Review of KTM 390 Duke Motorcycle
Bajaj KTM has come up with a new bike, Duke. It is the only 390-400 cc bike in India. Read the article to know its features, specifications and review.
After 200 Duke, KTM 390 is the new Duke launched by Bajaj KTM. It is currently the only 390-400 cc bike in India. 390 Duke is amazingly fast and can be called a stuntmen's bike. It is perfectly stable even at 120 kph on highway and this is why there is so much hype about this bike. This article gives a review of 390 Duke and tells whether the bike is actually worth the hype.
Style & Design
At first sight, it appears that there is not much difference between the KTM 200 and the 390. The design looks the same. The cylinder block used is just the same and like the 200, therein again hangs a tale. You will find the same full digital console instrumentation with neat buttons.
However, if you observe carefully, there are some minor changes like the graphics used, spoilers on the handle bar and the color scheme. The orange and white graphics are more sober looking than the all bright orange graphics in the previous model but it still screams for attention. The overall design is stylish and the vibrant color schemes are meant especially for youngsters. The only thing that disappoints is the placement of the number plate. The plate is put up front, below the handles and this looks really absurd.
KTM 390 is bigger inside. The block accommodates a longer stroke and a bigger piston than the 200 did. The cylinder used is very high-tech and if you foul it, then unlike in the 200, you will have to get the whole engine replaced immediately as no temporary fixes will work. The ABS setup is also well concealed unlike in the KTM 200.On-road performance
The bike is very powerful and gives good punch. You can call it throatier than the 200. An ABS setup is a great benefit on such a bike that has 44 BHP power and 40 Nm torque. The standard ABS setup used in the KTM 390 helps in encountering the sudden roadblocks or out of the scene appearing passengers on highway. I could override the safe-braking ABS. This is when I realized why it is called a stuntmen's bike. Cornering ability was commendable. Its six gears are better spaced. The top speed claimed by the company is 160 kph. I managed 120 kph on highway, in the sixth gear and the bike was completely stable. I could hit 100 kph in the third gear in only 6 seconds. The 390 has more features than the 200 had the ride quality is also superior. The ride quality was smooth on uneven terrains. It is so light weight (139 kg only) that the ride felt like a smooth flight. The power to weight ratio is perfect. The mileage in city conditions was 250-300 kpl which is quite attractive.Features of KTM 390 Duke
The features of KTM 390 Duke are given below. If you look at the numbers, very few bikes in India are this powerful, fast and light weight. Very high technology is used in the engine.
Price
The ex-showroom price of the bike is Rs 1.9 lakh in Delhi. The on-road price is Rs 2.01 lakh. As there is no other 390-400 cc bike in India, Bajaj could have kept the price higher but amazingly, this bike is Rs 10,000 cheaper than the Honda CBR 250R. It is much cheaper than the twin-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Hyosung GT 250R. At Rs 1.9 lakh, KTM 390 Duke is a good offer.Verdict
Duke is basically a racing bike and not every time one would like to race. The bike is risky. It is a precision machine and demands a very skilled biker. Thus, it is not meant for everybody. If your skills are average and you ride at 50-70 kph every day, this bike is not suited for you. It is ideal for professional stuntmen.
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