Bajaj Auto has officially confirmed that it is working on smaller-capacity KTM and Triumph motorcycles for India, following the revised GST structure that came into effect in September. We’d earlier reported that the company was developing a downsized version of the Triumph’s 399cc engine to bring it under the sub-350cc category, and Bajaj has now confirmed that this strategy will extend to the KTM range as well.
- New engine will see performance drop of 3-5hp
- Pro-Biking division posted best-ever quarter with over 30,000 units sold
Bajaj working on sub-350cc bikes with KTM, Triumph
New bikes will benefit from 18 percent GST instead of current 40 percent
During Bajaj Auto’s Q2 FY26 analyst call, Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, confirmed the company’s ongoing efforts to realign its portfolio.
“We are working along with our partners, KTM and Triumph, on reshaping our portfolio to take advantage of the lower GST rates, and these products will be launched in due course,” Sharma said.
He added, “The GST rate cuts found some of the KTM and all of the Triumph models on the wrong side of the 350cc divide. However, we maintained prices, absorbing the GST increase, and to some extent, customers rewarded us with their support during the festival.”
Thanks to this, Bajaj’s Pro-Biking division recorded its best-ever quarter, selling over 30,000 units – a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
While specific details are still under wraps, the new engine platform will reportedly feature a smaller bore, bringing displacement just under the 350cc threshold. The downsizing is expected to result in a 3-5hp drop in peak output compared to the current Triumph Speed 400. For context, the Triumph Speed 400 currently makes 40hp and 37.5Nm, while the KTM 390 Duke produces 46hp and 39Nm.
While this performance reduction may not significantly impact Triumph that does not have smaller displacement models in its lineup, it could be trickier for KTM. The KTM 390 range is tied to performance, and a detuned engine will narrow the gap with the existing KTM 250 lineup. Bajaj is thus faced with the difficult task of ensuring these new sub-350cc models continue to deliver the aspirational performance the 390s are known for.
In Bajaj’s own portfolio, the Dominar 400 and Pulsar NS400Z are also expected to transition to sub-350cc configurations in the future. Bajaj has not announced a launch timeline yet, and there’s also no confirmation on how long the company intends to maintain current pricing for its 400cc models. So if you’re in the market for one, it might be a good idea to act soon.
With input from Darshan Nakhwa & Ketan Thakkar
