, besides picking the preload for single rider, single rider with luggage, rider and passenger, rider and passenger with luggage.
There is now a 6.5” TFT screen which displays all the needed data. It is also possible to operate it with just one hand.
The biggest cosmetic update is to the front of the bike, with the signature split LED headlamp and taller windscreen.
The smartphone connectivity feature KTM My Ride is still offered as an option.
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