[dZired]

A test mule of the previous-gen KTM Duke 390 has been spotted with an electric powertrain. The said bike was reportedly photographed around the company's development department, at its headquarters in Austria.

These new images have sparked rumours about the possibility of KTM introducing an all-electric range of street bikes. The bike in the images looks similar to the previous-gen Duke 390 in all aspects, except for the fact that the engine has been replaced by an electric powertrain mechanism. Interestingly, the exposed trellis frame that is found on the regular Duke is missing on this electrified model. Instead, it appears to house a battery pack below the fuel tank, which might also work as the main stress member for the frame.

Beneath the battery pack is an electric motor, while the motor controller assembly has been placed below the driver seat. The source of the spy shots claims that there is also a radiator visible in the images, pointing towards the presence of a higher rating motor that will require a cooling system.

No specification related information about the probable power & torque output and riding range from the electric powertrain is known yet. It also remains to be seen whether this electric Duke will indeed be launched or is just an internal project. Interestingly, KTM already has a range of fully-electric off-road motorcycles which includes the Freeride E-SM, E-SX and E-XC.

Source: Motorcycle

Link to Team-BHP News

[i74js]

This is interesting...a paradigm shift in the Indian 2 wheeler market if such performance bikes with all electric power gets the center-stage.

The all electric two wheeler are not anchored well by known players, though they have technological know-how and the wherewith to support such initiatives.

With Piyush Goyal making claims for all electric transport in India by 2030; I don't think much time is left (if the Government is serious) for the automobile sector to align itself for the forthcoming business environment.

Let's hope this is not just an internal project, but preparation for commercial launch in all its wisdom !

[anshumandun]

I am wishing too much but lets hope KTM gets this to production and launches it in India with an equivalent of Tesla's "Ludicrous" mode. Acceleration of a superbike, looks of a street-fighter, zero emission, no competition and probably a subsidy from Govt for being a pure EV, this can be the 2 wheeler version of Tesla for India.

[ashokrajagopal]

I have two questions here.

a) What would the tank hold if the bike is all electric ?
b) Why would there be a lever on the left handle ? With an electric vehicle, switching gear would be exactly "switching" right ?

[Bhatman510]

Originally Posted by ashokrajagopal

I have two questions here.

a) What would the tank hold if the bike is all electric ?
b) Why would there be a lever on the left handle ? With an electric vehicle, switching gear would be exactly "switching" right ?

a) That tank can either be:

1) Extra storage capacity
2) Another high kW battery
3) Charger (J1772 plug)

Or in this case probably where the power electronics or braking system lives at the moment.

b) It looks like KTM is messing with a clutch like Brammo:

http://motorcycle.com.vsassets.com/b...ay-633x356.jpg


Brammo then turned into Victory (which is now no more...) Clutches on Electric Motorcycles is iffy...most Brammo owners and dealers would leave the gear box in third and leave it alone due to the torque of the motor.