KTM 350 Duke Road Test - Masterstroke Or A Debacle?

I am sure a lot of you readers might be wondering why we are reviewing a bike which was launched 3 years back, and went on to win the TOTMs for the bike of the year in 2024. Well, while the bike is called the 390 Duke, it’s actually the 350 Duke and features a 350 cc powerplant. Why was this bike introduced and the simple answer lies in three letters. No, not KTM, but GST. The new norms tax engine displacement above 350 cc at 40%, and to counter this new policy, Bajaj Auto, now the owners of KTM, went ahead and created the 350 Duke as I like to call it. There is a massive price drop in comparison to the 390 Duke R, but so has the performance numbers. Does the 350 Duke make any sense and more importantly does it feel like a KTM? We get you the answer.

Performance

The drop in performance is significant - 4.40 bhp and 4.5 Nm of torque. I had ridden the KTM 350 Duke prototype back to back with the 390 Duke, a month before the launch and had requested Bajaj to not discontinue the 390 Duke, because this bike doesn’t have the same hooliganism or that braap nature associated with the KTM and the Duke DNA. So is it a bad bike? Not really, where it shines through is calmness and sophistication, words one doesn’t normally associate with KTM in general.

It’s a fast bike, but not as snappy or as entertaining as the 390 Duke. First thing that impressed me is how calm it feels at lower rpms, it doesn’t have that jerkiness that one experiences on the 390 Duke. So when you’re riding at city speeds, this engine feels serene, which is a big plus by KTM standards. Second aspect is the refinement, the buzz from the 350 cc motor is genuinely less than the 399 cc engine. Look, I am not saying that this engine is vibration-free, but by KTM benchmark, the NVH is actually impressive.

Touring speeds are also good, between 100 and 120 kmph, you hardly feel any vibes and the bike keeps pushing and entertaining at those speeds. In fact, we were able to clock over 155 kmph and the bike still had more steam, so yeah, the top end isn’t affected significantly. The major power difference is only felt when in roll-on acceleration, where the drop in torque is clearly evident, so high speed overtakes will need to be planned a bit.

The 6-speed gearbox works well and the clutch action is light, making city commutes tireless. The quickshifter also performs well mostly with a few occasional miss shifts. In the searing heat and humidity of Mumbai, I could feel the engine run a bit hot on the right hand side and it can get uncomfortable. So yeah, with this engine, you win some, you lose some and it all depends on your needs and where it fits. Honestly, I liked the 350 cc engine as it’s fast without being a bit in your face.

Mileage

In our road test, the KTM 350 Duke returned us 24 kmpl, which is pretty low, but also understand that we weren’t hypermiling the bike and this one of the lowest mileage figures you can get. So if ridden sedately, you can expect close to 28 to 30 kmpl. With a large 15-litre fuel tank, the bike should have a real world range of 360 km and can be pushed to around 400 km, which is a really good range for touring.

Also read: Harley-Davidson X440 T First Ride Review - Redemption Or Not?

What remains unchanged?

The styling remains the same and the only visual difference is that the bike gets a black finish on the frame and the 390 Duke graphic on the tank extensions. The feature list is also heavy with a TFT screen, multiple ride modes, traction control, cruise control, launch control and even cornering ABS. On the hardware front too everything has been carried forward from the 390 Duke and the handling dynamics is precise and sharp. The KTM 350 Duke has among the best handling dynamics for any bike from this segment.

Verdict

If you want a motorcycle, which is a hooligan, will keep you on your toes and all your rides will be filled with adrenaline, the KTM 390 Duke R is the motorcycle for you because the KTM 350 Duke isn't that kind of a motorcycle. But having said that, what it offers is a very different riding experience compared to the 390 Duke R and there is an audience for this kind of a bike.  If you want 80% of the performance, a better commuter and a calmer riding experience, the 350 Duke fits the bill perfectly.

In fact, despite the drop in power, the 2026 390 Duke is more powerful and more affordable than the TVS Apache RTR 310 . And talking about value, the new bike undercuts the KTM 390 Duke R by a massive ₹62,000, which is a lot of money. So in terms of value, the new 390 Duke nails it. Despite the drop in the engine performance, KTM didn’t cut corners in the features and kit. The new bike gets equipped with the same TFT screen, adjustable suspension, and the same electronic aids, including cruise control as seen in the 390 Duke R. So while our finance minister went for the kill, Bajaj countered the GST bill with the 350 Duke. I'm sure a lot of Tarantino fans will get that.