KTM Duke 390 gets a slipper clutch

KTM has seen a great response since the arrival of the Duke 390. The motorcycles' performance to price balance has made it a favourite for entry level performance motorcycle buyers. Recent reports suggested the possibility of the fully-faired RC 390 getting a slipper clutch. A report by Autocar has confirmed the addition of a slipper clutch, but it's on the Duke 390 naked bike.

It must be noted that while the slipper clutch may have entered at the production end, multiple dealers are unaware of the same and claim that they have not received any communication regarding the update from KTM yet. Customers looking to buy the Duke 390 with the new clutch are advised to confirm its presence at the time of booking as the fresh consignment may not reach all dealers uniformly.

The slipper clutch is used to prevent the rear wheel of a bike from locking up during extreme downshifting/engine braking scenarios. Also known as the back torque limiter, it allows the clutch to slip until the engine speed matches the speed of the bike and doubles up as a safety mechanism. This enables the rider to downshift aggressively and keep the bike stable under heavy braking/spirited riding sessions.

The Duke 390 is powered by a 373.2cc, single cylinder, water-cooled engine that make 43 BHP and 35 Nm of torque. Its fully faired sibling - the RC 390 is likely to feature the clutch in the near future as well.

Source: Autocar

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