KTM 490 Range Incoming In 2022

The new twin-cylinder engine is aimed to be a step up for 390 Duke and RC 390 riders

• The platform is being completely developed by Bajaj’s R&D Centre in Pune.
• Could be manufactured in the new plant in Chakan.
• First product to be introduced in 2022.

Back in 2018, KTM first announced its plan to introduce a new 500cc parallel-twin engine. In June this year, the Austrian brand confirmed that the bikes will make their global debut as early as 2022.

Now, in an interview with Motoring World, Stefan Pierer has shed more light on the upcoming bikes, confirming the debut of the KTM 490 Duke and 490 Adventure models along with their Husqvarna counterparts. The project is being completely developed by Bajaj Auto at their R&D facility in Chakan with support from KTM’s R&D Centre. That said, KTM is yet to take a call on whether the new bikes will be built in India by Bajaj or in China by CFMoto, similar to the 790 Duke.

Interestingly, Bajaj signed an MoU with the Maharashtra government for a proposed investment of Rs 650 crores to build a new manufacturing unit. The new plant will be set up in Chakan and will manufacture KTM, Husqvarna, Triumph bikes along with EVs, including the Chetak. Bajaj aims to start production in the new facility from 2023. If KTM manufactures the bikes in the new plant, expect the pricing to be highly competitive. The 490 Duke could be priced under Rs 4 lakh, while the KTM 490 ADV could carry a price tag of around Rs 4.3 lakh.

The 490cc engine will be an important milestone in KTM’s books. It will be a great step up for existing 390 Duke and Adventure owners, and will also bridge the gap between the 390s and the 890s. In case you are wondering what the 490 Adventure could offer, read this story.