“If your quarry goes to ground, leave no ground to go to” seems to be KTM’s marching orders right now, as the Austrian brand is pushing into seemingly every segment and market with its motorcycle lineup.
KTM already has a robust off-road lineup, which they have used to launch themselves into the ADV category with great success. As such, the KTM 1190 Adventure series already sees strong sales success with adventure-touring riders, but KTM isn’t resting on those laurels.
Set to debut a 800cc parallel-twin platform later this year, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has revealed, while talking to MCN, that his company will soon have a rival for the Honda Africa Twin.
At this year’s fall trade shows, KTM is expected to debut an 800cc parallel-twin motorcycle for its Duke line of street bikes. That in itself is an interesting prospect, one we have already spent some words musing over.
Now, it seems that KTM will use that same platform to make an 800cc parallel-twin adventure-touring machine, which will go head-to-head with the Honda Africa Twin, according to Pierer.
From that, we can assume that the KTM 800 Adventure (our name, not KTM’s) will make a touch over 100hp, be lightweight, and be priced aggressively, near the $13,000 mark.
We can likely expect a 21″ hoop at the front to keep the bike’s off-road credentials in place, though it will be interesting to see if KTM offers an on-road model as well, with a 17″ or 19″ front wheel and non-knobby tires.
We will also be interested to see how KTM balances cost and features, namely with advanced rider aids like cornering-ABS. We can expect ABS and traction control, of course.
Source: MCN
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