KTM entered India in early 2012 and within two years, the company has made a significant mark in the performance segment. The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer’s next launch in India is the RC 200 and RC 390, post which what’s coming isn’t known yet. However our sources inform us about the bike which will come after the two RCs are launched, it’s none other than the Adventure 1190 (in the second half of 2014). The said bike was already spotted in India on test and although it’s easy to get the Adventure 1190 as a CBU (it has an engine displacement of more than 800cc and thus doesn’t need homologation), KTM plans to locally assemble the bike in India.
By going the CKD route for the KTM Adventure 1190, the company will be able to price the motorcycle very aggressively. We can expect the bike which is classified by KTM in Travel category to get good response in the Indian market as it will be the only locally assembled bike in that segment. KTM is betting big on India, not only for sales but also for a production base. By 2015, 50% of KTM’s global volumes will be churned out from Bajaj Auto’s Chakan factory. Thus the possibility of bigger (read – above 500cc) bikes being manufactured in India with heavy localisation can’t be ruled out. Bajaj-KTM have clearly stated that no KTM bike will be sold in India via the CBU route.
The KTM 1190 Adventure comes in two variants – Standard and R. The motorcycle is powered by a 1195cc, V-twin, liquid-cooled engine which produces 148 HP of power and 125 Nm of torque. Usual KTM bits on the bike are present like a Trellis frame, WP suspension and light weight (this Adventure weighs only 212 kgs dry). The Adventure 1190 gets combined-ABS, Bosch MSC (Motorcycle Stability Control) and tyre pressure monitoring system. To make touring all that easy, the 1190 boasts of 220 mm of ground clearance and a 23-litre fuel tank. Expect the KTM Adventure 1190 to be priced at around Rs. 8.5 lakhs in India.
