This Information At 1.8 Lakhs, does the KTM 390 Duke change the Indian Motorcycle Scenario?, Read More

KTM 390 Duke launched in India at a shocking price.. but is it really a game changer?

A few years back (prior to 2007 to be precise) if someone told you that a motorcycle under the hallowed KTM Marque will be officially available in India for sale, chances of you becoming the laughing stock were very real.

Only if KTM could launch a Moto 3 inspired model or an Adventure Tourer inspired model in India..

Now imagine even thinking that a KTM model under the “Duke” family, producing a peak power of 43.5 Ps, Kerb weight of 154 Kgs, Metzeler Tyres, with ABS as standard (and with upside down forks, Liquid cooled, fuel injected engine… i.e the usual Duke goodies) would be selling in India at less than 50% of its price in Europe..!! Crazy thought right?

Yes sir, KTM (Bajaj) has shocked the motorcycle market by launching the 390 Duke at an ex-showroom (Delhi) price tag of Rs. 1.8 Lakhs. For the record, the current nearest competitor (in India) to the 390 Duke in terms of pricing, the Honda CBR250R makes just 26 Ps of power, weighs heavier and is a couple of thousands dearer (the ABS variant).

But is the KTM 390 Duke the proverbial “Game Changer” ?

There is no dispute that the KTM 390 Duke will indeed deliver the most bang for the Indian Buck when it comes to putting the number of horses on the tarmac. Considering the generous levels of equipment that the 390 Duke comes kitted with, it certainly sounds like a “Desi” Mid Summer’s Night Dream come true for a motorcycle enthusiast fortunate enough to be born in India.

One can also say that the KTM 390 Duke makes the competition (especially Honda with its CBR250R) look overpriced. And that the 390 Duke will make the competition rethink their product and pricing strategies (really?).

But the “390 Duke” a game changer? I have a slightly different take on it.

The KTM 200 Duke was a brave decision / experiment from KTM/Bajaj in India. It was the model that kick started (actually modern bikes don’t have kick starters any more) a brave new segment of Off Road / Supermoto inspired minimalistic street motorcycles in India. With many young (and young at heart) bikers joining the Orange brigade, one can say that the 200 Duke can be considered as a game changer.

Because of its pricing, the 390 Duke might get some additional sales from competition viz. Honda CBR250R, RE Thunderbird 500/Classic 500 etc. Anyway I don’t see a large exodus from these models. The 390 Duke might even cannibalize some of its younger sibling the 200 Duke’s sales. But I don’t see a big spike just because the 390 is here. More so since externally (apart from the paint job) the 390 Duke is identical to the 200 Duke and also the sales numbers for motorcycles priced above 1.5 lakhs might be growing but is still not that significant in India yet.

Now only if KTM could launch a Moto 3 inspired (light weight, minimalistic and with authentic track riding position, like its Moto 3 race bike) model or an Adventure Tourer inspired model in India. And if these models make other companies follow its “game”, in that case I would call those models as game changers.

Anyway let me cut the “Gyan” and thank my stars to be born an Indian at the right place and at the right time.

Related Posts

• KTM unleashes the 390 Duke.!! [Nov 2012]



• Ride Review: KTM 200 Duke [Feb 2012]

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.