350cc KTM 390 Duke vs Yamaha MT-03: Which Sub-500cc Sporty Naked To Get?

These are both fun bikes but the MT-03’s price may be a big stumbling block for many

After the popular Yamaha MT-15, enthusiasts begged Yamaha to bring the bigger MT-03 to India. But when the Japanese brand finally did it, it priced the bike so high that it pretty much killed a lot of people’s hopes. But now, quite some time after its launch, things have changed. Both the Yamaha MT-03 and the R3 saw price cuts thanks to the new GST norms, and those very norms spawned a 350cc KTM 390 Duke as well. 

So has that changed the equation, or is the KTM 390 Duke still the better pick of the two? Let’s find that out here: 

Price & Variants

• The KTM 390 Duke is the clear winner here. With the GST norms, the 350cc KTM Duke 390’s prices begin from just over Rs 2.77 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and that means it costs over Rs 52,000 less than the MT-03. The Yamaha bike is a direct import, and that’s what has caused its price to be on the higher side. 

• While the MT-03’s almost Rs 3.30 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag is a lot less audacious than the Rs 4.60 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag it was launched at, it’s still quite an expensive bike, even after the GST cut. 

• A Rs 52,000 difference is no small deal, for that could account for fuel on the 390 Duke for a good year and a half, at the very least. So, to sum this segment up, the KTM 390 Duke is the bike that wins it by a margin. 

Dimensions & Design 

• These are both compact motorcycles meant to be light and agile. Relatively low seat heights, low kerb weights, and small wheelbases, both bikes tick all the boxes you’d expect from a sporty street naked. 

• But what that almost means is that neither is kind for taller riders, and the MT-03 will feel especially compact. While the handlebar position is alright, it’s the high footpegs which will make riders above 5’9” feel like their legs are folded up at a sharp angle. 

• The Duke is sporty as well, but definitely a bit more spacious in the lower half, than the MT-03. 

• In terms of design, while the Duke is polarising, you cannot deny that the sharp tank extensions, the aggressive face and edgy design attract a lot of attention. They make head turns immediately, and it’s an eye-catcher. 

• But the MT-03 is a lot more subtle. While the headlight looks modern and sharp, the entire design language is not as out there, and its subtle colours don’t help it either. Whether the Duke’s bold design is better or the MT-03’s understated appeal is the one to go for is something for you to decide. 

Features & Safety

• The 350cc KTM 390 Duke is a proper modern-day streetfighter, and you can see how serious it is in the features list. Apart from the basics, there’s launch control, cornering ABS and even a quickshifter as standard. 

• The electronics work beautifully in ensuring rider safety, and the quickshifter is quite a joy to use, once you start to understand that it’s on the sensitive side. 

• The Yamaha MT-03, on the other hand, is as bare-bones as it gets. The LCD console doesn’t look very premium, and dual-channel ABS is all the bike has. 

• Now, the MT-03 isn’t a very difficult bike to ride, so we’re not mad at the lack of features. If we had to add some, we wish it had a quickshifter and a slipper clutch. Going through the gearbox without using the clutch and banging down the gears without worrying about the rear tyre locking up would’ve made the entire experience more fun for sure. 

• Whether you’d be fine to have a bare-bones bike after paying about Rs 4 lakh on-road, is something you’ll have to decide for yourself. But objectively speaking, the 390 Duke wins this round as well. 

Engines

• While both bikes have similar power and torque figures, the riding experience is where the biggest difference lies: single-cylinder engine vs twin-cylinder engine. 

• The KTM 390 Duke has that mid-range torque that we expect from single-cylinder engines. It kicks in at about 5000rpm, and you’ll feel the surge till the redline. So you’re not revving it out as much to have fun, and the 350cc KTM Duke 390 has a better mid-range than any of its predecessors. 

• The difference with the Yamaha MT-03 is that while it’s tractable at lower speeds, it’s also quite docile. The real fun starts after about 6000rpm and what this twin-cylinder engine really wants is to be revved out to its redline. 

• And we have to say, it’s extremely satisfying to do so. The exhaust also produces delightful pops when you roll off the throttle, and it’s quite an experience, something that we rarely get on modern-day BS6.2-compliant bikes. 

• To sum it up, the difference is that the 390 Duke has a better mid-range, while the MT-03 loves being revved out completely. Both engines have their charm, and it’s very subjective, but there’s no denying that the MT-03 has the more flexible engine: docile when you want it to be and a rev-happy screamer when you’re in the mood. 

BikeDekho Says 

The KTM 390 Duke is the bike to get for most people. It’s less expensive, has more features, the engine feels more exciting at lower speeds, and it might be a bit easier to get its spare parts since it’s a bike that’s made in India. It’s fantastic value for your money, and we think more people will probably gravitate towards it. 

The Yamaha MT-03, on the other hand, is for those who want that authentic Japanese twin-cylinder experience, for the bike definitely delivers on that front. But that is if you’re ready to pay extra for it, since the MT-03’s price is a fair bit higher than the Duke’s. If you are, the MT-03 will entertain you quite a lot as well. 

Rivals 

Get the Triumph Speed 400 if you want a conventionally good-looking bike that has mature performance. But get the Duke if you want something that’s more bonkers and exciting.

The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450’s tiny fuel tank and lower mileage might have you refuelling it a lot more often than the Duke. So if you’ve touring intentions, you might prefer the Duke.

The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z promises a lot of the Duke’s fun at a much lower price and if you’re a slightly inexperienced rider, it will be the better deal of the two. 

When compared to the TVS Apache RTR 310, the Duke, you get better features as standard, a more exciting engine and sharper handling, so for us that’s the winner. 

If the Duke’s design and performance is too sporty and sharp for you, get the Triumph Tracker 400. But if you’re looking for sheer fun, get the Duke.