The 350cc KTM 390 Duke is the more affordable alternative to the 399cc 390 Duke R, which continues to be sold alongside it. The 390 Duke now uses a 349.3cc engine, but retains the same chassis, features and styling as the Duke R. Here's what works in its favour and a couple of reasons it might not be the best option.
Reasons to buy the 350cc KTM 390 Duke
Value for money
The 350cc Duke's biggest strength is straightforward. At Rs 2.77 lakh, it undercuts the 390 Duke R by Rs 62,000 while delivering the same chassis, suspension, brakes, TFT display, traction control, launch control, cornering ABS and bi-directional quickshifter. That is a substantial saving for zero compromise on features or equipment. For buyers upgrading from smaller motorcycles, the price advantage makes a compelling case.
Easier and more approachable to ride
The downsized engine has changed the Duke's character considerably – and for some riders, that might just be a good thing. The aggressive mid-range surge that arrived from around 5,500rpm on the old 399cc motor has been replaced by a more linear, progressive power delivery that builds closer to 8,000rpm. During our time with the bike, we found this made it noticeably less intimidating and easier to control in everyday riding situations. It is still properly quick with a 0-100kph time of 6.2 seconds, but it no longer punishes you for the smallest throttle inputs. For newer riders or those who spend most of their time in urban traffic, this calmer nature is a genuine advantage.
Same sharp styling and full feature set
Visually, the 350cc Duke is near-identical to the Duke R – you'd need to know what to look for to tell them apart. The sharp, aggressive Gen-3 bodywork carries over unchanged, as does the full electronics package, as mentioned above.
Reasons to skip the 350cc KTM 390 Duke
The mid-range magic is gone
The 390 Duke built its legend on an addictive mid-range. The 350cc motor has lost that defining characteristic. In our tests, the roll-on from 30-70kph in third gear took 3.88 seconds, compared to 3.19 seconds on the 399cc bike, and that gap gets more pronounced as you gain speed. The power now arrives later in the rev range, which means you have to work the engine harder to extract performance that previously came more naturally.
Vibrations remain a persistent problem
The KTM single powering the 390 Duke has always been a high-revving engine known to have a buzz to it, and this 350cc iteration is no different. We found that vibrations were noticeable through the handlebar, footpegs and tank at various points in the rev range – a characteristic that was also present on the 399cc engine and hasn't improved with the downsizing. On longer rides, this will be a factor you might need to make peace with.
Ved Janve
