India would also get the KTM Model being developed for Europe by mid 2011
..the same news of the 1 lakh plus price tag for the small capacity KTM model is being flashed on other amateur sites/blogs as breaking news..!!
KTM is a name synonymous with high quality off road and adventure motorcycles. KTM also makes motorcycles meant for street use like its Supermoto models, the Duke 690, Super Duke 990 and the Superbike RC8.But the smallest of these street models start at 450 cc (the 450 SMR Supermoto). Also unlike its off-road range, KTM till date doesn't have a 125 cc street to take advantage of the European licensing rules and the entry level learner's market.
KTM 125 X-Street:
For this very purpose of putting together a 125 cc entry level motorcycle (being called as X-Street on KTM's website) for European markets, KTM had joined hands with Bajaj.
According to KTM's website:
"The 125 cc street models, developed in cooperation with Bajaj, will be produced and launched (in Europe) at the end of calendar year 2010."
KTM will be utilizing Bajaj's strong R&D and manufacturing capability for these small capacity European models. This gives KTM access to low cost research and manufacturing and most importantly will give us Indians a taste of a KTM model developed and manufactured in India..!!
By the way Bajaj has increased its stake in KTM to 35.67% now.
Launch date in India:
According to Economic times:
"The joint development projects are proceeding well and the first product will be introduced in Europe by the end of current year and in India by mid 2011".
"Bajaj will distribute KTM products in India and in markets like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia...""
Price:
Although there have been no official confirmation about the price of these models but thanks to some publications they have already pegged a price of 1 lakh plus price tag for India.
You might ask "How"..? Well, based on the statement made by Rajiv Bajaj:
"Whatever product will be out in the market will be at a very significant premium as against brands like the Pulsar. Else, what is the use of bringing such a product?"
There will be many who won't be able to digest the fact that a 125 cc bike can cost more than the Pulsar 220. The same news of the 1 lakh plus price tag for the small capacity KTM models is being flashed on other amateur sites/blogs as breaking news..!!
The 125 cc KTM X-Street will fight for market share with models like the Yamaha YZF R125, which by the way cost almost Rs. 3 lakhs in Europe. Therefore in all probability these 125 cc KTM models will also be priced similarly in Europe.
Now at what prices will it be priced in India? Quite honestly, I do not know. But I definitely know that it would be priced higher than our desi Pulsars. Also I can recollect a wildly speculated price of Rs. 1.5 lakhs for the Ninja 250R before its launch. "Wolf" anybody..??
What will make these made in India KTM's so special?
KTM had shown two 125 cc concepts called the Race and Stunt concept at the 2009 Milan Motorcycle Show. From those concepts it can be deduced that the 125 cc X-Street would feature a single cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC engine with Fuel Injection. The cycle parts on the bikes are also top notch like the trellis frame, upside down forks. The very fact that the motorcycle is being made for the European market, one can be sure that the quality on even a screw on the bike will be to made to satisfy the Europeans.
Due to European laws for a learner's motorcycle, the max power a 125 cc motorcycle can make is 15Ps. Therefore that's that max that we can expect from the 125 X-Street.
How I wish the KTM X-Street could be more than 15Ps for India.
Also read: Wall Street Journal- Bajaj Key to KTM's Growth
Related Posts
- Why are 125cc bikes popular in Europe?
- Bajaj Auto spreads its wings.. Joins hands with KTM and Renault [Nov- 2007]
- What is a "Superbike"? What is a "Super Sports" bike?
Disclaimer:
This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
6 Comments:
This is great news. And thank you for compiling the post so well, yet again.
Hey, tell me is HONDA STUNNER FI worth going for? Am wondering which bike to buy. Nothing convinces me currently inspite of the glut.
The KTM model is stunning with great style, please provide some detail information about the specification and also the approx price range of the 450cc model. Hope joining hands with bajaj would be beneficial for the sports bike lovers for launching the 450cc KTM.
@Siddharth,
I have mailed you my views about the Stunner Fi.. and hey thanks a lot for helping me out to sort the "comment numbering" bug on this blog.
@autoindia,
you have not read the whole post properly
Whoaaa... look at the chassis design of the X-Street... the engine being used as the fully stressed unit!! Well for the 125cc motor... pounding out 15bhp is like showing the birdie to the 150s. The price factor would play a major major role here coz, how much one can shell out for a 125cc bike even though it looks sucker punch in it's class!!
@Sajal, yes even I agree that the 125 cc could be mental block to many.
Lets wait and see what happens
The KTM model is stunning with great style, please provide some detail information about the specification and also the approx price range of the 450cc model. Hope joining hands with bajaj would be beneficial for the sports bike lovers for launching the 450cc KTM.
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