KTM has released pictures of a new 1290cc naked prototype, the so-called “Beast” whose engine roar KTM revealed earlier in the week. To be officially unveiled next week at the 2012 EICMA show, the new model is still unnamed, though judging by the brief glimpses of its styling and the KTM North American dealer meeting slide that leaked earlier this year, we’re pretty sure this new prototype will eventually become the KTM 1290 Super Duke.

We’ll have more information Nov. 13 when KTM presents the bike at EICMA, but the Austrian manufacturer has released some details. The new model uses a 1290cc engine, likely a larger version of the RC8R sportbike’s 1195cc V-Twin engine, similar to the one used in the new 1190 Adventure revealed at Intermot. Other features include a new frame and swingarm, WP suspension and Brembo calipers. Continue Reading »

When news broke yesterday of leaked details of the new 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure, the first question that crossed our minds was “when do we find out about the R version?” The answer, it turns out, is today, with a new photograph of the 1190 Adventure R now surfacing.

Members of ADVForum, where we found the original leaked KTM brochure, have uncovered new a studio photo of the R model as well as the non-R version.

The 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure R is equipped with larger wheels than the base model, likely a 21-inch wheel up front and an 18-inch wheel at the rear (the non-R 1190 Adventure appears to sport a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel.) We are surprised the tires appear to be street tires and not knobby off-road rubbers. Continue Reading »

Pictures and details of an all-new 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure have emerged from a brochure that briefly appeared on KTM‘s official website. The document has since been removed but not before we got our hands on them.

Expected to be unveiled at the 2012 Intermot show in Cologne, Germany, in just a few weeks, the latest adventure touring bike from KTM will be powered by a 1190cc V-Twin engine, not a 1290cc powerplant as initially expected. The engine is based on the engine powering the RC8R sportbike, though it has been tamed somewhat, with the brochure claiming 148 hp (150 PS for in metric) compared to the 173 hp claimed by the RC8R.

Still, that is an upgrade to the 113 hp claimed by the KTM 990 Adventure R and its 999cc engine. Other highlights revealed by the leaked document include four engine maps plus one for off-road, ride-by-wire throttle, an adjustable windshield, multifunctional display, ABS, slipper clutch and traction control, a first for KTM. The brochure also claims a weight of 235 kg (518 pounds) fully-fueled. Continue Reading »

The July 8-10 Mid-Ohio round of the 2011 AMA Superbike series featured the debut of two new superbikes, the Erik Buell Racing 1190RS and the KTM RC8R Race Spec.

Chris Fillmore (11) finished an impressive seventh place in a red-flagged Race One for KTM-HMC Racing while Geoff May (99) placed eleventh on the Amsoil EBR 1190RS. The second race saw both riders finish in the top ten with Fillmore in ninth and May in the ten spot.

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KTM announced it will race a full factory entry in three rounds of the 2011 AMA Superbike Championship.

The Austrian manufacturer is teaming up with HMC Racing and racer Chris Fillmore to enter the series with the KTM 1190 RC8 R Race Spec.

HMC Racing owner Mitch Hansen and KTM have worked together in the past, winning ten national Supermoto titles together. Hansen also played  a major role in the U.S. Red Bull Rookies Cup which featured  KTM racebikes. Fillmore raced for two seasons on the HMC KTM Supermoto team, finishing second overall in the 2008 championship.

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