India’s second largest two-wheeler company Bajaj Auto is all set to launch its first KTM bike in India, in May 2009.

This would mark the company’s entry into the 750cc segment.

The Bajaj KTM bikes will be launched as Completely Knock Down (CKD) units. Bajaj’s KTM bike will be priced over Rs 2 lakhs.

Meanwhile, Bajaj Auto’s 250cc Kawasaki Ninja 250R will also hit the Indian roads in May 2009. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R, that will be launched as a CBU product, is likely to be priced in the range of Rs 2.5-3 lakh.

The Indian automotive major also plans to roll out its latest bike, the Bajaj XCD 135 cc DTS-Si, with drum brakes soon. The date of the launch of the Bajaj XCD 135 cc DTS-Si is yet to be finalized.

The Bajaj XCD 125 bikes are already available in the Indian market at a price tag of Rs. 43,000. The Bajaj XCD 135 cc DTS-Si will be priced at Rs. 45,000.

Bajaj had presented a range of KTM bikes at the Auto-Expo 2008 in Delhi, which was held in January 2009. These were the rally-tested 690 Supermoto, the superior street bike the 690 Duke, the powerful 990 Adventure, the light and agile 250 EXC-F, and the ultra-precise performer the 990 Superduke.

Earlier, Bajaj had increased its stake in KTM, from 14.5 per cent to 25 percent. Bajaj had taken a 14.5% stake in KTM through its 100% Netherlands subsidiary, Bajaj Auto International Holdings BV.

KTM is famous for its sharp brand positioning, differentiated designs, and hyper performance bikes.

Bajaj now aims to focus on the value segment and will, therefore, launch two bikes in a span of 4 to 5 months.

Meanwhile, Bajaj Auto is also planning to double the number of its Bajaj Probiking outlets, from 21 to 42 outlets, by 2011.

Bajaj Auto has poured in Rs 150 crores to set up the Probiking network across India, so far. The company plans to position the Probiking outlets as a space for dedicated bikers, shopping for high-performance motorcycles.

The Bajaj Probiking showroom will display all Bajaj high-end motorcyles, such as the Pulsar 200 cc and Avenger 200 cc upwards, Kawasaki, and KTM bikes.

The company said that while KTM models will be sold as an extreme high-performance bike for a niche segment of bike enthusiasts, Bajaj models will be sold on the performance plank to a mass audience.