Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/564551
IN THE WIND P40 KTM'S MID-SIZED DUKE SPOTTED K TM has recently been spotted testing a parallel-twin engine machine outside its Mattighofen headquarters in Austria. The firm has long hinted at its desire for a mid-capacity machine and early indica- tions suggest a model far larger than the 390 or 690 Duke machines (both pow- ered by single-cylinder engines). But the arrival of a parallel- twin marks a huge departure for KTM, a company previously only known for producing singles and V-twins. As you can see from the spy shot, the model is still far from production-ready, but we can see beefier WP front suspension, swingarm, twin Brembo brake calipers, a different headlight assembly and bodywork. These all hint towards this being the model KTM will pit against the Yamaha FZ-09, Triumph Street Triple R, Ducati 821 Monster and MV Agusta Brutale 800. This is not the replacement to the Duke 690, as KTM will be bringing out a revamped version of their best-selling single for the 2016 model year. The new bike, rumored to be 800cc but dubbed the 790 Duke (to keep in line with the 390, 690 and 1290 Duke range) will thus bridge the gap between the 690 and big-bore 1290 Super Duke, and considering KTM has had the idea of building a parallel-twin for some time, we could see the Austrian manufacturer putting this new engine in something like a mid-capacity adventure bike to take on the F 800 GS from BMW and Triumph Tiger 800 XCx. BRAD PITT PAYS A VISIT A ctor Brad Pitt was on hand at the British Grand Prix to watch the MotoGP stars in action at Silverstone and to help promote the latest documentary from Mark Neale—Hitting the Apex. Pitt, an avid MotoGP fan, narrates the film and also co-pro- duced it with Neale who wrote and directed the film, as well as many other popular documentaries about the sport, like Faster, Fastest, The Doctor, The Tornado and The Kentucky Kid. The film features six MotoGP stars—Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lo- renzo, Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner, Marc Marquez and Marco Simoncelli—and makes its UK debut in the theatres on Septem- ber 2. Its U.S. debut is expected later this year. CN KTM's new parallel- twin engine represents a big change in design philosophy for the Austrian marque. Nestled among the 690 Duke and RC 390, the new camo-wrapped machine would go head-to-head with the Yamaha FZ-09 and Triumph Street Triple. PHOTO COURTESY OF YAMAHA-RACING Brad Pitt (left) wishes Valentino Rossi (right) good luck before the Italian's win in the rain at Silverstone.