EXCLUSIVE! KTM planning 500 EXC for India

BIG NEWS for off-road motorcycle enthusiasts here in India. After years of speculation, and customer requests, seems like KTM is finally looking to capitalise on the demand for dual-purpose off-road motorcycles here in India.

A couple of days back, KTM has imported the 500 EXC, 510cc motorcycle to India.

Details: MOTORCYCLE 500 CC – MAKE: KTM – YEAR: 2014 – MODEL 500 EXC- ORG/BLK – VIN NO. VBKEXP409EM492806 – ENGINE # 0478753863

F.O.C MOTORCYCLE KTM AND 1 MOTOR AS SAMPLE-(110 CC) (FORR&D PURPOSE ONLY)

This might finally quench the thirst for those looking at riding on roads less known.

The 500 EXC is powered by a single-cylinder, 4-stroke, water-cooled, 510.4cc engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox and a DDS (Damped Diaphragm Steel) clutch. The bike is built around a tube frame with upside-down WP front fork and rear monoshock. Typical of dual purpose bikes, the 500 EXC gets spoked rims and knobby tyres. The bike also features front and rear disc brakes and has a fuel tank capacity of 9 litres. Without fuel, the bike weighs only 111.5 kg.

Body work is built for the cause and has a high mounted front mud guard, flat seat, underseat exhaust, minimum body panels and a tapered Neken handlebar made of aluminium alloy. The MAE speedo has all the necessary lights and information required for the rider, and is very compact.

If the bike does make it to India, it will create a completely new category in the performance segment. The Hero Impulse has done very little for the purpose it was launched with a not-so-powerful engine.

Are you excited for the KTM 500 EXC? We surely are…

Via Zauba.com