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Brakes of the KTM 390 Duke in the test

Model year 2017 gets a new brake system

In the comparison test, the brakes of the KTM 390 Duke weakened under extreme loads. KTM reacted, re-tested in the factory and found so-called initial fading as the cause.

Admittedly, the test was tough, but it was fair: MOTORRAD checked the loading capacity of the braking systems of entry-level naked bikes by applying six full brakes at short intervals from 100 km / h. While the machines from Kawasaki and Yamaha easily put up with it, the KTM surprised 390 Duke with sharply decreasing lag. During the sixth braking attempt, the deceleration fell from 9.0 to 7.7 m / s2.

Brakes of the KTM 390 Duke in the test

Model year 2017 gets a new brake system

KTM 390 Duke again with further braking and on the 24th attempt almost reached the starting value again. The brake was then allowed to cool down in order to then carry out a further series of tests, but in which no significant fading occurred.

Model year 2017 gets a new brake system

The diagram illustrates the decrease in the braking effect. Initially, you can only enter the ABS control range with very high manual force on the brake lever, but not at all when the brake is hot. All values ​​were determined in solo operation.

The cause is therefore clear to KTM: It is what is known as the initial fading of new organic brake pads, which release gases when the vehicle is first exposed to heavy loads, thus reducing the deceleration. At first glance, that seems plausible.

However, this is contradicted by the fact that fading also occurred in a second series of measurements during the MOTORRAD test. So the real cause ultimately remains unclear. In any case, KTM has already been active and has tackled the problem at the root: The new KTM 390 Duke (2017 model) is getting a reinforced brake system with a 320 mm enlarged disc.

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