Bajaj To Develop 500cc Twin-Cylinder Motorcycle For KTM In India
KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has confirmed that Bajaj Auto will manufacture a new 500cc, twin-cylinder motorcycle.
KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has confirmed that Bajaj Auto will manufacture a new 500cc, twin-cylinder motorcycle. This motorcycle will be sold under KTM nameplate for the Indian market. This twin-cylinder middle-weight motorcycle will challenge the bikes from Japanese counterparts including Kawasaki and Honda.
Speaking to SpeedWeek, Stefan Pierer, KTM CEO said, “In the 500cc class, we will bring a two-cylinder machine, which is manufactured by our partner Bajaj in India and with which we compete against the Japanese. Growth is happening in the emerging markets today, and in these emerging markets ‘premium’ is the mid-range of 500 to 800cc.” Also See – KTM 125 Duke Launched In India
However, it is yet to be confirmed that the upcoming 500cc motorcycle will be a street sportsbike or an ADV machine. It is expected that the platform to be used for the upcoming 500cc motorcycle would be used to develop multiple motorcycle in future as well. Similar to the KTM’s 390cc series, this platform could spawn a fully-faired, a naked streetfighter and an adventure bike.
As this motorcycle will be developed in India, Bajaj will use high-level of local components to achieve competitive pricing. Bajaj could follow the Royal Enfield strategy, which recently introduced two 650cc motorcycle under 3 lakhs in India. The new 500cc motorcycle could be priced under 4 lakhs. Read – KTM Duke 200 ABS Launched In India
The company hasn’t revealed the engine details of the new bikes. It is expected that the new 500cc twin-cylinder engine could develop around 50-60bhp. The Duke 390 currently offers a power output of 44bhp. Features like upside down front forks, a monoshock rear suspension, 6-speed gearbox, slipper clutch, ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) and a TFT instrument console are likely to be offered as standard.
Not just KTM, Bajaj has also joined hands with Triumph Motorcycles to produce mid-capacity motorcycles. The mid-capacity motorcycles from this alliance will come with engine capacities between 500-750cc. The first motorcycle from this alliance will come in 2020.
