New KTM 390 Duke: Unleashing the ultimate beast is the all new KTM 390 Duke, a performance street motorcycle that tops the charts when it comes to features and style with a performance that is just simply mind blowing. The ‘corner rocket’ will have already approached it’s name with respect and the 390 Duke has earned himself something of a cult reputation for punchiness, acuity of control, and the fun of its running gear. The biggest update for the 2020 iteration is that KTM hasn’t only updated the visual elements, but has worked on some concrete mechanical and electronic changes that make the bike more thrilling and controllable as well. It has a slightly more hooligan look and yet it’s grown up and become more refined for modern day streets.
New KTM 390 Duke Radical Design That Looks the Part
KTM has completely overhauled the bodywork, and it’s now more of a reflection of its bigger brothers in the Duke lineup. The latest 390 duke now gets a bulkier tank with angular extensions, an exposed sub-frame and sharp creases that shout muscles and aggression. The LED headlamp is a spilt unit, and it definitely looks that part, making it very futuristic and hard to miss on the road. The bike is lower and shorter as new chassis geometry drops the tail, and the re-designed seat and tail unit makes it look less like a sport tourer and more purposeful. Color palettes are vibrant and vivid, showcasing KTM’s visual identity. From any angle, the 390 Duke seems like a bike ready to assault corners or blaze through rush hour traffic, with every piece of design purposefully designed around speed and agility.
More powerful engine with increased torque and precision
Powering the new 390 Duke is a 398cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor (as opposed to the previous 373cc motor). Not only does this updated engine offer even more torque than ever all the way through the rev range, it can also sounds even more aggressive, while still featuring KTM’s unique top-end ‘kick’. The throttle response is snappier, and, the power delivery is more-linear, which makes the bike less intimidating for new riders, but no less fun for seasoned ones. KTM says it has focused recent orders of business on increasing engine refinement and cooling and you can feel the results in traffic and when you get the juices flowing a bit. The gearbox comes equipped with a bi-directional quickshifter and is capable of clutch upshifts and downshifts – giving the machine a race-bread feel for everyday riding. The 390 Duke feels punchier off the line and more at home across a broader range of speeds and road surfaces with the new motor.
Chassis and Suspension Refined to Push the Limits of Precision AllowGet Configurations
The attention to engineering detail at KTM’s end is ever so clear in the chassis and suspension department on this new 390 Duke. A newly designed lightweight steel trellis frame and aluminum subframe bring improved rigidity and mass centralization to the bike. The steering head has been revised to get more flickability out of the Duke and it is even more manoeuvrable than before. WP Apex suspension units – an open cartridge USD fork at the front and preload-adjustable monoshock on the rear – have been retuned to provide better ride comfort, while maintaining its cornering capabilities. It doesn’t matter if were slaloming through tight corners or hopping the bike through pothole infested streets, the new configuration straddles the line between stiffness and comfort with an almost magical precision. When combined with a changed wheelbase and weight distribution, the bike reacts to the rider intently, a level of sharpness few in the class can offer.
Confident Braking and Tyres
To manage the added performance, KTM has also updated the braking hardware. The new 320mm front disc stops the bike very well, and feels like the ultimate embodiment of the word “Progressive” when squeezing the lever. Dual-channel ABS with Supermoto mode gives riders the option to disengage rear ABS for deliberate rear wheel slides, allowing for maximum freedom on the street or in the dirt. Grippy and easy on the arms, the revised braking system inspires confidence standing on urban tarmac or making high-speed highway hits. Quality grip comes courtesy of premium Metzeler or Michelin rubber (market dependent) that provides good levels of bite in wet and dry conditions. Matched to the bike’s low kerb weight and pointy steering, these sticky rubbers make the Duke feel grounded, even when leaned way over in turns or braking hard before corners.
Competence in a Technology Package That s Easily Comparable to Warmed-Over Bigger Bikes
The 390 Duke is now a lot more than a mechanical marvel — it is also a gadget geek’s delight, with the kind of electronics that you normally see in higher capacity motorcycles. Central to the TFT-based driver interface is a new 5-inch color TFT display that supports smartphone functions, GPS navigation, ride data and statistics, and much more. If you have a deep feature set on the watch, the menu is clear, intuitive and responds well even to sunlight. Even more impressive, KTM has fitted the bike with ride-by-wire and several riding modes, such as Street and Rain, as well as lean-sensitive traction control and lean-sensitive ABS in the corners. Adding to its sporty credentials is the launch control. All of this is integrated into a well-balanced package that can be changed easily to suit rider preference and riding style. These are the additions that echo the shift of the Duke into a fully-digital, motorcycle experience, but without losing its rawness that is its DNA.
New KTM 390 Duke Ankle Texture for Comfort and Performance
With razor sharp looks and feisty disposition, the new 390 Duke has been rendered a lot more amiable for everyday use. Its seat height is taller than what you’ll find on most commuters, but it has a more favorable reach because the tank area is narrower. Some more padding in the new seat is thicker and better distributes your weight for all-day comfort. KTM have also changed the position of the footpegs to enable a neutral seating position, combining sportiness and everyday comfort. The feel of the switchgear has also been updated to make it more tactile, and the clutch and brake levers are now adjustable to cater to different hand sizes. With its increased range of several kilometers, better cooling and up-to-date features, the Duke was now more than a weekend toy but a true alternative for cruising to work, a short term tour or just a quick trip through the city.