As we reported earlier this year, KTM India is likely to introduce slipper clutch in its RC Series in 2015. Now the company has silently launched slipper clutch equipped orange monsters, the 390 Duke and the RC390.
The 2015 390 Duke also gets some cosmetic and mechanical changes, apart from the new slipper clutch.
Furthermore, we have learnt that the new 2015 Duke 390 comes with a host of changes and not just the slipper clutch! All the changes and updates you see in the 2015 version, are due to company’s efforts to regularly take inputs from their customers. Surprisingly, the prices of both the bikes will remain unchanged and these bikes have already started reaching dealerships.
The first and major update on offer is the addition of slipper clutch, something which Ninja owners have always boasted of. What is slipper clutch? This is a specialized clutch developed for performance oriented motorcycles to avoid serious effects of engine braking when riders decelerate as they enter corners. It ensures that the rear tyre does not lock during downshifts that could cause the wheel to lose traction by allowing the clutch to slip until the engine speed meets the speed of the bike.
The service interval has been increased from 5,000 kms to 7,500 kms.
The ABS won’t help, as it kicks only when you brake. Here is where the slipper clutch comes in the picture. Many KTM owners had complained about the lack of slipper clutch, especially in the 390. Responding to the customer feedback, KTM has introduced slipper clutch in Duke 390. The slipper clutch will be equipped both in the 390 Duke and RC390.
Besides a slipper clutch, the new 390 Duke also benefit from black border on the turn indicators and rear LED lights. The WP suspension at the front and mono suspension at the rear get plastic cladding to protect the suspension from dust particles. The new 390 Duke also gets the RC390 handle bar grip as earlier one was hard and uncomfortable.
Note the black border on turn indicators and rear LED lights.
Another major change is the increase in service interval. The new 390 Duke will have a service interval of 7,500 kms, instead of the 5,000 kms of older 390 variants. Also the Radiator fan assembly is changed to direct hot air towards the bottom.
The surprise is that the KTM India has not made any official announcement on the same and the official KTM website too has not been updated with any specific information on the same. The company hasn’t given any update for the engine, however, the new updates will certainly help KTM to improve the sales.
To read more on KTM 390’s, Click here
Also see – 2015 KTM RC motorcycles could get Slipper Clutch!
Source: Motoroids
