KTM 690 Rally Spied

KTM is known for its Dakar Rally exploits. So much so that the 450 Rally Replica was launched last year to commemorate it. It looked like the brand’s Dakar bike and packed in quite the performance. Plus it was a limited-run model due to which it commanded quite the hefty price tag. So, if you’re still yearning for a KTM bike that looks like its Dakar rally build, then the brand’s upcoming 690 Rally might fit your bill. For unlike the limited-run 450 Rally Replica, the upcoming KTM 690 Rally will be a proper production bike. While it is yet to launch, a test mule of the production-spec bike was recently spotted being tested abroad. Here’s what stood out the most.

For starters, it looks a lot like the KTM 450 Rally Replica, whether it’s the midsection, seat, tail, or swingarm. The biggest talking point is its tall-tower design with that transparent headlight cowl, which seems to have been lifted off the rally bike. Even the stacked headlight, separated by a bar of LED light, looks the same as the competition bike.

(Also Read: KTM 890 Adventure R Launched At ₹15.80 lakh)

Furthermore, the test mule with three fuel filler caps can be spotted here. Two are on the fuel tank, and one is underneath the seat. The underpinnings of the bike can be traced back to the KTM 690 Enduro R. However, with three fuel tanks on board, plus the addition of some more components, the 690 Rally will be heavier than the enduro bike. This brings us to its engine, and the upcoming 690 Rally will carry forward the same liquid-cooled, 692.7 cc single-cylinder engine. This mill dishes out 75 bhp and 73.5 Nm on the Enduro bike. Will the 690 Rally retain the same spec or not remains to be seen. 

Will KTM Launch 690 Rally In India?

KTM might have taken us by surprise last year by launching its big bikes in India, but we can't say anything for sure as far as the KTM 690 Rally is concerned. This is primarily because the brand already has the two more bikes — Enduro R and 390 Adventure R, slated for launch later this year. The latter might depend on how positively India responds to the new 390 Adventure bikes. Once it does, it won’t be an affordable affair by any means. And even if the KTM 690 Rally launches in India, the price will be a big factor, for it will be a CBU model, and that might translate into an asking price ₹10-13 lakh, which does not sound like a good business idea.