The buzzing hum that had begun from this year’s January has finally reached a deafening beat. The lesser mortals were anxious, their calls seem to have been answered. And why wouldn’t they be? The true HOOLIGAN, with 44 horses at disposal and an astronomical Power-to-Weight ratio of 316 bhp-per-ton, the 390 Duke had threatened from the very word “GO” to smoke out the rest of the competition.
Well, the hot stuff is that the KTM 390 Duke might soon barge its way headlong into the snugness between your legs, action beginning this 25 June!! KTM India’s official Facebook fan page has uploaded yet another teaser, this time bathed in their trademark “Orange”, which hints at a possible launch date of 25 June. There has been a flurry of activity on the site ever since the first teaser went up on air yesterday, claiming an eerie “SOON TO BE UNLEASHED” statement.
Prospective buyers might have salivated at this mention of a 25 June launch. The dough has been saved, and it’s just a matter of time before you get your hands on your much-awaited KTM 390 Duke. However, we have not received any official word from the company and neither has any invite been thrown in yet.
There might be a few changes which we have spotted in the test mules. Take for example the rear-tyre hugger. KTM-Bajaj seem to be in two minds regarding “Form” and “Functionality”. It hadn’t been spotted on any of the earlier unveiled pictures, however the two test-mule sightings at Pune had spoken of an addition of such a part. There might be an ARAI mandate, but probably KTM-Bajaj don’t want to regret later about a lost opportunity for the extra display of brawniness. Hence, the latest unveiled teasers show no hint of any such rear portion rejigs!!
We have been tirelessly blabbering about the KTM 390 Duke for the last couple of months. Our opinion was that though the 390 Duke is strikingly similar to its smaller sibling 200 Duke, that is exactly where the similarities end. You can have a look at it here.
We had also done another closer examination of the behind-the-scenes view of the KTM 390 Duke, and called it a technological marvel, boasting of NikaSil coating as well as hydroformed handlebars. Here it is, a closer look.
Incase you want a final word before taking the plunge, here is our Prophecy :- “The KTM 390 Duke will be unlike anything else that has hit our Indian streets earlier. It demands some serious, really serious respect!!”
If you are at a loss regarding our prophecy, then imagine about “Meditation-in-Mid-Air”. Period.
Let the music play, then!
