Bajaj confirms KTM 390 Adventure bound for India

Rajiv Bajaj has confirmed that the KTM 390 Adventure bike will be launched in India, but no timeline has been revealed.

At the recent India launch of the 2017 model year KTM RC200 and RC390, Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, confirmed that the KTM 390 Adventure will arrive in India. The bike is currently being developed and Bajaj confirmed that the design of the bike has recently been finalised. That being said, no official timeline has been set for its launch in India as yet.

While no details of the motorcycle have been revealed officially as yet, the 390 Adventure is expected to get the same 373cc single-cylinder unit that dues duty in the Duke and RC390, and now the Bajaj Dominar 400. However, the engine might be tuned differently to go with the nature of the motorcycle. The 390 Adventure could be based on a new two-piece trellis chassis that also underpins the upcoming 2017 Duke 390. Additionally, the 390 Adventure is also expected to sport a different suspension setup with longer travel, spoke wheels, high mounted exhaust and a reinforced skid plate to protect the engine from underneath - all of these are essential for off-road capabilities.

The KTM 390 Adventure is expected to make its global debut at EICMA 2017, scheduled to be held in November. The bike is believed to go into production soon after its official debut but will not be launched before 2018. The 390 Adventure will go against the of the Royal Enfield Himalayan. BMW is also expected to launch a G310 GS in India which will also compete in the same segment.