2015 KTM 390 Duke Review

The bike

After much rumor and speculation, KTM introduced its pint-sized Duke to the United States in 2015. While the KTM 390 Duke is new to the U.S. market this year, it is a bike that has been for sale overseas for two years. I’d like to believe this means that most of the “new model bugs” have already been worked out on foreign markets.

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The 390 Duke comes across as a thought-out, competent motorcycle, a stand-alone piece from its bigger siblings. It takes aim at riders who may be new to riding, but not to the idea of performance.

Performance starts with the class-leading power coming from the 373 cc single-cylinder power plant. Below 7,000 rpm, power is relatively docile, perfectly suited for new riders. From there, power climbs quickly and steadily to the redline, just past the 10,000 mark, providing riders with 25 foot-pounds of claimed torque at 7,250 rpm and 43 ponies at 9,500 rpm to tame as their skills develop.

The Duke is brought to a halt via ByBre brakes manufactured by Brembo. The front wheel is fitted with a radial-mounted four-piston caliper clamping down on a 300 mm rotor while the rear wheel has a single piston digging into a 230 mm disc. ABS is standard and can be disabled via a hidden button on the dash. What this means for new riders is superior stopping power compared to other bikes in the beginner class of motorcycles.

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The front brake caliper features four pistons and a radial mount for stronger braking performance. Suspension is provided by WP, utilizing a true sport bike-sized 43 mm telescopic fork upfront and 10 positions of preload adjustability out of the rear monoshock. The lightweight trellis frame adds looks and also functionality. KTM claims that the frame is designed not just to cut weight, but also to improve handling by centralizing the weight. KTM provides a dry weight of 306 pounds for the small Duke, which puts it around 340 pounds with fluids. I found the combination of suspension and low wet weight, coupled with a 31.5-inch seat height, to make the 390 an extremely approachable machine.

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With 10 levels of preload adjustment at the rear WP monoshock, there is plenty of adjustability available for riders of varying sizes. 

While weight and suspension play a solid role in the Duke’s nimble handling, so do the tires. 

Our KTM was shipped with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires, a real sport bike tire. Wearing a 110/70-17 up front and a 150/60-17 in the rear, they provide good grip and help to instill confidence in deep lean angles. It is nice to see KTM using real sporty rubber on an entry-level bike.