Parallel-Twin KTM 800cc launch next year

Austrian motorcycle brand KTM is a well known name in the adventure motorcycling segment due to its long history of hard working all-terrain bikes which can tackle any kind of challenge without breaking into a sweat. With the arrival of new generation rivals such as the Triumph Tiger and the much revered Honda Africa Twin, KTM has decided to rise up to the challenge and develop a new mid-size adventure motorcycle. The company plans to fit a brand new 800cc engine in the motorcycle to give it enough bite to take over the world.

KTM has been developing a new liquid-cooled parallel-twin 800cc engine which is being prepared to power a super naked bike (to replace the Duke 690) in order to compete with other middle-weight motorcycles, such as the Kawasaki Z800 and Triumph Street Triple. Now the company says that they are also planning to use the same engine to come up with a new adventure touring motorcycle. The adventure touring segment is a very coveted and lucrative class of motorcycle with bikes having go-anywhere capabilities to satisfy its owners’ wanderlust.

Interestingly, the touring motorcycle class of two-wheelers is also picking-up the pace in India with motorcycles like the Kawasaki Versys 650 and the relatively humble Royal Enfield Himalayan entering the market. KTM is currently the numero uno player in Europe in the premium motorcycle space and wants to overtake the likes of Kawasaki and Suzuki in the volumes race. It is quite likely though that KTM will bring this new motorbike in India as the company currently does not offer anything more powerful than the RC 390. There is no launch timeline known as the company currently wants to concentrate on the 800cc Duke which is in the works right now.