390 Duke It's not your average cup of coffee it'll leave you shaking and buzzed Wide Awake these 2022s they're about the best of the 390s we've ever had in 2013 the 390 Duke was unique it was not very expensive to buy but the performance was at a level we hadn't seen before these they pack a wallop.
But they're not quite so cheap to buy anymore they've always been crazy in this high-energy all-drama sort of way they're not very hard to ride anymore. but it takes effort just to keep up with it the latest ones have become more mature and more polished they're more capable than ever and they remain deceptively incredibly quick it's also a cerebral motorcycle you have to think it through before you can answer that question should you be riding a 390 Duke but let's start with how it looks unique.
Design
It makes people ask designers and that's the answer it's flamboyant it's distinctive and it will stand out in a crowd unless we're in a crowd of 125s 200s and 250s then we are splitting hair over the headlight and the stickering. but think about it it would be so funny to go to one of the KTM events with a 390 clacked completely in say 200cc clothing.
But I digress I've always loved how Melancholy these KTM Dukes look the old bulb headlight as well as this led headlamp they have that strangely sad expression that I'd really enjoy looking at but it's also now an exaggerated shape I mean look at the tank extensions but they do help the old one was harder to fit into but this one makes it easier for taller Riders to sit in the tank is also larger the seat is larger all of it increases the capability of this motorcycle these KTMs have always looked sharp and light on their feet this design has been around.
Since the 2017 model so it looks familiar but let's be honest we don't know a lot of people who'd buy a KTM just for the way it looks right we want.
Real World Performance
It for how it goes the engine has not changed significantly from the beginning and with mild Austrian exaggeration, the name came to be 390.
In 2017 came the larger air box which brought torque and Ride by wire this is a grown-up now it works hard but with the authority with a calm that the first ones never had it's got composure and manners for example my 2014 390 Duke has race Dynamics ECU and a quick shifter and yet this bike feels like it accelerates harder it's also a hell of a lot smoother it feels like with the new ones.
I work a lot less hard for the performance except for the quick shifter that's a little bit hit and miss these KTMs have never had a sense of size or weight and they're fast so it's easy to be going stupidly quick on the flip side. if you back off the acceleration you can cruise down the highway at fairly high speeds with very decent fuel economy the KTM 390 Duke makes a smashingly good Torah the engine which we so love was matched to a sparkling chassis but not Chassis, Handling, Braking.
So great tires the first ones can come with the w rated Metzella m5s Revelation they were incredible in the dry at the limit and in the wet, these Edge-rated ones feel like a very decent Chinese copy but faster Riders will discover that these tires are the weak link in an otherwise strong chassis package it's important. because this chassis knows how to dance my 390 despite major suspension upgrades on Mumbai's sketchy concrete roads can feel like it's teetering between thrilling and scary in contrast this is stable.
It's reassuring it's huge fun and it's very responsive indeed the brakes were a weak part of the motorcycle at the beginning today they are strong and friendly but for most people performance and cornering was the Nuance of the KTM.
Plywood Seats & Engine Heat
Conversation the core of that was how hot it ran and what plywood the seats were made from thankfully we've come a long way from that those comfortable seats still run hot though fast engine almost the body works to deflect the hot air you're going to have to get used to it or move along.
Comfort
What you will appreciate is the suspension there was a big upgrade from the 2017 models which gives this a sense of sophistication small bumps are controlled very well and large bumps have the sting taken out of them it's still very much sitting at the sporty end of the Comfort Spectrum.
But it's definitely better than the crudeness of the earlier model by comparison so what does it not do well I What It Doesn't Do Well have never liked the layout of the TFT screen I think it's too cluttered it's always trying to show me too much information and the other thing switch gear levers mirrors I think they can all improve in quality but let's sum this up Brilliant! But Not For Everyone!
And I'll start with the caveat I am a huge KTM 390 Duke fan and I would like to recommend it to you and to everybody but I can't as I said at the beginning this is the one KTM that isn't for everyone and it should be I mean it's easy to live with it's generally reliable service is cheap and KTM Parts can be shockingly affordable and it's definitely an exciting motorcycle no.
It's brilliant it's amazing out on the highway it's a guided missile through the city and it absolutely loves the twisties it's even comfortable with a distinctly sporty aftertaste so why am I hesitating so much it's the 390 Temperament Matters Duke is always challenging you competing with you it's intense and it's not a relationship everyone's cut-out fall this is a commitment and it can vary easily become a misguided missile for a 10-year-old bike to evoke such powerful emotions.
it must be special right but 10 years means this thing's time is up and All-New 390 Duke is Incoming! The question is where's the new bike the first 390 Duke came out in June 2013 so
10-year anniversary all-new 390 dupe I am still super excited about the new bike it'll be a 399 cc engine mostly so what do you think it'll be called the 390 Duke.
What we can assume safely is it has a new engine and new frame
To replace this so it'll have to be lighter faster smoother more mature more polished probably a little bit more expensive too. But lighter smoother faster than this it sounds nuts and absolutely nuts it's the Hallmark of the KTM 390 Duke.
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