Bajaj-KTM building a new twin-cylinder engine to challenge Royal Enfield

The two-wheeler industry in the country has changed tremendously over the years. A decade ago the main factor that people considered before buying a bike or scooter was the fuel efficiency, but over the years things have changed and now we have reached a point where people consider power of the vehicle and are not that bothered by the fuel efficiency. Last year Royal Enfield launched Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 twin cylinder motorcycles in the market and they were a huge success for the brand. Now KTM and Bajaj are planning to launch a twin-cylinder motorcycle in the market.

Stefan Pierer, head of KTM had confirmed to an International auto magazine SpeedWeek that they are currently working on a 500-cc twin-cylinder engine. He also added that the engine will be manufactured by Bajaj in India. With this new twin cylinder engine KTM plans to give competition to Royal Enfield and Japanese manufacturers. However there is no news on the availability of this new twin-cylinder engine on the Bajaj motorcycles.

With Royal Enfield and Kawasaki now selling affordable twin cylinder engined motorcycles in India, it’s only a matter of time before other manufacturers join the fray. The twin cylinder engine from KTM and Bajaj is likely to power a slew of motorcycles in both manufacturers’ line-ups.

Bajaj owned KTM brand has been very popular in India ever since its launch. KTM’s line up in the country currently consists of bikes like Duke 125, Duke 200, Duke 250, Duke 390 and has fully faired motorcycles like RC 200 and RC 390. KTM is also working on a adventure motorcycle which will be known as 390 ADV.

KTM had recently equipped all the bikes in the line up with ABS. This is because of the upcoming safety norm which makes it mandatory for manufacturers to offer ABS on all the bikes with 125cc or higher capacity engines. The new rule will be implemented from 1 April 2019.

KTM is known to deliver powerful and fun to ride bikes at a nominal price. Same is expected when they launch the new twin-cylinder 500cc engine motorcycle. The new twin-cylinder engine is likely to be designed and conceptualized by KTM and the production part of the same will be taken care by Bajaj which will help them keep the costs down to some extent. The most awaited products from Bajaj and KTM at the moment are the 2019 Dominar 400 and the KTM 390 Adventure which will be launched later this year.