For months now, we’ve seen reference to upcoming parallel twin platforms from KTM and Husqvarna, and now we’ve finally got some very interesting information on the future plans here.
Motorcycle.com says a recent report from Pierer Mobility shows plans for both the new KTM 490 and Husqvarna 501, as well as some other juicy details.
For instance: the 490 series will not replace the 390 single-cylinder platform, as originally thought. Instead, they’ll run alongside each other. And just as the 390 series is growing increasingly broad, the 490 range will be the same, supposedly with a 490 Adventure, 490 Duke, RC490 sportbike, 490 SMC R supermoto, and 490 Enduro R dual-sport.
The presentation also hints at a future supermoto version of the 390, and an enduro bike as well, and same for the recently-introduced 890 platform. Supposedly, there will also be new 890 Adventure models forthcoming, which will not replace the 790 models.
All very interesting, particularly since we haven’t seen teaser shots of most of these bikes. Considering they’re going to mostly be made outside Austria, we’d expect that to happen soon, though, especially for the made-in-India models, as any bike made in that country appears in spy shots long before its launch.
Then there’s the information about Husqvarna. As soon as KTM announces a platform, there’s a closely-related Husqvarna model announced not too long afterwards. Guess what? This is will be the case with the KTM 490, as Husqvarna plans to release a 501 platform that seems to be the same basic parallel twin design (not the single-cylinder 501 design as currently produced).
The Husqvarna presentation details seem to indicate the new 501 models will include neo-retro models, just like the current Husky lineup, as well as an adventure-oriented version of the 501. There will also be adventure versions of Husqvarna’s 250 and 401 platforms.
Finally, the Pierer Mobility presentation indicated both Husqvarna and KTM will be introducing 4kW and 10 kW electric scooters, likely built in India, for 2021.
