Is this the 2012 KTM 690 Duke? MCN reports that an Austrian KTM enthusiast spotted the new Duke at a gas station near Mattighofen. It seems that the bike on the picture is an early prototype of the 2012 690 Duke, which will gain a couple of extra horses up on its predecessor. The 2012 Duke will most likely feature new headlights and two-part muffler design, but it’s also possible that this is a brand new, 450-500cc Duke. Time will tell. Read the full article »

We have a new video of the KTM 125 Duke which took part in a backstage video shoot in Barcelona, Spain. The manufacturer is targeting the young crowd with the small displacement bike and it seems that the bike is a real hit. The 125 Duke is produced at a Bajaj factory in India which brings the costs down. But that doesn’t mean you don’t get the latest tech, the 125 Duke features a modern, liquid-cooled engine with two overhead camshafts, a balancer shaft and electronic fuel injection. Read the full article »

Do you remember Isaac Chakira, who created the one-off Ducati Monster 848R last week? The designer has now dreamed up another machine based on the KTM 690 Duke R. The concept features the 690 Duke’s wheels and brakes, titanium frame and magnesium swingarm. “I’d really love to see this bike come to reality and frankly speaking I don’t see why it cant become a reality. Heck any gear head worth his salt can build 95% of this bike from a KTM parts catalog.” – says Chakira. Read the full article »

Until now the big supermoto category has been ruled by the KTM 990 Supermoto R and the Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO, which was recently updated for the 2011 model year. Now, there’s a new player out there. The Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 features a host of electronic rider aids and the Italian machine offers the most powerful V-twin engine in the category. But is this enogh? Note: look at the guys in the back playing around. Read the full article »

The Austrian company is probably not satisfied with RC8 R’s sales results, so they slashed the bike’s MSRP. With its new $16,499 price tag, the R version is now cheaper than the standard RC8. The bike, which was updated last year, features the 1198cc V2 engine producing 175hp and 127 Nm of torque. The RC8 R benefits from a dual spark plug ignition setup, revised throttle body, new ECU, new crankshaft and flywheel, and new suspension specifications. Read the full article »

KTM, the market leader in sports-oriented motorcycles is going global, with the opening of flagship stores in Dubai and Brazil. The newly established Dubai arm of KTM is aimed at the fast-growing off-road market in the Middle Eastern country, while KTM Brazil is aimed at cracking South America’s low-capacity market. KTM sees a very promising future in Brazil as a natural market for its street bike and offroad range of sports-oriented motorcycles. Read the full article »

The Dakar 2011, which finished last weekend in Buenos Aires, will be remembered at KTM as one of the company’s greatest triumphs in rally sport. Not only the tenth concecutive win for the Austrian manufacturer but also a sensational ride by the company’s two leading factory riders who finished 1-2 in a two-way battle. The victory for Spaniard Marc Coma of the MRW KTM team was his third career Dakar title. Read the full article »

According to Nieuwsmotor, KTM will introduce the new Super Duke and Adventure lineup in late 2012 and 2013. The Dutch magazine visited the Austrian’s factory in Mattighofen, where they were able to speak to Robert Prielinger, Head of Development of Street Bikes. Prielinger shared some interesting details about KTM’s new model lineup. Nieuwsmotor says the new Super Duke will feature a higher-state of tune, 700cc single-cylinder engine and less agressive design than previous model. Read the full article »

The initial cull is now over. Unless there is an epidemic of insurmountable mechanical problems, the battle for overall victory should be the business of Marc Coma, Cyril Despres and Francisco Lopez. So far, the kilometres travelled have been favourable to the Spaniard, who first and foremost must be on his guard and protect the lead he possesses. Between Antofagasta and Copiapo, he even endeavoured to improve it, skilfully benefitting from his starting position. Read the full article »

In a shortened 273 km special stage, Chilean rider Francisco Lopez (Aprilia) managed to achieve best time for the first time this year, which brings him slightly closer to Coma and Despres. His Italian 450cc having now demonstrated its reliability, both in terms of performance and sturdiness, all the conditions were there to see Lopez roar out of the box. In order to make sure he would win this one, the Chilean rider was very tidy; he cleared km 176 with more than 4' lead over Coma. Read the full article »