Remember how we saw a boat-load of new ADV bike releases last fall? The 2023 show circuit was filled with news of new adventure bikes, and now we expect more of the same for 2024, starting with KTM. Based off spy shots and other hints, we expect three new KTM ADVs this fall, including two flagship models and a new LC8c model.

The new 1390s

Ever since KTM released its new 1390 Duke series, we’ve been waiting for that engine to make its way into adventure bike lineup, replacing the current 1290 series. The 1290 models have actually been around for quite a while now, and while they certainly have lots of power, performance alone isn’t enough to grab headlines these days. The competition is increasingly adding auto-shifting gearboxes and other electro-gadgetry, and we expect that to come to KTM’s lineup as well.

But what exactly will that look like? At this point, we expect to see two bikes, including a street-oriented KTM 1390 Adventure S, and another more off-road oriented model.

That off-road model was kinda-sorta teased at the Erzbergrodeo earlier this spring, with a twist-and-go gearbox. It’s possible that KTM intends to use that auto-shifting gearbox on only the street-oriented S model—but then, why tease it at a hard enduro race?

So maybe we’ll see an off-road model called the AMT released this fall, but if not, we’d expect it in the next 12 months anyway.

The new 990

Ah yes, the KTM 990 Adventure—one of the most-loved ADVs of all time. The OG 990 was in KTM’s lineup from 2003 through 2012, and then it was gone, no longer KTM’s flagship model. Later, we had a 1090 Adventure, which served as sort of a middleweight rocket for people who wanted speed but not the size and weight of the full-sized 1290. Now, it looks like we’re going to see something similar return, with a 990 version of the LC8c parallel twin.

KTM’s hot-rod 990 version of the LC8c engine will almost certainly power an adventure bike this fall. Image: KTM patent

Of course, this 990 engine is already available in the Duke lineup as well, so it’s only  matter of time until the ADV lineup gets it. KTM keeps its adventure bikes a few months behind its Duke models, but not tooooo far behind. As such, it’s no surprise that we are starting to see spy shots of a new bike that appears to be an updated 890 Adventure—we can infer that it’s almost certainly a 990.

If that happens, we can also expect the current 890 series to disappear, while the made-in-China 790 will soldier on as the budget-friendly alternative.