In 2023, several notable bike launches took place in India. Key launches include the KTM 390 Duke, which saw a major refresh with a new 399cc engine and added electronics; the Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X, which were introduced at competitive prices of Rs 2.23 lakh and Rs 2.62 lakh respectively; the Hero Xtreme 160R 4V with USD forks and sporty graphics; the Harley-Davidson X440, the first single-cylinder Harley in decades, priced attractively; the Royal Enfield Himalayan with a new liquid-cooled 450cc engine; the TVS Apache RTR 310 featuring adaptive headlights and a quickshifter; and the Aprilia RS457, a scaled-down version of the RS660 with a parallel twin engine and traction control, priced at Rs 4.10 lakh[3).

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R is legal in India, provided it meets the RTO requirements and rules. Manufacturers ensure that the product complies with these regulations before its launch. However, any external modifications made by customers that do not adhere to RTO standards will be considered illegal. The bike, with its 1301cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin engine producing 179.4 PS, is designed to be road-legal in India once officially launched and registered[5>.

KTM 1290 Super Duke R is an upcoming sports bike that is expected to launch in November 2023.

The top speed of the Duke 1290 is an impressive 250 Km/h (155 mph). This bike has the power to reach speeds of up to 280 Km/h (174 mph) with the right modifications. It is one of the most powerful and fast motorcycles in its class.

While there is no confirmation of the 1290 Super Adventure S coming to India, KTM has made its presence felt in the middle-weight segment with the introduction of the 890 Adventure and the 1290 Super Duke R. Both of these bikes offer great performance and functionality, and have been well-received by the Indian market. However, the 1290 Super Adventure S is a different beast entirely, and it is highly unlikely that KTM will be bringing it to India.

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R is an exceptional bike and it is undoubtedly a superior machine on all roads. It has an unrivaled power-to-weight ratio, making it an absolute delight to ride. Though its price may be on the higher side, it offers tremendous value for money and is definitely worth it.

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have been KTM's top five markets in terms of sales for a long time. In fact, these five states account for 60% of KTM's total sales. This is a testament to KTM's popularity in the south of India, as sportier bikes are usually assumed to be more popular in Delhi and Punjab. This information from KTM also shows that the brand has made an effort to reach out to the southern states and make its presence felt there.