Well done if you managed to get near the vast KTM stand at the 110th EICMA show in Milan in early November. According to the organizers of the world’s biggest motorcycle salon another record attendance walked through the electronic gates at the Fiera with more than 600,000 people flocking to see exhibits from 40,000 brands across the six days.
By Adam Wheeler
KTM carried a large fleet of bikes and products (both current and for the future) to pose under the lights of the company’s first official presence at the event in five years. There was plenty to see, touch and try but we hand-picked five of the tastiest crowd-pleasers that we saw during a week of activity in the Italian city. Aside from the trophy-laden race bikes and KTM Factory Racing stars like Brad Binder, here’s what grabbed the most attention and why at the EICMA extravaganza…
The spirit for Adventure riding and touring is not just a leisure pursuit, it can be a lifestyle. For those that don’t want to live from the luggage confines of their motorcycle for long periods or newcomers that fancy a first taste of limitless riding then the KTM 390 ADVENTURE R holds a natural appeal and will help foster the hardcore Adventurers of tomorrow. The first teaser bike was on-show in Italy and eager-eyed spectators could see the new chassis components, larger wheels, latest adjustable WP Suspension, renewed ‘adventuring essentials’ like the rally tower, screen and larger TFT.
KTM’s success and competitiveness across the divisions of MotoGP™ has thrown some focus on the sports bikes in the orange catalogue. While the smaller cylinder KTM RCs have a wide and hardcore following and track-specialists have the performance exclusiveness of the KTM RC 8C; there was a hole to plug in the range. Roll forwards the KTM 990 RC R: KTM’s supersport model designed to be at home both on the streets and around the apexes of circuits. The bike is a distant cousin to the KTM 990 DUKE but the differences come in the purpose, chassis dynamics (geometry), ergonomics and application of high-end parts like suspension, brakes, tires and electronics: all ensuring that the KTM 990 RC R will be right at the top of the chart in any review ‘shootout’.
Back to the usable 390cc LC4C powerplant; the multi-purpose engineering behind the KTM 390 SMC R mixed Supermoto character with the versatility of a bike that is ready to attack the back lanes. For those that might not need the full blast of the KTM 690 SMC R, the new smaller brother was a first-look at a tighter, fully manageable blend of spirit that packs some excellent features (MTC? Supermoto ABS?). We’ll soon find out.
EICMA came a few days after the juicy unveiling of the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE GT with none other than former Grand Prix rider Jeremy McWilliams at the bars of the thrilling new sports tourer as it took on the KTM X-BOW GT-XR. The show provided fans with the first chance to see and grasp the bars of KTM’s fierce expression of technology for this segment of the market. As well as the enticing design, the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE GT dripped with customization: WP Semi Active Suspension, configurable Ride Modes, windscreen and all controls. Cooling and performance of the LC8 engine has been optimized from the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO platform and the service intervals have doubled from 30,000 to 60,000 km. Torque rolls off the throttle. The ergonomics are aggressive but with the priority on function and comfort for hours in the 834 mm high saddle. The most advanced electronics are part of the package. Fans could only imagine the handling (x3 more torsional stiffness in the chassis) but light weight was a development priority, all the way down to the single-sided swingarm and new Michelin Power 6 tires.
Lacking wheels but not without class or innovation, the 8.88 TFT was spotted on several of KTM’s flagship models for 2025 and sets a fresh industry standard for size and design. The display (both horizontal or vertical) is 1280 x 720 and marks a new era for human-machine interface [HMI] on KTM motorcycles. As well as the immersive menu system and easier graphics and design, the TFT shows its advancements in other ways: a tough, bonded touch screen (working smoothly, even with the thickest gloves) with Anti-Reflex, Anti-Fingerprint, and Anti-Glare coatings and now 256k colors compared to the previous 65k and with adaptive tech to make sure it works best and brightest in any and all conditions. EICMA visitors could appreciate the customization potential, layout options and split-screen potential but also experiment with the brand and 5-way switchgear with backlit handlebar positions. Added to the raw power of the new Connectivity Units, the TFT was an unmissable component of the premium models parked in Milan.
2025 promises to be fast and fun until EICMA speeds into view again with some more surprises.