KTM has officially confirmed that the brand’s supermoto touring capable motorcycle, the SMT is making a return as the KTM 890 SMT.
KTM 890 SMT set to make global debut in April.
The 890 SMT will feature the same 890cc parallel-twin engine as the one found in the 890 Adventure.
The Austrian motorcycle company also revealed that the 890 SMT – which was caught undergoing testing in Europe recently – will be officially revealed on 24th April 2023.
Looking at the spy shots published by Cycle World, the soon-to-be-launch 890 SMT sports a slightly slimmer bodywork than its cousin the 890 Adventure.
*KTM 890 Adventure
Unlike the adventure variant, the SMT also features a sportier fuel tank.
In terms of performance, it is likely that the 890 SMT will offer the same power figure as the 890 Adventure. That should mean around 100hp and 95Nm.
That said, the 890 SMT fits right in the likes of Yamaha Tracer 9 GT (117hp) and Ducati Multistrada V2 (113hp).
KTM is reportedly developing a semi-automatic gearbox for its next generation of 1290-powered bikes, according to recent patents.
KTM’s upcoming semi-automatic gearbox to benefit the 1290 range.
The semi-automatic gearbox is not similar to Honda’s DCT.
Unlike Honda’s DCT system, KTM’s approach will use rocker arms, a centrifugal clutch, and a separate gear control unit to shift gears fully autonomously or with rider input. The semi-auto system will also feature a unique parking brake, which could serve as an additional anti-theft measure.
The patent suggests that the system could be featured in KTM’s 1290 Super Adventure S, Super Adventure R, 1290 Super Duke R, and 1290 Super Duke GT models.
However, it’s unclear how riders will manually shift gears with the new system.
The KTM system’s L-shaped lever physically locks driven gears in place and can’t be deactivated unless the bike is switched on, adding an additional layer of protection against motorcycle theft.
KTM dilaporkan sedang membangunkan transmisi semi-automatik bagi barisan model 1290 yang membolehkan pertukaran gear dilakukan tanpa bantuan klac.
Pendedahan itu dibuat berdasarkan paten yang telah difailkan syarikat motosikal Austria itu.
Meskipun transmisi semi-automatik telah pun diperkenalkan Honda menerusi sistem DCT sebelum ini namun sistem yang dibangunkan KTM adalah berbeza. Ini kerana transmisi semi-automatik KTM mengguna pakai klac sentrifugal, ‘rocker arms’ dan unit kawalan gear berasingan bagi menukar gear.
*nombor bahagian jelas merujuk pada enjin KTM LC8. (sumber: Cycle World)
Menariknya, paten tersebut juga mendedahakna bahawa sistem transmisi semi-automatik KTM itu juga merangkumi ‘parking brake’ yang berfungsi dengan menghalang motosikal daripada bergerak ke belakang sewaktu di permukaan berbukit.
Bagaimanapun, paten tersebut tidak memaklumkan sama ada sistem semi-automatik KTM itu membolehkan penunggang menukar gear secara manual sepertimana yang ditawarkan DCT dengan bantuan butang naik dan turun gear.
Buat masa ini, tiada info terperinci bila sistem tersebut akan mula diperkenalkan pada model 1290 namun pastinya ini adalah perkembangan yang menarik daripada KTM.
CFMoto merupakan antara jenama motosikal dari China yang cukup serius dalam membangunkan jentera berkualiti dan berprestasi tinggi.
Kerjasama dengan KTM termasuk di Kejuaraan Dunia Moto3 menjadi bukti komitmen yang ditonjolkan CFMoto dalam mengukuhkan jenama itu di pentas antarabangsa.
Menariknya, beberapa model yang diperkenalkan antaranya 250SR, 700CL-X, 650MT, 800MT dan terbaru 450SR bingkas mencuri tumpuan di pasaran global.
Bagaimanapun, terdapat perkembangan menarik yang timbul mengenai CFMoto apabila jenama itu dilaporkan bakal memperkenalkan jentera ‘superbike’ dengan enjin 1000cc tidak lama lagi.
Perkara itu disahkan menerusi paten enjin yang telah difailkan pada Jun tahun lalu dan hanya baru-baru ini akses kepada maklumat tersebut dibuka kepada orang ramai.
Paten tersebut mendedahkan jentera ‘superbike’ itu akan bernadikan enjin 4-silinder dengan konfigurasi V4. Lebih menarik, dokumen terbabit menyebut enjin V4 itu akan menawarkan 204hp.
Ada yang mendakwa enjin tersebut dibangunkan daripada jentera prototaip KTM RC16 di MotoGP. Bagaimanapun, penilaian kami selepas melihat paten tersebut, ternyata platform itu langsung tidak menyerupai enjin yang dihasilkan KTM sebelum ini. Malah, paten tersebut difailkan di bawah nama CFMoto semata-mata bukan nama rasmi hasil kerjasama dua belah pihak.
Oleh itu, kami dijangkakan enjin 1000cc dengan konfigurasi V4 ini adalah hasil kerja tangan CFMoto sendiri tanpa sebarang bantuan luar.
Buat masa ini kami difahamkan, enijn V4 itu akan diguna pakai pada dua jenis model, sportbike dan naked.
Difahamkan, model naked itu juga akan membuat penampilan sulung sekurang-kurangnya lewat tahun ini namun, belum ada sebarang perkembangan mengenai model ‘sportbike’ tersebut.
Apa yang pasti, kemunculan jentera ‘full-fairing’ dengan enjin 1000cc V4 dari CFMoto itu akan berlaku tidak lama lagi sekaligus memberi saingan kepada jenama motosikal Jepun dan Eropah.
*QJMotor SRK 1000 RR
Selain CFMoto, satu lagi pengeluar motosikal dari China, QJMotor sedang membangunkan jentera sportbike 1000cc hasil kerjasama dengan MV Agusta. Mengguna pakai enjin dan chasis daripada MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR, model itu juga dijangka akan dilancarkan sebagai model 2024.
Several spy photos have emerged what looks like a new small-capacity KTM Duke undergoing testing in Spain.
The test mule is likely to be an updated version of the 125 Duke.
The bike features a new redesigned headlight and revised subframe.
The test mule can be seen HERE as published by European publication Motociclimso. However, from the looks of it, the test mule is still in an early stage given that many components are not yet completed.
While we have no information regarding the engine capacity, it is likely an update for either the 125 Duke or 390 Duke. However, looking at the engine size and exhaust exit, it is possible that we are looking at the 125.
Taking a closer look at the bodywork, we can see a design language that is similar to the KTM 1290 Super Duke R and Super Duke R EVO.
That said, the front shroud bodywork extends towards the front past the fork legs. The rear subframe also appears to be a cast aluminium instead of the steel tubular design.
The test mule also features a redesigned headlamp but continue to portray the Duke’s DNA.
While the new development seems exciting, it is difficult to predict when will the new machine make its way to production.
KTM dan syarikat ‘tuning’ Jerman, BRABUS meneruskan kolaborasi buat kali kedua dengan pelancaran BRABUS 1300 R Edition 23.
Dipamerkan di Hanoi, Vietnam, BRABUS 1300 R Edition 23 merupakan evolusi daripada 1300 R yang diperkenalkan tahun lalu.
Terhad kepada 145 unit bagi versi Superblack dan 145 unit lagi bagi warna Stealth Grey, BRABUS 1300 R Edition 23 ini juga dibangunkan daripada platform KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO.
Untuk itu, 1300 R Edition 23 ini juga didatangkan dengan beberapa komponen khas BRABUS yang mengguna pakai bahan jenis gentian karbon dan CNC.
Oleh itu, tidak hairanlah BRABUS 1300 R Edition 23 ini tampak sama seperti versi original kecuali beberapa penambahbaikan antaranya pertambahan komponen gentian karbon.
Sebagai pelengkap kepada motosikal hypernaked ini adalah rim BRABUS Monoblock Z dengan kemasan serba hitam.
Seperti model tahun lalu, BRABUS 1300 R Edition 23 ini dikuasakan enjin LC8 V-Twin 1,301cc yang berupaya menghasilkan 180hp pada 9,500rpm dan 140Nm pada 8,000rpm.
Menurut BRABUS, motosikal ini akan dijual menerusi laman sesawang khas dengan harga EUR42,500 (RM198 ribu) pada 16 Februari ini.
KTM and German tuning company BRABUS continued their partnership for 2023 with the introduction of the BRABUS 1300 R Edition 23.
KTM announced second collaboration with German tuning experts, BRABUS with the 1300 R Edition 2023.
The 2nd-generation motorcycle continue to crank 180hp and 140Nm.
Unveiled in Hanoi, Vietnam, the BRABUS 1300 R Edition 2023 is an evolution of the original 1300 R introduced last year.
Limited to just 145 units in Superblack and another 145 in Stealth Gray, the BRABUS 1300 R Edition 23 is again build based on the KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO. Similar to last year’s model, the 1300 R Edition 23 features a number of bespoke BRABUS components including carbon fiber and CNC-machined parts.
That said, the BRABUS 1300 R Edition 2023 looks similar to the original except for a few modifications mainly by adding more carbon fiber components including the headlight trim and air scoops.
Completing the changes are new BRABUS Monoblock Z forged wheels with platinum black finish.
Powering the beast is the same 1,301cc LC8 V-Twin engine that makes 180hp @ 9,500rpm and 140Nm @ 8,000rpm. Meanwhile, WP supplies the semi-active APEX suspension and steering damper.
Priced at EUR42,500 (RM198k), all 290 units will be sold only via an online pre-order site which opens on February 16,2023.
Fun fact, the previous BRABUS 1300 R sold out in just under two minutes.
Despite scrapping its 490cc platform and working on an all-new 990cc and 690cc engine, KTM still has some plans for its 890 range.
KTM 890 SMT shares the same 889cc LC8c engine as the 890 Adventure.
The 890 SMT is fitted with a taller windscreen and redesigned fuel tank.
That said, the Austrian manufacturer was recently spotted testing the new KTM 890 SMT, as reported by Cycle World.
However, since the 990 platform is considered a replacement for the current 889cc engine, we expect the 890 SMT to have a relatively short lifespan before evolving to a 990 SMT.
Nevertheless, while the upcoming KTM 890 SMT borrows much of its features from the 890 Adventure, the sport tourer version gains a taller windscreen and a higher front mudguard.
Also, the fuel tank on the 890 SMT is now singular and mounted above the engine, unlike the dual, side-mounted tanks featured on the 890 Adventure. The new tank design is likely a better fit for the SMT.
Nonetheless, the exhaust pipes are still the same as the ones found on the 890 Adventure, indicating that the 890 SMT gets the same 889cc LC8c engine tune.
We also expect that the 890 SMT and 890 Adventure shares similar weight.
While KTM is yet to announce plans for the 890 SMT, the bike is clearly in a production-ready stage and could make its way soon.
The KTM 390 Adventure has been updated for 2023 with an upgrade that fans of the entry-level machine have been asking for – spoked wheels.
2023 KTM 390 Adventure now equipped with wire-spoked wheels as standard.
the entry-level ADV continue to make 44hp and 37Nm.
The upgrade enhanced the bike’s aesthetic and beefed up the bike’s durability off-road.
Also, the spoke sits within black-anodized aluminium rims with 19-inch at the front and 17-inch at the rear.
Aside from the new rims, the 2023 390 Adventure continues to make 44hp and 37Nm of peak torque from its Bajaj-built 373cc single-cylinder DOHC engine. Additionally, the bike features two catalytic converters.
Other notable features remain available, including ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, cornering ABS and an ‘Off-Road’ riding mode. The mode allows for more rear wheel slip and reduces ABS intervention.
KTM also retained the steel trellis frame for the 2023 model year, including the WP Apex suspension that offers adjustable rebound, compression and preload.
Braking is done via Brembo’s ByBre radial callipers with 320mm disc at the front and 230mm disc at the rear.
Also complementing the 2023 edition is a new colour scheme inspired by the KTM racing background.
The common leaf springs system has been around for centuries and the technology barely changed right until the early 1900s when car companies introduced shock absorbers.
KTM developing a new leaf spring suspension for future motorcycles.
The package is similar to Yamaha’s 1992-93 YZM250 0WE4 but with a different layout.
The same system is still applied today mainly for heavy vehicles such as lorries and pickups.
However, leaf springs have been applied to motorcycles before, particularly on modern motocross machines such as Yamaha’s 1992-93 YZM250 0WE4.
The bike used a single composite leaf at the rear with its front end clamped under the engine and the rear bolted on a linkage below the swingarm.
It looks like KTM is likely to bring leaf spring suspension into its upcoming motorcycles as confirmed by the latest patent application reported by CycleWorld.
Based on the images, the package is almost similar to Yamaha however it adopts a different layout.
That said, the leaf is in a nearly vertical orientation and is near the engine. The patent also confirms that a conventional damper will be used to control the rear suspension.
In addition, the system also allows for adjustability, whereby changing the length of the linkages can alter the suspension characteristic.
While the news might sound exciting but we could never tell whether the concept could make its way into production anytime soon.
The Bajaj Chetak electric scooter will go on sale in Europe in 2024 through KTM dealerships.
The Chetak electric scooter is Bajaj’s first attempt at electric two-wheelers.
The Chetak is currently on sale in 27 cities in India.
The confirmation news came from the top man in KTM AG, Stefan Pierer.
“We will be launching Chetak in 2024. It may hit roads post-March, as it is a starting time for the on-road season.
“The price point will be very competitive, and it will be taking on products from Chinese and Taiwanese companies. It will be across all central European markets,” said the CEO.
Interestingly, Pierer confirms that the electric scooter will continue to carry the Chetak brand due to its rich history.
“The second generation is a very nice product. We will use it as Chetak, it is a known brand, and we will be saving money on marketing and digitalisation.
“Secondly, Chetak stands for its famous history in India, and it will help us too,” he added.
Meanwhile, KTM is also developing its own 48-volt electric motorcycle alongside Bajaj.
However, detailed information regarding the project is still unavailable.
CFMoto has successfully utilised its partnership with KTM in the last few years mainly by employing the same LC8c parallel-twin mill into its range including the 800MT and the 700CL-X.
CFMoto working on a KTM-powered 1250NK.
The 1250NK is a naked-style motorcycle powered by KTM’s LC8 1,279cc V-Twin engine.
The same powertrain will also be powering the upcoming 800NK naked motorcycle. Not to mention, CFMoto also builds the 790 Duke and 790 Adventure for the Austrian OEM.
Nevertheless, CFMoto plans to expand its naked bike range by introducing the 1250NK.
According to reports, CFMoto intends to used KTM’s LC8 1,279cc engine – which currently powers the Chinese brand 1250 TR-G grand tourer – for the 1250NK.
Currently, the LC8-powered TR-G makes 140hp but it is likely that the V-Twin mill will be revised for a higher peak power to feed the 1250NK.
Borrowing much of the design concept as KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R, the 1250NK also sports single-sided swingarm.
While it may share some design traits including a similar steel trellis frame, the 1250NK features its own unique identity. More importantly, the 1250NK borrows much of its design from the firms’ upcoming 800NK which is set to debut soon.
With that in mind, the 1250NK might not hit the road anytime soon therefore we expect some design change between then and now.
