Bajaj have a lot in store for 2014 as it turns out. We'll be seeing two new Pulsars launch by the end of this financial year, while KTM will introduce their RC series of fully-faired motorcycles. And let's not forget the launch of the Kawasaki Z1000 which is slated for late next month.
Our friends at MotorBeam report that a KTM Duke 390 R is also underway. The 390 R will be the go-faster version of the already quick 390.
The report says that KTM will be putting the already lightweight bike on a diet to get rid of a few unnecessary kilograms. This would be accomplished by altering the headlights, side panels and rear tail piece.
Engine wise, the 390 R will be powered by the same 373cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine, though the report highlights that the power and torque outputs could be higher than the 43.5 PS and 35 Nm of the standard 390. The 6-speed gearbox could offer more responsiveness as well.
Needless to say, the 390 R could offer a higher power-to-weight ratio than 300 PS per tonne. Would that translate to a quicker 0-100 km/h time (the standard 390 does it in under 7 seconds) and a 170+ km/h top-speed?
KTM would be making the 390 R at the Chakan plant and exports to Europe would also take place from here. Most recently, a new black color was announced for the 390, though KTM has not made it available to India yet.
