800cc Ktm a reality?

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Kobus Myburgh

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Good news arrives from Mattighofen as the KTM CEO Stefan Pierer confirms that the new "800cc" platform is more than a mere distant project, and not one, but two bikes based on it will be unveiled this year. We added the quotation mark because we, in fact, expect that KTM sticks to their naming habits and throw in the x90 thing.

The fact that KTM was working on a new "800cc" Duke was not exactly secret, as spy shots surfaced earlier this year. Still, the new element Mr. Pierer introduces, the 790 Adventure (assumed, name, not an official position, yet), reveals a much more complex set of plans.

If anything, we cannot help thinking about the old 690 machines a decade ago. Namely, it's the LC4 platform that had the 690 Adventure, 690 Duke and the 690 SMC on the streets, three bikes that used to meet almost all the requirements of riders searching for a middleweight machine.

Apparently, KTM has all but forgotten how lucrative such an approach is and plans to replicate the recipe with the new motorcycles. In a way, we can see this move as a natural one that follows the trend of increasing the displacement of the engines being used throughout the industry. We saw multiple manufacturers doing this, with Ducati and Triumph only being the first two names that come to mind.

Now, there is no rumor on KTM planning a supermotard based on the 800cc platform, even though they very well might just do that. A smaller sibling of the mighty 1290 Super Duke R beast is not only feasible, but it might also fill in a special market slot, that of people in search of an excellent road bike for everyday use that could also shred rubber on the track.

Back to the 790 Adventure, KTM is clearly lining the BMW F800GS/GSA and the Triumph Tiger 800 down their sights. Dropping the V architecture might have some orange fans raising an eyebrow, but we're positive that they'd come to better feelings once they rode the bike.

If the new middleweight adventure machine can keep the low COG and the low-rpm torque abundance that's become one of the KTM trademarks, the 790 Adventure might give Hinckley and Munich quite a run for their money.

KTM now has a ton of expertise in adventure bikes, backed by a lot of high-end technologies that add to both comfort and safety, so we are already looking at exceptional premises for an excellent machine. Priced wisely and equipped well enough in its base trim, the 790 Adventure might be an exceedingly tempting choice for those who are not ready to take on the 1190 or 1290 beasts.

KTM could even add cornering ABS as optional equipment whereas we can expect that multi-mapping, ABS, and traction control will be standard. Technically, there is so much Mattighofen has at their disposal that it's almost inconceivable to see the 790 machines faring anything than stellar. Whether it will be at the Intermot or EICMA, we'll most likely find out soon.

Read more: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/ktm-builds-an-800cc-platform-800-duke-and-800-adventure-expected-109027.html#ixzz4LKiX0z8f


 

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