KTM 390 Duke To Co-Exist Alongside More Affordable 350 Duke, Launch This Month

Bajaj-KTM-Triumph have revamped their motorcycle portfolio with a new 350 cc motor that will power a host of motorcycles, in a bid to fall under the 18 per cent GST bracket. While Triumph has updated its entire range to the smaller 350 cc engine for the Indian market (400 cc motor will continue to be exported), Acko Drive can now confirm that the 390 Duke will continue to co-exist alongside the 350 Duke in the country. The 350 cc-powered KTM Duke will arrive as early as this month, and will get a new suffix, albeit with the 390 Duke name still in place.

KTM India had been absorbing the GST hike on the 390 Duke so far, which moved into the 40 per cent tax slab, 9 per cent higher than before. The company has now hiked prices for the 390 Duke by ₹40,000 with the bike now retailing ₹3.39 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This is the 399 cc version powered by a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor tuned to produce 45.3 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 39 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox with a slip and assist clutch, and a quickshifter.

The upcoming 350 cc KTM 390 Duke is expected to get the same motor as the new Triumph 400s, albeit it is likely to be in a slightly different state of tune. Triumph extracted a maximum of 39.4 bhp and 32 Nm from the motor, and we can expect KTM to tune the engine for more power and aggressive throttle.

Other hardware should be the same between both bikes, including the split-trellis frame, WP-sourced fully adjustable suspension setup and disc brakes at either end. Both versions should continue to get traction control, multiple ride modes, launch control, and more. The 350 cc Duke will have a lighter kerb weight, given the smaller engine.

Retaining the 399 cc motor seems like a good move for KTM purists. Moreover, KTM will continue exporting the 399 cc motor to international markets. However, newer buyers will be happier with the price advantage the upcoming 350 cc version will bring to the table. More details on the pricing will be available in the coming days.