KTM 390 Duke – TEST
2014 onwards, 373 cm3, 44 l. s., 139 kg, 170 km/h, 289,900 rub.
text: Anton Vlasov photo: Nikita Kolobanov
In the photo: Anton Vlasov
»Once a manufacturer of exclusively off-road motorcycles, today the KTM AG concern has a wide and varied model range, which even includes a unique racing car! And while Japanese companies are marking time, presenting truly interesting new products every two or three years, the Austrian ones are producing original devices every season. The mid-sized naked 390 Duke, which debuted at the end of 2012 at the Milan International Motor Show, is one of the most interesting city cars of the KTM brand in recent years. What makes the device interesting, of course, is not its outstanding technical characteristics, which this simple and inexpensive motorcycle does not have, but its price/quality ratio.
Several years ago, the owner and CEO of the Austrian concern spoke about the planned global expansion of the model range of purely urban motorcycles of the KTM brand. Then the world community took this news with skepticism, since the “orange” company became famous for its off-road motorcycles, and the attempt to “climb” into territory that was almost unfamiliar and well-developed by its competitors looked unconvincing. Particularly confusing to many was Mr. Pierer's intention to move the production of future naked cars to India, to a joint venture with industrial giant Bajaj Auto, whose income in 2012–2013, by the way, amounted to a “pathetic” $3.5 billion, which is more than the average annual budget, for example. , Malta and Senegal... But a couple of years later, when KTM introduced first the 125 cc and then the 200 cc naked bikes of the Duke family, produced in India and made better than some purely European motorcycles of competitors... when the Austrian concern updated the 690 Duke model, skeptics They became quiet - until the end of the brilliant game, the “orange” were only missing two cars: a medium-sized one and a “liter” one.
The appearance of the long-awaited 390 Duke was the penultimate move by KTM, after which the world could only wait for the debut of the 1290 Super Duke R. But if the super-naked with a V-twin from the RC8 sports bike, presented in November 2013, is rather an image product, then the city 390 Duke is the same gray horse that, without unnecessary pomp and quiet, usually makes the entire cash register. Despite the Indian assembly, the naked 390 Duke is predominantly a European motorcycle designed for holders of subcategory A2 driving license. Because for the Asian market this is a too expensive device, for which most Indians will never have enough money, even if they sell all their belongings, house and relatives, and for US consumers... this KTM is not yet available, although Stefan Pierer threatened to bring the model this year and to North America. Since the Austrian concern very optimistically regards Russia as part of Europe, the naked bike is officially presented in our country.
170 km/h! Externally, the KTM 390 Duke is almost identical to the 200 and 125 cc models, which is easily explained by the more than close relationship of the motorcycles: all three naked bikes are built on a single platform and share not only the same frame, brakes, wheels and suspension, but also plastic, headlight, gas tank and other “exterior”. The most striking difference between the 390 Duke and the “junior” devices is the frame and rims of a bright orange color, which seem to hint at the far from boring character of the model. The motorcycle received a completely new engine, developed from scratch, and not based on the 200 cc engine of the 200 Duke, which in turn was obtained by increasing the displacement of the “single-barrel” 125 Duke. Although the device belongs to the category of “folk” and therefore relatively inexpensive naked cars, its 4-valve 373 cc engine is a high-tech power plant. There is a forged piston, a particularly durable diamond coating on the camshaft cams, nickasil coating on the cylinder wall, a dry sump lubrication system with a high-performance oil pump, and much more. Due to the vertical placement of the gearbox shafts, the already small by definition 1-cylinder engine was made even more compact, and the KTM 390 Duke engine weighs only 6 kg more than the power plant of the 200 cc model!
The engine of the Austrian naked bike is a typical 1-cylinder engine of medium boost: “smooth”, predictable, not particularly high-torque at low and medium speeds, but loving high speeds, spins up quickly and effectively slows down the motorcycle when the throttle is released. And if at the wheel of the 125 and 200 Duke models an experienced pilot acutely feels the lack of power plant performance, then on the 390 Duke the engine is not at all small! Manufacturer declared 44 liters. With. maximum power - these are still toys, but for adults. With a dry weight of 139 kg, the KTM naked easily and quite dynamically reaches 170 km/h (according to the speedometer), which is a very impressive figure for a 373 cc motorcycle.
The gearbox is 6-speed, the gears themselves are short, and therefore you have to actively shift for dynamic acceleration. Considering the “mid-top” nature of the 1-cylinder engine and its rather modest displacement, even when piloted in the “just stole from the salon” style, the motorcycle is not particularly voracious: after the end of the test tests, the on-board computer, which knows everything and even a little more, reported about average fuel consumption of 5.5 liters per 100 km. I am sure that with quiet operation, the 373 cc “single-barrel” gun will pleasantly surprise you with one and a half to two times less consumption of unleaded AI-95.
“Adult” Since the motorcycle is built on the same platform as the “younger” models of the Duke family, the Austrian naked bike is compact and slender. And so much so that overcoming traffic jams while driving a 390 Duke is as easy and pleasant as flying as a passenger to your dacha on a Friday evening, drinking cold champagne, bypassing all the traffic jams. But on the other hand, the device seemed to me personally... teenage. This, of course, is not the Yamaha YBR125 “motor bike” so beloved by Russian buyers, but it is also not a full-size, let’s call it that, motorcycle, like the 690 Duke, which has completely different ergonomics. I think that tall, plump and other “oversized” citizens will not be particularly comfortable driving the 390 Duke. The chassis of this inexpensive motorcycle, designed for students, skinny graduate students and other eternally hungry and barefoot youth, is the envy of many naked bikes with a price tag twice as “heavier”! Here is the already mentioned rigid and lightweight chrome-molybdenum frame, and an inverted WP fork with “adult” diameter stays of 43 mm, and a monoshock absorber of the same brand, which, although it lacks almost all adjustments and is not even installed in a lever system, is already adequate from the factory works and does not make you want to throw it away immediately after buying a motorcycle. And although the suspension components of the 390 Duke are the same as those of the “junior” naked bikes of the family, the settings are still different.
The KTM 390 Duke is not only maneuverable, like an aquarium fish in the ocean, but also a very obedient motorcycle with a rather rigid chassis. It is obvious that the suspension of the Austrian naked has considerable potential, which is perhaps even too much for a 139-kilogram vehicle. And therefore, during a quiet city ride, a pilot of average weight and build will probably feel that the 390 Duke doesn’t even smell like comfort: the imperfections of domestic asphalt in every detail will be transmitted directly to the pilot’s spine, and innocent obstacles in the form of speed bumps will seem like a supercross “ comb”... But as soon as you increase the speed a little (or load the motorcycle with a passenger), not a trace will remain of the former army steel: the suspensions begin to compress by at least half of the travel provided by the WP company (150 mm for the fork and monoshock), there is no longer any “effect echo sounder" scanning the road surface, but the device is still perfectly controlled. The 390 Duke is well-balanced, and its generally simple chassis will suffice for most sensible users. Like the 125 and 200 cc models, the 390 Duke is equipped with Bybre brand brakes, the name of which makes an untrained motorcyclist laugh hysterically. But in vain. Because the Bybre brand belongs to the Brembo concern, and these are inexpensive, but high-quality components produced for the Asian market. And although the KTM naked bike has only one brake disc with a diameter of 300 mm at the front, the caliper is... radial 4-piston! This design, amazing for an entry-level motorcycle, works, of course, not like monoblock brackets from Brembo itself, but for a 373 cc, 139 kg machine, it works more than effectively. By the way, the 390 Duke model is equipped with ABS from Bosch - and it can be switched off.
Third element
What's in the bottom line? The official dealer is asking 289,900 rubles for the motorcycle, which is already a very significant amount, but still within the psychological barrier of “300,000.” Considering the “intermediate” concept of the model, which fits harmoniously between the still “childish” 200 Duke and the already “big” 690 Duke, this is an adequate price tag. The 390 Duke is the third and, perhaps, the most significant link in the evolution of the family of Austrian naked bikes, a full-fledged city motorcycle, and not some kind of “transitional element” that archaeologists still cannot find to confirm old man Darwin’s theory. Eh, if the late Charles had seen the 1290 Super Duke R, he would have immediately realized that humanity did not come from a monkey, but came from outer space... /
WHEELIE FACTOR The performance of the 1-cylinder engine of the KTM 390 Duke is quite enough to, with a certain persistence of the pilot, tear the front wheel of a light naked bike off the asphalt simply with the gas in first gear. But for a full-fledged wheelie, of course, you will need clutch help - and quite a bit. True, the first stage of the 390 Duke's transmission is very short, and therefore very soon after climbing onto the rear wheel, the electronic tachometer tape will hit the insurmountable barrier of the rev limiter, and your epic wheelie will naturally end. As always, there are two options for solving this problem: either learn to shift into higher gears while performing this innocent trick of a city hooligan, or try to immediately lift the naked KTM onto the rear wheel from the second stage of the gearbox. The second, by the way, is not much simpler than the first, since the not-so-impressive torque of the 373 cc engine is clearly not enough here.
KTM Duke 390
Small, with an individual appearance, at first glance it may seem a little frivolous. In fact, the characteristics of the device, developed by engineers from the Austrian company KTM, are carefully balanced. This motorcycle is universal. It is ideal for driving in the city, will forgive you for light off-road conditions, and, if desired, will give you the opportunity to try yourself on an amateur track.
Specifications
A single-cylinder engine with a capacity of 373 cc was created for the motorcycle. cm, good power and traction from very low revs. KTM Duke 390 Specifications:
The dry weight of the bike is 139 kg. Maximum speed – 175 km/h. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 5.3 liters. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h – 6 s.
For the last two positions, the data is unofficial; the information is gleaned from owner reviews. The device meets the highest expectations and allows you to accelerate dynamically and feel confident both in city traffic and on the highway.
Price
This model has been produced since 2013. In our country, it is sold through a network of official representative offices of the company. The cost of a new motorcycle in the showroom is 370,000 rubles. On the secondary market, the choice is quite large, but the spread is insignificant: the minimum asking price is 250 thousand rubles. The maximum amount for a two-year device is equal to the cost of a new bike.
Weak spots
The weak point can be called the fork legs; quite often motorcycle owners complained about oil leaks. There are cases of failure of the instrument panel.
Some vehicles manufactured in 2014 have a factory defect in the drive sprocket. This malfunction does not have any external signs until the circuit breaks. The drive sprocket was replaced by official service centers under warranty free of charge.
Otherwise the motorcycle is quite simple and has proven itself to be a reliable piece of equipment.
Motorcycle tuning
This device has significant potential for improvement and settings. At the same time, Duke owners rarely limit themselves to primitive styling; most often the following work is performed:
You can buy a rear wing instead of the standard one on the KTM Duke 390 relatively inexpensively. After its installation, the bike is transformed and acquires a more sporty silhouette. Titanium mufflers are installed in place of the original mufflers, which have an increased service life and a completely unique exhaust sound. Experienced owners recommend an original design trunk for the KTM 390 Duke, which will allow you to transport small cargo.
True connoisseurs of fast driving reconfigure the fuel system, which allows them to add another 15 km/h to the maximum speed. The suspension is quite rigid and such an increase does not affect the stability and controllability of the device.
RESULT
The strong point of our motorcycle is the city. Despite the small cubic capacity, unlike charged sportbikes, the KTM feels confident thanks to its small dimensions and low weight. All these advantages have a positive effect on its handling. At the same time, the motorcycle does not experience discomfort in light off-road conditions. Of course, it will be difficult to surprise an experienced motorcyclist with this model. But for a beginner this will be the best choice.
2022 KTM 390 Duke review: Photos, details, differences from its predecessor
26.05.2017
The appearance of a modern motorcycle, modern in appearance, high-tech inside, and at the same time affordable, became a real sensation in both the European and Asian markets, where for the time being, novice motorcyclists could only choose between frankly outdated, both morally and technically, models that were, at best, satisfactory. technical parameters and driving capabilities. The junior KTM Duke became a fantastic success for the company and appealed to both the youth audience and those who need a motorcycle as an everyday vehicle. To date, no other brand has achieved such a balance of style, performance and value as the Duke 125/200/250/390 family and their closest sports siblings, the RC series.
It seemed impossible to create something better, but the new 2022 KTM 390 Duke once again raises the bar and reaffirms KTM’s reputation as the undisputed trendsetter in the small-capacity naked and sportbike segment.
The new 390 Duke will look great at any motorcycle party and in any environment - be it cramped European streets or abandoned industrial slums.
First of all, appearance. It's not easy to create an inexpensive motorcycle that looks expensive, but in this case, that's exactly what it is. While maintaining the basic proportions of its predecessor, the new Duke has a completely new design, which now clearly echoes the top-end 1290 Super Duke R. The new sweeping headlight, tank tail and two-tone contrasting frame create a completely new perception of the motorcycle.
The new face of the KTM Duke is a split headlight design similar to older KTM models. The headlight is completely LED - something no one in this class can boast of, and even in higher cubic capacity it is still a curiosity.
The orange space frame, a traditional birdcage form factor, has been slightly redesigned to reduce the base by 10mm and is now bolted to the white subframe, making it easier to repair these elements separately.
In 2022, the motorcycle received a completely new instrument panel, built on the basis of a large color liquid crystal display, easy to read even in sunny weather, thanks to auto-tuning depending on the lighting and switching to a dark background in the evening and at night.
Navigating the bike's menus is intuitive and is done using the left-hand switch borrowed from the 690 Duke. The motorcycle handlebar is now not aluminum, but steel - this is definitely some simplification and cheaper design. But, on the other hand, it made it possible to compensate for the introduction of a number of new expensive parts.
The tachometer is now displayed in a more familiar and visual way in the form of a classic semicircular scale, and the tachometer bar turns red when the maximum 10,000 rpm is reached. The new instrumentation is a significant step forward compared to the modest and unimpressive instrumentation on previous models. Optionally, when connecting the KTM My Ride function at an additional cost, incoming calls to the phone and music tracks played on it can also be displayed on the dashboard via data transfer via Bluetooth.
And the previously refined ergonomics received additional improvements, seemingly small, but significant. The position of the steering wheel grips has become slightly higher and slightly forward, and new brake and clutch levers have been adjusted in five positions. The footpegs are slightly higher and set back, and their brackets are now noticeably more durable forged rather than cast aluminum. The new seat is much more comfortable than the previous model, but for comfort we had to pay for increasing the seat height by 30 mm. However, in general, the landing has become more comfortable, including thanks to a narrower front part, which also makes it easier to place your foot on the surface when stopping.
The motorcycle has become more comfortable for drivers above average height.
WP, which is owned by KTM and produces suspension and other equipment for motorcycles, also contributed. On the previous model, the suspensions were quite adequate, but WP specialists revised their design both front and rear. The 43mm inverted front fork remains unadjustable, but features an open-cartridge design with split rebound and compression handling that better handles a wide variety of bumps. Progressive coil springs provide better ride quality while remaining dimensionally compatible. The rear shock also features a new progressive spring with adjustable preload.
The radial brakes, with four-piston calipers and 300mm discs up front on the previous model, were class-leading but not always sufficient for the 390 Duke's performance, so the new model's size is increased to 320mm and eliminates any complaints about braking performance. ABS can be switched to Supermoto mode, in which it is turned off for the rear wheel, which allows you to take corners with a hooligan skid if necessary.
The bike features an advanced electronic ride-by-wire throttle control system, which helps the engine both comply with Euro 4 regulations and remain highly responsive to throttle input, something that manual versions have struggled with.
The engine remains virtually the same structurally. The airbox has increased in size and a new exhaust system has appeared, which allowed for a 5.7% increase in torque. The figure is small, but it is felt not only on the dyno. The power remains the same and it is more than any of the competitors and allows you to do wheelies from second gear. From entry-level motorcycles, wheelie is not the most necessary skill, but the reserve of traction throughout the entire rev range is an advantage for any driver; it increases the life of the motorcycle, since even as skills increase, it does not get boring.
The exhaust system in 2022 has been completely revised and the differences are not only in the external exhaust bank, but also in the pipes and resonators. The intermediate chamber behind the cylinder remains and works together with the external muffler - this system is also aimed at ensuring that the motorcycle meets Euro 4 emissions standards.
The motorcycle gained about 10 kg in weight. The increase was mainly due to a new exhaust system, a metal fuel tank (increased in volume from 11 to 13.4 liters), a steel steering wheel, a new instrument panel and a bolt-on subframe.
However, the bike is still a real rocket in corners and every maneuver is a real delight. Weightless clutch, engine traction from the lowest revs, easy gear shifting. The slipper clutch makes even aggressive and ill-timed downshifts virtually flawless. The motorcycle is ideal for maneuvering in city traffic and driving along country roads, especially winding ones, on which even a novice driver will feel like a confident pilot.
Pay attention to the protrusion on the generator cover - it used to stick down, but now it is moved back and does not protrude below the annular part of the cover. This allows the bike to lean more when turning left.
We can only congratulate the designers, dealers and buyers of the new KTM 390 Duke ABS 2017. The motorcycle is impeccable in style, workmanship and riding feel. And what is important, having retained and strengthened all the positive aspects of its predecessor, the new Duke remained just as attractive and affordable, which makes it the undisputed favorite of the season in its class, leaving no chance even for completely new models of competitors.
Photo: Bike Land, KTM
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