Rumour or rubbish, whatever this report might sound like; but don’t we wish that this turns out to be true? A report online claims that the new 490cc class of KTM motorcycles will make an explosing 60 BHP of power. This new motor will spawn a range of models like the 490 Duke, RC 490 & 490 Adventure. While exact details or any kind of launch timeline has now been shared by KTM officially, the report online goes on to predict that these bikes could be announced at EICMA 2020. We’ve known that KTM has been developing affordable twin-cylinder motorcycles for the near future, and hence, we can give some credit to these rumours.
The KTM 490 range of motorcycles will have a 500cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled setup. This motor will be based on the KTM 250 Duke engine and hence, KTM along with Bajaj Auto and their cost efficient manufacturing process in India would achieve great economies of scale to price these bikes aggressively. While the report claims that they have done the math themselves, it could very well be a leak from a little birdie they might have inside the KTM plant. Reports claim that the power output could be close to 60 BHP and tht parts such as pistons, valves, connecting rods, rings, etc. could be derived from the KTM 250 Duke.
KTM is expected to manufacture these bikes in India and export them worldwide just like they do with other mass market motorcycles. The brand is currently preparing to ride the adventure touring wave in India with the launch of KTM 390 Adventure and 250 Adventure in 2020 and would try to bite into market share of some old-school tourers which lack finesse and electronic modernity.
Now, is a 60 BHP, twin-cylinder KTM the real deal? We will have to wait and watch…
