[nishsingh]

KTM-Bajaj have now gone ahead and launched the 2017 Duke 390 in India.
Alongside the Duke 390, the new 2017 Duke 200 and an all new Duke 250 have also been launched.

Since a picture speaks a thousand words, here are the highlights for Duke 390 from the launch (Duke 250 highlights will be posted in its separate dedicated thread):

Duke 390 borrows styling from its eldest sibling - the mighty SuperDuke!





Here are all the major features of the bike :



This is the most visible change - the sexy new face!



This is the feature I love most - the awesome new display!








Pretty sure quite a few people will love the adjustable levers!







And a few more features! (includes a new UV resistant paint)

[nishsingh]

Ending all speculations, KTM-Bajaj have gone ahead and launched the Duke 250 in the Indian Market.

The all new triplets!


Highlights from the launch -


Will be available in 2 colours


The feature list. Notice the missing ABS


Slots in nicely between the 200 and the 390


Also misses out on the TFT display, and the all LED headlamp of its elder brother - the 390


Stacks well against the competition


Priced well in my opinion, though

• Bookings for all the triplets start today!
  
• 200 and 250 Dukes have started shipping to dealers today!Expected to be available with dealers in a few days!
  
• 390 Duke will start shipping in about a week's time!

Dealers have started taking bookings today, and deliveries should start within a week!

[prasathlr]

Does 250 Duke get ABS?

[shashant]

Originally Posted by prasathlr

Does 250 Duke get ABS?

No as per the above spec sheet.

[Aditya]

2017 KTM 390 Duke, 250 Duke and 200 Duke launched in India - Posts moved to a new thread.

[nishsingh]

KTM Bajaj have also updated their website to provide more details and for bookings -

http://ktm.bajajauto.com/DUKE/ktm-390.php



Unfortunately KTM's India webpage ( http://www.ktm.com/in ) is still not updated (is largely a mess and shows models not available in India for e.g. Duke 690 and 690R).

[IshaanIan]

While a lot of people are shocked by the absence of ABS on the 250 version (so am I), I am chuffed to see that it comes with a slipper clutch being able to make reliably quick downshifts I feel is more important in reducing braking distances both in the dry and in the wet. Plus a slipper clutch also means your fingers don't ache in traffic and the decreased rear wheel chatter means you can more confidently carve corners all in all the addition of a slipper clutch I feel adds more appeal to the bike than just ABS would have.

Unfortunately due to our laxed safety norms, features like ABS have been overly advertised everywhere from the windshields of Marutis to the biking segment, people believe that ABS is a big deal. Traction control in bikes, stability programs in cars, those are the brilliant safety-tech offerings that the industry has. Being someone who owns an RC390 equipped with ABS, I can honestly say that it is not the wonder-tech that it is made out to be (atleast in its crude and rudimentary form that it is offered in on these entry level sport bikes). The ABS offered on the KTM 390s is not that amazing and I feel it kicks in way too early and slips the wheel way too much. I have done far better with the damn thing switched off than I have with it on. I hope our lesser educated market does not completely thrash the brand for not offering ABS on the 250.

[sandeepmohan]

Man oh man. KTM have every price point covered with the trio. In terms of fun on two wheels, I have yet to come across a motorcycle that betters even the base Duke 200. Quite an achievement for a motorcycle that has been on sale for 5 years.

Having owned a Duke 390 and knowing its flaws, I'd still go and buy a new one. The fun & value that this motorcycle offers is unbeatable.

[AtheK]

It puts a smile on my face every time i look at that price viz a viz to what Europeans will pay. Finally a bloody brilliant bike at half the price for what they pay, i hope we can have other manufacturers move into India.

Brilliant Job KTM, and that Duke 390 is so loaded, without compromising one bit on safety and still priced so well. Kudos to you and Bajaj. The only reason i am holding back is that i want to wait out the Akula, it is a two way battle now. Mind says go book this blast of a bike right now, heart says let's wait few more months.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by AtheK

The only reason i am holding back is that i want to wait out the Akula, it is a two way battle now. Mind says go book this blast of a bike right now, heart says let's wait few more months.

I see a lot of people doing the same thing these days. Mind you, I was someone who immediately regretted buying his RC390 last year when I saw the concept of the Akula at the auto show. That said, details of test mules and the relatively conservative power figures from the TVS-BMW motor suggests that the bike will be an excellent product no doubt, but not as focused as the KTMs and as a result no where near as appealing as the concept. Test mules of the Akula have a very conservative riding position. I feel like the G310r is more a competitor to bikes like the Ninja 250 naked, Mojo 300, Dominar 400, Benelli TNT300 and the upcoming Akula will just offer a cheaper alternative to sport tourers like the R3 and Ninja 300. TVS-BMW don't seem to want to lock horns with KTM on this one instead they are choosing to carve out a space that is left unattended to; the demographic that desires a versatile and easy to live with, refined high performance machine but can't afford or don't want to pay through their noses for CKD/CBU offerings. The G310R and Akula don't seem anywhere near as edgy, sharp and hooliganistic as the KTM 390 twins. I think at the end of the day, you ought to ask yourself which kind of outlook on a bike do you prefer and would like to own and then either wait or not. My intention isn't to steer you one way or the other, just make the decision process simpler since I don't really see this as one of those vague "head vs heart" things.

[AtheK]

True that, but then a guy in mid 30's is probably not looking at hooliganism, reason RC390 is not even being considered. My love for TVS stems from my current bike Apache, which has been so Niggle free and a brilliant bike overall. Compared to a Pulsar I had before, which gave me so much trouble.

I can afford a Ninja/R3 too but lack of ABS is a big deterrent. I agree with your points on Akula, and we'll aware of the same, still waiting for it is what I think is the right thing. I will wait it out because that is what will make me feel more happy about whatever the choice I make finally.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by AtheK

True that, but then a guy in mid 30's is probably not looking at hooliganism

Precisely what I was trying to say. Don't go for a KTM just for its features. If what you require from a bike is more versatility, then both your head and your heart should be with the Akula

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Precisely what I was trying to say. Don't go for a KTM just for its features. If what you require from a bike is more versatility, then both your head and your heart should be with the Akula

The kid is still alive somewhere mate, the kid is till alive¡¡¡¡

[The Brutailer]

Why no ABS in 250? Isn't it going to be compulsory in India soon? Strange omission.

If 250 had ABS, it would've eaten more into 390 sales than 200. And competition? What competition?

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by The Brutailer

Why no ABS in 250? Isn't it going to be compulsory in India soon? Strange omission.

If 250 had ABS, it would've eaten more into 390 sales than 200. And competition? What competition?

I think ABS is mandatory from April 2019, so that means probably they will introduce it in next year model or maybe push it even till the 2019 model, it just gives them that much time to stay competitive.