UPCOMING: KTM 650 DUKE, RC & ADV in Partnership with Bajaj Auto

The Bajaj-KTM cooperation hit a significant sales milestone of 1 million units in January of this year. KTM 390 Adventure served as the one-millionth unit to leave the Bajaj manufacturing facility. The Bajaj-KTM cooperation will be strengthened going forward as KTM intends to produce its brand-new, inexpensive twin-cylinder bikes in India.

The 490cc parallel-twin project has been shelved, and KTM is now concentrating on a new 690cc platform. According to earlier reports, CFMoto will produce the 690-platform in China. Plans have since changed, and it's now being looked at if it's possible to manufacture the new 690 platforms in India as well.

KTM new 650cc twin-cylinder platform (made-in-India)

KTM will create the new 690 platform using the 790 Duke platform that is currently in use. There may potentially be a 650cc variant. Although the 490 platform was scrapped, the new 690 platform has a higher chance of being financially successful.

This is due to the increasing demand in this sector, particularly in markets like India. Currently, Royal Enfield 650 twins with a market share of more than 75% is ruling this segment. Also, Super Meteor 650 is readily available, and RE intends to release more motorcycles in this category.

KTM and Bajaj are actively negotiating the specifics of the proposed 690 platform. KTM-Bajaj will be working on completing the supply chain planning necessary for the 690 bikes to be manufactured in India. According to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer, the 690 platform will unquestionably be implemented within the next two years. Duke is probably going to be the first 690 bike. Later, KTM might potentially provide more formats like RC and Adventure.

KTM 690 export plans

The new KTM 690 produced in India bikes will also be offered outside in nations including Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. High-quality products have already been delivered through the KTM-Bajaj relationship, all while keeping expenses minimal. The same set of advantages will be available on the new 690 platform. Enthusiasts can anticipate more affordable pricing with local manufacturing. By comparison, the KTM 790 Duke cost Rs. 8.64 lakhs when it was first available in India. The 650cc KTMs should cost between Rs 5 and Rs 6 lakhs.

KTM will be able to investigate prospects in price-sensitive areas thanks to reasonable pricing. Twin-cylinder KTM bikes built in India can potentially have South American markets on their radar. Nonetheless, KTM will continue to rely on CFMoto for the manufacturing of its inexpensive parallel twin models for the European markets.

Around 80–100 bhp of maximum power might be produced by KTM 650cc Duke, RC, and ADV bikes. It will depend on how much less advanced the new platform is than the 790 Duke at the moment. The latter produces 86 Nm and 105 PS. All the modern features, including traction control, quick shifter+, motor slip regulation, Supermoto Mode, motorcycle stability control with cornering ABS, and riding modes for sport, street, and rain, will be available on KTM's new 690 platform.

Check out our exclusive story on the Leaked Images of the New KTM 890 SMT in All Its Glory!

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