Confused between the Bajaj NS400Z and the new KTM 390 Duke 350cc? You’re not alone. Both bikes now sit in the same GST bracket, both deliver around 40 hp from liquid-cooled single-cylinder engines, and both target the same enthusiast buyer. But they’re built with very different priorities. We break down every spec, feature, and price point so you can make the right call.
Why the Engine Downsizing?
Both the Bajaj NS400Z and the KTM 390 Duke have been downsized to sub-350cc engines to take advantage of India’s new GST slabs, which levy a lower 18% GST on motorcycles below 350cc. Both are now closely matched on paper, but differ sharply in price, features, and riding character.
Bajaj Motorcycles triggered this shift by capitalising on the GST benefit — bikes under 350cc attract 18% GST versus 28% for those above. The NS400Z’s new 349.13cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine replaces its earlier 373cc unit and is shared with the updated Dominar 400. KTM, which is Bajaj-owned, followed suit with a 350cc version of the 390 Duke. The result is two bikes in the same tax bracket fighting directly against each other.
Engine and Performance
The Bajaj NS400Z produces 40 hp at 9,000 rpm and 33.2 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. The KTM 390 Duke’s new 350cc motor nudges ahead with 41.5 hp and 33.5 Nm of torque. The difference is marginal on paper, but the Duke’s tuning leans sportier, while the NS400Z is engineered for a broader, more accessible riding experience.
Features Face-Off
The NS400Z punches above its price with selectable ABS ride modes — Road, Rain, Sport, and Offroad — along with electronic traction control and Bluetooth connectivity managed through a smart four-way control switch. The KTM 390 Duke takes the tech war further with a 5-inch TFT display, Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC), Cornering ABS, Quickshifter+, Launch Control, Ride-by-Wire, SuperMoto ABS, a Track Screen, and even a Type-C charging port. If technology and riding aids matter to you, the Duke clearly has the richer package.
| Spec | Bajaj NS400Z | KTM 390 Duke |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 349.13cc, liquid-cooled | 350cc, single-cylinder DOHC |
| Max Power | 40 hp @ 9,000 rpm | 41.5 hp @ 8,600 rpm |
| Torque | 33.2 Nm @ 7,500 rpm | 33.5 Nm |
| Front Suspension | 43mm USD fork | USD fork |
| Ground Clearance | 168 mm | 183 mm |
| Seat Height | 807 mm | 800–820 mm (adjustable) |
| Fuel Tank | 12 litres | 15 litres |
| Kerb Weight | 174 kg | 168.3 kg |
| Front Tyre | 110/70-17 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 140/70-17 | — |
The Duke is lighter by about 5.7 kg and offers more ground clearance — both meaningful advantages for spirited riding. The NS400Z has a 43mm USD front fork and a Nitrox rear monoshock with six-step adjustability, which is solid hardware for the price bracket. The Duke’s adjustable seat height between 800–820 mm makes it more accommodating for riders of varying builds.
Price: The Defining Difference
This is where the comparison gets decisive. The Bajaj NS400Z is priced at Rs 1.94 lakh (ex-showroom), while the KTM 390 Duke 350cc costs Rs 2.77 lakh (ex-showroom) — a difference of Rs 83,000. Notably, the 350cc Duke itself saves Rs 62,000 over the Duke R, which retails at Rs 3.38 lakh. If you want premium European-brand feel and a deeper electronics package, the Duke justifies its premium. But if you want exceptional value with most modern features at nearly Rs 84,000 less, the NS400Z is hard to ignore, especially for a first big bike buyer in India.
