New Delhi: KTM has introduced new 350cc versions of its popular Duke and Adventure bikes to make them more affordable for buyers. These new models sit below the existing 399cc versions, but unlike Triumph, KTM is not replacing the bigger engines. Instead, both options will be available together in the market.
The update mainly focuses on reducing cost while keeping the overall package familiar, and as reported by Autocar, there are no major changes to the core design or features. KTM is simply trying to offer a more accessible option without removing the higher-performance versions from sale.
Engine and performance changes
KTM Duke 390
The new 350cc engine produces 41.5hp at 8,600rpm and 33.5Nm at 7,000rpm. This is slightly lower than the 399cc engine, with a drop of 4.5hp and 5.5Nm. Apart from this, most of the bike remains unchanged. KTM has kept the same wheelbase, ground clearance, features and riding position. The bikes will continue to get the TFT display and other tech seen on the current models.
To avoid confusion, KTM has also updated the names of the bigger bikes. The 390 Duke is now called the 390 Duke R, while the 390 Adventure gets an ‘S’ badge. This helps buyers easily tell the difference between the two engine options.
Pricing and market impact
The biggest change here is the pricing. The 350cc Duke comes in at Rs 2.77 lakh, which is Rs 62,000 less than the 390 Duke R. On the Adventure side, the 350cc version is priced at Rs 2.81 lakh, again roughly Rs 62,000 cheaper than the 390 Adventure X.
This kind of price difference puts buyers in a bit of a spot. Spending extra for the 399cc bikes now comes down to whether that slight bump in performance really matters. At the same time, the gap between the 350cc and 250cc models is now much smaller, which could make things tricky for the 250 Duke (Rs 2.17 lakh) and 250 Adventure (Rs 2.46 lakh).