Official: KTM Duke 390 launch on 25th June 2013

It's now official. The KTM Duke 390 street fighter motorcycle will be launched in India on the 25th of June, 2013. The launch date is consistent with the information that KTM India released through a teaser on its Facebook page. The launch event, scheduled to happen at Pune, will mark an important chapter in Indian motorcyling history, in that it will usher in the most powerful motorcycle ever produced in India.

The Duke 390, with its 43 Bhp-35 Nm power and torque output, and a dry weight of 139 kilograms, comes with a power to weight ratio of 300 Bhp/Ton, the best ever figure on any made-in-India motorcycle. Also, the much anticipated price tag of the motorcycle will be announced on the 25th. A price tag close to the 2 lakh rupee mark is what the Duke 390 could be positioned at. 

The Duke 390 will be the second motorcycle to be launched in India by the KTM-Bajaj motorcycle making partnership. The motorcycle will be built at Bajaj Auto's Chakan factory, off Pune. The Duke 390 will feature plenty of locally sourced content, which is expected to result in lower spare part costs. The latest made-in-India KTM motorcycle will be exported to countries across the world, just like its siblings, the Duke 125 and 200 models. 

The KTM Duke 390 features a 373cc, liquid cooled-fuel injected single cylinder engine. The motor is mated to a 6th gear that comes with a taller sixth ratio for more relaxed mile munching. Upside down front forks, a trellis frame, an under body exhaust, Metzeler tyres and a monoshock rear suspension are the other highlights of the Duke 390. 

The Duke 390 sold India is expected to be offered with a crucial safety feature in the form of ABS, as standard. The ABS system on the motorcycle can be turned on and off through a switch, depending on riding conditions. This small, but significant feature will allow the full performance of the Duke 390 to be exploited, especially by riders who are into stunting and off road riding.

Many Bajaj Pro-Biking/KTM Store showrooms have begun accepting bookings for the Duke 390. Expect the first Duke 390s to roll onto Indian roads within days of the official launch. The Duke 390 will be followed by a fully faired sportsbike variant early next year. One can expect announcements regarding the Bajaj Pulsar 375 (A motorcycle that will share many parts with the Duke 390) and KTM's future plans for India, to be made at the launch event of the latest small capacity Duke.