KTM has said that the rivals are either underpowered (Xpulse) or not reliable (Himalayan).
Popular 2-wheeler manufacturer KTM has recently revealed the 390 Adventure and the 790 Adventure at the 2019 India Bike Week. On top of that, the company has taken quite a camouflaged jibe at the 390’s primary rivals. KTM has gone on record to quote that the Hero Xpulse 200 is ‘underpowered’ while the Royal Enfield’s infamous Himalayan has ‘reliability issues’.
KTM sees a strong opportunity for 390 Adventure to create and grow the adventure motorcycles segment in India. It further gets cleared when KTM says ‘struggling with basic technology’.
Despite what has been said, the RE Himalayan has been doing pretty well when it comes to sales as with a 42% sales increase, the bike has outsold the Dominar 400 in cumulative domestic sales in between April to October 2019. It is also one of the largest selling Rs. 2 lakh motorcycle in India. Having said that, it is true that the Himalayan has had its fair share of problems with owners complaining about headlight/taillight/blinkers falling off, speedometer not working, rusting, spokes breaking etc. However, RE has updated the bike regularly to correct the same.
Coming back to the KTM 390 Adventure, the adventure bike is now likely to be launched in early 2020 in the range of Rs. 3-3.25 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).
KTM Calls Himalayan Unreliable
– KTM has taken quite a camouflaged jibe at the 390’s primary rivals
– As per KTM, the Hero Xpulse 200 is underpowered while the RE Himalayan has reliability issues
– The KTM 390 Adventure is likely to be launched in early 2020
