Upcoming KTM 490 Adventure Spotted Testing Abroad

Quick Highlights:

• The upcoming KTM 490 Adventure has been spotted testing overseas

• Likely to use KTM’s new parallel-twin engine platform

• India launch expected after its global debut

KTM’s upcoming middleweight adventure bike has been spotted testing overseas, and this one looks like the 490 Adventure. The motorcycle was spotted with almost no body panels on, but a few key details clearly hint at a more touring-focused machine that will sit above the current 390 Adventure lineup.

What Stands Out

Even without any body-panels on, the bike carries proper ADV proportions. It appears to get a tall stance, long-travel suspension, upright ergonomics, and a fascia that looks similar to the current 390 Adventure lineup. Other than this, it doesn't have a high-mounted front fender (maybe because it’s a test unit), but was seen with block-pattern dual purpose tyres, which are expected to be Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR. 

The wheel setup appears to be a 21-inch front and a 17-inch rear, with tubeless spoke wheels, hinting that it is going to be quite capable on rough roads. The bike seen here uses WP suspension components, and braking duties appear to be handled by a single disc at both ends, along with a radial caliper at the front. 

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Engine Talk

The biggest talking point here is the new parallel-twin engine platform that KTM and Bajaj have been working on for quite some time now. A few weeks back, the upcoming KTM 490 Duke was also spotted with a similar looking engine, and the 490 Adventure is also expected to use the same. This is most likely going to be the new twin-cylinder motor, which is expected to bridge the gap between the current 390 range and the  larger 790 models.

Performance figures are expected to be somewhere in the 60PS to 70PS range. The twin-cylinder engine should have much smoother riding experience compared to KTM’s single-cylinder motorcycles. The added refinement should also make it a better highway and touring machine.

What’s Next

The new 490 platform is expected to spawn multiple motorcycles in the future, including Duke and RC models. As for the 490 Adventure, it could rival bikes like the Honda NX500, and the Kawasaki Versys 650.

For India, the good news is that local production is highly likely under Bajaj’s partnership with KTM, which should help keep prices relatively competitive. The motorcycle is expected to make its global debut sometime next year if development continues as planned.

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