Angle Of Attack

The 2017 KTM 390 Duke is surprisingly mature and grown-up. But it’s still mental!

- Shubhabrata Marmar

The KTM 390 Duke is a chart buster. As far as I am concerned, it debuted at the top of the charts just under four years ago. And I would say that’s where it’s held sway. A motorcycle that’s phenomenal in performance and handling. And priced so well that it still is unmatched by any other manufacturer. Can KTM top the 390 Duke with the new one? Let’s dive right in.

BACKGROUND

The KTM 390 Duke is the flagship of the Indian-made Duke line-up. And as such the old one was fast and effective. While the KTM 125 Duke is largely responsible for KTM’s sales success in Europe, it’s the 200 that’s done the business here. But the desire to have a 390 has always been strong.

Now KTM is changing a gear. The 200 and the 250 Duke, up to now, had the same overall equipment as the 390. Inasmuch, your extra money basically got you a larger engine with forged pistons and more performance. Not any more.

Now the KTM 390 Duke is definitely the flagship –– it exclusively gets all the cool bits and it retains its performance advantage too.

That’s how KTM kept the 200’s price (and design) steady while raising the 390’s price and opening up the gap into which the 250 Duke slots (see page 116).

THE NEW STUFF: ENGINE

The KTM 373cc engine isn’t technically new from scratch. There’re numerous updates and upgrades but there are two big ones.

First, this is a Euro-IV-spec motor with a side-slung exhaust and ride-by-wire. The ride-by-wire’s purpose is primarily emissions control but it makes the engine just a hint more crisp in response. It’s noticeable but not night and day.

Second, KTM has specified a bigger air box that allows them to extract an additional 2Nm in peak torque over the old 390 and 1Nm more than the 2017 RC390.