R&D – KTM puts the watts on an electric Duke roadster – Used KTM

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KTM puts the watts on an electric Duke roadster

R & amp; D - KTM puts the watts on an electric Duke roadster - Used KTM

KTM, the only major manufacturer to manufacture electric motorcycles with its all-terrain Freeride-E range, would seriously consider extending the "current" to its road offer through an unprecedented Duke-E based on 390 Duke. Explanations.

Is the largest European motorcycle manufacturer, KTM, about to embark resolutely on the path of electric propulsion? This is what stolen photos suggest of a prototype of 390 Duke – old generation – on which an electric motor and batteries replace the thermal single-cylinder … If this approach resulted in a production "Duke-E", the Austrian brand would strengthen its leadership position in the fledgling market of .

  • MNC test :
  • MNC special file :

Remember that KTM is currently the only major manufacturer to offer electric motorcycles via its Freeride-E range made up of off-road motorcycles (E-SX and E-XC) and a Supermotard version (E-SM). No other major player in the motorcycle scene has so far gone beyond the prototype stage, except for a few small scooters equivalent to 50 cc. The only exceptions: the maxi-scooter from BMW and the motorcycles of young "trendy" brands like Zero Motorcycles or Energica.

R & amp; D - KTM puts the watts on an electric Duke roadster - Used KTM

The "Duke-E" (or E-Duke?) Surprised on these pictures is for its part aesthetically similar to the current version with gasoline engine, except for the not very graceful insertion of the battery pack installed at the diagonal between the tank – no longer needed – and the engine. This thruster, in fact, is probably the same one used on the Freeride E range, a 300 V synchronous motor with liquid cooling. We also distinguish the water hoses on both sides, as well as the radiator placed on the left.

Performance equivalent to or even better than the 390 Duke thermal ?

Powered by lithium-ion batteries – called PowerPack at KTM – this electric motor can quite easily match the 45 hp of the 390 Duke thermal insofar as it is limited to 15 hp on the Freeride-E – with up to 22 peak hp – to benefit from the 125 cc equivalence (and thus be accessible without a motorcycle license). Except that the torque of this electric version could easily exceed the 37 Nm delivered by the single-cylinder gasoline, in addition to being available instantly. ! 

R & amp; D - KTM puts the watts on an electric Duke roadster - Used KTM

Still, with its 13.4 liters of gasoline in its tank and its reasonable consumption (about 4 l / 100 km), the 390 Duke’s field of action is – or even exceeds – 300 km by tapping into the reserve. . Either at least three times the autonomy of the current Freeride-E, whose announced duration of action is one hour according to KTM, or less than 100 km since these 125 cc thermal equivalents are limited to around 95 km / h !

Unless KTM manages to improve autonomy thanks to new, more efficient batteries in this new E-Duke configuration … Still, this progress will not pass – in the current state – by a recovery system energy when braking, since nothing of this kind can be seen around the radial "ByBre" caliper fixed to the left of the front spoke rim. 

  • MNC of May 4, 2017 :

Then the question, electrifying, of the price will arise: at 5,600 euros, the 390 Duke thermal is as accessible as it is interesting with its chassis and its quality peripherals. Its electric counterpart E-Duke, which uses its trellis frame, its hollowed out swing arm or its WP suspensions, will undoubtedly be much more expensive. As an indication, the Freeride E-SM costs € 11,825 (!!) with its battery pack and charger… Yes, it stings !

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