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. At the moment, KTM produces two mid-sized models in the 690 SMC supermoto and 690 Duke but neither model is available in India because of the import cost and the low expected sales volumes. New 500cc and 800cc models designed and produced for the Indian market would fill the midsized niche in its Indian lineup without being too cost-prohibitive.

As for its smaller displacement models, Pierer says KTM will bring the fully-faired RC models to India later this year while developing a new off-road platform using the same engines. KTM will likely produce two models based on this platform, an off-road focused model and an adventure tourer.

[Source: Overdrive.in, photo by Schedl R.]

By Dennis Chung