Cycle News

KTM 390 DUKE FIRST RIDE P52 The WP monoshock's damping characteristics are slightly better than the front. You can alter the shock by way of preload, and I found the ride to be nicer on the rear compared to the front. The ride itself is comfortable and despite what I've heard many people say in the past, I really like the wide profile seat as it's got quite a hard foam – I spent the best part of eight hours in the saddle in one day when we were out doing photos and I've been a damn sight more sore after that amount of time on many other bikes. One of the biggest plusses I can give this bike is the tires it rolls on. A learner bike such as this coming out with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires as standard is pretty neat, and they do an awesome job of letting you get away with stuff inferior rubber would not. The grip the tire gives off is way beyond what the engine is capable of overcoming, save for a full front brake burnout (which it'll do, just make sure you turn off the ABS). The excellent rubber allows wicked fast turning, as well as de- pendable mid-corner traction that helps the chassis give off that stable, solid feel, even when the chassis is as small as this one. And it is small. Tall riders (over 6'2") will probably find this chassis just too small. I'm 6'1" and I'm right on the limit for what is acceptable for a 390 Duke, especially as my long legs have trouble fitting behind the tank shrouds. The rider size becomes more apparent when on the freeway; the tiny screen does next to nothing at speed and you'll end up becoming a human parachute. But the little engine will keep you rolling at freeway speeds, no problem. It likes a drink – on my test I ended up getting 51 miles to the gallon, and I noticed the fuel gauge wasn't totally accurate – the last half of the tank went a lot quicker than the first half, even though I was babying it on the freeway. But despite this annoyance, I still love the little orange bike that could. I like the fact it looks like the 690 as the 690 looks like the 1290; I like the fact you can ride the nuts off it and still be in a safe comfort zone; and I like the fact it's a great bike to get people into motorcycling who wouldn't normally consider it. It's simple, does everything you could want if you're a begin- ner or even if you're more experi- enced, and does a good job of inspiring new KTM riders to want a 690, or even a 1290 Super Duke later down the line. But most of all I like the KTM 390 Duke because it's bloody good fun to ride. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S ENGINE: ........ Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder, water-cooled DISPLACEMENT: ......................... 373.2cc BORE X STROKE: ................. 89 x 60mm HORSEPOWER: ................................ 43hp TORQUE: ............................................. N/A COMPRESSION RATIO: ...................... N/A IGNITION: ............................................Key TRANSMISSION: ...................... Six speed FRAME TYPE: .........................Steel trellis FRONT SUSPENSION: ..........WP inverted forks, non-adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: .... WP monoshock, preload adjustable FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ................. 5.2 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ................... 5.2 in. FRONT BRAKE: .. Single disc, four-piston Bybre calipers, ABS REAR BRAKE: Single disc, single-piston caliper, ABS FRONT TIRE: ........ Pirelli Diablo Rosso II 110/70 R17 54H. REAR TIRE: ........... Pirelli Diablo Rosso II 150/60 R17 66H HEAD ANGLE: ......................................65° TRAIL: ............................................. 4.6 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ...............................31.5 in. WEIGHT: ......................................306 lbs. COLOR: ............................. Orange/Black MSRP: ............................................ $4999 "IT'S FAR FROM WHAT I WOULD CALL POWERFUL, BUT IN THERE'S THE RUB – IT'S SO EASY TO EXPLOIT, TOTALLY UNINTIMIDATING YET FUN TO USE. KINDA LIKE A FIAT 500, JUST IN BIKE FORM."

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