VOL. 55 ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 P85
T
he single cylinder engine is the
definition of internal combustion
simplicity. It's the oldest engine
design out there, and its longevity is
testament to the notion of making a good
design right from the off.
KTM is primarily a single-cylinder com-
pany. The Austrians have built their repu-
tation on single-cylinder dirt weapons
in the hands of moto gods like Cairoli,
Dungey and Herlings, and they've been
proponents of the format in their Duke
line-up since the beginning.
Although the Duke model lineup is get-
ting a new twin-cylinder brother in the yet
unreleased 790, the single-cylinder for-
mat still remains close to the company's
heart. It powers not only the 690 and this
390, but also models unavailable in the
U.S. like the 200 and 125 Dukes.
