Streetbike Plans For KTM and Husqvarna Revealed

Stefan Pierer reveals details about new KTM 800s, RC8, new 390s and Husqvarna ‘Pilens

- Shubhabrata Marmar

KTM CEO Stefan Pierer is atypical. While most companies, including his Indian partner Bajaj, tend to shy away from talking about the future, Pierer is quite happy to deliver the essence of his product plan. This is a strangely exciting way to play the game, and it’s one of the reasons why KTM is such an interesting brand to track. His latest reveal sets a sweeping stage for KTM’s continued evolution into a commercially significant maker of street motorcycles. And increasingly, Pierer’s own brand, Husqvarna, is being readied to flank the Austrian brand with shared engineering but a completely different product plan.

Pierer’s latest interview was with British motorcycle news brand Motorcycle News.

Let’s quickly summarise the main points Pierer made and add to that what we know about these forthcoming KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles. And add just a hint of well-seasoned speculation.

THE NEW KTM 800 TWINS

“The new mid class is on the way, with the 800, and we will see a naked model first, the Duke – but this will be closely followed by an adventure bike, so the Africa Twin should be aware that a serious competitor is coming! And Husqvarna gifts us the possibility to target a slightly different customer with the new classic style of Svartpilen and Vitpilen, with upright seating positions and cool riding, and using state-of-the-art components.”

KTM had spoken earlier about its forthcoming 500cc and 800cc twin-cylinder platforms. The discussion around the 500, however, has been very sparse. Could KTM have decided that the gap among the 375cc, 650cc singles and the 800cc twin is too narrow to wedge a 500 in there?