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The arrival of Bajaj Pulsar’s Adventure Sports (AS) series somewhat hinted towards the possibility of a similar product from its Austrian cousin. There have been various speculations about KTM’s entry level adventure series and adding fuel to these anticipation is the latest report from AutoCar Professional. The motoring website reported that the Indo-Austrian partnership of Bajaj and KTM may soon reveal a new adventure series motorcycle for the Indian market.
Moreover, the report also quotes a sources close to the developments that the upcoming ‘tour-purpose’ motorcycles are ready to roll off the assembly line and are expected to be launched by as early as April-May 2016. There is no word on the displacement front and the report does not pin point weather the upcoming adventure motorcycle will sport a 200cc or a 375cc motor that currently powers KTM’s Duke and the RC duo.
In one of his interviews back in 2012, KTM CEO and Chairman Stefan Pierer had said that ‘the 390 (390 Duke) is coming, fully faired versions (RC 200 and RC 390) and the so-called tour-purpose model are also coming. We will have the full model range that can settle in the Asian markets. We will focus more on the higher end, keeping the prime content of KTM very sharp, its ready-to-race attributes, its best performing engine, unique design different from others.’
Similar to KTM’s lower displacement motorcycles, the upcoming tour-purpose product would be manufactured at Bajaj’s Chakan plant in Pune and thus we expect to see some seriously aggressive price tags. Bajaj remained absent from the 2016 Auto Expo and thus it is difficult to speculate the range of products that are expected to arrive from the two-wheeler major’s production line. While we are eagerly awaiting the adventure motorcycles, we find the claimed arrival time frame difficult to digest as there hasn’t been a single spy image of the motorcycle yet; but it’s one of the few occasions when I hope I am wrong.
India’s first home brewed adventure tourer, the Royal Enfield Himalayan will reportedly be launched on March 16 and if the KTM tour-purpose arrives at the aforementioned time frame, the thumper will have an uphill task in competing against the most awarded Dakar Rally manufacturer. But that’s our views and we would love to hear yours. Share your views, opinions or any information about the KTM adventure motorcycles that may be still unknown through the comments section below.
Source: AutoCar Professional