Bajaj has been working on adapting the 400cc Triumph and KTM engines to slot in below the 350cc mark to benefit from the lower 18 percent GST on two-wheelers under that displacement. With the Triumphs now having completed the transition to 350cc, Bajaj is now seemingly turning its attention to the Austrian marque. We had earlier reported that Bajaj plans to retail the 390 KTMs alongside the downsized 350 models, and now the company has increased the price of some of the 390s to make space for the incoming 350cc KTMs.
All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi.
- KTM 390 Adventure X price rises to Rs 3.43 lakh
- Downsized KTM 350 Adventure likely to launch soon
KTM 390 Adventure X price hiked once more
On-road price likely close to or above the Rs 4 lakh mark now
KTM sells the latest-gen 390 Adventure in three distinct variants: X, R and standard. The X forms the entry point to the 390 Adventure line-up, and with its 19/17-inch (F/R) alloy wheels, it is the most road-biased model of the three. It was originally launched at Rs 2.91 lakh but came without riding modes, cruise control and the inertial measurement unit (IMU). Once Bajaj received feedback from both paying customers as well as the mainstream media that these shouldn’t be omitted, the company acted swiftly to add these features to the bike, which raised its price to Rs 3.03 lakh.
Subsequently, once the GST 2.0 regime was implemented, the 390 Adventure X’s price was hiked to Rs 3.26 lakh. Now, Bajaj has implemented yet another hike, raising the bike’s price to Rs 3.43 lakh, an increase of Rs 17,000. At this price point, it is quite likely that its on-road cost is close to or over the Rs 4 lakh threshold in most, if not all, regions across India.
The KTM 390 Adventure X’s most direct rival is the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (Rs 3.06 lakh-Rs 3.37 lakh, ex-showroom, Chennai). While the 390 Adventure X is substantially pricier than most colour options of the Himalayan 450, its 350cc version will be priced more competitively. However, you can expect a small but tangible drop in outright peak power and performance levels. This price hike has likely been implemented because Bajaj is no longer absorbing the GST increase and also to create some space in the line-up for the upcoming 350 Adventure.