The genie was out of the bottle for quite a while now. The Austrian manufacturer has constantly been developing new products to cater its adventurist customers with the latest developments being the 790 Adventure R and the smaller 390 Adventure. The web is now flooded with images of KTM testing their newest creation on roads, and a few grabbed our attention too.
Captured by our good folks at Motorcycle.com, we’re more than glad that KTM has come a long way from exposed frame welds, flat sheet plastic zip-tied bodywork and an information-gathering module in place of the instrument panel.
The near-production mole seen here is a much more matured and a rounded package that we could expect to see on the showroom floors. The 1290 inspired face is unmistakably ADV and has two lines of LED units on a fixed headlight assembly that come as a reminiscent of the Duke 390’s. The windscreen will come as a standard but does not look like it is adjustable. A pair of clear polycarbonate wings have sprouted below the dual headlights.
By the looks of this mule, it might carry a 19/17-inch front/rear spoked wheel combo with studded tire combination. Upright handlebar, TFT instrumentation, trellis frame, switchgear, levers and the swing-arm will be shared with the Duke. USD suspension units seen here have long travel capability and brake units consist of a single disc pattern from the Duke 390. Expect ABS to be a standard issue.
KTM will make use of the same 373cc, liquid cooled, single-cylinder engine on both the models which is capable of producing about 44 hp and 19.5 lb-ft of torque that is also making the runs on the Duke and RC models. But be sure that KTM will give the Adventure with a better low-end torque rather than in the mid-range. It will come with a changed ratio six-speed transmission, Ride-by-Wire, and a slipper clutch.
However, there a few issues still KTM needs to deal with here. There isn’t a bash plate seen on this mule nor are there any crash protection anywhere. We also don’t see any pannier mounts at the rear. Nonetheless, when an ADV is launched, all manufacturers will also come out with a hot of accessories to take you the extra mile.
As KTM has made India its hub for low capacity models, manufacturing this adventure is also poised to be in India to keep costs down. We know, for one, that manufacturers develop low capacity motorcycles to get new riders into their strides from the very beginning. With them showing so much love to this category, it’s high time that we get out and do a little exploring for ourselves.
And KTM is looking to do the same here with this prototype. The question remains – can it find a place for itself by giving ADV capability and user-friendliness in one shot? Especially with BMW and Kawasaki already splurged the market with the G 310 GS and the Versys X-300? Well, the way I see it, there is only one way to find out. Stick around with us while we bring you more information.
In the meantime, bide your time.