KTM launched all-new 390 Duke in India priced at Rs 3.11 lakh, ex-showroom: See Pics
The KTM 390 Duke gets all-new styling, better hardware and a new engine that produces marginally more power. But it also comes with its set of advanced electronics just like before
KTM’s marketing strategies with the new Dukes have for some odd reason been fairly dry and this is true for last-gen variants as well. Of course, there have been spy shots to build up hype, but the company just put out the information like it was just another ordinary day and another ordinary launch. On the contrary, however, there is nothing ordinary about the new Duke 390. Aside from the brand-new design, the new bike also gets a long list of standard features, but the most important part is the new engine. (Image: KTM)
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Aggressive styling: Now, when it comes to styling, the new 390 Duke’s design may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The aggressive stance of the bike has been carried over and since this is a KTM, that’s not very surprising. In fact, it feels like the Duke is even more aggressive now. At the front is a redesigned headlamp cluster. The sharp almost conical shape persists but the unit itself seems wider thanks to the new split LED DRLs. Then you have the new tank, which looks larger than before thanks to how high it is positioned. Enhancing its aggressive styling are the new tank shrouds as well. The exhaust has been moved back to where it was when the first 390 Duke was launched in India, under the bike. The rear seat too has been tweaked and looks wider than before which could make it more comfortable. (Image: KTM)
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Then there are the structural changes to the bike. The steel trellis frame is all new along with the new die-cast aluminium sub-frame. The rear monoshock has been mounted off to the side this time around and the swing-arm had to be revised to accommodate it. Aside from the visual treat that the new rear shock placement offers, another reason was to make room for the underbelly exhaust system. Finally, as standard, the seat height measures 820 mm. However, there is an option to reduce it to 800 mm to allow shorter riders more comfort. (Image: KTM)
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The performance: Moving on to the next new thing on the 390 Duke, the powertrain. KTM has built a new 399cc single-cylinder engine and dubbed it LC4c – ‘c’ for compact. For context, the current-gen 390 Duke was fitted with a 373.5cc single. Now, the additional volume also means additional power and torque. The new-gen Duke is capable of spitting out 46 hp of maximum power and 39 Nm of peak torque, which is more than even the European-specced KTM that produces a maximum of 44.25 hp. There is a new larger airbox as well which allows 80 percent of the power and torque to be available from as low as 5,000 rpm. A six-speed gearbox handles transmission duties like before. (Image: KTM)
As far as suspension goes, we’ve already told you about the offset monoshock at the rear. This is a new unit with 5-step rebound adjustability and 10-step pre-load adjustment. At the front, too, there is a new Apex 43 mm upside-down fork from WP. Braking is handled by a 320 mm disc and a four-piston radial fixed caliper up front and a 230 mm disc complemented by a two-piston floating caliper at the back. (Image: KTM)
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The features: Now, as we mentioned, the new 390 Duke carries over most of the features from the previous iteration. The newest feature, however, is launch control which is accessible in the ‘Track’ riding mode. With track mode engaged, the rider can pin the throttle wide open and the engine peaks at 7,000 rpm waiting for the clutch to be engaged. This means getting off the line is faster and easier. (Image: KTM)
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The other two riding modes are Rain and Street. Each of the riding modes changes the power delivery of the engine to the wheels allowing for the most optimised riding experience for the situation. The switchgear has been redesigned as well and a new hazard light switch has been integrated into it. There is a new 5-inch TFT instrument panel, too, which comes with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. The 390 Duke also comes with a bi-directional quickshifter, cornering ABS and traction control, all of which are standard. The ABS is switchable, like before, between, on, off and supermoto mode which switches off ABS only on the rear wheel. (Image: KTM)
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The pricing: Finally, pricing. The KTM 390 Duke has been launched in India priced at Rs 3.11 lakh, which is just a Rs 13,000 hike from the current-gen Duke. As far as its rivals go, the 390 Duke goes up against the likes of the BMW G 310 R, the Triumph Speed 400, the Harley-Davidson X440 and even the newly launched TVS Apache RTR 310, which may not match the raw performance from KTM, but has some unique features of its own. (Image: KTM)
Now, in addition to the 390 Duke, KTM has also launched the next-gen 250 Duke. Priced at Rs 2.39 lakh, the 250 Duke gets about the same exterior updates as the 390, along with the trellis frame, aluminium sub-frame, suspension (but not adjustable) and brakes. The engine, however, has been carried forward from the old-gen 250 Duke. These changes, however, haven’t been reflected in the price as the hike is a mere Rs 779 more. Both bikes are expected to reach showrooms by mid-September and bookings are currently underway for a token amount of Rs 4,500. (Image: KTM)
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