KTM’s annual trip to EICMA has become one of the most anticipated events for Indian motorcycling enthusiasts. After all, accessible performance motorcycles in India became a common discussion topic thanks to the availability of the affordable and sporty motorcycles with top-class hardware.
The Austrian manufacturer showcased the long-awaited KTM 390 Adventure at EICMA 2019, a model that which will be made in India and exported to the world. The company's flagship naked monster, the KTM 1290 Super Duke R, has been updated and is now leaner, meaner and even more menacing. Besides that, it has unveiled the new KTM 890 Duke R, the elder sibling to the Duke 790 which was recently launched in India. Here’s a quick walkaround from the KTM stall at EICMA 2019:
KTM 390 Adventure
Based on the Duke 390 platform, the KTM 390 Adventure is a sports-focused adventure tourer which will be a perfect tool for your weekend trips. The motorcycle gets a steel trellis frame gets a bolted sub-frame similar to the setup seen on the street naked. The suspension duties are administered by WP Apex setup at both ends. The front gets 43 mm upside-down adjustable separate function fork with 170 mm of travel. While the rear gets a monoshock adjustable spring preload, rebound damping and 177 mm of travel. In terms of design, the bike is inspired by the 790 Adventure. However, the windshield is a smaller unit than the 790 Adventure's.
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The powerplant of the KTM 390 Adventure is the tried and tested 373.2 liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC mill. Coupled to a 6-speed gearbox, the engine produces 43 PS of power and 37 Nm of torque. Features include ride by wire, slipper clutch, traction control and switchable ABS. The headlamp is an LED unit and the TFT coloured instrumentation is shared with the Duke 390 and offers smartphone connectivity. The KTM 390 Adventure weighs 158 kg dry and has a 200 mm ground clearance. However, the latter comes at the cost of seat height which is pegged at 855 mm.
Brakes include a 320 mm disc up front and a 230 mm unit at the rear. Also, the KTM 390 Adventure offers a bigger, 14.5-litre fuel tank. In India, the KTM 390 Adventure is expected to be showcased at India Bike Week in Goa next month. We expect the KTM 390 Adventure to be priced at around INR 3 lakh (ex-showroom).
KTM 890 Duke R
The KTM 890 Duke R picks up where the 790 Duke left and makes it bigger, sharper and faster. After all, the folks at KTM call it the ‘Super Scalpel’. At the heart of the bike is an 890 cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor. This engine produces 121 PS of power and 99 Nm of torque. If that does not leave you impressed, the features list certainly will.
Also Read: KTM 890 model range to include up to four products
Addressing the only gripe we had with the 790 Duke, the KTM 890 Duke R gets fully-adjustable 43 mm split-open cartridge upside-down WP Apex fork up front. The rear is fitted with a fully adjustable monoshock by the same brand. Braking system sees the Brembo Stylema callipers in the front which also does duty in the flagship 1290 Super Duke R. Tyres are Michelin Powercup 2 at both ends which are a significant upgrade over the Maxxis units doing duty in the 790 Duke. Besides that, electronic riding aides include a lean-sensitive traction control system which is switchable, four riding modes (Rain, Sport, Track and Street) and an engine slip control.
The KTM 890 Duke R is fitted with a bi-directional quick-shifter and the instrumentation is a TFT unit. It has a seat height of 825 mm, a ground clearance of 169 mm and tips the scales at 169 kg (dry). Also, the 760 mm wide handlebar is adjustable, with 4 positions on the triple clamp. Sadly, though, there has been no confirmation on the KTM Duke 890 R’s launch in India. Regardless, we do not expect the bike to be launched any time soon.
KTM 1290 Super Duke R
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R ticks all the right boxes and has shaved extra weight wherever possible. The attitude, though, has got a significant boost! The sharp LED headlight doubles up as a ram air intake while the fuel tank has been reshaped to make the 16-litre fuel tank to allow the rider to grip the bike comfortably, be it on the street or at the race track. Also, the seat has been reshaped while the new smoked flyscreen in the front adds to the visual appeal.
Powering the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R is a 1,301 cc V-twin LC8 mill which is now Euro V compliant. It houses new linkage mounts while the new engine casing and revised water and oil cooler mounts have led to a reduction in weight by 0.8 kg. This engine is capable of producing 180 PS of power and a whopping 140 Nm of torque. To add perspective, the new Kawasaki Z H2, Ducati Streetfighter V4 and MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR produce 137 Nm, 123 Nm and 116.5 Nm of torque respectively.
The suspension system in the KTM 1290 Super Duke R is taken care of by WP Apex. The front gets 48 mm upside-down fork and a monoshock in the rear. Both of these are fully adjustable. Braking duties are administered by twin 320 mm discs with Brembo Stylema four-piston, radially mounted callipers at the front and a 240 mm single disc that works with a Brembo two-piston, fixed calliper at the rear.
Key features include a lean-sensitive, switchable traction control, (3-levels), anti-wheelie and cruise control. Three riding modes (Rain, Street and Sport) are standard, while Track and Performance are optionally available. The Track Mode gives access to nine levels of Motor Slip Regulation. Anti-wheelie function can also be turned off in this mode. The Performance mode provides adjustable throttle response, wheel slip and anti-wheelie functions while retaining street functions such as Cruise Control. We do not expect the KTM 1290 Super Duke R to be launched in India anytime soon.
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Besides these, three new machines, KTM also had its existing line-up on display, namely the 790 Adventure, the Duke 390 and the RC 390.
