New KTM offerings race in
The local KTM bikes line up sees some change as the KTM Malaysia announced the availability of both the new KTM 790 Adventure and revised 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT locally. Here’s a breakdown of both new offerings from the mighty orange-liveried Austrian marque.
2019 KTM 790 Adventure
Aptly, it’s plains to see the new 790 Adventure shares the same bones and heart as the 790 Duke naked – nicknamed ‘The Scalpel’. But unlike its street-focused twin, this one is built ready to tackle the rough as well.
KTM’s revolutionary new 799cc LC8c liquid-cooled DOHC parallel-twin is retained, outputting 94hp and 88Nm. Notably, the mill has been tweaked for better low RPM tractability, smoothness and higher load capability.
Paired with said mill is a six-speed box equipped with a Power Assist Slipper Clutch (PASC) feature. The powertrain is encased within a lightweight and compact molybdenum steel chassis, granting a low 189kg claimed dry weight figure.
The chassis boasts specially developed 43mm upside-down forks with a steering damper and a pre-load adjustable rear shock combination, all sourced from WP. The adoption of 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels adds to this middleweight’s off-road credentials too.
2019 KTM 790 Adventure
Supplementing that are things like Ride-by-Wire throttle (RbW), lean angle sensitive Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) and Cornering ABS, Offroad ABS and Offroad Ride Mode. There’s also a full-colour TFT display present, which can be expanded with the optional KTM MY RIDE smartphone integration suite as well.
Available for purchase at all authorised dealers nationwide, the new 2019 KTM 790 Adventure commands a basic retail price of RM78,800.
2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
The touring-focused offshoot of KTM’s manic V-twin-powered streetfighter has been updated for 2019, with KTM promising a smoother and more refine ride whilst retaining its performance character.
At the heart of the 1290 Super Duke GT is the 1,308cc version of KTM’s signature LC8 V-twin. For 2019, the mill now sports revised resonator chambers, titanium inlet valves and a new mapping, resulting in its new 173hp and 141Nm headlining figures.
The transmission, on the other hand, can now be equipped with an optional Quickshifter+ suite, which delivers effortless upshifts and downshifts with auto-blipper function. Also available as options on top of an improved ABS suite are ‘Track mode’, hill hold control (HHC) and motor slip regulation (MSR).
Surely, the most welcoming new feature here will be the new and improved 6.5-inch TFT full-colour display screen that’s also visible even in direct sunlight. This system can be expanded with the KTM MY RIDE smartphone connectivity suite as well, which will add on-screen turn-by-turn directions and audio prompts.
2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
New here too is the KTM RACE ON keyless ignition system, full-LED headlight as well the latest generation semi-active suspension suite that allow riders to adjust the ride height and chassis balance via the push of a button. It also grants three selectable damping modes, those being Comfort, Street and Sport.
Arguably one of the raciest and most powerful sport-tourers on sale today, the 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is priced from RM124,800 onwards.
