India-bound KTM Duke 390-based Husqvarna bikes gets automatic clutch system

Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen will mark their entry in the Indian market in 2020. The Husqvarna brand is owned by KTM the productions of the upcoming Svarpilen and Vitpilen 401 are expected to happen in India just like the entry-level KTM bikes. Rekluse, which is a USA-based aftermarket product brand has announced a semi-automatic clutch system for the upcoming bikes. The new system is priced at $600, which is roughly around Rs. 42,000. Husqvarna has officially partnered with the Rekluse brand to offer the accessory as optional equipment.

The automatic transmission has not caught up with the bikes as they have with the four wheelers. The Rekluse clutch replaces the traditional wet-clutch unit that is operated by the lever on the handlebar with a new Radius X Centrifugal clutch kit. The process of replacing can be done at home if the correct tools are available.

After the installing of the aftermarket clutch, there will be no stalling and the rider will not need to use the clutch lever while starting the bike or coming to a stop. The system can be installed without altering the standard system at all. However, the user will still need to use the clutch lever to shift between the gears while riding the bike. This will be perfect for the beginners who are still at a learning stage. Also, it will make the riding in heavy traffic much easier as the rider will not need to use the clutch at all while starting or stopping the bike. The system makes sure that the clutch engages automatically when the engine RPM starts to rise. After installing the system, the rider can still use the clutch lever in the traditional way too.

Rekluse claims that the new system operates at a much lower temperature, which in turn increases the life of the clutch by a great deal. It is not known if Husqvarna will offer the system in the Indian market when the bike launches in the Indian market. Since the Husqvarna is based on the same platform as the KTM 390 Duke and uses the same engine and transmission, it is quite possible that a similar system can be launched for the popular bike in the future. However, there is no such news for such a product for the KTM bikes.

The upcoming Husqvarna bikes will be powered by 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that generates a maximum power of 44 Bhp and a peak torque of 37 Nm. The prices of the bikes are likely to be around Rs. 3 lakh mark and they will be positioned above the KTM 390 Duke in the Indian market. Husqvarna bikes have already been spotted testing on the Indian roads under heavy camouflage and the launch is expected to happen by the end of this year or in eaerly 2020.