It seems that everything is going in full accordance with the plans of Stefan Pierer, who promised to introduce a line of medium-sized motorcycles with new two-cylinder engines in 2022. In the presentation of Pierer Mobility, the parent company of KTM, about two years ago there was information about the launch of a total of five models of the 490 series: 490 Duke, 490 Adventure, RC490, 490 SMC R, and 490 Enduro R.
Now there are some new considerations about the fate of a new family of models. At first, it was assumed that the new motorcycles would be produced at the factories of the Indian company Bajaj Auto, but now there is even some confidence that at least the engines for the entire family of 490s will be produced by the Chinese partner of the “orange” – CFMOTO company. Moreover, this engine is already ready — and installed on the recently introduced CFMOTO 450SR sportbike.
Yes, so far everything written above is nothing more than assumptions, but assumptions based on facts and “coincidences”. And I hope we will find out the details soon.