[CrAzY dRiVeR]

KTM 490 platform with Bajaj has been shelved, reports ACI. The project was deemed as not financially viable for KTM. The replacement will be a new 690 platform that is being developed with CFMoto.

Bikes based on the 690 platform will be launched starting 2024 onwards.

A few years ago, CEO Stefan Pierer said that KTM was developing a brand new 490 series of motorcycles that would use a parallel-twin-cylinder engine. These bikes were even featured in the company’s investor presentation at one point and there were talks that Bajaj would make the bike.

Now, Pierer has confirmed to Autocar India that the 490 platform has been shelved for good.

KTM has decided to scale down the 790 Duke’s 799cc parallel-twin to what Pierer tells us will be a unit based on a 690 platform (the exact capacity is unknown). He also told us that it would definitely make above 70hp, and we’d expect it to be somewhere above 80hp mark, putting it in the same ballpark of this bike’s direct rivals such as the Yamaha MT-07 and the Triumph Trident 660.

The company plans to roll out the new 690 platform in 2024 and bikes based on it will be made by KTM’s Chinese partner CF Moto.

Source- https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-ne...lopment-427069

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Bikes based on the 690 platform will be launched starting 2024 onwards.

So the wait begins. I hope that the DUKE 690 has the same ground clearance as the 790 , making it speed breaker immune.

[giri1.8]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

The replacement will be a new 690 platform that is being developed with CFMoto.

So no more VFM KTM above the 390 platform for us! For looking forward to the made in India 490. RE is going to dominate the premium 350cc+ segment with very little competition.

[rakesh_r]

So, the road is all clear for the new Himalayan 450 as the 690 would definitely be way expensive. If the bike is well sorted, RE will be laughing all the way to the bank.

[whencut86]

I would be skeptical over the quality of a Chinese CF Moto manufactured KTM 690 imported as a CKD in India. To top it, they still have oil leaking issues on brand new 790s and 890s still as evident from multiple forums. So expect this to be carried down to the 690 twins as well. Will be a hassle living with one with the famed oil leaking from engine though the bike will be a hoot to ride.

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

So, the road is all clear for the new Himalayan 450 as the 690 would definitely be way expensive. If the bike is well sorted, RE will be laughing all the way to the bank.

I think the RE LC 450 will be gunning the KTM ADV 390 but with more torque in the lower rev range and a softer suspension setup.

They won't try to beat it in terms of power figures as try to get similar power figures by using lower compression ratios for better reliability.

[koyomi_araragi]

That's pretty disappointing, as I eagerly awaited the entry of more parallel twin motorcycles in our market after the 650 twin's launch. It seems like the gap between a single and a twin is going to be substantial in all stables except Enfield's...

[aravind.anand]

So the 390 would be the largest bike in the RC line-up. Sad

And any real competition for the upcoming Himalayan just got cancelled! RE camp would be elated.