KTM Duke 200 And Duke 390 Performance Parts By Mantra Racing — Gives The KTM RC 390, 53bhp!

KTM 390 performance parts are not very hard to come by in India. But Made-In-India examples of such parts (that too with international standards) are reasonably hard to come by. This is where Mantra Racing comes in.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

With their ECU (Electronic Control Unit), air filter, big-bore kit, cylinder head, racing camshafts, modified fueling system and a lot more, Mantra Racing seems all set to take Indian performance parts to the next level.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

The very first motorcycle race in history was conducted by tuning a production motorcycle into a race bike. Back in the days, motorcycle companies have invested millions in racing by using production motorcycles as the base platform for their race machines.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

Over the last few decades, the tables have turned and manufacturers now use racing as a research and development platform for their production motorcycles. Large amounts of data are collected from every single race and the same is pushed into the development of production motorcycles.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

Mantra Racing too seems to have adopted such a principle – taking learnings and experience gained from the racetrack to develop parts for road motorcycles. The calibre of Mantra Racing was set really high since the very beginning.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

Mantra Racing ECU Flash For KTM RC 390 & Duke 390

The ECUs made by Mantra Racing are a different breed compared to other examples.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

The tuner, who in this case is Sharan Jayaram, loads an entirely new set of self-written codes onto the stock ECU manufactured by Bosch. The codes include fuelling and ignition maps custom-written by Sharan while electronics and sensor mapping are borrowed from the stock KTM.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

This way, the motorcycle functions exactly as KTM intended it to, without any niggles. In fact, the issue of raw fuelling which leads to a jerky ride at low RPMs on older KTM 390shas been ironed out. It rides and performs better than a stock KTM without a heavy compromise on fuel efficiency.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

Mantra Racing has shared the dynamometer (dyno) charts with even the smallest details such as ambient temperature, humidity, etc. We tested the Mantra Racing ECU and air filter and this is how they feel!

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

Mantra Racing Performance ECU For KTM 390

Stage I:

If your KTM is primarily used as a commuter and you want more power while still giving decent fuel efficiency, the Mantra Racing Stage I ECU is perfect for you. The map eliminates the typical low-speed jerk of the KTM 390 and gives better mid-range torque.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

The real effect of the ECUcomes only high up in the power band. Once it is revved past 7,000rpm, power is available in abundance and acceleration is blistering. As said earlier, the racing firm is undaunted about their performance gains.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

The maximum power output achieved by the Stage I ECU is 53.25bhp and peak torque output is 39.2Nm; both figures being an average of two runs. That is a gain of 10.35bhp and 3.2Nm over the production model (the stock motorcycle produces 42.90bhp and 36Nm). This is about more than just numbers and the final result is a brilliant fun-to-ride motorcycle.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

The KTM RC 390 in stock form is a difficult motorcycle to power wheelie. The front wheel generally stays planted on the ground. But on the Mantra Racing RC 390, the front-end becomes extremely light in the first three shifts. It is a feeling wherein one knows that the wheel is barely touching the ground and a slight tug on the handlebar would bring the bike up.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

It is a hoot to ride the motorcycle since the power output comes in at higher RPMs. However, none of the wires on the motorcycle are modified and the engine itself has not even been touched. The rev-limit too is exactly the same as a stock KTM 390.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

Under 5,000rpm, the engine behaves exactly like a stock KTM 390, hence leaving fuel efficiency during commutes unaffected. One should bear in mind that this is a bone-stock KTM RC 390 and it is just the plug-and-play ECU that is doing the magic. Getting this much performance out of a near-stock motorcycle using just code-based wizardry is just mind-boggling.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

Stage II:

The biggest difference between Stage I and II is that the former is for stock bikes whereas the latter is for slightly modified bikes. The Stage II ECU can be modulated for individual customers depending on the level of modifications done to their motorcycle.

KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

Sharan Jayaram has developed different sets of maps for different configurations.

  • Stock Engine With Tuned By Mantra Drop-In Air Filter
  • Stock Engine With Tuned By Mantra Performance Exhaust
  • Stock Engine With Tuned By Mantra Drop-In Air Filter And Tuned By Mantra Performance Exhaust
  • KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Stage II flash with stock air filter and exhaust has strong mid-range torque and high top-end acceleration. The characteristics change completely when the Mantra Racing TBM drop-in air filter is added. The acceleration at higher RPMs becomes ballistic. The rev-limits remain the same here too.

    Mantra Racing recommends using Stage II only on a bike that is modified in any of the aforementioned configurations. The Stage II ECU was tested on the dyno with the Mantra Racing TBM air filter and Titanium Exhaust system. The motorcycle peaked at an output of 55.1bhp and 38.2Nm.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Mantra Racing HyperStreet Kit For Duke 390 and RC 390:

    Mantra Racing recommends this kit for those who seek the maximum power output from their KTM 390, without compromising on the longevity of the engine.

    The HyperStreet kit includes a heavily-modified cylinder head, racing camshafts, fuelling system modifications, TBM drop-in air filter, replacement head gasket and of course, a specifically-tuned ECU.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Sharan Jayaram customises the ECU mapping with inputs from the motorcycle rider. This helps in deciding how the power is put down to the road and when the power band should open up. For this, the rev-limit has been increased by 500rpm. Mantra Racing is anticipating the motorcycle to push out more than 58bhp post these modifications.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Other Performance Parts For KTM 390 Duke and RC 390:

    Air Filter

    Mantra Racing has designed and built a fully-customised drop-in air filter. The firm claims that these air filters have been specifically made for Indian air conditions and temperatures.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Designed from scratch, the filter helps the engine breathe freely without reducing filtration quality. The air filter is available for the Mahindra Mojo too.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Titanium Exhaust System

    Mantra Racing has also designed and built a custom-made titanium exhaust system for the KTM 390 twins. The exhaust causes a substantial increase in the torque output of the 373.2cc, single-cylinder engine. This exhaust system is also a world-first for a KTM 390.

    Even the KTM factory race bikes use a stainless steel exhaust system; carbon-fibre being the most extreme. The Mantra Racing Titanium Exhaust System weighs in under 1.5kgs, undercutting the stock exhaust system by more than 11.5kgs.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Performance Parts The For KTM 200 Duke and RC 200

    Mantra Racing Air Filter

    The air filters for the KTM 200 and the 390 twins are the same. Explained above, the unit is a direct fit for the 200 models.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Stage I and Stage II ECUs

    The Stage I ECU for the KTM Duke 200 and RC 200 has exactly the same characteristics as the one for the KTM 390 twins. But the Stage II ECU for the KTM 200 twins requires just the Mantra Racing air filter to get the gains and doesn't need the exhaust system as for the 390.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Stage III ECU

    The Stage III ECU is specifically built for bikes using the custom 240cc big bore kit developed in-house by Mantra Racing for the KTM 200 twins. The engine requires additional fuelling to compensate for the increase in capacity and that is exactly what the Stage III ECU does.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Does It Void Warranty?

    Since the Mantra Racing Stage I and Stage II ECUs, drop-in air filter and the exhaust system do not interfere with any hardware, it ideally should not void the manufacturer warranty. However, the application of warranty is at the manufacturer's discretion. These performance parts from Mantra Racing are sold under the ‘Competition Use Only' tag.

    KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

    Mantra Racing Performance Parts For KTM Duke & RC Models – Prices

    • KTM 390 Duke/RC 390 Stage I ECU: Rs 12,000
    • KTM 390 Duke/RC 390 Stage II ECU: Rs 12,000
    • HyperStreet Kit For KTM 390 Duke/RC 390: Rs 60,000
    • KTM 200 Duke/RC 200 Stage I ECU: Rs 9,500
    • KTM 200 Duke/RC 200 Stage II ECU: Rs 9,500
    • KTM 200 Duke/RC 200 Stage III ECU: Rs 11,000
    • TBM Drop-In Air Filter For KTM 200 and 390: Rs 2,700
    • TBM Drop-In Air Filter For Mahindra Mojo: Rs 2,900
    • Mantra Racing Titanium Exhaust System For KTM 390 Duke/RC 390: Rs 60,000
    • KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      All prices quoted for ECUs are based on an exchange policy. A perfectly working stock ECU in good physical condition has to be exchanged for the Mantra Racing ECU. If one wants the ECU without exchanging the older one, it would cost Rs 18,000 for the KTM 200 twins and Rs 21,000 for the KTM 390 models.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      Mantra Racing's Contribution To Indian Motorsport

      A D Jayaram

      A D Jayaram was one of the founding fathers of Indian motorsport. He founded the Karnataka Motor Sports Club and was an inspiration to many in the industry.
      He was also one of the most important people in the Indian tuning industry and took the ‘nothing is impossible' philosophy to the next level. He has even built a car at home – the Jayaram GT – a sportscar which was quicker and luxurious than most other cars in its time; even Jaguars and Porsches.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      He also pioneered forced-induction in India by supercharging a Standard Super 10. Using this car, he touched a landmark of 185km/h, back in 1960. Needless to say, the Jayaram family began taking in the trophies since then and has never stopped.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      Pratap Jayaram

      The son of late A D Jayaram, Pratap Jayaram (also known as Bobby Jayaram), has been involved in almost every electric car project undertaken by Indian manufacturers.

      He is the man behind the Maini Reva. He also had a good stint with Mahindra Electric and Mahindra Racing. He is well-known not just among the Indian racing fraternity but also outside the country.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      Pratap Jayaram is also known for his stunning creation, the RevaBusa – a Maini Reva that is nowhere close to its electric car origins. This one is a fire-breathing, turbocharged-Hayabusa-engined monster that runs the quarter mile in just 11.05 seconds.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      Sharan Jayaram Pratap

      Sharan Jayaram, the third-generation Jayaram is now taking what the Jayarams did, to a league of his own – the electronic wizardry level. Sharan Jayaram has opened up the Indian tuning scene to ‘the dark art of flashing ECUs' and playing around with vehicle electronics.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      Sharan is good at both hardware and software for going fast; the skill which sets him apart. Most tuners of old are still stuck at the hardware level. Motorcycles from Mantra Racing, running the ECU maps and codes that Sharan Jayaram has written, have been at the top of India's drag racing scene for a few years now, with quarter mile times as quick as 9.1 seconds.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      If every exploit of the three Jayaram generations are put to words, it would probably take up an entire book. However, their expertise is seen and felt in their performance products and of course, their victories in racing. The family even have a room full of trophies won in motorsport events.

      These Mantra Racing products might have been built in a home-garage. But decades of experience from dominating races have gone into making them. With such great racing heritage under the belt, it was obvious that their performance parts for the KTM Duke 390 and RC 390 would make for a great increase in performance.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      What wasn't obvious, until the point we rode it, was how awesome it felt. A great ride isn't just about power and torque figures but is also about character and how the power is put down to the wheels. The Mantra Racing KTM RC 390 excels at this.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      The current ECU is meant for the KTM RC 390 and 390 Duke models, manufactured prior to 2017 (underbelly exhaust-equipped models). The ECUs for the facelifted 2017 and 2018 models are currently under development. Our readers will be the first to know about them, once the products are ready.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      Mantra Racing also has ECU flashes for almost every superbike and sportbike out there. The company claims to have the best power output gains for popular superbikes and we hardly doubt it after riding the RC 390. For superbikes, Sharan Jayaram also gives his customers the option to add launch control through ECU codes.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      Thoughts On Mantra Racing Performance Parts

      The Mantra Racing ECU equipped KTM 390 can be summed up in just one sentence – ‘If You Don't Own One, You Will Never Understand'. And not-so-surprisingly, the very sentence has been printed on their product-packaging. The ECU flash developed by Sharan Jayaram truly has to be experienced to know how it feels.

      KTM 390, KTM 200 And Superbikes Performance Parts And ECU Flash In India

      Mantra Racing is more than willing to give potential customers a taste of all this on their KTM RC 390.

      Mantra Racing can be contacted at:

      House #30,
      Promenade Rd,
      Frazer Town, Bengaluru,
      Karnataka 560005

      Phone Number: 080 2536 8858
      Mobile Number: +91 98866 16036

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Article Published On: Tuesday, May 29, 2018, 14:14 [IST]
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