KTM midsize twins

[nhbubba]

KTM parallel twin 800 spied | MCN

Intewesting..

[Chippertheripper]

I wanna see those pics without the stupid water mark.
I'd be intrigued by a smaller feeling 990. My gut says not intrigued enough that I'd want to start all over setting up a bike, but interested nonetheless.

[Paul_E_D]

WHy parallel? I can't say I'm a fan of those buzzy motors.

[Crimedog]

I'd love to see some smaller naked and sport tourers that aren't budget builds.

[nhbubba]

WHy parallel? I can't say I'm a fan of those buzzy motors.

+1 Disappointed.

I thought we had a thread on the previous mid-size V-twin rumors. But couldn't find it.

Clayton had a good point elsewhere about being able to make parallel twins lighter thanks to the jugs sharing a wall. The article points out that they solve some packaging issues. But really, I'm an enormous fan of how narrow the bike feels with a thumper or traditional v-twin layout.

[nt650hawk]

what a raw swingarm. you sure it is not a EX800

[Kurlon]

what a raw swingarm. you sure it is not a EX800

Look at the RC/Duke 390, that look is kinda KTM's 'thing' now.

[Paul_E_D]

+1 Disappointed.

I thought we had a thread on the previous mid-size V-twin rumors. But couldn't find it.

Clayton had a good point elsewhere about being able to make parallel twins lighter thanks to the jugs sharing a wall. The article points out that they solve some packaging issues. But really, I'm an enormous fan of how narrow the bike feels with a thumper or traditional v-twin layout.

Parallel twins just don't do anything well. They don't rev out like a 4, and they don't put the torque down like a V. ...and they buzz.

[Chippertheripper]

They make a good racket at full song....

[markbvt]

Parallel twins are easier/cheaper to manufacture and maintain. More compact packaging, just one cylinder head, half the number of cams, etc. I think this is the primary reason we've been seeing more of them in the past decade (Ninja 650/Versys, F800GS, Super Tenere, FJ07, Africa Twin, etc). I can pretty much guarantee you that KTM's Indian manufacturing partnership has something to do with it as well -- like the Duke 390, that engine will probably be used in lower-priced bikes for the Indian market.

It'll be interesting to see what sort of ADV bike they build around it. Presumably it'll be something very dirt-oriented to take market share away from the F800GS and Tiger 800 XC.

It'll be even more interesting to see what Husqvarna does with this motor...

--mark

[nhbubba]

Parallel twins just don't do anything well.

"But the 270-degree crank makes it like a v-twin."

[nhbubba]

It'll be even more interesting to see what Husqvarna does with this motor...

Prediction: Same thing you see with the enduros; different decals and subtle suspension and tuning differences.

Our sources also suggest that these bikes are at least another two years from reaching showrooms.

Combined with the fact that no ADV package is spied makes me believe any such model would be several years out. Ie my next, next bike.

Back to lusting over the Honda CRF1k.

[Chippertheripper]

"But the 270-degree crank makes it like a v-twin."

Haha.
A ptwin is neither an asset nor fault, imo. As long as it vibrates a little to let you know it's actually running.

[markbvt]

Prediction: Same thing you see with the enduros; different decals and subtle suspension and tuning differences.

Rumor has it Husqvarna is going to start diverging from KTM more and more. We'll see...

--mark

[SVRACER01]

what a raw swingarm. you sure it is not a EX800

my 690 swinger looks like that.

hes not fooling anyone with that KTM helmet on though

[reks95]

Maybe I've watched too man RoyalJordanian videos, but the parallel twin in the Nuda sounds pretty good and appears to go pretty well, too.

[Chippertheripper]

There hasn't been too much hoopla about this in the orange crush forum, FYI.
I'm just going to go ahead and tell myself that's because the 990 lc8 is the best bike ever built so I don't have to consider ever replacing it.
And maybe I'll believe myself if I keep saying it.

[Paul_E_D]

Haha.
A ptwin is neither an asset nor fault, imo. As long as it vibrates a little to let you know it's actually running.

It actually is a performance compromise. Given equal displacement and technology The parallel twin always gives something away to other formats in my experience. Your average joe won't know the difference, but racers will surely be frustrated by this motor.

[maxim_X]

There hasn't been too much hoopla about this in the orange crush forum, FYI.
I'm just going to go ahead and tell myself that's because the 990 lc8 is the best bike ever built so I don't have to consider ever replacing it.
And maybe I'll believe myself if I keep saying it.

And when you want to get rid of it, I can continue to convince myself that it's the best off-roadable adventure bike, and buy it.

[Chippertheripper]

Nobody is racing a 800adv. (Which is where my mind is at)
And it's an easier engine to maintain, which is where people like Colin are interested.

In a duke platform I'm sure it'll be a great street bike.
In an rc chassis I could see the engine being an underperformer, but what would be its next closest competitor? The 848?
If it comes to fruition (and the U.S.) I'm sure they'll figure it out quickly. I can't see it being a class killer and wiping out the market for 600's or any other lite/middleweights, but that's just my inner realist talking.

[Chippertheripper]

And when you want to get rid of it, I can continue to convince myself that it's the best off-roadable adventure bike, and buy it.

No way. After the boingers are stretched to R length and sprung/valved I think I'll pretty much be all set. I think it is the most off-road able big bike, so you should go buy one. But not mine.

[Kurlon]

It actually is a performance compromise. Given equal displacement and technology The parallel twin always gives something away to other formats in my experience. Your average joe won't know the difference, but racers will surely be frustrated by this motor.

Only in how they've been delivered so far. We're basing on STREET targeted examples after all...

[nhbubba]

This engine in an Duke or RC wrapper would be the smack-down on Yamaha and their FZ07 and 09 offerings. Also compete with the Ducati Multi/Hyperstrada twins.

And it's an easier engine to maintain, which is where people like Colin are interested.

You lost me here bud. What am I interested in?

I've made no secret that I consider the V-twin the most desirable engine config in all the land. I've been trying soooooo hard to convince myself a parallel twin or triple would "do".

Saw a minty, minty, minty, stiffy inducing 990 ADV in a showroom today. Then I noticed the "sold" sticker.

[backinthesaddle]

It actually is a performance compromise. Given equal displacement and technology The parallel twin always gives something away to other formats in my experience. Your average joe won't know the difference, but racers will surely be frustrated by this motor.

Hasn't the kawi EX650 engine turned out to be a good flat track engine(modified, of course)?

[SVRACER01]

It actually is a performance compromise. Given equal displacement and technology The parallel twin always gives something away to other formats in my experience. Your average joe won't know the difference, but racers will surely be frustrated by this motor.

which is odd since the ninja 650 is the bike of choice in the IOM TT LW class