KTM Duke 390 vs Yamaha MT-03: which is the better all-rounder?

A price segment that has always been a competitive one, but what would be a worthy choice?

Published On Aug 31, 2025 07:00:00 AM

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Motorcycle under Rs 4 lakhs for fun riding and occasional commutes

I want to buy a motorcycle for under Rs 4 lakhs. My primary use case would be spirited riding and occasional office runs.

Abhishek, Patna

Autocar India says: We live in a great time when there are plenty of options that could meet your budget and it all depends on what kind of spirited riding you enjoy. Since you have a generous budget and that daily commutes are not a top priority, we’ll narrow it down to two bikes that prioritise fun.

For outright performance nothing beats the KTM 390 Duke at a sub Rs 4-lakh (on road) pricepoint. The bike will give you thrilling acceleration, excellent handling and a solid feature set. The downsides are that it's not very spacious and its single cylinder engine is not particularly refined.

If you’d like to consider another option, we’d recommend the Yamaha MT-03. It won’t quite match the KTM’s pure speed or technology, but it comes close and also happens to offer a refined, high-revving twin cylinder engine. The sound and rev-happy nature of the engine will make a big difference to the riding experience and the MT-03 also has a solid reputation for quality and reliability.

We’d recommend you take test rides on both and see which one you prefer.

Also see:

Should a KTM 390 Duke owner upgrade to a Street Triple?