KTM
KTM 1290 Super Duke R
When we heard that KTM was actually going to produce this monster-motor, naked V-twin sportbike, we cheered out loud. KTM took its excellent LC8 engine and upped the ante to 1,301cc and then applied all of its latest electronic trickery, including ride modes, traction control, and advanced ABS. Claimed power at the rear wheel is 180 hp with 106 pound-feet of torque. A huge 48mm WP fork and shock of the same make hang on a steel trellis frame. A single-sided swingarm shows off the beautiful rear wheel, while Brembo radial-mount front brakes ensure quick stops, aided by Bosch’s advanced 9ME ABS.
$16,999
KTM 1190 Adventure/R
$16,499/$16,799
KTM’s brand-new adventure-touring bike, the 1190 Adventure, is a technological tour de force that promises to take the Austrian company into new territory. At its heart is a version of the 1,195cc RC8 R engine, with claimed output of more than 150 hp. To tame all of that oomph in different conditions, a complex electronics package is used. It has four riding modes, three levels of traction control, and two ABS modes with a full-off setting. Electronically adjustable WP suspension is standard. Also available: The R model features 21-inch front/18-inch rear wheels and revised off-road-centric geometry.
KTM RC8 R
$16,499
Riders looking for something unique in a superbike might consider the RC8 R, a more potent version of the original RC8 that was powered by an 1,148cc engine. Now the only available KTM superbike model, the R displaces 1,195cc, has a higher, 13.5:1 compression ratio, stronger connecting rods, different pistons, and adjustable camshaft sprockets, all contributing to a claimed 175 hp and 94 pound-feet of torque. At either end of the chrome-moly steel frame hangs fully adjustable WP suspension, while four-piston, radial-mount Brembo monoblocks handle braking up front.
KTM 690 Duke
$8999
The 690cc single-cylinder Duke proves you don’t need more than one cylinder for sportbike fun. Key to the bike is the updated counterbalanced LC4 engine, which features many improvements over the previous version. Ride-by-wire throttle control ensures good fueling and excellent fuel economy, while a slipper clutch tames the rear wheel during quick downshifts during spirited riding. A chrome-moly steel frame and die-cast aluminum swingarm are teamed with a 43mm inverted WP fork and shock of the same make. Lightweight die-cast aluminum wheels and Brembo brakes with ABS aid handling and provide good stopping power.
KTM 690 Enduro R
$10,299
Big-bore, single-cylinder dual-sport bikes like this one can nicely fill the gap between those large, liter-plus adventure bikes and the smaller, 450-class street-legal enduros. At 690cc, the Enduro R’s engine now has the displacement (formerly just 654cc) indicated in its name, with a claimed output of 67 hp and 49 pound-feet of torque. Engine service intervals have been increased to 6,200 miles. Three mapping settings can be selected for different riding conditions. The 690 boasts new spring rates and damping settings, and seat height has been lowered 0.75 inch to a tick below 36.
KTM 500 EXC/350 EXC-F
KTM’s 500 EXC has won back-to-back Ten Best awards from Cycle World. It has a lighter (by 5.5 pounds) counterbalanced engine that helps make the 500 a better-handling motorcycle. The sohc mill is a true brute pumping out serious power from its 510cc. A chrome-moly frame, aluminum swingarm, revised PDS shock, 48mm WP fork, and Giant rims are key chassis features. Refinements include a translucent 2.5-gallon fuel tank, an improved electric starting system (with kickstart backup), and a more durable taillight/license-plate holder. Also available: The 350 is the same bike with a smaller dohc engine.
$10,099/$9899
KTM 500 XC-W/450 XC-W
The 500 XC-W is the true off-road version of the 500 EXC. The engine in this competition-quality enduro has been improved with lighter-weight internals and slightly revised tuning, and the engine cases are die-cast for improved strength and reduced weight. A more-powerful stator aids an improved electric-start system (with kickstart backup). A new frame and a one-piece aluminum swingarm highlight chassis updates. Also available: The 450 XC-W is an identical bike with the same updates but with 61cc less displacement.
$9849/$9699
KTM 450 XC-F/350 XC-F
The 450 XC-F features the lighter die-cast aluminum powerplant of the 450 SX-F, which is a full 4.4 pounds lighter than before. Not only is it lighter but it’s stronger, too. The cylinder head features a single overhead cam and four titanium valves that allow it to rev to 11,500 rpm. Fuel injection and electric starting make it reliable and easy to start in any environment, hot or cold. The lightweight chrome-moly steel frame is mated to an aluminum swingarm and a linked WP shock. Up front is a 48mm upside-down WP fork. Also available: The 350 XC-F is a similarly equipped off-road racer but with a dohc 350cc engine.
$9649/$9499
KTM 350 XCF-W/Six Days
KTM’s quest to make an impact in the off-road world with its 350cc formula (just like it did in motocross) hasn’t been that difficult since it released a cross-country race version to compete against the 450s of the world. The winning SX platform was retuned for enduro competition and it was given a wide-ratio six-speed transmission that’s ideal for tight enduro riding. A clutch with a billet-steel basket is used for reliability. The frame is fitted with a one-piece cast aluminum swingarm, a PDS shock, and a 48mm upside-down WP fork. Also available: The Six Days is a special edition with unique graphics and upgraded accessories.
$9499/$10,499
KTM 300 XC/300 XC-W/250 XC/250 XC-W
$8499/$8299/$8499/$8299
There was little need for KTM to improve the potent engine of this enduro/cross-country racebike, but the company updated the chassis for 2013 with its latest frame and suspension technology. Out back is a one-piece cast aluminum swingarm, while up front is a 48mm WP inverted fork with improved oil and dust seals. Plus, the valving on the fork and the shock was updated for improved handling. Both the XC and wide-ratio W models now come with electric starting. Also available: The 250 XC and 250 XC-W are smaller-bore versions of the same motorcycles.
KTM 250 XCF-W/250 XC-F
$8599/$8599
Take a potent 250cc, fuel-injected, twin-cam engine that has an improved cylinder head, combine it with a wide-ratio transmission, a chassis consisting of a redesigned steel frame mated to a one-piece cast aluminum swingarm, and a PDS shock, and you get the 250 XCF-W. Electric starting (with kickstart backup), a competition headlight and taillight, and a Twin Air air-filter element are key features of this enduro/cross-country racer, which also has Excel AL7 rims with zinc/nickel-coated spokes laced into CNC-machined hubs. Also available: The 250 XC-F is the same bike without the wide-ratio gearbox.
KTM 200 XC-W
$7599
You don’t always need a big motor to conquer off-road challenges, and the 200 XC-W is orange-and-black proof. This capable two-stroke cross-country/enduro bike is so perfectly tuned and balanced that it always seems to have what it takes to cope with even the most difficult of trail obstacles. Its chassis features a rising-rate, linkage-type rear-suspension system with a longer WP shock, and a cast aluminum swingarm for good performance on rough terrain. An upside-down, 48mm WP closed-cartridge fork has Teflon coating on the bushings to aid bump sensitivity.
KTM 150 XC
$7199
Teens looking for rocks and roots to conquer (rather than berms and double-jumps) will be happy to know there is an off-road-ready 144cc KTM. Whether it’s desert, cross-country, enduro fun, or even serious competition in one of the many youth classes that accompany national off-road racing series, this bike is built to take the abuse. Like the rest of the XC two-stroke line, the 150 sports a linkage-type, rising-rate rear-suspension with a cast aluminum swingarm. Since this bike was designed for off-road riding, it comes with an 18-inch rear/21-inch front wheel combination.
KTM 450 SX-F/Factory Edition
KTM has made an amazing transformation in recent years by securing its first-ever AMA National Motocross championship in the premier class. Part of that success is due to a great team and Ryan Dungey, but much credit should go to KTM’s 450 SX-F. At the bike’s heart is a 449cc engine that features a single cam actuating titanium valves via finger-followers. Broad power is the claimed result. Top-of-the-line WP suspension, including a linked rear shock, enables the chassis to perform as well as the potent engine. Also available: The Factory Edition features a stronger frame and an all-new WP 4CS fork.
$8999/$9899
KTM 350 SX-F/250 SX-F
With multiple world championships to its name, the 350 SX-F can no longer be considered a novelty; it’s a proven formula. The concept is to provide a lighter, better-handling machine that can still hang with the big 450s of motocross. The engine features die-cast cases for less weight and improved durability. A dohc cylinder head has titanium valves, which can withstand the engine’s 13,400-rpm rev limit. Despite monster power, civility comes in the form of electric starting and very refined fuel injection. Also available: The 250 SX-F is basically the same bike with less displacement.
$8749/$7999
KTM 250 SX
Need proof that there is still a demand for two-stroke motocross bikes? The fact that KTM reworked the chassis on its 250 SX in 2012 should confirm that two-strokes are alive and well. The 250 rides on a chrome-moly frame fitted with a linkage-type, rising-rate suspension that uses a WP shock, and a one-piece cast aluminum swingarm. The two-stroke single is a wickedly powerful and exceptionally lightweight engine that helps keep the bike’s overall weight down to a scant 214 pounds. The airbox provides no-tools access to the high-performance Twin Air filter, which is a convenient feature for between-moto maintenance.
$7199
KTM 150 SX/125 SX
Falling neatly between 125cc two-strokes and 250cc four-strokes is KTM’s 150 SX, which features an AMA-legal 144cc engine. For the upcoming racer, the 150 is a potent learning tool, with mechanical simplicity and ease of maintenance not commonly associated with modern four-strokes. WP suspension front and rear, Brembo brakes, and a tapered aluminum Renthal handlebar provide the rider with the best means of controlling this ultra-lightweight racer. Also available: The 125 SX is the very same machine with a 125cc engine.
$6599/$6499
KTM 85 SX/65 SX
$5399/$4549
There's a reason KTM calls its minis Sportminicycles and not playbikes: These are very serious racetrack weapons, especially the 85 SX. Packing a potent two-stroke engine and six-speed gearbox, this bike is all about teaching young racers the skills they need before moving up the competition ladder. A 43mm inverted fork gives the bike a front end that is very rigid and tracks accurately, and a Brembo four-piston caliper provides awesome stopping power up front. Also available: The 65 SX is a smaller version of essentially the same machine but with smaller wheels, a lower seat height, and a less-powerful 65cc engine.
KTM 50 SX/Mini
$3849/$3299
With the youth motorcycle industry back on its feet, it is fitting that KTM has the Junior Supercross Challenge (KJSC). The motorcycle that those kids participate on is the liquid-cooled 50 SX two-stroke. A centrifugally controlled, multi-plate automatic clutch allows simple operation. Long-travel suspension with an inverted 35mm WP fork, as well as front and rear disc brakes, team to keep the chassis in check. An optional restrictor kit allows parents to tame the engine until your little Dungey gets up to speed. Also available: The 50 SX Mini, the same bike but with smaller wheels, a lower seat, and a milder state of tune.
