KTM has been working on a new middleweight range of bikes with a 490cc twin-cylinder engine which includes three models 490 Adventure, 490 Duke and RC 490
KTM, the Bajaj-owned European two-wheeler brand, is working on a new middleweight motorcycle line-up for the Indian market which will be rolled out with a 490cc twin-cylinder engine. This new motorcycle range will include 490 Adventure, 490 Duke and RC 490 and all these models will be powered by the parallel-twin engine which is being co-developed by Bajaj Auto. Though KTM already retails the RC 450 in China which is based on the CFMoto 450SR, and hence the upcoming RC 490 should not be confused with it.
KTM 490 Adventure
KTM 490 Adventure is likely to be the first model to go on sale as it has been captured on camera during its test runs multiple times. The spy images suggested that the prototype is is advanced stages of development and could go on sale by mid 2027. Some of the design highlights of the middleweight adventure bike are a massive fuel tank, tall windscreen, upright stance and dual purpose tyres.
The 90 Adventure is likely to ride on 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup. The suspension duties will be performed by WP-sourced USD front forks with long-travel and a monoshock unit at the rear. The stopping power will come from disc brakes at both the ends, alongside a dual-channel ABS which could be switchable for the rear wheel to ensure off-roading.
KTM 490 Duke
Coming to KTM 490 Duke, it will be a naked streetfigter model identical to all the other bikes in the Duke line-up. The naked motorcycle has already been spied testing on foreign soil and the spy pics suggested that it will be significantly bigger than the ongoing Duke 390. However, the design language will be carried over with more or less same LED headlamp unit. The rear profile will boast of a new LED tail-lamp cluster with integrated blinkers, and a side-swept exhaust pipe.
A few notable features onboard the 490 Duke could be TFT instrument cluster, riding modes, switchable traction control, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, quickshifter, turn-by-turn navigation, cornering ABS and launch control. The newly-developed parallel-twin engine could develop top power in the ballpark of 50-60 bhp. However, exact technical specs will be known closer to debut.
KTM RC 490
KTM has officially confirmed that the RC 490 is under development alongside the even bigger RC 790. The fully-faired sportsbike has also been spotted during testing phase and the spy pics have suggested the inclusion of several premium elements such as the LED projector headlamp, alloy wheels, LED DRLs, large disc brakes at front and USD front suspension. It will be powered by the same 490cc engine as the 490 Duke and 490 Adventure.
