2015 KTM 200 and 390 Duke to get minor updates

KTM has made a number of updates to the 200 and 390 Dukes for the 2015 batch that will be sold in the Indian market. Visually not much will change. Under the skin though,  small revisions have been made and you should feel the first change as soon as soon as you swing a leg over either motorcycle -  that's the new seat that has been re-shaped (made narrower) to make it more comfortable.

Seat is now narrower and more comfortable

The next change is to the grips that now provide better feel at the bars while the throttle has been made quicker and will now fully open in just 77 degrees of turn. The indicators have also been made more robust and resistant to water for our heavy monsoons.

The India spec motorcycles will get a more durable 'dust setting' fork seal for the upside down front forks that will better handle the tough conditions in the subcontinent. The new motorcycles will also receive a slightly softer tune for the suspension compared to European models to better handle our rough roads.

New hand grips for better feel. Throttle is also quicker

KTM claims that the radiator that has now been made stronger with better protection from stones thrown up from the tyres. There will also be a new design for the generator that powers the electrical system. While all these changes will appear in both the 200 and the 390, the 390 gets one more change in the form of a slipper clutch.

Indicators are sturdier and better weather sealed

The slipper clutch will aid in rapid deceleration and downshifting and help regulate the engine braking to the rear wheel, preventing it from hopping or locking up. India, however, misses out on one change seen in the 390 Dukes sold internationally - that is a new set of standard tyres. Other markets will see the 43.5PS motorcycle shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres. KTM says that the Metzeler tyres are better suited to our conditions. So they stay.

Both the motorcycles are now available in KTM showrooms across India without any price alterations. So the KTM 200 Duke is still priced at Rs 1.35 lakh while the KTM 390 Duke retails at Rs 1.86 lakh, ex-Mumbai. Out of the RC twins, the 390 gets a slipper clutch but the addition is yet to make it to our showrooms.