MOTOFOODIE

It’s outlandish. It’s a corner rocket and It’s unashamedly Orange!

The 2024 KTM 390 Duke, now in its third generation, harmoniously combines the ‘unabashedly raw performance of the first generation’ with the ‘superior features and sophistication of the second generation’, all while exuding an air of ‘sinister-elegance’.

At times, a truly exceptional motorcycle emerges, one that ‘redefines the benchmark’ in its class and brings-out the child within – the KTM 390 Duke is one such hooligan motorcycle.🔥❤️

Ending the similarities with the older-gen 390s, the 2024 KTM Duke 390 is a ’90 percent new’ motorcycle – with super-duke inspired sharper looks, new frame, adjustable suspension at both ends, more sophisticated electronics and a bigger LC4c single-cylinder engine.

Engine:

The existing LC4c engine has been bumped up to increase the peak power and torque. What’s more, the peak figures now arrive earlier than before, making the performance more accessible.

It’s a super-fun engine with lots of power from 6,000 RPM all the way till 9,500 RPM – perfect to carve corners and munch distances on highways.

Being a high performance single-cylinder, it does buzz in the handlebar and footpegs between 3,000-5,000 RPM – but it isn’t unpleasant.

Handling:

The new chassis, revised steering geometry and top-notch WP suspension kit come together to deliver a natural, easy and intuitive handling motorcycle.

Suspension:

Complimenting the great handling, the new Duke 390 offers comfortable and plush ride quality over bad roads.

The fully adjustable Apex WP 43-mm front suspension and rear momoshock offers great adjustability and flexibility to setup the suspension as needed.

• Front suspension is adjustable for rebound and compression
• Rear suspension is adjustable for preload and rebound only.

Brakes:

At the front is a single, radial-mount four-piston ByBre caliper with a 320mm disc and the rear is two-pot caliper paired to 240mm disc.

Braking performance is excellent, with great feel and stopping power.

Electronics and Technology:

KTM has loaded the new 390 Duke with an expansive suite of electronics and rider aids such as:

• MTC aka Traction Control that is mapped with the riding modes
• Ride Modes: Has three ride modes – Track, Street, and Rain 
• Launch Control: accessible only in TRACK mode, this allows you to lock the throttle at 7,000rpm and dump the clutch without any unwanted wheelies.
• Cornering ABS with SUPERMOTO mode
• Bidirectional Quickshifter 
• 5-inch TFT Dashboard with bluetooth connectivity and charging socket: complete with call and message alerts and a turn-by-turn navigation system. There is a USB-charging socket tucked neatly under the TFT dash.

Seat Comfort and Riding Posture:

For the average height rider, it is a comfortable riding position, slightly sporty, but easy enough to spend longer time on the motorcycle.

Riders over 6-feet tall would find the seat cramped, since there isn’t much space to move front and back.

Rider Seat is spacious, offers good cushioning – my only gripe, the orange colour starts to turn black with usage.

Seat height is 800mm, which should accommodate a wide range of riders

Pillion Comfort:

Pillion seat is soft and spacious for a naked motorcycle and is reasonable for short highway rides and city commute.

City Commute:

The 2024 KTM 390 Duke is a super agile, fun and easy to tear though the city traffic. 

The combination of assisted slipper-clutch, sufficient low-RPM power and crisp throttle response – attribute for easy city commute.

Touring:

The 2024 KTM 390 Duke is an absolute delight to tour on – covers good and bad roads comfortably due to the plush suspension.

A fantastic engine with smooth throttle (for a fiery single-cylinder), ample mid-RPM power, friendly ergonomics, room to strap luggage, comfortable seat – makes it the most-fun 400cc tourer.❤️

Mileage and Fuel Tank Range:

The 390 Duke comes with fuel-gauge.

• City Mileage: 20-23 kmpl
• Highway Mileage: 28 kmpl
• Full Tank capacity: 15 litres
• Real world full tank range: 300 – 360 kms 

Being a high-compression engine, it is recommended to fill 95-octane fuel.

What I love about the 2024 KTM 390 Duke:

• Engine: it is the MOST-FIERY🔥 single-cylinder naked motorcycle in India – PERIOD!
• Handling: Nimble motorcycle – that corners like its super duke siblings – sublime!
• Great One-Motorcycle Garage: The KTM 390 Duke is the perfect 400cc  naked motorcycle and is economical to maintain, service and live-with – tackles city traffic with ease, super comfortable to tour, loves to wheelie and carves mountain-roads with a sinister-elegance!
• Easy & Informative TFT Dash: The instrument console and the navigation buttons are so easy to toggle and operate. The TFT menu layout is super-easy to explore, toggle and displays crisp, useful information to the rider – love it, the UI and UX guys at KTM rock!

What I dislike:

This is a hard-one, since the KTM 390 Duke is such a versatile, well rounded package:

• No cruise control
• OEM Tyres: the H-rated Metzeler Sportec M5 tyres feels shortchanged. The performance on tap deserves better tyres.

Conclusion:

The new 2024 KTM Duke 390 is an absolute hoot to ride that guarantees wide smiles for every mile –  all this cracking performance is coupled with a newfound calmness that makes it faster, more fun everywhere and appeals to a wider-audience 😍.

The first-gen 390 Duke was uncompromising in its approach, while the second one was more mellow — the third-gen Duke takes the best attributes of its two forbearers and moulds them into a ‘well-rounded, friendly personality’, making this the BEST VERSION OF 390 DUKE yet! 

Special thanks to Neil for trusting me with his beloved 390 Duke 🤗

Follow his super-detailed motorcycle journey and updates on TeamBHP.