KTM launches 2017 Duke 200, 250, 390
Typically Bajaj, aggressive pricing will make it much harder on the 250cc competition
We called it. Bajaj launched the new 2017 range of Duke motorcycles, including the no-so-surprising Duke 250, which fills the space between the entry-level — and essentially unchanged — Duke 200 and the considerably upgraded new Duke 390.
All the specs of the 390 are well-known: 43.5PS, 37Nn (1Nm up at the peak, which should help compensate for the higher weight), a larger 320mm front disc, upgraded front forks, new subframe design, a 20-led headlamp, ride-by-wire throttle, slipper clutch, side-mounted BS4-friendly exhaust, 13.5l steel tank, adjustable levers and a trick, Bluetooth-enabled full-colour TFT LCD console. Our eagle-eyed friends at ThrustZone also spotted a “Supermoto mode” for the ABS, which will let you lock up the rear brake to back it into corners. Officials also mentioned a new soft-touch, contactless cranking system, which should fire up the motor instantly. The 2017 Duke 390 will only be available in orange, though a white model is available internationally, so expect it eventually. Price goes up against last year, at ₹2,25,730 ex-Delhi.
The “one more thing” of the afternoon was the introduction of the Duke 250, which shares much of the 390 brother’s features, but eschews ABS, ride-by-wire, Metzeler tyres (it gets MRFs), the LED headlamp and the TFT display to keep costs down. It develops 30PS, 27Nm, and you still get to keep the uprated suspension. It also uses the older 300mm front disc. Final drive on the 250 is the highest of the three Dukes, so we suspect the 250 will be an aggressive accelerator. The Duke 250 will be available in white and orange colour schemes. The price — as we expected — is a very competitive ₹1,73,000 ex-Delhi.
The Duke 200 — as expected — remains essentially unchanged, save for the BS4-compliance. We get new graphics and three colours: white, black and orange. The wheels are also now orange, though the chassis remains black. It costs ₹1,43,500 ex-Delhi for 2017.
All three new Dukes are available for booking at KTM showrooms today. Stocks of the new 200 and 250 are en-route to dealers, while the 390 will take another week to get into displays. Just like in 2013, KTM seems poised to disrupt the premium motorcycle segment again, and we’ve already been fielding calls asking “should I?” Yes, you fools! Yes!
Ex-showroom (Delhi) Prices
- KTM 390 Duke: ₹2,25,730
- KTM 250 Duke: ₹1,73,000
- KTM 200 Duke: ₹1,43,500
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