Amidst all the over-200 PS bike showcases and premieres, the ongoing EICMA motorcycle show also saw the debut of KTM’s third adventure bike above 1,000 cc, the 1050 Adventure. It’s powered by a 1,050 cc V-twin that puts out 95 bhp but will also be sold with the power restricted to 47 bhp for the A2 license class in Europe.
The A2 earlier came with a 33 bhp restriction, which recently got revised to 47 bhp (35 kW). No, you still can’t have that kind of power in a featherweight package – the law also says that no A2 bike can have a power-to-weight ratio of less than 0.2 kW-per-kg. That means that a 47 bhp motorcycle needs to a have kerb weight of at least 175 kg. The 212 kg KTM 1050 Adventure qualifies then (in restricted form).
The 1050 is as heavy as the 1190 Adventure but 12 kilos lighter than the 1290 Super Adventure. The heaviest KTM though is still much lighter than the 256 kg BMW R 1200 GS Adventure. In fact, keeping the general public-perception in mind that all adventure bikes are big, heavy, and cumbersome, KTM has tried to make the 1050 Adventure as unintimidating as possible. While it could not make the new bike any lighter than the 1190 Adventure, it gave the former a low seat height of 848 mm – the 1190’s perch, like the aforementioned BMW, is 889 mm high! For perspective sakes, our Duke 390 has a saddle height of 800 mm.
When our entry-level KTMs come with class-best hardware and equipment, expect its bigger siblings to offer even more. Keihin engine management, dual-plug ignition, top-notch WP suspension, PASC slipper clutch (hydraulic of course), Brembo brakes with ABS, ride-by-wire throttle, 3-level traction control, KTM Ride Modes, adjustable handlebar, adjustable windscreen, and adjustable footpegs make up the list of the major features in this KTM. Oh yes, the traction control and the ABS can be turned completely off when you want to play with that six-speed gearbox in mud and stuff.
All of that sounds nice, but when are you giving us the 690 Adventure KTM?
Source: Cycleworld
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