KTM introduces slipper clutch in the Duke 390

Soon after the RC 390 was launched in India last year, rumours had suggested that KTM was planning to introduce a slipper clutch for the supersports motorcycle. And though the company hasn’t confirmed this yet, it is being reported that the Austrian bike manufacturer has already added a slipper clutch to the 2015 models of its popular naked motorcycle, the Duke 390. The biggest surprise however, is that despite the addition of this new feature, KTM hasn’t hiked the price of the streetfighter, and the Duke 390 continues to retail at Rs 1.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

A slipper clutch is a race-grade component which limits the back-torque from the engine in the event of a downshift. Aggressive downshifts result in violent engine braking which can lead to tyre lock ups and skidding. While the ABS takes care of wheel lock-up and skids in case of aggressive braking, a slipper clutch takes care of such a scenario in case of engine braking. 

Besides a slipper clutch, the 2015 models also benefit from LED turn signals and revised handlebar grips from the RC motorcycles. As the Duke 390 shares the engine and many other components with its supersports sibling, the RC 390, we can soon expect KTM to equip the RC 390 with these upgrades too.