Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM as been highly successful in off-road racing around the world but is now producing a lot of road-going motorcycles and competing successfully in road racing. MotorbikeWriter as attended world launches for their bikes, toured the Austrian production facilities and has a keen insight into their development and future. We also road test their bikes for performance, suitability of purpose, handling, comfort, styling, value and economy.
Whatever KTM is doing, it seems to be working because the company, together with its acquisition Husqvarna, is defying the worldwide downward motorcycle sales spiral. The Austrian manufacturing group has just posted record revenue, sales and earnings results for the ninth time in a row. KTM group sold 135,711 motorcycles in the first half of …
KTM has been in no hurry to get into electric motorbikes with only the Freeride E (pictured above) in production since 2015. However, that could soon change with the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer combining with Indian vehicle manufacturer Bajaj Auto to develop a common 48-volt platform for electric two-wheelers. They won’t be big road motorcycles, but scooters and …
KTM Australia has announced the pricing for all their 2019 adventure models, including the new 790 Adventure and Adventure R, arriving in June 2019. The 790 models start at $21,195 ride away and an extra $1500 for the R model at $22,695. That compares with the BMW F 850 GS which starts at $17,990 (plus …
KTM Australia says the new 790 Adventure and R models will arrive here in June 2019, several months before its major new mid-mid-sized competitor, the Yamaha Ténéré 700. The 790 Adventure is not the only new product from KTM on display at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan. They also feature the new 690 SMC R …
KTM has unveiled some updates to their 1290 Super Duke GT with a slight power boost and more technology, while the 1290 Super Duke R gets new graphics. KTM Australia says the bikes were only unveiled last night at the Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne and they do not have confirmed arrival dates or pricing …
KTM has demonstrated adaptive cruise control and blind spot alert systems which will be introduced to their range in 2021. The Austrian company and Italian manufacturer Ducati have been working with Bosch on these rider intervention aids that have been standard in many cars for some years. Bosch has also been working on jet thrusters …
Despite the KTM 1290 Super Duke R getting a significant update in 2017, these spy shots from motorcycle.com seem to suggest it is getting an even bigger makeover. The powerful Super Duke R stormed on to the Australian showrooms in 2014 and is one of the best power-to-weight ratio naked bikes on the market. Its 1301cc LC8 …
KTM has unveiled a race-spec version of its RC390 to enhance the company’s road-racing credentials. Only 500 will be made and most are expected to be bought by racers competing in one-make championships around the world. There is no such series in Australia, and KTM Australia advises that they have no more information on this …
The new KTM 1290 Super Duke GT touring sports bike has semi-active suspension that matches suspension settings to rider and luggage weight. The clever tourer arrives in Australia at $26,995 plus on-road costs, making the it their most expensive bike along with the 1290 Super Adventure. For the launch, KTM Australia is offering a free set of …
The 2017 KTM 390 Duke has arrived in Australia with a host of technical features and stunning styling like its biggest brother. The new model is now $6995 (+ on road costs), which is the same price it was launched at in 2015. New features include: bigger 13.5-litre metal fuel tank up from 11 litres, a …