The upcoming KTM 490 Duke has been spied testing in Europe, with the latest prototype revealing several details about its chassis, cycle parts and other components. While the test bike is still in the early stages of development, several elements appear to be closer to their production form.
Much of the bodywork remains unfinished, and KTM has temporarily fitted the headlamp assembly, instrument cluster and mirrors from the 390 Duke. The chassis, cycle parts and wheels, however, appear to be further along in development.
The 490 Duke uses a tubular steel trellis frame, with the engine serving as a stressed member. Unlike the 390 Duke, KTM appears to have moved away from a composite subframe in favour of a bolt-on trellis unit. The prototype also features a banana-style swingarm, with the catalytic converter positioned underneath it.
Further adding to the production-ready appearance are the exhaust system and braking components. The motorcycle gets WP radial callipers and a radial master cylinder, along with a single disc at both the front and rear. It also rides on 17-inch alloy wheels at both ends.
Powering the KTM 490 Duke is expected to be a twin-cylinder engine with a displacement just under 500cc. The motor is also expected to feature a 270-degree crankshaft, similar to the configuration used on KTM’s larger twin-cylinder engines. European reports suggest an output of around 55bhp to 65bhp, while an A2-compliant version is also expected, with power capped at or below 48bhp. However, this engine is believed to be different from the unit seen on earlier KTM test mules.
According to sources, the earlier 490 engine could instead be intended as a replacement for the ageing 690 single. The distinction is also visible in the engine casings and cylinder-head design, which appear slightly different between the two engines. The new twin-cylinder 490 platform is expected to underpin more than just the Duke. Alongside the 490 Duke, KTM is also developing the 490 Adventure, while a race-focused RC 490 could potentially join the family and take on motorcycles such as the Aprilia RS 457 and Kawasaki Ninja 500.
That said, the twin-cylinder platform is still under development. It is expected to be shown publicly towards the end of 2027, potentially making its debut at EICMA next year before reaching the market in early 2028.
Image Source- Motorrad Magazin
