It's no secret that Bajaj is planning to downsize both the 400cc Triumph and KTM models to 350cc to allow the company to benefit from the lower 18 percent GST. However, we have now learnt that while that is underway, Bajaj will continue to retail the 399cc KTM models alongside their downsized 350cc iterations - for some time at least.
- 350cc and 390cc Duke and Adventure to be sold simultaneously
- Bajaj will monitor customer response to this move
- Bajaj-made Triumph models to only be sold with 350cc engine
KTM 390 Duke and Adventure will live on in India
Triumph 400s to be downsized to 350cc, Tracker India launch in due course
Since bikes and scooters above 350cc now attract a much higher 40 percent GST, Bajaj has chosen to downsize the Triumph 400s, KTM 390s and its own Dominar 400 as well as Pulsar NS400Z to 350cc to take advantage of the new rule. While the Triumph single-cylinder lineup will most likely only be retailed in its 350cc guise - the KTM machines will be offered in both engine options. The Triumph Tracker 400 which was revealed internationally quite recently will also come to India in due course but as a 350cc model.
That means that in the future you’ll be able to choose from both 350cc and 399cc versions of the Duke and Adventure models inside a KTM showroom - it remains to be seen what happens to the RC 390 which still uses the older 373cc motor. Bajaj will monitor customer response to this move for a while and then see how it wants to proceed in the future.
Our take
It is likely that this move has been made because the 390 Duke and 390 Adventure have strong brand recognition across the country as they are one of the most affordable bikes offering you genuine sporting performance and travel capabilities, respectively, without having to break the bank. For many, the 390 Duke was their first taste of what ‘real speed’ felt like and since the sort of customers these bikes are targeted at would - in some cases, at least - rather pay a little more for the added performance than have the downsized version, it makes sense for Bajaj to offer both versions simultaneously. Since the 390 Duke and 390 Adventure will continue to be offered for export markets in their current-spec, production of these bikes will not be halted.
With inputs from RISHAAD MODY
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
Ketan Thakkar
