KTM 500cc Bike India Launch In 2022

The best bit is that Bajaj will make the bike in India

• The upcoming 500cc platform will spawn bikes under both KTM and Husqvarna.
• Under the KTM family, expect 500cc versions in both the Duke and Adventure range.
• The engine will be a parallel-twin cylinder liquid-cooled unit.

In an interview with a French publication, Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM AG, revealed that due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the company has expedited the project development of its 500cc lineup. KTM believes this segment will gain importance in both developed and developing markets. With this in mind, Pierer revealed that the first motorcycle under the 500cc platform will be launched in 2022.

KTM is known for using a common platform to spawn a variety of motorcycles under both KTM and Husqvarna brands. Likewise, Pierer has said there will be 500cc bikes under both KTM Duke and KTM Adventure range, apart from the Husqvarna lineup. As expected, the 500cc platform will use a parallel-twin liquid-cooled configuration like the KTM 790 Duke. So we can expect ample performance coupled with great levels of refinement.

Pierer added that the 500cc platform will be developed completely at Bajaj’s R&D Centre in Pune, with inputs from KTM’s own R&D team. This should ensure the bikes are well-engineered and at the same time priced competitively. Since the Duke is the most popular lineup from KTM, expect the first bike to be a 500cc Duke. 

Going by KTM’s tradition of using ‘90’ in the bike’s nomenclature, we can expect the upcoming bike to be called the KTM 490 Duke. The bike is likely to be priced at Rs 3.5 lakh and should be ideal for those looking to graduate from the venerable KTM 390 Duke. It will also serve as a more premium, power-packed alternative to the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650. 

The Adventure version under the 500cc platform is likely to be called the KTM 490 Adventure. It should be the perfect rival to the Benelli TRK 502. This platform may also spawn a faired supersport, likely to be called the RC 490. This will go head-to-head against the Kawasaki Ninja 400. 

Just like how KTM’s 250cc and 373cc platform spawned off the Husqvarna Vitpilen and Svartpilen with the same engines, expect the same with the 500cc powertrain too. They will serve as a more premium, niche option in the 500cc segment.

Images used for repsentation.

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