[TusharK]

KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has stated in an interview that the company is developing two new models with a 500cc parallel-twin engine in collaboration with Bajaj Auto.



The new engine is being developed at Bajaj Auto's R&D centre in Pune, with the support of KTM's R&D department. The engine will power the KTM 490 Duke and 490 Adventure. These models will be positioned between KTM's 390 and 890 range.

The new 500cc engine will also be offered on Husqvarna bikes. Moreover, it is said that Bajaj could offer a range of naked, sport touring and adventure bikes with the same engine.

According to Pierer, the new 500cc parallel-twin engine will be launched sometime in 2022.

Source

Link to Team-BHP News

[Nikhildrao]

This is surely aimed at the european A2 licensing bracket. Expecting power to be capped at 47-48 bhp or if they feel adventurous (pun intended) they could pull more power and threaten the likes of the 650 CC bikes

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Nikhildrao

This is surely aimed at the european A2 licensing bracket. Expecting power to be capped at 47-48 bhp or if they feel adventurous (pun intended) they could pull more power and threaten the likes of the 650 CC bikes

I'm confused.

Why would a 500 cc twin put out barely 2+ bhp more than the previous generation 390 single?

This is going to be a world bike. Including for us here in India.

Cheers, Doc

[Kashi053]

This 500CC parallel twin segment will be interesting with Honda CB500X and ktm 490 Adv. A tough choice between Honda's reliability vs KTM's crazy power. Am looking for a upgrade from D390 and my bet is on CB500X if they price it sensibly.

[rahulskumar]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I'm confused.

Why would a 500 cc twin put out barely 2+ bhp more than the previous generation 390 single?

This is going to be a world bike. Including for us here in India.

Cheers, Doc

First of all these are twin cylinders, the torque curve won't be the same as the single cylinder ones. The bhp will not be double of single cylinder ones as each cylinder is around 250cc. There will be ample of torque at lower rpms and you won't have to keep shifting gears inside city rides. Secondly the bhp listed is just speculative, let's wait for the official numbers.

Frankly I really cannot digest the new KTM headlight designs. I loved the ones that came in the bike during the initial days.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by rahulskumar

First of all these are twin cylinders, the torque curve won't be the same as the single cylinder ones. The bhp will not be double of single cylinder ones as each cylinder is around 250cc. There will be ample of torque at lower rpms and you won't have to keep shifting gears inside city rides. Secondly the bhp listed is just speculative, let's wait for the official numbers.

Frankly I really cannot digest the new KTM headlight designs. I loved the ones that came in the bike during the initial days.

I didn't see the bhp listed anywhere. I was responding to the post about the bikes being restricted to 45-47 bhp.

When a 390 single from the same manufacturer produces 44 bhp, that is a bit hard to digest.

I'm thinking in the region of 60 bhp. Possibly more. Not less.

Cheers, Doc

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by Nikhildrao

This is surely aimed at the european A2 licensing bracket. Expecting power to be capped at 47-48 bhp or if they feel adventurous (pun intended) they could pull more power and threaten the likes of the 650 CC bikes

Slight correction. Pierer is in record stating that he is going after the 650 cc market in bhp numbers with this range. As is with all KTMs, expect 65-70 hp easy. A2 brackets are taken care of with limiters, an entire engine or model line up need not be dedicated to that.

[frewper]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

As is with all KTMs, expect 65-70 hp easy.

Dayumn!!!! Thats what I am talking about. Done with the stupuid 40-45 bhp range that is on offer on the market. And honestly the Interceptor was an absolute dissapointment when I rode it the first time. I was like where is the power? We are short of options of buying a home built bike at this power range and hopefully the price will be very attractive.

I doubt that a higher price will be possible for KTM at this point of time. KTM now has 125cc on offer. If priced higher, the premium segment will never go there. Has to priced right and 50-90k above the current 390 Adventure.

[Abhi_Automobile]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I didn't see the bhp listed anywhere. I was responding to the post about the bikes being restricted to 45-47 bhp.

When a 390 single from the same manufacturer produces 44 bhp, that is a bit hard to digest.

I'm thinking in the region of 60 bhp. Possibly more. Not less.

Cheers, Doc

You’re right, doc. Likely should be a high torque, great sounding parallel twin - with 60bhp maybe?

The A2 license will be taken care by the electronic power limiter as is the usual practice in Europe!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Abhi_Automobile

You’re right, doc. Likely should be a high torque, great sounding parallel twin - with 60bhp maybe?

The A2 license will be taken care by the electronic power limiter as is the usual practice in Europe!

62-63 bhp is what it will be.

The 690 single produced 72 bhp.

Cheers, Doc

[Mafia]

Originally Posted by frewper

We are short of options of buying a home built bike at this power range and hopefully the price will be very attractive.

My guess is it will be priced between 4.5 to 5L ex-showroom.

That will be a stretch for most people. Then again, travelling out of cities like Bangalore on a weekend, the number of premium bikes you see(Read - Ducatis, 1200 to 1800cc BMW adventure bikes, Harleys) is really high.

At this price bracket, there will be some exclusivity.

[frewper]

Originally Posted by Mafia

My guess is it will be priced between 4.5 to 5L ex-showroom.
-----

At this price bracket, there will be some exclusivity.

Thats gonna be a very difficult price though. Because if you consider the used superbike market, you have amazing options in the price(on road) range that will make you think twice before putting the money on the KTM

[Mafia]

Originally Posted by frewper

Thats gonna be a very difficult price though. Because if you consider the used superbike market, you have amazing options in the price(on road) range that will make you think twice before putting the money on the KTM

Even if you were to take 4.5 as the on-road in Delhi, I don't think there is a major manufacturer with a product in this price range yet.

The Honda Rebel 500 may(if sense prevails) be available at this price.

I am happy to be proven wrong!

[aswin93]

Originally Posted by Mafia

My guess is it will be priced between 4.5 to 5L ex-showroom.

Yes, even I feel it could be priced around 1-1.5L premium over Adv390. This price makes sense as the direct competition is with the Ninjas/Versys 650s, Benelli trk 502s and Honda's cb500x and I might seriously think of upgrading my Duke390 for this at this price point.

Moreover, I feel there will be a detuned and cheaper Bajaj version as well in form of a new Dominar 500.

Cheers,
Aswin

[nutcracker]

This comes as great news, one that I have been anticipating since a while. While this is not an official KTM PR announcement, it is as good coming from Stefan Pierer the man himself.

It should be priced on-road at around 5 - 5.5 lakhs for the Duke variant and the 5.5 - 6 lakhs for the Adventure variant. That IMHO is a fair price, provided they have the build quality to back it up. I think with the 390 Adv KTM has cut some corners when it comes to build quality, and I hope I dont see that with the 490s.

Also, if these bikes are being developed in India at Bajaj's Pune facility, that is great news for the two-wheeler industry in India in general. That will give a boost to the twin-cylinder ancillaries big time, and hopefully start a good twin-cylinder trend in the country.

Also, expect Riding modes like the 790s on the upcoming 490s.

I hope this comes soon, I cant wait to get my hands on it!