KTM launches India-made Duke 390 and RC390 in the US

KTM USA has launched the Duke 390 and the RC390 in the US market at USD 4,999 (Rs 3.09 lakh) and USD 5,499 (Rs 3.40 lakh) respectively. KTM officially announced the introduction of these two India-made motorcycles in its 2015 line-up along with the new 1290 Super Adventure, which will command a price tag of USD 20,499 (Rs 16.36 lakh).

Currently, Bajaj’s plant in Chakan, Pune, is the only manufacturing facility in the world which produces the Duke 390 and the RC390. While the Duke 390 was launched in India more than a year ago, the demand in India as well as other global markets meant that Austrian manufacturer deferred the US launch till the RC390 was ready.

Deliveries of the Duke 390 and the RC390 in the US will commence from March 2015. Recently, KTM also announced a tie-up with MotoAmerica to introduce the RC Cup series in the US. The RC Cup Series will be a special class with participants riding on factory sealed RC 390 Cup bikes.

The RC390 is powered by the same four-stroke single-cylinder 375cc engine which is used in the Duke 390. The engine is liquid-cooled and gets electronic fuel injection to ensure good performance and respectable economy. It pumps out 43bhp and 35Nm of torque and comes mated to a six-speed gearbox, which gets the same gear ratios as the Duke 390.