In the middle of December 2016, the KTM 390 Adventure motorcycle was spied in Europe. The new adventure bike from the Austrian icon shares many features with the KTM Duke 390, the power-packed rocket of a motorcycle that most Indian enthusiasts would be familiar with. The spy shots raised a lot of interest in what KTM has been planning. There was mounting speculation that the KTM 390 Adventure would be coming to India, and this was finally confirmed at the launch event of the new and revised 2017 KTM RC 200 and KTM RC 390 sports motorcycles in Pune on 19 January 2017. The confirmation of the arrival of the KTM 390 Adventure would have definitely put a smile on the face of every enthusiast raring to hit India’s countless dirt trails.
India certainly has the topography to suit a proper adventure bike, and it should come as welcoming news that the upcoming KTM 390 Adventure will be made within the country itself. That is good news in many ways. For one, it adds to the Indian economy and industry. Another big benefit is that KTM’s adventure motorcycle is then going to be priced much lower than it would have if it was being made outside the country. With the potential of affordable pricing and the tried and tested off-roading expertise of KTM on the table, many would be waiting with bated breath for the arrival of the KTM 390 Adventure. But do not hold your breath for too long; Rajiv Bajaj has said that the 390 Adventure is currently under development. That means that the bike would likely be coming by 2018, if not later.
Meanwhile, it was also suggested that KTM could bring in its 500-800 cc performance motorcycles into India if Bajaj sees potential for the market. Whether or not Bajaj will make the call is a question for the ages. But for now, let’s look at what is definitely on its way to India. The KTM 390 Adventure will share the same 373 cc single-pot engine as the KTM Duke 390 and the KTM RC 390. However, it is going to get a retune, likely for greater torque at the expense of outright power, as is the case for an adventure bike. There will also be a suspension set with more travel, ABS, disc brakes on the front and rear, ride-by-wire tech and more.
KTM has not yet finalised on the launch of its new adventure motorcycle, but the KTM 390 Adventure may make its global debut at the 2017 EICMA in Italy this November, as the heavily updated 2017 KTM Duke 390 did in 2016. Given that the KTM Duke 390’s launch is weeks away, this would mean that the KTM 390 Adventure would also come sometime in January-February of 2018. Amit Nandi, Head of Operations, Bajaj Pro-biking said, “After a lot of discussions, there has been a steady requirement for this market for the 390 Adventure and it’s finally happening.”
“We are using the same platform of KTM 200 and 390 for our products. I must see the possibility to use the next high value platform for a relevant Bajaj product. So a year or two down the line we see Bajaj putting out such a product,” added Rajiv Bajaj.
Image Source: Cycle World