2016 KTM 390 Adventure render – next dual-purpose?

Rumours have been circulating that KTM, purveyor of motorcycles that are “ready to race”, is in the process of putting together a 390 cc version of its big ‘Adventure’ models. Currently confined to the 1050, 1190, 1190R and the 1290, KTMs Adventure series bikes have been making waves in the market, especially in India, where its partnership with Bajaj has resulted in the RC and Duke series bikes becoming more mainstream.

From Indian auto website rushlane, this rendering of a KTM 390 Adventure by designer Pratyush Rout follows the styling cues of the bigger Adventure bikes, notably the bluff-fronted nose of the huge 1290 Adventure. The graphics are very Duke-like, and ties in nicely with KTM range of graphics for its bikes.

While the first-generation 390 bikes wouldn’t have allowed the production of an Adventure model, the second-gen bikes, seen camouflaged on public roads during testing, have a different sub-frame, which would allow such a variant in the range. This is in keeping with KTMs current philosophy for its Duke and RC series bikes, which share a common engine and similar frame, but with different bodywork and suspension settings.

The KTM 390 currently comes in two flavours, the naked 390 Duke and the fully-faired sports RC 390. Using a 375 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine with four-valves and DOHC, the 390 engine produces 44 hp, fed by EFI.

With a dry weight of only 139 kg in Duke form, the current 390-series bikes in KTMs range have filled two market niches, and with a rumoured Adventure variant, possibly a third.

KTM Malaysia has both the 390 Duke and RC 390 available in the showroom. The naked 390 Duke retails for RM26,200, while the RC 390 sportsbike goes for RM27,200. The 2016 KTM 1050 Adventure in CKD form retails for RM73,021 including GST.

GALLERY: 2016 KTM 1050 Adventure

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