KTM Duke 390

The Duke 390 is a powerful and mean naked sports bike offering from the Australian maker KTM, the 390 is the predecessor of the successful Duke 200. KTM has given a similar styling to the two sports bikes and this can be seen in the whole design package.



One may get confused by the two naked sports bike as it gets the same styling, but the company has given many mechanical changes to the Duke 390 to separate it from its younger sibling. One may get confused by the two naked sports bike as it gets the same styling, but the company has given many mechanical changes to the Duke 390 to separate it from its younger sibling.



Much of the front design styling of the 390 is taken from the 1290 SUPER DUKE R, this can be clearly spotted from the aggressive LED headlight, that combines optimal illumination of the near field with maximum light output and the same can be seen in the Super Duker. The parking light of the 390 consists of 20 LEDs, which makes sure that the motorcycle is identified better in all riding environments and light conditions making it safer while riding at all times.



The new Duke 390 comes with an all-new TFT display. This TFT display has a multicolour combination of relevant information, that will be essential for the rider, and the TFT display presents all relevant data in a clear-cut, uncluttered way. The display bars change colour, and it automatically adapts its illumination to the ambient light. A smartphone can be tethered to the bike via the TFT display using Bluetooth connectivity. This gives the rider full control over incoming calls and an audio player. All the information pops up on the bike´s display as you manage this optional extra with the menu switch while keeping the hands on the handlebar.

Engine

The raw power of the Duke 390 is unleashed by the powerful and monstrous 373cc Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine, liquid-cooled engine. This middleweight sports bike produces a maximum power of 43.5 Ps @ 9000 rpm and a 35 Nm @ 7000 rpm. The engine of this naked monster is mated to a 6-speed, claw shifted transmission system.



The engine pulls out its power and torque at all speeds and provides good initial response and throttle control. The Duke 390 manages to get a top speed of 160 kmph and KTM has locked the top speed of this monster to its safe limits for the good of the engine and the rider as well.

Chassis, Suspension and Braking

The 390 use a very high-quality upside-down fork from WP Suspension that comes with open-cartridge technology, which offers impressive advantages mainly due to its easy maintenance, simplicity and also because of the making with very fewer components. The Duke 390 comes with the racing-inspired DNA of its elder sibling 690, as we can spot a very hard and rigid die-cast swingarm which comes designed and produced according to the same standards and principles of the elder sibling. The Duke 390 uses a Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel and comes powder-coated for its look and feel. The chassis has a very lightweight characteristic, the trellis frame makes this sportbike rule street and corner with maximum agility and the centre of gravity achieved by the bike maximize the manoeuvrability and precision of the bike while riding at higher speeds.



The Braking system of the Duke 390 consists of 2-channel Bosch ABS that keeps up with the power dynamics and rage showcased by the Duke. The ABS system of the 390 is safeguarded with radially-bolted, 4-piston calliper and 320 mm disc diameter at the front, while at the rear, the Disc brake with one-pot brake calliper, floating brake discs are provided.

Final Words

With a very powerful engine, mean and beautiful design and modern equipment and ABS as standard, the Duke 390 is a peace of marvellous machinery one can buy in India. What makes this lightweight naked sports bike more attractive is its low pricing, which cannot be matched by any in this segment. The Duke 390 is very aggressive and powerful, its lightweight design with high torque characteristics might make it hard to tame around congested roads and busy traffic, but when tamed this monstrous beast will be high on the rev range. The Duke 390 is all game for serious highspeed riding and this will be choice hard to miss for a serious biking enthusiast and serious riders alike.