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• Well Duke
• Ergonomics and equipment
• Handling and power delivery
• Technical specifications
• Differences to the KTM 125/200 Duke
• Price comparison for used KTM 390 Duke

Photo: manufacturer

7th photos

Manufacturer

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The new KTM 390 Duke at Eicma.

Manufacturer

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The new KTM 390 Duke at Eicma.

Manufacturer

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The new KTM 390 Duke at Eicma.

Manufacturer

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The new KTM 390 Duke at Eicma.

Manufacturer

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The new KTM 390 Duke at Eicma.

Manufacturer

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The new KTM 390 Duke at Eicma.

Manufacturer

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The new KTM 390 Duke at Eicma.

KTM 390 Duke in the driving report (2013)

Well Duke

The Duke family is getting bigger – at least in terms of displacement. The new KTM 390 Duke with 44 hp and 150 kilos promises immense driving pleasure.

The very idea is unreasonable. Almost adolescent indecent like an inflated VW Beetle. Little weight, short dimensions, a lot of pressure: Mutti would have forbidden this before. But a look at the key data of the new KTM 390 Duke is enough, and the slumbering spring fever comes to life, there is no stopping it. The only thing that buzzes through your head: I want to go up to the little Duke! Take them to a well-tended tour of the country road and get to know them!

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KTM 390 Duke in the driving report
Well Duke

At first glance, the KTM 390 Duke is indistinguishable from its little sisters. As well as? The dimensions are identical. You have to take a closer look. Larger engine, thicker manifold, powerful front silencer and a lettering on the tank cover give the knowledgeable observer information. For all noise experts, the following applies: wait until the piston does its work by itself after a bit of effort has been made to use the starter and its acoustics can be heard. Then you won’t get a full sledgehammer workbench sound on your ears, but the 44 hp engine definitely stomps more fat than the rustling of the 125 or 200.

Yes, you understand correctly, compared to the 125cc, the new addition to the Duke family not only has three times the cubic capacity, but also sends three times as many horses towards the crankshaft. The same applies to the torque of 35 Newton meters, which is applied at 7250 revolutions. With this data one asks rightly how the steel space frame is supposed to keep the strengthened drive in check, how the chassis geometry can cope with the increase in performance?

Ergonomics and equipment

The wheelbase of minimalist 1.37 meters and the narrow waist are more reminiscent of a bicycle than a motorbike. If you want to turn around in the tightest of spaces with this motorcycle, you can simply get off, lift the rear briefly and turn the box on the spot. Beginner-friendliness par excellence! This is not limited to the dimensions and the low weight of 150 kilograms with a tank filled with eleven liters of fuel. At a height of 80 centimeters, even small drivers can easily and securely enter the control center.

Anyone who, as a full-grown Homo sapiens, is concerned that they will sit on a motorized bicycle like a pocket bike is wrong – at least in part. Because when it comes to ergonomics, even people weighing 90 kilograms and 1.86 meters don’t complain, they feel in good hands on the KTM. But for that you have to like such a graceful appearance. Fans of imposing big bikes do not complain about the Bonsai-Duke without reason. So you shouldn’t expect the comfort of a travel tourer. After all, a naked bike remains a naked bike.

One is amazed at the wealth of information that the cockpit of the KTM 390 Duke provides. This is really unique in this class. In addition to two trip meters, average fuel consumption (which according to the display was around 3.4 l / 100 km after 140 kilometers), fuel gauge and gear indicator, the KTM 390 Duke even has an adjustable shift light. The driver is also informed of the remaining kilometers until the next inspection is due. The chic LED rear light, the clearly visible LED indicators and the unique, illuminated switches complete the image of a modern entry-level bike.

The KTM Duke 390 is started, the engine begins to rumble. The hand has to stretch quite a bit to pull the non-adjustable clutch lever, which is a little too far away. With a slight kick of the forefoot, the first and later all subsequent gears lock into place as smooth as butter. The exit around Salzburg can begin.

Handling and power delivery

Manufacturer

Brembo single disc brakes with radially screwed brake calipers from the Indian subsidiary Bybre decelerate very well with Bosch ABS.

The next surprise follows immediately. If the still slightly damp roads warn you to drive carefully, the tour guide gives a lot of tinder on the winding singletrack and evidently has confidence in the tires. During the first stopover, the explanation takes place: While the 125 and 200 cm are on soles from the Indian manufacturer MRF, which are not particularly well known for their wet grip, the European version of the KTM 390 Duke wears the proven M5 Interact from Metzeler – as standard, like KTM approved.

The KTM 390 Duke can be folded from left to right and back again with extreme ease. Curve follows curve. The KTM 390 Duke, which, like its little sisters, is produced by Bajaj in India, is fully in its element. She confidently masters intermediate straights. Just below 3000 revs the engine happily gets going, announcing right at the beginning that it is not lacking in liveliness. Up to 6000 the power increases steadily in order to set a considerable punch for this cubic capacity at 7000 revolutions.

This allows the KTM 390 Duke to accelerate out of the lean angle so quickly and without potential loss of control that you don’t want any more horsepower at first. The little rascal pulls through up to 10500 revolutions, then the limiter puts an end to the hustle and bustle. The wide usable speed range makes the stew damn suitable for everyday use. Only at speeds above 130 km / h does the propulsion slow down, and even on rough inclines one or the other horsepower would be more desirable. But since that doesn’t exist, you always have to swing around the corner with swing. There is hardly a radius that the Duke cannot take, it scurries so lightly through the course. Always poke in the gap is her credo.

The damping and chassis of the KTM 390 Duke are convincing across the board. At no point do the upside-down fork or the shock absorber (both from WP) give cause for criticism, are well balanced and respond cleanly. The chassis turns out to be a model boy. It can cope with the extra power without any abnormalities. The 390 even masters fast corners over 120 km / h with stoic neutrality and accuracy. People like to poach from bend to bend and can at least keep up there with larger-capacity motorcycles.

The price is also a real announcement. At 4995 euros, the KTM 390 Duke including ABS is a serious competitor on the stage of affordable entry-level bikes. Well done Duke, KTM.

Technical specifications

Manufacturer

A wealth of information almost like a touring car: great cockpit.

engine
Water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves, rocker arms, wet sump lubrication, injection, Ø 46 mm, regulated catalytic converter, battery 12 V / 8 Ah, mechanically operated multi-plate oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, X-ring chain, secondary ratio 45 : 14.
Bore x stroke 89.0 x 60.0 mm
Cubic capacity 375 cm³
Compression ratio 12.9: 1

Rated output 32.0 kW (44 hp) at 9500 rpm
Max. Torque 35 Nm at 7250 rpm

landing gear
Lattice frame made of steel, upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut, directly hinged, adjustable spring base, front disc brake, Ø 300 mm, four-piston fixed caliper, rear disc brake, Ø 230 mm, single-piston floating caliper, SECTION.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.00 x 17; 4.00 x 17
Tires 110/70 ZR 17; 150/60 ZR 17
Tires in the Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact test

Dimensions + weight
Wheelbase 1367 mm, steering head angle 65.0 degrees, caster 94 mm, spring travel f / h 150/150 mm, seat height 800 mm, dry weight 139 kg, tank capacity 11.0 liters.
Two year guarantee
Colors white / black / orange
Price 4995 euros
Additional costs 200 euros

Differences to the KTM 125/200 Duke

• newly designed 375 cc engine

• Bosch ABS (can be switched off)

• Suspension strut and fork (from manufacturer WP) revised

• Tires: Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact

Price comparison for used KTM 390 Duke

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The 390 Duke is a popular entry-level motorcycle.

With its good power-to-weight ratio and nimble handling, the KTM 390 is a popular choice for novice drivers. That’s why you can find many copies on the used market that are looking for a new owner. If you look out for used KTM 390 Duke, you can save a lot of money: used KTM 390 Duke in Germany.

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