KTM has finally locked in the production roadmap for its long-anticipated 490 parallel-twin platform, officially bridging the yawning mechanical chasm between the Austrian firm’s single-cylinder 390 thumpers and the middleweight 790/890/990 LC8c family. Engineered in close technical collaboration with Indian manufacturing giant Bajaj Auto at its Chakan facility, the all-new twin-cylinder platform will spawn both a roadster and a long-travel dual-sport, with the KTM 490 Duke slated for an official production premiere in late 2027 (pointing directly at EICMA 2027) ahead of early 2028 customer deliveries, followed immediately by the KTM 490 Adventure in mid-2028.

Crucially, insider engineering confirmations verify that the forthcoming 490 architecture is an entirely distinct, proprietary platform developed from the ground up with Bajaj—completely separate from the 449cc parallel-twin platform KTM recently leveraged from Chinese partner CFMoto for the track-focused KTM 450 RC Unveiled at EICMA.

The 490 engine displaces approximately 480cc to 495cc, utilizing a liquid-cooled, eight-valve DOHC parallel-twin configuration equipped with a 270-degree crankshaft. This firing order mimics the distinctive exhaust cadence and low-rpm tractability of a 90-degree V-twin, curing the buzzy highway vibes that have long penalized the 399cc LC4c thumper on cross-continental transit stages.

Power output is calibrated directly to European A2 licensing boundaries, producing between 55 hp (41 kW) and 65 hp (48 kW) in unrestricted trim, paired with roughly 48 Nm of peak torque. European-market units will offer simple electronic restriction to the 35 kW (47.6 hp) ceiling, boasting a class-leading power-to-weight ratio.

“The step from a 390 single to a 790 twin has always been too steep in price, mass, and insurance classification for young European riders. The 490 project gives Mattighofen a direct, high-revving weapon engineered precisely for riders who demand twin-cylinder smoothness without 200 kilograms of inertia.” — European R&D Source

The Rider’s Trade-Off: Mass vs Highway Composure

The mechanical trade-off here is pure mass versus touring refinement. The existing single-cylinder 390 Duke tips the scales at a featherweight 165 kg wet, making it an unmatched scalpel through tight alpine hairpins. Adding a second cylinder, twin balance shafts, a heavier cooling radiator, and a beefier clutch basket inevitably pushes kerb weight up to roughly 178 kg for the 490 Duke, and near 188 kg for the 490 Adventure.

However, what the rider sacrifices in flickable, sub-170kg lightness, they regain tenfold in 130 km/h cruising stability on the French autoroutes. Where the 390 screams near 8,000 rpm just to hold pace with fast lane traffic, the 490 parallel-twin will lope along with relaxed cadence and ample roll-on reserve.

Mechanical Benchmark: KTM 390 vs 490 Twin vs CFMoto 450NK

Specification KTM 390 Duke (LC4c) KTM 490 Duke (Rumored Specs) CFMoto 450NK
Engine Architecture 399cc Liquid-Cooled Single 490cc 270° Parallel-Twin 449cc 270° Parallel-Twin
Peak Power 44.3 hp @ 8,500 rpm 58–62 hp @ 9,500 rpm 46.9 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Peak Torque 39 Nm @ 7,000 rpm ~48 Nm @ 7,200 rpm 39.3 Nm @ 7,750 rpm
Gearbox & Clutch 6-speed, PASC Slipper 6-speed with Quickshifter+ 6-speed, Slipper Clutch
Front Suspension WP Apex 43mm USD (Open) WP Apex 43mm USD (Adjustable) 37mm Inverted Fork
Braking System ByBre 320mm Radial 4-piston ByBre 320mm Radial 4-piston J.Juan 320mm Radial 4-piston
Kerb Weight (Wet) 165 kg ~178 kg (Target) 173 kg
Estimated EU Price €6,490 €7,800 – €8,200 €5,890

This packaging gives KTM a direct rival to the likes of the CFMoto 550MT & 550MT-X and Honda’s CB500 Hornet, while keeping the price floor accessible thanks to Bajaj’s optimized Pune production line—an approach also mirrored on smaller exploratory test mules like the Bajaj Adventure 250 Spied.

What We Know

  • Chakan Assembly: The 490 platform is being developed and will be manufactured by Bajaj Auto in India, ensuring competitive global pricing below €8,500.
  • WP Apex Kit: Prototypes wear adjustable 43mm WP Apex inverted forks and a progressive WP Apex rear monoshock mounted to a signature die-cast aluminum swingarm.
  • 5-Inch TFT Dash: Standard electronics suite will include Cornering ABS, Supermoto mode, lean-sensitive traction control, and Bluetooth turn-by-turn navigation.

What’s Still Unclear

  • Adventure Wheel Sizing: Whether Mattighofen will spec the 490 Adventure with an off-road-purist 21-inch front spoke wheel or standardize on a 19-inch tubeless cast front remains under internal evaluation.
  • Final Displacement: It is still unconfirmed whether the production displacement will settle at 449cc to slip under key Asian tax thresholds or push to a full 490cc for European torque dominance.

Media citation: Editorial outlets and forums may quote excerpts with attribution and a link to Throttle Times.

Reporting via: zigwheels.com, motorfreaks.nl, thebikejunction.com