2017 KTM 390 Duke Spotted Testing In India; Launch Expected By February

The India-spec 2017 KTM 390 Duke gets a full-size saree guard and Michelin Pilot Street radial tyres.

The 2017 KTM 390 Duke has been spotted testing in Pimpri-Chinchwad, near the Bajaj R&D facility in Pune, with some India-specific features like a saree guard, crash guard and front number plate which is a mandatory requirement for all bikes to pass homologation. The camouflaged test mule was also running on the more affordable Michelin Pilot Street tyres instead of the exotic Metzeler Sportec M5 rubber. This might be done to compensate for the increased cost of the bike given the new design and features though given the demand, it is quite possible for the 2017 mode will be priced at a slight premium to the existing version.

Recently unveiled at the 2016 EICMA show in Milan, the 2017 KTM 390 Duke gets an all-new design that looks sharper and meaner. The bike gets a new, bolted rear sub-frame with an improved geometry. The updated model has a wheelbase of 1,357mm (10mm shorter), 185mm ground clearance (15mm extra) and a saddle height of 830mm (30mm increase). These mods should make the bike’s handling sharper and the riding position racier. The fuel tank capacity has also increased from 11-litre to 13.4-litre. Cosmetic and mechanical upgrades result in a 10kg of extra weight, pushing overall weight to 149kg.

Powering the 2017 KTM 390 Duke is the same 373.3cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that powers the existing bike. However, it has been re-worked to meet Euro 4 and BS-IV emission norms. Torque has increased by 2Nm to 37Nm. The updated motor continues to deliver 44PS. The new side-slung exhaust can that might put a tap on the typical KTM 390 exhaust note.

Cycle parts are the same WP 43mm inverted front forks and WP rear monoshock. However, the front suspension travel has reduced by 8mm to 142mm. The front also gets a larger 320mm disc which will provide superior braking. The rear continues with the 230mm unit. While the existing features of the bike like the slipper clutch and dual-channel ABS are carried over, the 2017 model gets new tech, such as ride-by-wire for crisper throttle response, bright all-LED headlamp and a TFT instrument console with "KTM MY RIDE" which allows for smartphone tethering. Interesting, the KTM MY RIDE feature is a KTM powerpart which you can get installed via your dealer and will have to pay a monthly subscription for.

Picture Credits: Saikat Mondal