KTM’s upcoming middleweight Duke has been spotted testing again in Europe, and the latest prototype looks much closer to a production motorcycle than the earlier test bikes. The motorcycle is widely expected to be the KTM 490 Duke, although KTM has not officially confirmed the name yet.
The new spy shots show a noticeably larger motorcycle than the current 390 Duke. The prototype still carries KTM’s sharp streetfighter design, while the headlight appears similar to the 390 Duke. The rear section, however, features a different taillight setup with integrated indicators.
A New Twin-Cylinder KTM
The biggest change is expected to be the engine. Reports suggest that the 490 Duke will use an all-new parallel-twin engine, moving away from the single-cylinder layout used by the current 390 Duke.
Early reports estimate an output of around 60–65 PS, although the final figures have not been confirmed. The new engine is also expected to bring smoother power delivery and better high-speed refinement than KTM’s smaller single-cylinder motorcycles.
The new Duke is expected to sit between the 390 Duke and KTM’s larger middleweight models, giving the brand a much-needed twin-cylinder option in this part of the market.
Primary source: ZigWheels — KTM 490 Duke Spotted Stoppie-ing
2027 Launch Expected
KTM has not announced an official launch date, but current reports point towards a 2027 debut, with India also expected to be an important market for the new motorcycle. Some reports expect the wider 490 range to appear around late 2027.
For now, the biggest takeaway from the latest prototype is clear: KTM is getting serious about a new middleweight Duke, and the 490 could become one of the most important additions to its lineup in the coming years.