While India awaits the launch of the KTM Duke 390, the motorcycle has been launched in the UK, priced at £4500 (Rs. 3.93 lakhs), which is £300 (Rs. 26,200/-) higher than the Duke 200. The Duke 125 is priced £200 (Rs. 17,500/-) less than the Duke 200. The sharing of all parts, except the engine helps in the aggressive pricing. All these three variants of the KTM Duke are offered with ABS as standard equipment, as this braking technology is mandatory in the country. The ABS can be switched off, which helps riders in doing stunts.
The launch of the KTM Duke 390 in the UK only confirms that regular production of the 390 Duke has commenced at Bajaj Auto’s Chakan facility as the Duke 125, Duke 200 and Duke 390 are only manufactured in India and exported throughout the globe. The India launch is still a few months away, as the Duke 390 will have to go through the procedure of homologation at ARAI, Pune. Thus one can expect the Duke 390 to go on sale in India by April 2013. The Austrian automaker might also offer the Duke 390 in the USA.
Looking at the UK pricing of the Duke 390, one can safely expect KTM to price this high capacity Duke at around Rs. 2 lakhs, offering ABS as standard. The 390 Duke uses a 373cc single-cylinder engine which generates 43 BHP of power and 36 Nm of torque. With a dry weight of just 139 kgs, the Duke 390 is expected to reach 100 km/hr in less than 7 seconds, with top speed being around 170 km/hr. KTM plans to launch full faired and adventure versions of the 390 Duke by 2014, which too will be manufactured locally.
