KTM’s 390 range, including the Duke, RC, and Adventure, has been appreciated by enthusiasts all over the world. Now, the Austrian company is working on a new 490 series of motorcycles that will be based on a new parallel-twin engine.
The new engine for the KTM 490 Duke and 490 Adventure is currently under development at India’s two-wheeler giant, Bajaj Auto’s R&D centre located in Pune. The entire process is 100% carried out by Bajaj Auto with the aid of KTM’s R&D team.
Speaking to our colleagues at Motoring World in India, Stefan Pierer, Chief Executive Officer of Pierer Mobility AG, said that the development of the new 490 motorcycles is currently under process. The new parallel-twin engine is similar to the format KTM has on the 790/890 Duke but will be of 500cc.
KTM is yet to decide where it will produce this new 500cc parallel-twin engine. Bajaj Auto, which already makes several KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles with a max displacement of 373cc, could make it at its manufacturing facility in Chakan. KTM is also looking to give the job to its Chinese partner CFMoto, which has been producing the 790 engine for years now.
Pierer also confirmed that the first motorcycle to be based on the new 490 platform would be launched in 2022. There’s going to be several versions including the 490 Adventure. Even Husqvarna will be using the new engine for its own line of products.
