KTM Duke 390

The much-awaited 2017 390 Duke has been launched on February 23. The new 390 Duke has been one of the most anticipated bikes of 2017 due to its performance, aggressive styling and additional features. It features a split all-LED headlamp. An important addition is the new colour TFT display that gets a menu navigation switch integrated into the left side handlebar controls. It also can be synced to your smartphone via the KTM MY RIDE app. It gets a revised frame that increases ground clearance to 185mm, reduces wheelbase to 1357mm and bumps up seat height by 30mm. All of these changes should translate in sportier dynamics. The tank is a larger 13.4-litre unit now and should help in improving the range. The body panels have been completely revised on the bike and the 390 Duke looks larger than its predecessor. The bike now looks very similar to the KTM Super Duke R.. Cycle parts remain similar to the 2016 version though the new 390 Duke gets a larger 320mm front disc brake. All revisions add up to 10 kilos on the new bike. Dry weight is now 149 kilos.The 373.2cc engine makes similar 44PS but torque is up by 2Nm at 37Nm. The bike gets ride-by-wire for a sharper throttle response while a slipper clutch should take care of aggressive downshifts. Euro-IV compliance adds the new conventional exhaust into the mix. The 390 Duke will set you back by Rs 2.26 lakh (ex-Delhi). The new 390 Duke has competition in the form of the more expensive Benelli TNT 300 and Kawasaki Z250. The 2017 KTM 390 Duke should easily be able to retain the crown of the best sports bike under the Rs 3 lakh price bracket.