KTM :- READY TO RACE !!!

KTM AG (the former KTM Sportmotorcycle AG^[3][4]) is an Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer owned by KTM Industries AG and Indian manufacturer Bajaj Auto. It was formed in 1992 but traces its foundation to as early as 1934. Today, KTM AG is the parent company of the KTM Group.

KTM is known for its off-road motorcycles (enduro, motocross and supermoto). Since the late 1990s, it has expanded into street motorcycle production and developing sports cars – namely the X-Bow. In 2015, KTM sold almost as many street as off-road bikes.^[5]Production of the KTM X-Bow started in 2007.

Since 2012, KTM has been the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe for four consecutive years.^[6][7] Globally, the company is among the leading off-road motorcycle manufacturers.^[8][9] In 2016, KTM sold 203,423 motor vehicles worldwide

KTM Bikes

KTM offers 5 new bike models in India. 200 Duke 2018, RC 200 2018 and 390 Duke 2018 are among the popular bikes from KTM. KTM 200 Duke 2018 is the lowest priced model at Rs. 1.50 lakh and KTM 390 Duke 2018 is the highest priced model at Rs. 2.4 lakh.

A Closer Look at the KTM RC390 

A Closer Look at the KTM 390 Duke

KTM is known for its off-road motorcycles (enduro, motocross and supermoto). Since the late 1990s, it has expanded into street motorcycle production and developing sports cars – namely the X-Bow. In 2015, KTM sold almost as many street as off-road bikes Production of the KTM X-Bow started in 2007.

Since 2012, KTM has been the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe for four consecutive years. Globally, the company is among the leading off-road motorcycle manufacturers In 2016, KTM sold 203,423 motor vehicles worldwide

Off-road motorcycles

KTM manufactures a wide range of off-road motorcycles. Not all of their models are available in every country. The following section lists bikes that are sold in the US.

Motocross – The current Motocross line designated by SX includes 50, 65, 85, 105, 125, 150 and 250 cc single-cylinder two-stroke models (the 50 SX, 65 SX and 85 SX models are kids' and youth bikes), and 250, 350 and 450 cc single-cylinder four-stroke models (SX-F).In 2005 KTM released the new 250SX-F to the general public. Since 2007, the SX-F's have been KTM's new racing motocross range. Current versions of the KTM SX-F line have a dual overhead camshaft engine dubbed the “RC4”.

Cross-Country – The current cross-country line designated by XC includes 150, 250 and 300 cc two-stroke models and 250, 350 and 450 cc four-stroke models. The two-stroke XC machines except the 150 cc model are available with either wide-ratio or close-ratio transmission (when switching gears, there is a more or less pronounced rpm change). The four-stroke models are fitted with a semi-close gearbox. Most models are equipped with an electric starter.

The very light weight XC bikes are competition bikes only; they don't meet homologation regulations.

Enduro – The street-legal EXC enduro versions of KTM's XC cross-country bikes are supplied with plusher non-linkage suspensions, a wider-ratio gear box and lights.

The current line available in the US consists of 250, 350, 450 and 500 (actually 510 cc) four-stroke EXC models and the 690 cc Enduro R dual-sport motorcycle.

Free Ride – A KTM original class of off-road motorcycle that could be described as a cross between enduro and trials bikes. The Freeride 250R is powered by a lighter, modified version of the 250 EXC enduro engine and has a specially developed six-speed gearbox with close transmission ratios in the lower gears and a wide ratio for the sixth gear. A four-stroke 350 cc free ride model with similar characteristics, and the all-electric single-speed models Freeride E-SX, Freeride E-XC as well as their street version Freeride E-SM are available in Europe.

DUKE IT!

For the modern era of KTM Sportmotorcycles, this name introduced the Austrian brand to asphalt. Or should I say, it introduced street riders to an alternative way of riding with ‘smooth tyres’.

Only 21 years ago, that mono-wheeling, tyre-squealing bike quickly set an attitude for KTM and, as most of us know, reputations can last a lifetime. Clearly KTM has not shied away from altering this perception, only putting further fuel on the fire by adding more performance, power and even a cylinder to the DUKE family. 620 became 640 became 690 which then spawned a sportier ‘R’ variant and then turned it up super-style with the 990. The introduction of the 125, 200 and 390 gave a wider platform to join this legendary moniker and then came … the 1290. But we all know about the ‘Beast’, so let’s rewind a little.

The story of how the first DUKE was created wasn’t pretty, but sure is cool and very fitting with early era KTM; rolling up the sleeves and getting out the angle grinder. Yes, KTM and Gerald Kiska (of Kiska Design) took an LC4-power 620 Enduro (technically a 609cc) and chopped it up and slapped some 17-inch wheels on it. This concept was prettied up and, in 1994, Supermoto for the masses was born and we loved it.

While capacities and model variations of the DUKE grew, so did KTM. Sales rose with world championship trophies and, in 2005, the LC8 V-twin powered 990 SUPER DUKE joined the 950 ADVENTURE and 950 SUPERMOTO to show that KTM had become a true player in large capacity street motorcycles. Best of all, they did it in their own way and didn’t follow pre-existing patterns.

So DUKE motorcycles have always had to carry an edge and attitude and, from the current range of six machines (125, 200, 390, 690, 690 R and 1290 SUPER DUKE R) that is available in 2015, this character prevails and gives riders of all ages and experiences a chance to own a true sporty naked machine.

For the first time ever, KTM assembled its current full aggressive and wide-barred range in one place for the world’s media. Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park and the nearby Bonanza Speedway played home to the ‘DUKE IT’ event in late February and the KTM BLOG was fortunate to attend.

390 DUKEThe first KTM that is truly available globally by being present in every single market that the Austrian company has a presence in.

So what’s new in 2015? Quite a lot. The already powerful, refined and economic engine is treated to an anti-hopping clutch to calm over-enthusiast down-shifting and an improved generator from the RC provides a better electrical power output. A big change that can be felt at the wrist is the reduction in throttle travel, down from 88° to 77°, meaning less of handful needed for the same results.

A new seat is meant to increase comfort whilst having a stronger as not to flex and place any pressure on the top of the airbox. Further aiding the comfort theme are improved handlebar grips and Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres are now fitted to the orange wheels for sportier riding and the indicators are more robust.

Despite the speed limits in place in the Khao Yai National Park, the 390 DUKE was so engaging around its undulating roads that are littered with positive and negative cambered switchback hairpins, blind crests and sometimes covered in leaves and elephant poo. I gave the ABS and mega brakes a good test a couple of times. The engine is just as happy being thrashed for its top end rush or can pull out of slower corners easy, even when in the wrong gear.

It isn’t just on the road the 390 excites; I used the bike to learn the Bonanza Speedway and had a mega time trying to keep up with thumping 690 DUKEs. Braking performance is excellent and the chassis coped with the mixture of smooth, fast turns and bumpy hairpins. Despite being unadjustable, its testament to the suspension quality of being able to deal with such a wide range of use and ground clearance only became an issue on some corners.

For new riders, the 44hp is delivered perfectly and addictively throughout the rev range and for experienced riders there’s more than enough to satisfy and allow you to concentrate on exploiting that fantastic chassis. For most of us, 390 is more than enough. A bike that can be ridden to work in the week and thrashed at the weekend.

Q

Source:- wikipedia. blogktm. zigwheels, google