KTM 390 Duke

The KTM Duke 390 is an absolute looker – despite its compact dimensions, the super aggressive design language and premium features do make it look much bigger and premium than all of its peers. The overall sharp design of the KTM Duke 390 makes it look like a scaled-down version of the flagship naked roadster from KTM, the 1290 Superduke R.

The front profile of the KTM Duke 390 is graced by a full LED headlamp, which is partitioned vertically from the middle by a small black lining and gets daytime running LEDs on its upper corners. While the upper corners of this main headlamp unit get LED turn indicators mounted on them, the absence of a visor above the headlamp is something which can bother a few.

The side profile of the KTM Duke 390 looks super-aggressive, thanks to the long and pointy extensions for the rather small and curved fuel tank. The trellis frame is divided into two partitions – the mainframe here is painted in orange, while the sub-frame towards the rear is finished in a theme of white. Both these units of the frame are partially exposed over the charcoal-grey themed engine, which gets a side-mounted exhaust pipe (unlike the underbelly unit in the previous iteration) and a small and sleek engine cowl.

The sleek and sharp tail section of the KTM Duke 390 rises upwards in an angular manner, thus making the KTM Duke 390 look agile and racy even on the standstill. The rearmost portion of the tail section gets a crown-like clear lens LED tail lamp nestled in the middle, with pillion grab handles recessed in the rear corners of the tail piece

The biggest differentiator of the KTM Duke 390 from the other small capacity Dukes in the Malaysian market is the level of kit it gets for the rider’s cockpit here. On offer in the KTM Duke 390 are a full TFT colored instrument console and all new switchgear with buttons for toggling the various functions of the instrument console and managing Bluetooth functions for music streaming and telephony – a segment-first feature. The full TFT unit here in the KTM Duke 390 offers multiple configurable modes and changes colors for different riding environments and speeds, which looks very cool while on the go.

The KTM Duke 390 is easily the most richly equipped sub-400cc motorcycle when it comes to mechanical hardware. The motorcycle gets open-cartridge type 43mm upside-down hydraulic telescopic forks and a 320mm disc brake at the front and a fully adjustable mono-shock with the aluminium swingarm and a 230mm disc brake at the rear. With the fully adjustable clutch and brake levers, the rider has full control of various riding styles in his hands.

The KTM Duke 390 retains its four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 373.2cc engine from the previous iteration of the motorcycle. While it is still paired with the same 6-speed gearbox, it now makes a maximum power output of 44.3 PS and a peak torque output of 37 Nm – a slight bump in performance over the model it has replaced.

The KTM Duke 390 is decently equipped with a host of safety features like a dual-channel ABS with switch-able, quick-shifter and assist and slipper clutch, apart from the nifty ones like engine kill switch, backlit switchgear and adjustable levers.

The high levels of kit on offer as standard, high-quality design and punchy performance and handling make the KTM Duke 390 a motorcycle with which you can hardly find a fault with. If you are a rider who wants to experience thrills of riding irrespective of the speed and gear you are riding in, the KTM Duke 390 is one super enticing pocket rocket for you.