2014 Ktm 500 Exc on 2040-motos

Moto blog

The Moto GP 2 stroke era finally ends.

It might have been the fumes of the 40:1 fuel mix but I had a tear in my eye when the chequered flag came out for the last ever competitive two stroke race in the Moto GP paddock on Sunday at Aragon. With two riders on the sick list twenty two identical single cylinder KTM 125s buzzed round for fifteen laps of mayhem and sometimes eight abreast heading into the first and last corners. The sight, sound and smell were fantastic and the clean close racing was a fitting end to a very special era.

KTM Developing 500cc and 800cc Twins

After setting a new company record for motorcycle sales on the back of small displacement models like the Duke line (like the 390 Duke pictured above), KTM is turning its attention to mid-sized models. Speaking with Overdrive.in at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, KTM Chief Executive Officer Stefan Pierer says the company has 500cc and 800cc parallel Twin engines in development, with new models expected to enter production within three years. The new mid-sized models will be produced in India for the Indian market to avoid the country’s stringent import duties.

KTM Developing Faired and Touring Versions of 390 Duke

KTM has carved out a niche recently in the small-displacement streetbike market with its Duke lineup of naked motorcycles. First came the 125 Duke, then the 200 Duke, and more recently unveiled at EICMA, the 390 Duke, which we hope will be the first in the family to make it to the U.S. All three little Dukes have similar chassis and streetfighter styling, with the engine displacement being the main difference between them.