KTM

Image for reference
This will be the first time that Bajaj Auto will be developing a twin-cylinder engine in India

Ever since Austrian bikemaker KTM joined its hands with Indian two-wheeler giant Bajaj Auto, Indian biking community has been treated to a plethora of new products for over a decade now. In Bajaj, KTM has found a reliable partner that manufactures and assembles the former’s bikes in India.
The company’s majority stakes are held by PMAG. Recently, in an interaction with an automotive website, PMAG majority owner and KTM CEO Stephan Pierer confirmed that it is developing a new 490cc platform in association with Bajaj in India.
Bajaj-KTM Partnership
Currently Bajaj Auto develops and manufactures 125cc, 200cc, 250cc and 390cc single-cylinder units for KTM motorcycles. The last three units are also used Husqvarna twins- Svartpilen and Vitpilen. All of these motorcycles are manufactured by Bajaj at its facility in Chakan near Pune in Maharashtra. For reference, Swedish bikemaker Husqvarna is a subsidiary of KTM Industries.
Earlier this year, we had reported that KTM was in discussions with Bajaj to develop a new 490cc parallel-twin engine that could be used for Duke and Adventure range of motorcycles. This powertrain could also power future Husqvarna models as well.
KTM 790 ADV India launch next year
Currently, the high displacement twin-cylinder models using 790cc and 890cc units are imported from overseas. In fact, this new engine is set to be a lot more refined and powerful than the current 390cc unit. It is likely to have a similar format and architecture as 790cc and 890cc units.
Prospects of the new 490cc powertrain
Pierer revealed that the company will target its consumer base who want to upgrade from its 390cc bikes such as RC390, Duke 390 and Adventure 390. He further revealed that this new platform is still under development and the first motorcycle to be based on this platform is likely to be launched in 2022. As mentioned before, this new platform will be developed and used for a streetfighter, an adventure motorcycle and a fully-faired bike.
The report further goes on to mention that these bikes will be fully developed at Bajaj’s R&D centre in Pune and supported by KTM’s R&D. Pierer further adds that these motorcycles could also be developed in China by their partners CFMoto. The bikemaker started building its new manufacturing facility 18 months ago and is completely ready now with production to commence from 2021.
The 490cc bikes will bridge the long gap between the 390cc and 790cc products in terms of specs, power as well as price. The performance gap between the current 390 and 790 stand at 43 bhp and 105 bhp. Going by the KTM’s thirst for manufacturing performance-oriented bikes, we can expect these new 490cc motorcycles to be class-leading in their segments.
SOURCE More

New KTM Duke 125
KTM domestic sales and exports increased 22.21 percent and 43.90 percent respectively in November 2020

KTM India noted positive sales both in domestic market as well as exports. YoY sales increased by 22.21 percent but MoM sales dipped 16.86 percent indicating that the euphoria seen over the festive season is diminishing. Total sales in Nov 20 stood at 5,618 units, up 22.21 percent over 4,597 units sold in Nov 19. MoM sales fell 16.86 percent in Nov 20 stood at 5,618 units, down from 6,757 units sold in Oct 20.
KTM YoY Domestic Sales Growth
In the past month, sales of the KTM 200, 250 and 390 range noted substantial growth, even as sales of the 125cc dipped by 38.36 percent. The KTM Duke and RC 200 were at the top of sales charts with 2,115 units sold, 20.51 percent higher as compared to 1,755 units sold in Nov 19.
Currently commanding a market share of 37.65 percent the KTM 200, like all the other bikes in the company lineup has undergone a price hike. MoM sales of this model dipped 21.52 percent as against 2,695 units sold in Oct 20.
KTM 250 noted a 248.68 percent growth YoY – all thanks to the launch of new ADV motorcycle in the range. As compared to just 456 units sold in Nov 19, the sales figure increased to 1,590 units in Nov 20. MoM growth however, was also as exciting as there was a growth of 123.31 percent as 712 units had been sold in Oct 20. This was the only model in the company lineup to note positive MoM growth.
KTM Domestic Sales – Nov 2020
Sales of the KTM 125 fell 38.36 percent YoY. 2,135 units had been sold in Nov 19 which dipped to 1,316 units in the past month. MoM sales growth was also in the negative by 43.08 percent as 2,312 units were sold in Oct 20.
KTM YoY and MoM Exports
Where KTM India exports are concerned, KTM has posted positive growth both in terms of YoY and MoM exports by 43.90 percent and 17.68 percent respectively. The KTM 390 was a favoured model in global markets with a 41.82 percent market share in Nov 20 and 1,756 units exported during the month, up 79.73 percent as compared to 977 units exported in the same month of the previous year.
KTM Exports Nov 2020
Exports of the KTM 250 surged 308.36 percent to 1,123 units in Nov 20 up from 275 units exported in Nov 19. MoM sales increased 125.05 percent as only 499 units had been exported in Oct 20. This again, was due to the launch of 250 Adv, in the export markets.
With a market share of 22.43 percent, KTM 200 YoY growth increased 18.94 percent to 942 units in Nov 20 while MoM exports dipped 35.61 percent as 1,463 units had been exported in Oct 20. The KTM 125 saw a de-growth in terms of YoY exports by 56.75 percent to 378 units in the past month as against 874 units exported in Nov 19. MoM exports however increased substantially by 410.81 percent, as only 74 units had been exported in Oct 20. More

KTM 790 Adventure at India Bike Week
Design-wise, KTM 790 Adventure will be similar to its smaller sibling 390 Adventure

KTM has shown the Indian biking community what a proper adventure tourer actually is when they launched 390 Adventure around this time last year at the India Bike Week in Goa. At the same event, KTM had also showcased the KTM 790 Adventure.
Though, they had not launched the bigger 790 ADV at the event, it was later revealed that the company had plans to launch 790 Adventure in India for the last quarter of FY 2020. With that period almost around, Fast Bikes now reports that KTM has started testing the motorcycle around Pune.
Like its other offerings, 790 Adventure is likely to share its mechanicals with its naked counterpart- 790 Duke. This means it will be powered by the same 799cc parallel-twin engine offered in the latter.
Powertrain Details
However, it will be offered in a different state of tune than the naked streetfighter in order to improve its low and mid-range ride. This unit in its Euro-5 compliance in the ADV puts out a healthy 94 bhp and 88 Nm of peak torque. This unit is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a slip and assist clutch for smoother gear shifts. KTM claims a fuel efficiency of 22.5 kmpl on this motor.
KTM 790 Adventure in India
Hardware Used
In terms of dynamics, 790 Adventure is built on a tubular chromium-molybdenum-steel frame that utilises its engine as a stress member. Suspension duties on the bike are carried out by WP APEX 43 USDs at front which offers 200mm of travel and a WP APEX mono-shock at rear which also offers travel of 200mm. It rolls on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoked wheels wrapped around by dual-purpose tyres.
Anchoring duties are taken care of by two radially-mounted J Juan calipers clamped on 320mm disc rotors and a single two-piston caliper mounted on a 260mm disc.790 Adventure tips the weighing scales at 189 kg making it one of the lightest in its segment. Saddle height is pegged at 850mm and the bike offers a very high ground clearance of 230mm which would be very useful while going undulated paths.
Features on offer
In terms of goodies, 790 Adventure likes its smaller sibling, is well loaded with electronic gizmos such as a Bosch 9.1 MP system which handles cornering ABS and off-road ABS. Other notable features include a full LED headlight with LED DRLs, coloured TFT display and KTM My Ride App connectivity tech which gives access to music, phone calls and navigation.
It also receives three ride modes- Street, Rain, Off-road and an optional extra – Rally; with the convenience of ride-by-wire throttle and lean-sensitive traction control with off-road modes. Upon its launch, it will directly lock horns with the new Triumph Tiger 900 and is expected to be offered at an aggressive price tag, like the 790 Duke. More

KTM 390 Adventure Spoked Wheels
KTM 390 Adventure shares its mechanicals with 390 Duke while 250 ADV shares with Duke 250

KTM 390 Adventure is one of the best selling adventure motorcycle in India. Not only does it offer an implanted ride both on and off-road, but it also provides loads of gizmos making it a technologically enhanced bike. However, it is also one it priciest in its segment and bad news is that it just got a tad more expensive.
Price Hike
The Austrian bikemaker has hiked the prices of its ADV by Rs 1,878. Following the latest price hike, 390 Adventure now costs Rs 3,05,878 as opposed to previously priced Rs 3,04,000 (both prices are ex-showroom). The marginal price hike does not bring any significant change to the bike.
What is good news is that, there is a more affordable adventure motorcycle from KTM in town. New KTM 250 Adv has just been launched in India, at a starting price of Rs 2.48 lakh – making it Rs 60k cheaper than the 390 ADV. In addition, there is now a new package on offer with the KTM ADVs.
New package on offer
While the KTM Advs are decently capable to take on the undulated paths, it surely isn’t meant for hardcore trail-bashing and a major reason for this are its alloy wheels. But for all those adventure seeking enthusiasts, the company is now offering a special package which includes a pair of spoked wheels. Available under KTM’s Powerparts catalogue, price of this package hasn’t been announced yet.
Spoked Wheels for KTM 390 Adventure and 250 Adventure
This spoke wheels kit offers all additional components required to convert stock alloy wheels into spoke wheels. Inclusion of spoked rims accentuates the 250 and 390 Adventure’s off-roading prowess by offering better balance and stiffness thus instilling more confidence riding off-tarmac.
Along with spoked rims, it includes both front and rear discs and a sprocket in order to increase the bike’s bottom-end performance. Size of the sprocket hasn’t yet been specified though.
Features & Specifications
390 Adventure is built on a lightweight steel Trellis frame which is assisted by 43mm inverted telescopic forks at front with a travel of 170mm and a mono-shock unit at rear end with a travel of 177mm. It offers disc brakes on both ends assisted by a dual-channel ABS. It offers knobby tyres and a high ground clearance of 200mm both of which are critical for off-roading.
The bike is packed with first in class electronic aids such as off-road ABS for better steering control, cornering ABS, multiple ride modes, ride-by-wire and an ECU that offers functionalities such as lean-angle sensitive Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC). It also gets a quick shifter for smoother gear shifts. Apart from these, it offers a Bluetooth-enabled TFT colour display that is compatible with KTM My Ride smartphone connectivity which allows one to manage his/her calls, music and also turn-by-turn navigation.
It is powered by a BS6 compliant 373.2cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which generates 42.3hp and 37Nm of peak torque and is paired to a six-speed gearbox. More