KTM Duke is one good-looking motorcycle. Many riders customise their KTM Duke 390 to give it a more individualistic identity, but this one is the most radically transformed Duke that we have ever seen in India or maybe even around the world.
The inspiration
The motorcycle design has been inspired by the popular Hollywood flick Chappie. The movie set in South Africa, is about the future where robots have replaced the police force. The movie revolves around one damaged robot known as Chappie that gets stolen and given a new programming. The new software of the police droid gives it the ability to think, hence, making it one of its kind among the force.
The customisation
Taking inspiration of a thinking droid, the KTM Duke 390 has not been given a mind of its own but the looks of the Chappie droid have been mimeographed quite well to the naked motorcycle. The modifications are done by Pune-based Autologue design and the final result is quite intriguing.
There is not a single stock body panel of the Duke 390 on the motorcycle. Every single bit of factory fitted body panel has replaced with custom bodywork. The new panels are inspired by the movie character’s angular body design and straight lines. The already angular tank of the Duke 390 now only has straight lines in bulky design form.The grab rails have been customised to provide a very angular look with a dark blue design theme. The whole motorcycle received a matte black design finish along with highlights of orange and dark royal blue paint in the matte finish.
The grab rails have been customised to provide a very angular look with a dark blue design theme. The whole motorcycle received a matte black design finish along with highlights of orange and dark royal blue paint in the matte finish. Even the alloy wheels receive the dark blue finish along with words “Mommy” and “Daddy”, that is used by Chappie to address his human family in the movie.
The headlamp of the custom motorcycle is what gives it real character. It has been designed with a flat LED stripe that forms the eyes of Chappie. The whole headlight unit has been transformed, inspired by the character. The headlamp unit also receives two movable ears. On the handlebar, there is one extra auxiliary lamp for added visibility during night rides. The tail lamp has also been updated with the brighter LED lamps and custom indicators.
The attention to details is immense in this custom work. The motorcycle receives similar stickers to what Chappie had in the movie. The motorcycle also loses the front and rear mudguards and new off-road spec tyres give it a more raw and muscular look.
Engine
The KTM Duke 390 is powered by a 373cc, liquid-cooled, single cylinder engine that produces a maximum of 43 BHP at 9,500 rpm and 35 Nm of maximum torque at 7,250 rpm. The powerful and quirky engine has been left alone and no changes have been done to it.