KTM 390 Duke has been one of the most popular choices for Indian riders who look for high performance, classy handling and advanced features at a relatively reduced price. However, it has recently been confirmed that the price of the 390 Duke has gone up significantly. This has surprised many buyers and the taxation has led to a debate about how company policies impact the cost of a motorcycle.
The new ex-showroom price of the KTM 390 Duke in Delhi is around ₹3.39 lakh as opposed to ₹2.99 lakh previously. This is almost ₹40,000 higher than the current price. The reason behind this increase is GST on motorcycles over 350cc. Bajaj Auto, which makes KTM bikes in India, had already taken on a portion of the cost of GST to keep the price down. Now Bajaj has stopped it and GST is being passed down to the customers.
This isn't just for one model. Other KTM motorcycles above 350cc, such as the 390 Adventure, are also affected by the same tax rules. At the same time, the hike is important because Bajaj will soon launch the new KTM 350cc Duke (which will be under a lower GST bracket) and so the 350cc version could be priced more competitively and therefore a better choice for riders who find the 390 Duke is too expensive after the hike.
For buyers, the increase makes the 390 Duke less accessible. Riders who were going to buy the bike now have to re-evaluate their budgets. Some will look for alternatives such as the Honda CB300R or BMW G310R which are priced nearer to the old range of the 390 Duke. Others can wait for the next 350cc Duke which is expected to deliver similar performance but for a lower price.
The price hike also raises questions about motorcycle companies’ ability to negotiate between affordability and taxation. Bajaj’s decision to stop absorbing GST costs is understandable from a business perspective, but it puts the burden directly on customers. This would affect sales in the mid-capacity segment, where price sensitivity is high.
The price increase with KTM 390 Duke is in fact real and working from showrooms already. At around ₹3.39 lakh the bike is now very expensive. For the riders it means that they must decide what to buy; the 390 Duke, the 350cc Duke, or the other models. The change highlights the role taxation and company strategies play in the motorcycle market in India.
