KTM motorcycles are generally known for their strong performance and agility. Peter Gorbach, the head of engine development at KTM says that there is significant difference between the Duke 200 and Duke 390. He comments that both the motorcycles are for those buyers who need performance oriented riding with more output over the Duke 125. The Duke 200 is meant for riders who ferry around the city and clock up to 100 km/h often, whereas the Duke 390 is perfect for long distance journeys offering good amount of power all the time to overtake other vehicles on open stretches.
Coming to the engines, the Duke 125 and 200 share the same base with a different bore and the Duke 390 is fitted with a completely different engine but boasts the same design elements as seen on its smaller displacement siblings. The Duke 390 features a bigger crankshaft, clutch and gearbox because it produces more torque comparatively. The piston is forged instead of cast and the cylinder head is also slightly different over the other KTMs featuring different valves and springs but sharing the same finger followers.
One of the biggest challenges for the KTM Duke 390 was to increase the output figures of the similar engine and same chassis as the Duke 125 and 200 with more bench tests to make sure everything works in place with the bigger displacement bike. Currently KTM only offers the Duke 200 in India, which is working well in the market with a price tag of Rs. 1.30 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). The Duke 390 uses a 373cc single-cylinder engine to produce 44 PS of power and 35 Nm of torque.
The KTM Duke 390 is manufactured by Bajaj Auto its Chakan plant. The motorcycle will be offered with ABS and will be launched in the Indian market as soon as March. It is targeted at performance oriented bike enthusiasts with an expected price of Rs. 2 lakhs.
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Akash February 4, 2013 at 7:09 pm
Very good….
Ben February 4, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Why ktm jumped into the path of honda. Any way it will be a drawback for ktm if honda plays the price tactics in their cbr 500 and 400 r. The behaviour of duke 200 in 390 would be appreciated as it would create a new segment. Anyway I think bajaj fever is severe for ktm.
CRAZY4 February 4, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Ben … Honda can never play Price tactics as they r foreigner & has to pay heavy taxes. KTM is manufactured in Bajaj plant (Indian company) so les taxes & Bajaj is much experienced in cost saving Honda can never ever each near Bajaj.
Akash February 4, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Ben, what u want to say.
karikor February 4, 2013 at 10:15 pm
I can imagine what ktm will bring into the Indian market after 2014. It really intrigues me. How bout a ktm duke 490 with 55+bhp and a ktm 590 with 65+ bhp.
Faisal Khan February 5, 2013 at 12:31 am
Karikor, a twin-cylinder KTM should come by 2015.
Baljinder singh February 4, 2013 at 11:29 pm
vry gud…390 is comin to blast,,,,,,,,,,,
sannat February 21, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Y would someone would use same chassis,looks,breaks, almost similar tyres and just change the engine…expecting it to be successful in India….no planing at all..it will be better if it comes as faired rather than naked.Otherwise super flop.
Sam March 9, 2013 at 11:10 am
Dont worry dude. We enthusiasts are looking forward for it. We only care about performance.The bike is not for the masses. For masses, there would be Pulsar 375(with full fairing), which would have the poser’s value.
Faisal Khan March 11, 2013 at 1:08 am
Sam, KTM itself knows their bikes are not for the masses. Its for Europeans.