Is the KTM Automatic Adventure Motorcycle “KTM AMT” Really Coming?

The news started circulating a few months back and has excited every motorcycle enthusiast. According to the sources, KTM has been working on an automatic adventure motorcycle project. This is a big development in motorcycling, as KTM is one of the best adventure bike manufacturers.

Plenty of successful automatic motorcycles are currently available on the market. It is hard to say whether they are a complete success or not. However, there is no denying that automatic or semi-automatic motorcycles are easier to ride. There are also several other advantages. They are good for beginners; they don’t stall, accelerate quickly, and require less interference.

There is a long debate about whether automatic motorcycles are better than ones with manual transmissions . So far, they haven’t been as popular as manuals.

There is not even a single motorcycle with an automatic transmission in the adventure motorcycle segment. To all those who are getting to know this for the first time, the KTM automatic adventure motorcycle is not just a documented projection. The Austrian motorsports brand KTM has produced a prototype automatic transmission motorbike at a Red Bull motorsports event in Austria.

Many manufacturers are shifting towards the latest technology and features. Honda has its DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) technology installed on most of its top variants. However, the top Japanese motorcycle manufacturer offers DCT as an option. Electric motorcycles also feature automatic transmission.

The question is whether KTM's decision to introduce an automatic transmission system on its adventure bikes is wise. Is there a need to switch to automatic transmission?

KTM ADV motorcycles are known for their superior maneuverability on both on- and off-road terrains. This is possible only with the manual transmission, clutch, and throttle control.

Eliminating gear shifting and clutch control may not allow riders to control the adventure motorcycle how they want. The riding experience may not be fun without the manual transmission and clutch.

The short video released by KTM shows a glimpse of the “KTM ATM” prototype adventure motorcycle. The bike performs different ADV stunts and maneuvers quite brilliantly.

Though the KTM AMT looks super cool in the video, the fact that it is being ridden by Johnny Aubert, the FIM Enduro World Champion, cannot be overlooked.

It is too early to decide how the KTM adventure motorcycle feels to ride without the clutch and gear shifter.

KTM has made enthusiasts more excited with a countdown on its official website. The link shows the following text:

According to the company, the all-new 2025 KTM AMT, a KTM automatic adventure motorcycle, will be released on September 24, 2024.

The KTM automatic adventure bike is wrapped in a camouflage sheet. The wrap only has the words “KTM” and “AMT” written on it. The “Prototype” is mentioned on the dashboard. As we can see, this bike does not have a clutch.

However, unlike Honda DCT models, the KTM AMT prototype features a foot-operated gear shifter. This clearly indicated that the automatic adventure bike will have an automatic and semi-automatic transmission. The rider will be able to switch between both the automatic and manual modes.

In manual or semi-automatic mode, the rider can shift the gear without having to engage or disengage the clutch. The KTM automatic adventure bike will most probably use a centrifugal clutch to connect the engine to the transmission system.

The prototype used for the testing is a modified off-road version of the KTM 1390 Super Duke R model. The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer is also all set to launch the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S for the 2025 model year. The prototype was made to suit off-road terrain and adventures.

KTM is not the only company entering the automatic transmission department in 2025. BMW is also set to launch its automatic transmission model next year.

More details about the all-new KTM automatic adventure bike have yet to be revealed. However, we are excited to see how KTM raises the bar and competes with the automatic transmission motorcycles by Honda and BMW.