The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM currently offers motorcycles like the Duke 390, RC 390 and 390 Adventure and other smaller displacement bikes in the country. And all of these use single-cylinder engines. However, KTM is now developing an entirely new range of affordable twin-cylinder motorcycles. In total, the company is getting ready to launch three new twin-cylinder 490cc motorcycles in India which will cater to three different types of buyers. So, without any delay, here are the details of the upcoming KTM twin-cylinder motorcycles.
As the demand for adventure motorcycles is increasing in India, KTM’s next big launch for the Indian market will be the 490 Adventure. This new motorcycle has already been spotted testing on international roads. For those who may not be aware, KTM currently offers the 390 Adventure with a 399cc single-cylinder engine. However, the upcoming 490 Adventure is expected to use an entirely new parallel-twin engine with a displacement of around 490cc.
Design-wise, the 490 Adventure test motorcycle has been seen with an upright adventure-bike stance, tall windscreen and a large fuel tank. Its overall appearance was quite similar to the current 390 Adventure. However, the new motorcycle appeared to be larger, which will make it more suitable for long-distance touring. The test mule was also seen with aggressive body panels and a headlamp setup.
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Moving to the mechanical side of things, the upcoming 490 Adventure could get WP APEX long-travel upside-down front forks and a rear monoshock. Reports suggest that KTM could offer a 21-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel with dual-purpose tyres. Braking duties are expected to be handled by disc brakes at both ends, along with dual-channel ABS. The motorcycle could also offer switchable rear ABS for off-road riding.
Mechanically, the biggest highlight will be its new parallel-twin engine. Although KTM has not officially confirmed the displacement, reports suggest that it could produce around 50 to 65 bhp. This would make it more powerful than the current 390 Adventure. Also, being a twin-cylinder motorcycle, it is expected to offer smoother power delivery and lower vibrations during highway cruising.
As for the features, the 490 Adventure could get a colour TFT instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, multiple riding modes and traction control. Higher variants could also offer cornering ABS, cruise control and a bidirectional quickshifter. The motorcycle is expected to make its debut sometime in 2027, although its India launch has not been confirmed.
Next up, we have the KTM 490 Duke, which has also been spotted testing in Europe. This motorcycle is expected to sit above the existing 390 Duke and below KTM’s larger multi-cylinder streetfighters. The test mule of this motorcycle has revealed that the new Duke will not simply be a 390 Duke with a bigger engine. Instead, KTM is developing a different chassis and engine platform.
Starting with the design, the test motorcycle gets KTM’s familiar aggressive streetfighter appearance. However, it will be noticeably larger than the existing 390 Duke. The prototype used a sharp headlamp, mirrors and instrument cluster. As for the rear section, it was seen with a new tail-lamp arrangement, and the motorcycle also had a side-mounted exhaust.
In terms of the mechanical components, the 490 Duke prototype will get a tubular steel trellis frame with a bolt-on rear subframe. It could also feature a redesigned swingarm, WP APEX upside-down front forks and a rear monoshock. The 490 Duke test mule was seen on 17-inch alloy wheels at both ends. Braking hardware included a single front disc with a radially mounted WP calliper.
Now, coming to the engine, the upcoming Duke is expected to get a parallel-twin motor with a displacement of around 490cc. Reports suggest that it could produce around 55 to 65 bhp. For comparison, the current 390 Duke uses a 399cc single-cylinder engine which makes 46 bhp. This means that the new twin-cylinder Duke could offer a noticeable increase in performance.
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Reports have also suggested that KTM could use a 270-degree crankshaft for this new engine. This setup will give the motorcycle a different exhaust note and power delivery compared to a conventional 180-degree parallel twin. It could also get a 6-speed gearbox with a bidirectional quickshifter.
In terms of features, the motorcycle is expected to offer a TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, riding modes, cornering ABS and switchable traction control. Launch control is also being speculated.
The 490 Duke, once launched in India, will directly rival the Aprilia Tuono 457. As for the launch, reports suggest that it could make its public debut towards the end of 2027 and be launched in the Indian market by early 2028. However, KTM has not announced its official pricing or India launch timeline.
Finally, the third motorcycle on this list is the KTM RC 490. Unlike the other two models, KTM has officially confirmed that an RC 490 is under development. The company’s CEO, Gottfried Neumeister, has also confirmed plans for a larger RC 790. The upcoming RC 490 will reportedly use a new twin-cylinder platform and will be positioned above the existing RC 390.
In terms of the design, the new RC is expected to get sharper body panels, LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs and a more aggressive riding position. Reports also suggest that it could get aerodynamic winglets inspired by the larger KTM 990 RC R. Apart from this, the motorcycle could feature USD front forks, a rear monoshock, alloy wheels and a large front disc brake.
Mechanically, the RC 490 is expected to use the same parallel-twin engine with a displacement of around 490cc as the 490 Adventure and 490 Duke. Now, depending on the final configuration, reports suggest that it too could make around 50 to 60 bhp. It could also get a 6-speed gearbox with a bidirectional quickshifter.
Other expected features include a TFT instrument cluster, riding modes, cornering ABS, traction control and smartphone connectivity. For those who may not be aware, KTM already offers an RC 450 in China, which is based on the CFMoto 450SR-S. However, the upcoming RC 490 will be a separate motorcycle with a different platform.
Its main rivals will include the Aprilia RS 457 and Kawasaki Ninja 500. As for the launch, KTM has not announced an official date. However, it will most likely be launched next year in 2027.
Another important detail is that Bajaj Auto is reportedly developing the new sub-500cc twin-cylinder platform in India. Reports suggest that production could take place at Bajaj’s Chakan facility near Pune. This could help KTM manufacture these motorcycles locally and export them to international markets. Currently the company has not revealed its pricing. However, bikes based on this platform could be priced in the range of Rs 3.5 to Rs 4.5 lakh.