KTM X-BOW GT gains a screen when it gets to Geneva

One of the biggest complaints about the KTM X-BOW was the lack of a screen to protect you against wind, bugs, rocks and other things that could hit you while driving on the road, but KTM will bring a new version of the open top sports car to the Geneva Motor Show called the X-BOW GT that will save you against all those hazards.

And to comply with the European homologation process, KTM also added a heater/de-icer and wash/wipe system. While the engine is the same one used in the previous version, the car that will be at the Geneva Motor Show will have a revised engine management, the drive train is 19mm lower, has a new torque support arm and will get a newly designed bonnet.

Read More

BMW sells Husqvarna to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer

This is a little confusing. BMW sold Husqvarna, the Swedish born company, to Pierer Industries which is owned by Stefan Pierer, the current president of KTM. But Pierer is the majority shareholder of India's Bajaj Automotive, which owns a little over 47% of Cross Industries. And Cross Industries is the parent company of KTM.

 

So there may be a conflict of interest, since Pierer becomes responsible for two motorcycle manufacturers. We have no idea on what is going to happen. All we know is that BMW and KTM didn't reveal the values of this sale and BMW justified this sale has a "strategic realignment at BMW Motorrad" so they can focus on on the urban and e-mobility segments, and since Husqvarna builds off-road bikes it makes sense to get rid of the company founded in Sweden.

Source: bmw

Read More

2013 KTM 390 Duke

The Austrian company keeps bringing competitive bikes in its segment for a while now and the 390 Duke is no exception, yet this will be a Indian built motorcycle. The work is the responsibility of the minority shareholder Bajaj.

 

It has a decent 43bhp of power and 35Nm (26lb/ft) of torque taken from a short stork cylinder dimension (89mm x 60mm) to move this 150kg (330lbs) bike. It also has some better quality components like Bosch ABS brakes, WP suspension and Brembo brakes.

The price isn't known yet but we can expect it to be similar to its rivals like the Honda CBR250R, KTM 390 Duke, Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Suzuki GW250. Sales start next year.

Technical Specifications of the 2013 KTM Duke 390
Engine: Four-stroke liquid-cooled, 4-valve
Displacement: 373 cm
Bore x stroke: 89 x 60 mm
Compression ratio: 12.6:1
Power: Bosch injection
Lubrication: Wet sump
Frame: Steel trellis
Front Suspension: WP inverted fork Ø 43 mm, deb. 150 mm
Rear Suspension: WP monoshock, deb. 150 mm
Front Brake: disc Ø 300 mm, 4-piston radial caliper
Rear Brake: 230 mm disc, 1-piston caliper
Tires: front: 110/70 x 17, rear: 150/60 x 17
Angle: 65 °
Trail: 100mm
Wheelbase: 1367mm
Ground clearance: 170mm
Seat Height: 800mm
Weight: 139 kg dry, less than 150 kg at the curb
Tank: 11 liters

Source: Asphalt and Rubber

Images: © 2012 Schedl, R. / KTM – All Rights Reserved

 

Read More

KTM 1290 Superduke R concept is crazy [Video]

This is the Kiska designed KTM superduke 1290 R that was unveiled at EICMA in Milan and is a pretty crazy looking motorcycle with an estimated 180hp and a custom made akrapovic exhaust.

As we can see by the name, it is based on the new KTM Super Duke and uses the LC8 engine from the KTM 1190 RC8 R with an extra 100cc.

Official info from KTM:

Engine: Liquid-cooled V-twin based on the RC8 R with ride-by-wire

Displacement: one.point.three

Power and torque: More than ever

Electronic assistance: ABS, traction control, anti-stoppie, and anti-wheelie control (all can be deactivated)

Frame: Chrome-molybdenum steel tubular frame

Swingarm: Light-alloy single-sided swingarm

Suspension components: WP prototypes – upside-down fork with gas pressure cartridge, directly connected shock absorber

Wheels and tyres: Light-alloy wheels with slicks

Brakes: Brembo racing callipers front and rear

Weight: Unbelievably low

Source: Derestricted

Read More