Your weekly dose of bike updates: 2023 KTM 390 Duke, TVS Ntorq 125 XT, more!

It was one of those weeks which was deprived of new launches but brought along developments that are worth paying heed to. From BMW prepping to launch its smallest sportbike to TVS Ntorq 125 XT price reduction, we covered every update in detail. Now, following our Sunday ritual, here are the top five bike updates from last week.

BMW’s smallest sportbike teased

BMW Motorrad is finally set to launch a fully-faired motorcycle based on the TVS Apache RR 310. The manufacturer released a video teasing the motorcycle and its possible launch date- 15 July 2022. The teaser reveals the motorcycle’s LED tail lamp which is the same as the one on the Apache RR 310.

Next-gen KTM 390 Duke spied

After the next-generation 390 Duke was spied overseas a few months back, KTM was recently spotted testing the motorcycle in India for the first time. From what we can decipher through these spy shots, this isn’t a minor nip and tuck job but a major overhaul. The design, feature list, hardware, and engine, almost everything is expected to be revised. 

Hero’s EV launch delayed 

Hero MotoCorp is one of the mainstream two-wheeler brands which is all set to enter the Indian EV market soon. At Vida’s official announcement, which is its EV sub-brand, the company had affirmed that its first electric two-wheeler will be launched on 1 July 2022. However, as per the brand’s latest release, the launch has now been postponed to sometime around the festive season this year. 

TVS Ntorq 125 XT price reduced 

TVS Motor Company has reduced the price of the Ntorq 125’s top-spec XT variant in India. As opposed to its launch price of Rs 1.03 lakh, the scooter now costs Rs 97,061 (both prices are ex-showroom). This reduction of nearly Rs 5,000 is welcoming considering most other two-wheelers are consistently getting more expensive. 

Two-wheeler insurance gets expensive 

The third-party insurance charges for motorcycles and scooters have gotten expensive from 1 June 2022 as the government has raised the base premium rates. The third-party premium for two-wheelers under 75cc has been kept at Rs 538, between 75cc to 150cc at Rs 714, and between 150cc to 350cc at Rs 1,366. All the motorcycles and scooters above 350cc will carry a premium of Rs 2,804.