KTM 1290 Super Duke spied in Austria

MCN has captured spy pictures of the new KTM 1290 Super Duke testing in its home country. According to the model plans that leaked last year, the bike will adopt the new 1290cc v-twin that’s also destined for the new, road-biased KTM 1290 Adventure. Power is expected to grow from the 123bhp of the current 990 to something around 150bhp, while the new bike will clearly carry over the compact dimensions and aggressive riding position. The 1290 Super Duke is expected to debut late this year (EICMA) as a 2013 model and will be imported to America.

Wes Siler. May 18th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (23)

This is the 2013 KTM Adventure 1290

Spotted nearly undisguised while undergoing validation tests in Germany, InfoMotori brings us the best photo yet of the upcoming KTM Adventure 1290. So far, so expected. Trellis frame, a larger v-twin for more power, the saddle-style fuel tank appears to remain (as the more rearwards of the two body work pieces extending down from the “tank” area), 21-inch front wheel, etc. Much-needed upgrades comes in the form of a new headlight incorporating LEDs across its lower half and radial brake calipers. There’s also a 690 Duke-style aluminum swingarm with exposed webbing. Sexy. But how does this bike fit into KTM’s upcoming product plan? :continue:

Wes Siler. April 23rd, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (16)

How to gear up for adventure

While the idea of heading off into the wilderness on a bike armed with nothing more than a knife, blanket roll and a can of beans may seem awfully romantic, the truth is that’s a good recipe for getting stranded or never coming back. Best case scenario? You’ll simply be miserable. Instead, building a comprehensive adventure touring kit can make things easy, comfortable and safe. There’s no way we can cover every single bit in one article, but let’s use my expedition into the Sierra Nevada on board a KTM 990 Adventure as an example. These are the basic pieces needed to get you off the road and back again. :continue:

Grant Ray. April 12th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (27)

HFL presents RideApart

Why aren’t there any good motorcycle shows? You know, one that isn’t just about the size of some lunatic host’s fearless balls or the flatness of his hat’s bill. Or how about a show that’s watchable, entertaining, accessible and does a good job of selling what you and I think is so special back to the mainstream? Neither Wes or I have ever made a show before, but figured we’d give it a shot in conjunction with DRIVE. So here you go, the very first episode of our new show, RideApart.

Grant Ray. April 9th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (106)

Watch Jeremy McWilliams lap Cartagena on a KTM 690 Duke

Light, powerful and equipped with high-end suspension, brakes and other components, it’s hard to do better than the KTM 690 Duke for a fun, accessible track tool. But KTM is going one better, equipping that bike with more power, better suspension, lighter wheels and other upgrades to create the “Track” edition. Here, former GP racer Jeremy McWilliams puts the bike through its paces at Spain’s legendary Circuito Cartegena. :continue:

Wes Siler. March 30th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (26)

40 photos of the KTM Freeride 350 in Morocco

With a detuned, but still very light 350cc single housed in a hybrid steel/aluminum/plastic chassis, the KTM Freeride 350 promises to bring high-end dirt bike capability to a light, affordable, accessible package. Think of it as a cross between a trials bike and an enduro racer, combining the former’s weight (just 218lbs) with the latter’s performance. It’s coming to the states next year, but for now, enjoy these images of it tearing up villages, forests and volcanoes in Morocco.

Wes Siler. March 27th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (5)

23 photos of the fully liveried KTM Moto3 racer in action

These photos mark the first time we’ve seen the KTM Moto3 racer in all its fully-painted, ready-to-race glory. Including the rider, this tiny gem weighs just 326lbs and is powerd by a 250cc, four-stroke single making something in the region of 54bhp. Lap times are still slightly slower than the 125cc two-strokes its replacing, but Moto3 has yet to see even its first race, which will occur next month in Malaysia.

Photos: Gold and Goose/KTM

Wes Siler. March 20th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (18)

Expedition: Sierra Nevada

Ever since I moved to LA, I’ve been scheming any way possible to explore the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Topography maps promised a web of trails and rarely used Forest Service roads, so pavement or respectable cell reception wasn’t an option. I’d also managed to talk KTM into a long-term loan of the 990 Adventure equipped with proper knobby Dunlops. Going by myself, I figured I’d just take it easy, nothing too crazy. Besides, what could possibly go wrong on a solo trip into the harsh wintery alpine back country on a heavily loaded adventure bike traveling on unfamiliar trails? Click below for the feature.

Expedition: Sierra Nevada

Grant Ray. March 6th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (60)

Watch the KTM Moto3 racer lap Valencia

Many, including us, mourn the loss of GP racing’s last two-stroke class. But, this new KTM Moto3 racer is going an awful long ways to making up for it. Tiny, powerful, intricately engineered and already capable of some pretty impressive lap times, the last question remaining is: what does it sound like? Here’s 36 images and a bunch of trackside videos of it testing at Valencia last week. Even limited to 14,000rpm, these little four-strokes sound amazing. :continue:

Wes Siler. February 24th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (14)

Ross Noble: badass enduro racer

You’re familiar with Ross Noble from his standup and from “Have I Got News For You?” Well, at least if you’re British. But, did you know he’s also an enduro racer? And not just any enduros, but even the Romaniacs extreme enduro, described as the toughest in the world. The comedian entered this year’s race on a KTM 350 EXC-F, cameras following all the while. :continue:

Wes Siler. February 16th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (14)

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