We recently told you about Bajaj’s 375cc Pulsar being developed for a late 2013 debut, which will be preceded by a revised, KTM Duke big-single, the 390 Duke, coming in mid 2013.
Expect flamboyant, edgy and aggressive naked streetbike styling on the new Duke, showing off similar, contemporary lineage as seen on present day small capacity Dukes, the 125 and 200 Dukes.
The upcoming 375cc Indian Duke will house a four-stroke, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine with dual overhead camshafts driving four valves. Expect to find a six-speed, toe-shifted, one-down, 5-up shifting gearbox on the new Duke.
The 390 Duke will share platforms with smaller capacity sibling, the popular 200 Duke, already on Indian streets. The KTM 390 Duke will sport a steel fabricated trellis frame, upright, still sporty riding posture, and similar top-drawer specifications as already available with the 200 Duke. The upside-down front forks, an alloy swingarm, monoshock rear suspension and disc brakes front and rear can all be taken for granted. And you should low profile, tubeless radial tyres on both lightweight, alloy wheels.
Expect peak power output in the region of a healthy 45bhp, giving this lightweight motorcycle a whopping power-to-weight ratio.
The 390 Duke will be locally produced at Bajaj’s state-of-the-art Chakan facility on the outskirts of Pune, from where it will be exported to global markets, including Europe where the 125 and 200 Duke have been well received.
The 390 Duke will launch in India attractively priced at close to Rs 2,00,000.
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
