Bike shows are getting crazier 12 months after 12 months. I bear in mind again in 2017, I used to be in awe when my new KTM 390 Duke got here commonplace with a full-color TFT show. I bear in mind getting all overrated each time I’d flip the important thing and be greeted by KTM’s Able to Race slogan in full colour and matching animations.
However now, simply seven years later, TFT screens have grow to be commonplace on just about all bikes—from Chinese language knockoffs to beginner-focused scooters all the best way to top-tier ADV bikes. However in fact, expertise has at all times paved the best way ahead, and depart it to no apart from KTM to usher within the subsequent era of linked rider tech.
As was the case within the daybreak of TFT shows, KTM is as soon as once more pioneering new tech relating to bike shows. For 2025, KTM’s screens aren’t solely larger, they’re higher outfitted with extra options than ever earlier than, too. Certainly one of which is Android Automotive, a flowery piece of tech that basically turns your show right into a smartphone.
Photograph by: KTM
These new screens aren’t simply large, they arrive with tons of options, too.
Android Automotive is a very totally different animal from Android Auto. Whereas the latter merely mirrors your cellphone onto the show, Android Automotive is a standalone working system which may work independently from a smartphone. As such, Android Automotive unlocks a complete suite of third-party Android apps comparable to music, navigation, and messaging. Heck, technically talking, you could possibly watch Netflix whereas driving your bike. However in fact, producers gained’t permit this for apparent causes.
And as for KTM’s use of Android Automotive, nicely, the Austrian producer might be rolling out two configurations for its new shows: the V80 and H88. The V80, as its title suggests, is a vertically mounted show measuring eight inches, whereas the H88, then again, is a extra acquainted, albeit a lot bigger, horizontally mounted unit measuring 8.8 inches.
The V80 is analogous in look to what CFMoto provides within the 800NK bare streetfighter, that’s to say, an enormous iPad caught to your handlebars.
Photograph by: KTM
I am undecided anyone wants a gear place indicator that huge.
Now clearly, all producers have grow to be obsessive about tech as a result of they’ve come to consider that it’s the one manner ahead. But when at present’s market is something to go by, it’s clear that buyers are in search of one thing a lot easier.
As we mentioned earlier than, KTM, Harley-Davidson, and Polaris have been struggling to promote costly, premium fashions. And that’s due to the unsure financial instances, not simply within the US, however in different components of the world, too. As of late, of us merely can’t afford to dump $20,000 on what’s basically a toy. And slapping on ultra-fancy shows definitely doesn’t assist anybody in the fee division.
On the finish of the day, I couldn’t care much less if the subsequent era Duke had an enormous, full-color show with a 1280×720 decision and 256 million colours, or only a barebones digital show that regarded like a Casio calculator. What issues extra to me is that it’s enjoyable to journey, simple to make use of, and in all fairness priced. What do you suppose? Is KTM, in addition to a bunch of different producers, going manner overboard with all this tech?
