EICMA 2018: 5 New KTM bikes; No 390 Adventure for now

When KTM said - “You spoke, we listened”, we suspected the Austrian manufacturer would surprise us by revealing the eagerly anticipated KTM 390 Adventure at EICMA 2018. However, the company presented five new motorcycles except for the 390 Adventure. It was widely speculated that KTM would unveil the 390 Adventure at this year's show after Bajaj Auto (KTM's India partner) had announced that the 390 Adventure would be launched in India in 2019.

To KTM’s credit, they never officially mentioned even once that the 390 Adventure would be shown at this year’s EICMA. Official sources now state that the launch of the 390 Adventure in India will happen in the 2019 calendar year around December 2019, right after its EICMA 2019 debut. Nevertheless, the wait still continues.....

The prototype of the 390 Adventure spotted earlier this year during testing 

Coming back to EICMA, leading KTM's 2019 line-up is the KTM 790 Adventure and KTM 790 Adventure R. Both the KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R is for travel enduro fans of every ambition and ability, ready to discover new roads and challenging terrain.[gallery size="full" ids="6195,6196"]Both powered by the 799cc LC8c parallel twin – first seen in the KTM 790 Duke – the engine has been tuned to deliver its torque lower down the rev range to fit the specific requirements of adventure riding. The result is smooth acceleration, plentiful performance and a 450 km range from a 20-liter tank.Each of these rugged bikes has been developed by some of the best adventure riders in the world and in conjunction with the Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Racing Team to provide a confidence-inspiring chassis with a low center of gravity and riding ergonomics to suit riders of all sizes and spirit.[gallery size="full" ids="6199,6200"]A full suite of rider assistance systems, easily navigated and activated with a bar-mounted menu switch, aligned to a full color, TFT display, allow the adventurous to get the most from these machines in all situations.Similarly, in the KTM Travel Enduro range, the KTM 1090 Adventure R, KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and KTM 1290 Super Adventure R receive new colors and graphics to keep these exciting machines looking as sharp and bold as they perform.Moreover, the KTM 690 SMC R returns in 2019 with its lightweight, agile, addictive single-cylinder punch, premium chassis components and now backed up by leading performance-enhancing electronics. Powering the motorcycle is the latest generation LC4 engine; the world’s most powerful production single-cylinder engine which dishes up a devastating 74 hp and 73.5 Nm of torque. Getting the most from this performance in all situations is a suite of rider assistance systems. Two ride modes – Street and Sport – cornering ABS, lean angle-sensitive motorcycle traction control (MTC), motor slip regulation (MSR) and Quickshifter+ are new to the game, with the familiar Supermoto ABS mode aiding rear slides with front-end confidence.[gallery size="full" ids="6204,6203"]The new KTM 690 Enduro R is even more practical. It benefits from the same engine, electronics and chassis improvements made to its sliding Supermoto sibling, but in a platform completely focused on offroad. Under the new seat and fresh bodywork –sharpened for both style as well as better movement on the bike – is an all-new chassis with WP XPLOR suspension derived from KTM’s world-beating EXC models.The newly developed KTM SX-E 5 is the next step in KTM’s innovative line-up. The SX-E 5 is based on the incredibly popular 2-stroke KTM 50 SX with a high-end chassis powered by an electric motor. It enjoys the advantage of zero emissions, low noise and minimal maintenance, and KTM believes the SX-E 5 will set a new benchmark within the electric-minicycle market in terms of performance, rideability, safety and serial standard.[gallery size="full" ids="6206,6207"]Also joining the 2019 range is a sharper, stronger and more refined version of the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT. The most radical long-distance Sports Tourer on the market takes the best from ‘The Beast’; phenomenal engine performance, street handling and race track capabilities of the KTM 1290 Super Duke R is brought into this machine. Major updates to this premium machine can be found in the engine, suspension, electronics and bodywork with a focus on improving comfort and performance – be it while two-up touring, continent cruising or track attacking.