Photo: Mitterbauer H.
We are positive that there still are young riders out there who are waiting for the KTM 390 Adventure. Once the initial rumor surfaced and the online media picked it up, imagination ran wild, and for a moment we were almost ready to believe that the Intermot or the EICMA will be the place where KTM pulls the wraps off the 390 Adventure.
Then came some official statements from Mattighofen which squashed the rumors of a new Adventure bike based on the 390 Duke platform. However, since we have had a close encounter with one of KTM’s official voices at EICMA 2014, we though to clarify this matter. KTM’s Thomas Kuttruff was kind enough to do an exclusive interview with us, so we tried to learn as much as possible about the future of the small-displacement machines.
Looking back at certain occasions when KTM conveyed info on potential new models leaves us with a great deal of hope. In the absence of a firm denial and with the “considering” extra we can safely presume that it will not be long until we might get to see a lower-cc adventure bike.
As the KTM official mentioned, using the same engine for multiple machines is feasible, provided that it is mated to the right platform. This means that KTM would have to come up with a new frame, new tank, new airbox and a specific exhaust to serve the purpose of the new bike. As far suspensions go, finding the most suitable ones in WP’s warehouse is most likely not going to be a problem.
On the other hand, we should not get too excited, as we are still in “maybe” territory. Still, something tells us that a small-displacement do-it-all bike is coming. The reason is that BMW and their new Indian partner TVS are also said to be working on a new family of lower-cc machines, and some industry whispers even mention a GS-like bike.
KTM will definitely not just sit outside this game and watch BMW get a big slice of the small-displacement market, so we’re sort of in a waiting game. For how long is yet uncertain, but 2015 might just bring in great news for the new riders…
“Altering the naked bike platform to deliver a 390 Adventure machine is well… fairytales!”
The words above belong to Kuttruff himself. He explained why simply transforming the 390 Duke into a 390 Adventure is impossible. However, what’s even more important is a small mention he just had to make. “This doesn’t mean we are not considering it, but this means a new platform, and the decision for a new platform is a big decision,” Thomas Kuttruff added in a special tone.Looking back at certain occasions when KTM conveyed info on potential new models leaves us with a great deal of hope. In the absence of a firm denial and with the “considering” extra we can safely presume that it will not be long until we might get to see a lower-cc adventure bike.
As the KTM official mentioned, using the same engine for multiple machines is feasible, provided that it is mated to the right platform. This means that KTM would have to come up with a new frame, new tank, new airbox and a specific exhaust to serve the purpose of the new bike. As far suspensions go, finding the most suitable ones in WP’s warehouse is most likely not going to be a problem.
On the other hand, we should not get too excited, as we are still in “maybe” territory. Still, something tells us that a small-displacement do-it-all bike is coming. The reason is that BMW and their new Indian partner TVS are also said to be working on a new family of lower-cc machines, and some industry whispers even mention a GS-like bike.
KTM will definitely not just sit outside this game and watch BMW get a big slice of the small-displacement market, so we’re sort of in a waiting game. For how long is yet uncertain, but 2015 might just bring in great news for the new riders…
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