Almost every media house, including us at BikeWale, recently reviewed the new KTM 390 Duke with the downsized 350cc engine. A lot of testers believe that it robs you of the fun and thrill that KTMs are known for. While that is true to some degree, the 350cc iteration of the bike also makes a lot of sense for a select group of buyers. Let me tell you who they are and why it is not as underwhelming a proposition as most KTM purists are showing it to be.
Savings
The first reason for the new 350cc being a sensible buy is exactly why KTM did the downsizing – affordability. Compare the on-road Delhi prices of the 399cc Duke R and the 350cc version, and there’s a staggering Rs. 66,000 difference between the bikes. That is considerable, especially for a price-sensitive buyer who is upgrading from a smaller motorcycle and newly venturing into the 300-500cc space. And if you’re wondering whether the drop in performance is the trade-off one has to make for those savings, well, it is a bit subjective.
Performance Dilemma
As I’ve mentioned in the review, if you’re someone who has comprehensively ridden the 399cc Duke, and is familiar with its performance, then the effect of downsizing will be instantly noticeable. The sudden step up in acceleration you feel around 4,000-5,000rpm on the bigger Duke, is missing on the 350cc iteration. While it latter does have enough mid-range to feel quick and involving in the city, the typical KTM punch is a bit mellowed.
That said, for someone who is graduating to the 350cc Duke from a smaller motorcycle, they will not feel a dearth in performance, especially towards the top end. Once you cross 6,000rpm, the new Duke feels explosive. On the open road, if you keep the throttle pinned, you touch 160kmph in no time. That’s a lot of pace and drama for a rider coming from a 150-200cc motorcycle. Besides, in our test, we even felt that the 350cc version of the engine is slightly smoother than the 399cc unit, which is an added bonus.
Tech and Hardware Uncompromised
When you consider the fact that the 350cc model gets the same hardware and technology as the more expensive 399cc model, the lower price tag makes all the more sense. We are glad that KTM did not skimp on any of the technological niceties like 3 ride modes, bi-directional quick shifter, cruise control, launch control and cornering riding aids. Plus, you have the data-intensive TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity. The adjustable WP suspension setup has also been retained to allow you to fine-tune the ride as per your riding style and road surface. Even the tyres are the same Metzeler radials. All in all, it’s a drool-worthy package in this regard, just like most KTMs.
