As the dust continues to settle around KTM’s financial troubles, spy shots have surfaced showing the brand testing what appears to be an all-new middleweight adventure bike. The photos have sparked speculation about a next-generation 790 Adventure, but a closer look suggests something else may be in the works.

For starters, the bike being tested shows a single front disc—a setup that works for the small 390s, but would be underpowered for anything in the 790 range or above. For a bike likely pushing around 95 hp and weighing north of 440 lbs, twin discs aren’t an option—they’re essential. Anything less could compromise braking power, especially loaded for touring duty. 

But the braking setup isn’t the only detail that doesn’t align with a 790 machine. The test mule ditches the signature low-slung tank that has defined the 790 and 890 Adventure models, opting instead for a more conventional design. Moreover, the twin exhaust ports confirm it’s a parallel twin, but the engine’s compact footprint and modestly-sized exhaust tubes hint at a smaller displacement. 

More tellingly, the engine casings don’t match KTM’s LC8c platform used in the 790 and 890 models. Nor is it a match for the next-gen LC8c version used in the 990 Duke. So what are we looking at? A sub-790 twin that fills the gap between the 390 and 790—something compact and smooth for touring? If that’s the case, KTM has a familiar partner to draw from: China’s CFMoto. 

The two brands have long shared parts and tech, and CFMoto already fields a twin-powered 450MT adventure bike that fits the bill. But while the engine in these spy shots has some similarities with the 450MT, it’s different enough to suggest KTM may be testing an all-new architecture—one that hasn’t yet been made public.

The rest of the bike adds to the intrigue. The upper fairing seems to be lifted from the 390 Adventure R, but the mid-fairing and tank integration are unique, with an unusually tall fuel tank that looks like a parts-bin solution to accommodate the new engine. A hand preload adjuster and radial-mount front brake hint at higher-spec ambitions. Photos also show a beefy fork and swingarm paired with spoked wheels, but the test bike doesn’t appear to have a very tall suspension.

Taken together, the bike’s unconventional mix of components and design choices suggest it’s a prototype in the early stages of development. Manufacturers often use hybrid setups during R&D, so the final production model may differ significantly.

Whatever it is, this mystery bike indicates KTM is exploring new territory, something that doesn’t quite fit the current mold. Any guesses?

Photos by Bernhard M. Höhne