Back in 2012, Bajaj Auto brought the KTM Duke to India. This was one option that the Indian bikers had been looking for. The KTM brand has not only helped Bajaj strengthen it’s position in India, but has also wooed bikers who are looking for a smart, value-for-money, fast bike.
However, some people have taken the already great KTM Dukes a notch above and added their own touch to these pocket rockets. Here are 5 of the best done KTM Dukes in India, and no, we’re not talking about the neighbourhood sticker jobs here!
1. Badmaash by Rajputana Customs
Badmaash is an everyday name for the “mischievous ones” in Indian households. Rajputana Customs has taken it a notch ahead with this very well done up KTM Duke 390. Vijay Singh, the man behind Rajputana Customs put in a list of modifications done to make this look like a cool scrambler.
You can’t help but notice the blacked out 17-inch alloy wheels on both the ends with 120mm and 140mm wide dual purpose Ralco tyres each. Also, the original fairing has been replaced by a round LED headlight and also a new slimmer front mudguard.Modified KTM badmash
Even the fuel tank is cleverly made and hosts the stock digital LED display on it. All unwanted body panels were removed to shed down the weight and to make it look like a scrambler. The stock split seat is replaced with a new custom made single piece seat which makes it much more comfortable to ride. Also a smaller battery and tail light is integrated into the frame. The new paint job looks appealing in a combination of black and white.
Badmaash comes with a 373.5cc single cylinder motor mated to a 6 speed gearbox producing 44.5BHP which makes it a hooligan on two wheels. This brat has also undergone a Powertronics remap and flaunts a custom exhaust which makes it much more fun to ride.
Check it out here:
https://www.facebook.com/RajputanaCustoms/videos/10155551631209565/
And that’s Vijay pulling off a wheelie on the brat:
Find other creations by Rajputana Customs here:
https://www.facebook.com/RajputanaCustoms
2. Sonic 200 By Inline 3 Customs
Delhi based customizer Aseem and his Inline 3 Customs has very quickly risen up in the custom bike scene. And, look at any of the bikes he’s made and you’ll know why. Aseem did a very appealing job on this KTM Duke 200. This bike gets its character inspired from a cafe racer from early sixties. They’ve simply removed all unnecessary panels and the frame is painted in a classy Blue for a special look. The stock fuel tank has been replaced with a new custom made one, which hides all of the wiring and sensors in it.
Also the rims are painted in the same shade as that of frame. The bike was named Sonic after the Blue character of a video game. The handlebar too has been replaced to clip-ons to compliment the cafe racer styling. The front features a pair of projector lamps which make this bike much more fun to ride at night as well.
The custom made under seat exhaust is added to enhance its looks and sound as well and the seat setup has been fully replaced too.
Here are more pictures of Sonic:
https://www.facebook.com/inline3/photos/a.891202254303228.1073741827.891157707641016/947531478670305/?type=3&theater
Follow Inline 3 Customs here:
https://www.facebook.com/inline3/
3. KTM Duke 390 Rally
The gearheads at Indimotard Greasehouse took up this project as a challenge. It was a chance to convert a KTM 390 Duke to a rally ready motorcycle. It was not a 100% enduro but way better than using a stock Duke for a rally raid event.
This Rally Edition munches miles with ease, both on-road and off it. The bike boasts of upside down Kayaba Forks, Pro link Suspension, Custom Exhaust, Pro Taper bars, Aluminium bash plates, custom made Foot Rests, Spoked Wheels conversion (F&R), a neat tail tidy kit, a Rear Luggage carrier for that sleeping bag and much more.
If you bought a duke and love the dirt, this might just be what you’re looking for.
Here are some more pictures of 390 Rally:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/IndiMotardGreasehouse/photos/?tab=album&album_id=521156618028251
follow Indimotard Greasehouse here:
https://www.facebook.com/IndiMotardGreasehouse/
4. 390 ENDURO Traveller
If anyone has known Arjun Raina from MotoExotica, they’ll know how fond this man is of the dirt. He started customizing his Suzuki Shogun and Hero Honda Karizma to meet his off-roading needs. In no time, MotoExotica got noticed in the custom scene. Hailing from Dehradun, MotoExotica transformed the KTM Duke into it’s new avatar, a raw yet neat looking KTM 390 Enduro Traveller. This particular bike is a proper Enduro motorcycle based on the KTM Duke 390. It is made it with a the focus to perform well in off-road rallies. With the 390 Enduro, Arjun has tried to get the best of both worlds of the KTM. The bike runs on a 12 inch front travel and 15 inches at rear. The fuel tank is completely rebuilt and now it has an 18litre capacity. In addition to this, the seat is adjusted to move closer to the front wheel, to ensure better handling where there’s no road. Also the headlamps get projector lights which helps the 390 Enduro traveller more off-road friendly even in dark.
KTM enduro
Moreover, they have managed to shed the dry weight to 125kgs which results in a brutal power to weight ratio close to most of the production enduro 450s.
Arjun spent about 3 lacs over the bike in parts and work hours. For about 5 lacs of the total motorcycle cost, this one is approximately 60 percent cheaper than a 450 enduro import. Rally addicts, you listening?
A note from the customizer-
This cannot be offered as a kit, though the chassis looks similar to the stock 390, it is far from it, it was intentional to keep the KTM design language over the bike.
Follow MotoExotica:
https://www.facebook.com/Motoexotica-India-299684120152677/
Some more pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/299684120152677/photos/a.304118309709258.72872.299684120152677/895742633880153/?type=3&theater
5. Street-X By Autologue Design
Bored of your Duke looking like every other Duke out there? Well, Autologue Desogn has the solution for you. Here’s the Street-X, a full conversion kit which gives your KTM Duke a big bike look and feel. It makes your pocket rocket look more like its elder siblings in size and aesthetics. Also it increases aggression of the motorcycle by adding girth to its stock slim profile. The body kit consists of a wider fuel tank cover, wider rear tail section, angular side panels and an extended belly pan.
Talking about fitment, the kit is a complete replacement bolt-on option with not much alteration necessary. If you feel that the KTM Duke is just too small for you, you’re probably going to love this one.
Check out more here:
http://www.autologuedesign.com/body-kits
If you know any customizers who’ve done up the KTM Duke in an all-new avatar, please write to us at connect.bfg@gmail.com and we’ll be more than happy to feature them.
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