KTM to launch new 600-800cc V-twin engine motorcycles

KTM plans to develop a new range of mid-sized V-twin engines for middleweight motorcycles to bridge the gap between its current singles and the large-capacity V-twins. The Austrian manufacturer at present has single cylinder motorcycles from 125 to 690cc and twin-cylinder bikes from 1,050 to 1,300 cc. There is nothing in the 800 to 1,000 cc in its current lineup.

Also, though the exact lower limit of the engine capacity has not been decided as yet – it might not be kept at 600 cc to avoid coming into conflict with the 690s – the upper limit has been set at 800 cc to prevent the new twins from cannibalising the bigger KTMs.

Moreover, going forward, all engines will also be available for use in the Husqvarna model range - a completely new range of road bikes by Husky would be launched with the entire gamut of 125 to 1,300 cc KTM engines powering them! In Milan, Husqvarna had brought two concepts based around a ‘modified’ KTM 390 cc engine.

KTM, the Austrian motorcycle brand in which Bajaj has a stake of little less than 50 per cent has already started exporting bikes manufactured in India to international destinations. Very recently the manufacturer was caught testing the 2015 updated versions of their Dukes.