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FIRST LOOK: 2023 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT

Back by popular demand, KTM has announced the return of the 1290 Super Duke GT alongside the 790 Duke.

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT makes a comeback for 2023.
Features the powerful LC8 V-Twin engine that makes 175hp.

Based on the potent 1290 Super Duke R EVO naked motorcycle, the GT is fitted with the proper equipment to make it suitable for touring.

That said, the 1290 Super Duke GT features the same 1,301cc LC8 V-twin engine that makes 175p and 141Nm.

Similar to the Super Duke R EVO, the GT trim gets a ride-by-wire electronic package that includes the following:

Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC), cornering ABS, Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), Supermoto mode, Hill Hold Control (HHC), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and cruise control.

Riders can also add the (optional) bi-directional quickshifter.

Spec-wise, the Duke GT is fitted with WP Apex semi-active suspension that is tuned for sport touring. Riders can select from four modes that electronically adjust the suspension according to different payloads.

Meanwhile, the bike’s information can be accessed via a new 7-inch TFT display that also features a new Turn-by-Turn Plus navigation system powered by Sygic.

In addition, the 2023 1290 Super Duke GT gets lighter wheels that are shod with Continental ContiSportAttack4 tires.

KTM is yet to announced the price and availability.

FIRST LOOK: 2023 KTM 790 Duke

Following a short hiatus, KTM has decided to reintroduced the original 790 Duke for 2023.

KTM 790 Duke makes a comeback for 2023.
Powering the 790 Duke is the same LC8c mill that makes 105hp and 82.3Nm.

KTM previously replaced the 790 Duke with a bigger 890 Duke in 2021 to meet the tighter emission standard while also increasing the peak power.

However, in an interesting development, the returning Original Scalpel will also eplaced the base 890 Duke while the up-spec 890 Duke R remains in the lineup for 2023.

Also, the 790 Duke revival comes with the help of KTM’s partnership with CFMOTO who’s now in charge of the 799cc LC8c engine.

That said, the parallel-twin mill continue to make 105hp @ 9,000rpm and 82.37Nm @ 8,000rpm.

Nonetheless, it’s important to take note that the reborn 790 Duke comes with a number of exciting updates for 2023.

In addition, the 790 Duke now features new Track mode joining the existing Sport, Street and Rain mode. There’s also nine levels of lean sensitive traction control, anti-wheelie, launch control and three throttle response settings.

Also new on the 2023 790 Duke includes Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) and Supermoto mode.

Suspending the 2023 790 Duke is the same non-adjustable 43mm WP Apex front fork and a preload-adjustable Apex shock.

MV Agusta CEO Talks KTM Partnership

MV Agusta is back on the rise since being purchased by Russian entrepreneur, Timur Sardarov in 2019.

KTM AG signs a multi-year deal with MV Agusta to distribute the Schiranna motorcycles in North America.
KTM purchased 25.1% stake in MV Agusta.
KTM to distribute MV Agusta motorcycle and vice versa.

Despite immediately facing serious struggles including the global pandemic, supply and resource shortages and the recent Ukraine-Russia conflict, MV Agusta has been making great strides.

However, the focus now is not just surviving but also ensuring that the MV Agusta brand continue to thrive in the motorcycle market.

In order to do so, the Italian moniker recently agreed to a strategic partnership with Pierer Mobility Group’s KTM.

In a recent interview with Motorcycle.com, Sardarov explained the reason behind the big move.

“And so that’s why for me to partner up with a big business, with a big industrial partner like KTM–it makes my life easier.

“I want to focus on developing the business, on making the company better and more efficient–but it’s very hard to do this when you’re constantly thinking about whether we should ship our wheels from China by plane or by boat!,” he said.

MV Agusta and KTM announced a new distribution deal back in September before it was confirmed a month later that KTM AG has owned a 25.1 per cent stake in MV Agusta.

Interestingly, two KTM senior management team members also joined MV Agusta’s board of directors as a result from the partnership.

“We’re going to develop a network together, so it’s going to be either multi-brand dealers, or standalone dealers, depending on the country, but it’s definitely going to mean better dealers overall.

“I hope some of our existing dealers will stay with us, because many of them have invested heavily in MV, and I’m really grateful to them for doing so, and I will make sure that they are still part of our family.

“But some other dealers simply haven’t performed, so we’ll be letting them go,” added Sardarov.

Although some might suggest that KTM AG could acquire the Italian brand altogether, Sardarov is adamant that this is not the case.

(Source: Motorcycle.com)

KTM 690 SMC And Enduro R Gets New Visuals For 2023

KTM’s 693cc thumper is still strong despite being in the market for years.

KTM 690 SMC R and Enduro R get fresh visuals for 2023.
A 693cc single-cylinder engine powers both KTM 690 SMC R and Enduro R.

For 2023, the KTM 690 SMC R supermoto and Enduro R dual sport returns with new fresh visuals.

Continuing the LC4 tradition, the 690 SMC R sports blue and orange, while the Enduro R gets orange graphics inspired by KTM’s race bikes.

At the heart of the 690s sits the most powerful single-cylinder engine available, capable of producing 74hp. Thanks to KTM’s continuous development of the LC4 engine, the platform has proven to stand the test of time.

Both machines benefit from Cornering ABS, traction control and two ride modes.

Additionally, the optional Off-Road ABS reduces ABS intervention on the front wheel and completely disables ABS on the rear, allowing riders to lock up their rear when they need to slide into a tight turn.

As usual, there is a host of dedicated KTM PowerParts designed specifically to boost both bike’s performance and mobility.

The 2023 KTM RC 8C Sold Out In Just Two Minutes

KTM introduced the track-only RC 8C back in 2021 with all 100 units were quickly snapped up by customers in less than five minutes.

The RC 8C gets reworked engine which now produces 135hp.
Features carbon fiber, GRP and Kevlar bodywork similar to KTM’s RC16 MotoGP racebike.

However, the hype around the specially-built race bike was over the roof and triggered the Austrian manufacturer to come out with a second version for 2023.

Limited to just 200 units, the 2023 model were sold out in a blink with every unit were sold out in just two minutes despite having 100 units more than the first released.

In addition, KTM also bags nearly GBP8 million in the process.

At a glance, there isn’t much to set the 2023 RC 8C apart with the 2021 edition.

Aside from the black finish replacing the orang paint, the 2023 RC 8C continue to feature carbon fiber, GRP and Kevlar bodywork that mirrors the KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike.

Also carried from the original version is the handmade chromoly steel trellis-style frame built by Kramer Motorcycles.

However, the 2023 RC 8C gets reworked engine with LC8c 889cc twin powertrain now makes 135hp from the previous 128hp. This is achieved by equipping a new titanium intake and exhaust valves, titanium connecting rods, larger 48mm throttle body and an increased in compression ratio.

KTM also added new oil cooler and revised the crankcase-balancer shaft while also removing the upper balancer in the cylinder head.

In addition, thanks to a new titanium Akrapovic race exhaust, the 2023 KTM RC 8C tip the scale at just 142kg.

The 2023 RC 8C also gets a revised WP Apex Pro suspension with the firm claimed to improve rider confidence on the track.

Similar to the 2021 RC 8C, the new track bike also allows for a host of adjustment and fine-tuning on both the engine and handling.

That said, the new AiM MXS 1.2 Race dash allows access to the bike’s traction control settings, throttle mapping and engine-braking. The RC 8C triple-clamp offset can also be altered with both the bars and pegs can be adjusted.

Braking is done with a top-of-the-line Brembo Stylema 4-piston radial-mounted callipers regulated via a Brembo 19RCS Corsa Corta master cylinder.

Other notable features include forged alloy Dymags wheels with Pirelli Diablo SC1 slick and GP shift with quickshifter function.

KTM AG Now Owns 25.1% Stake In MV Agusta

KTM AG now owns a large chunk of Italian motorcycle maker, MV Agusta after months of rumours circulating between the two brand.

KTM purchased 25.1% stake in MV Agusta.
KTM to distribute MV Agusta motorcycle and vice versa.

In an official statement released on Thursday, KTM AG has acquired a significant 21.1 per cent of the Varese-based company, just weeks after the two side entered a distribution agreement in North America.

The distribution deal was the strongest signal yet that KTM AG and MV Agusta has gotten into a bigger agreement than what was expected.

“Within the framework of this strategic partnership between the two European motorcycle manufacturers, KTM AG, a company of PIERER Mobility, will provide MV Agusta with supply chain support and take over the purchasing.

“Furthermore, in the course of this cooperation, MV Agusta will partly distribute its product range via PIERER Mobility’s worldwide distribution network.

“In November 2022, KTM AG will acquire a 25.1% stake in MV Agusta Motor S.p.A., based in Varese (Italy), by way of a capital increase,” said MV Agusta in a statement.

The new partnership will witness both sides helping each other out in terms of motorcycle distribution and supply chain support.

FIRST LOOK: 2023 KTM RC 8C

KTM released 200 more examples of the exclusive track-only KTM RC 8C adding to the 100 units introduced in 2021.

The RC 8C gets reworked engine which now produces 135hp.
Features carbon fiber, GRP and Kevlar bodywork similar to KTM’s RC16 MotoGP racebike.

While it may caused some discontent among those who purchased the previous released for USD38,999 (RM184k) the addition of 200 more units provide a second chance at owning a motorcycle that sold out in minutes.

At a glance, there isn’t much to set the 2023 RC 8C apart with the 2021 edition.