There is quite a lot of buzz going on right now regarding KTM’s upcoming 490 series of motorcycles – some of it is new information coming to the light, but most of it just rehashing old stories to fill in a dearth of headlines.
So, we figure we would sort wheat from chaff, and share everything we know and suspect so far from KTM’s next engine platform, and put it into one place for our A&R Pro subscribers.
The First Whisperings
We first started covering KTM’s plans for “500cc” twin-cylinder bike all way back in 2014, and at the same time we heard for the first time about KTM’s 790 lineup. In many ways, these two projects have been linked together, as they stem from the same general idea.
Note: this rumor has almost always been ground in a twin-cylinder platform, though some to this day incorrectly still think it could be a single-cylinder design.
At this point in the rumor cycle, it was said we were three year’s out from seeing these new engine platforms coming to fruition, which has certainly not been the case with KTM’s 490 plans, but is fairly close to the truth with the 790 platform.
Beyond this, we knew that the models would have an eye on the Asian – primarily the Indian – markets, and that they would likely be created with help from KTM’s new investor and partner, Bajaj.
Lastly, there was some speculation at the time that these models could effectively kill the 690cc single-cylinder platform in KTM’s lineup.
However, right now we know (thanks to our Bothan spies) that the big thumper has at least a couple more years of life in it, though it will likely finish its days in the Husqvarna family.
More Concrete Information Surfaces
From that point in 2014, the trail goes a bit cold until December of 2018. Once again, Stefan Pierer spilled the beans (much to the surprise of his team) about what KTM was cooking with its parallel-twin plans.
Speaking to Speedweek, Pierer disclosed that the next 790 model we would see from the Austrian brand would be a long-travel suspension Supermoto / SMT type model (we should see this bike at the end of 2020, if all things are still on track).
Pierer also mentioned that KTM’s new half-liter offerings would be made in India, by Bajaj. This item is something that is being touted currently as new information, but obviously it has been known for close to a year and a half now.
The 500cc platform is set to be a sort of premium offering that plays against KTM’s 390 bikes. Up until now, the rumor was that KTM was replacing the 390 platform with the 490 motor, primarily because of Euro5 restrictions, but this was a very Eurocentric perspective.
In reality, the 390 bikes have always been Asian-market machines first, that also happened to have a decent business plan for coming to the Western markets as well. To that same vein, the 500cc machines in India, China, and Southeast Asia would certainly fit the bill as “big displacement” motorcycles.
This move is made mostly to counter the half-liter offerings that are coming into India and other markets from the Japanese manufacturers, and has less to do with what is happening in other spaces.
For those of us in the USA and Europe, the 500cc engine platform is more like a stepping stone between the 390 machines and the 690/790/890 offerings.
To make it clear, the 490 platform isn’t made with the North American or European continents in mind, but surely we will get them to help bolster sales numbers. The more the merrier.
Five Models Coming
By October 2019, we knew that five models from the 490 platform were in the pipe from KTM, and they are the following:
- KTM 490 Duke
- KTM RC 490
- KTM 490 Adventure
- KTM 490 Supermoto (490 SMC/SMT?)
- KTM 490 Enduro (490 EXC?)
This was also the point in time that we learned that the new platform would have the “490” designation, which keeps in line with the naming scheme on the rest of KTM’s street bike models.
At this point, power figures were said to be in the 50hp to 60hp range, which showed us KTM’s intent for these very much to be budget-focused motorcycles, and not high-flyers like the 660 lineup from Aprilia, for example. Still, the bikes would be liquid-cooled, have eight valves, with a DOHC configuration.
This would make the 490 platform ideal for A2 license schemes in Europe, while still providing “affordable” premium offerings in India et al.
Two months after this news, we saw a roadmap of KTM models dropped on the internet, thanks to KTM’s parent company posting an investor presentation document to its website.
A slide from that document (shown above) shows quite clearly how KTM sees the 490 models fitting in its lineup (along with a couple other surprises coming from the 790/890 platform).
The only thing we don’t know at this point is when and in what order these bikes will start arriving, though we can almost expect that a naked bike (KTM 490 Duke) and full fairing model (KTM RC490) would be first. An ADV model would likely be next, followed by supermoto and dual-sport variants.
2022 has been pegged as the launch date, but it’s hard to tell if that is when we will see the first concept, or if that is when production models will be dealership floors.
Regardless, the big takeaway from the investor document was showing the 390 line sitting next to the 490 lineup, which effectively puts to rest the debate on the 490 bike replacing the 390 machines.
Today: No News Is Good News?
This catches us up to the here and now, where there are two main narratives being told as “new” news by various outlets in Asia and Europe.
First, there are the stories that KTM will be releasing an adventure model from the 490 platform. Of course, we have known that since last year. Nothing new here, unless you count it as confirmation of our confirmation.
The second “new” narrative is that the 490 platform will be developed in India, by Bajaj. This is mostly out information, as we knew of Bajaj’s involvement and role in manufacturing since the end of 2018.
There is one new aspect to this second narrative though, as it has come out that Bajaj is taking the lead on the 490 project, with KTM mostly providing the technical assistance in the design and planning stages.
That was mostly the case with the development of the 790 platform, though we did see that bike’s first year start with Austrian production.
We just got word this week at the KTM has started producing the 790 platform in the Philippines, and surely other Asian factories will add to that capacity too, specifically in China.
This isn’t specifically new information, as it could have been assumed from the previous news stories, but it is a more explicit telling of how KTM and Bajaj’s relationship has evolved, especially for these Asian-focused mid-capacity models.
Not Just a KTM Thing
What is perhaps most interesting, and what is getting lost in all of this shuffle is the fact that the 490 platform will not just be for KTM, but also be for Husqvarna as well.
For Husqvarna, we will see three models with the 500cc parallel-twin engine: a naked, ADV, and dual-sport/supermoto.
Interestingly enough, Gas Gas is not getting a similar treatment from its parent company, though the 790 platform will make its way to the Spanish brand.
Husqvarna has been slow to ramp up its street bike offerings though, so timing is tough to measure with them.
The Husqvarna Norden 901 just debuted at last year’s EICMA show, and if the slow pace from Husqvarna continues, this ADV concept bike will be its next production model.
Showing a lag of several years between what KTM debuts and Husqvarna creates, it will likely be several years after the first KTM 490 model before we see a Husqvarna 501 variant.
We doubt we’ll see anything before 2025 at this pace, which is a huge issue for the Swedish sub-brand – but, that is a different story, for a different time.
As it stands now, we hope to see our first concepts of the 490 platform from KTM at this year’s new bike season, likely in “concept” form. Stay tuned.
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