KTM 390 Duke wins Indian Motorcycle Of The Year (IMOTY) 2018 title

Austrian bike-maker under Bajaj Auto's umbrella KTM has bagged the Indian Motorcycle Of The Year (IMOTY) 2018 title. The popular naked street bike, 390 Duke, is the model that helped KTM to win the award at the gala event held in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Nearly 20 motorcycle models were launched last year in India. For the 10th edition of the IMOTY, 12 models were shortlisted for the final round held at Lonavala on December 4. The models were Hero Glamour 125, Suzuki Intruder 150, Bajaj Pulsar NS160, Yamaha FZ25, Benelli 302R, KTM 390 Duke, Bajaj Dominar 400, Triumph Bonneville Bobber, Harley-Davidson Street Rod, Triumph Street Triple RS, Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin and MV Agusta Brutale 800.

KTM 390 Duke, Yamaha FZ25 and Triumph Street Triple RS were the finalists. KTM eased to the top spot with a commanding 107 points while runner-up Yamaha FZ25 got 77 points. Triumph Street Triple RS with 68 points emerged as the second runner-up.

The shortlisted motorcycles were tested on various parameters that include price, fuel economy, styling, comfort, safety, performance, practicality, technical innovation, value for money and suitability for Indian riding conditions.

The jury team for 2018 IMOTY included Abhik Das and Rahul Ghosh (Auto Today), Arup Das and Jared Solomon (Auto X), Aspi Bhathena and Sarmad Kadiri (Bike India), Aninda Sardar and Sirish Chandran (Evo India), Raunak Ajinkya and Kartik Ware (Motoring World), Abhay Verma and Shubhabrata Marmar (Overdrive), Devesh Shobha (Top Gear India), Pablo Chaterji (Man's World) and Vikrant Singh (Bikewale).

KTM had launched the new 390 Duke in India in February. It is one of the most sought-after street fighters in India and the new version comes with more menacing looks, crisp body panels and a chiselled fuel tank.

The naked bike is powered by a 373.2cc, single-cylinder engine that develops 44bhp. KTM has added more features such as ride-by-wire throttle, full TFT dashboard, an optional MY RIDE multimedia interface and the ABS as a standard for making the package a compelling case.