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2017 KTM 390 Duke Review: Rioters!
The front end of the bike also sees wider mirrors, now standard across the KTM range and adjustable brake and clutch levers. You also get hand guards as standard fitment. The switchgear has been tweaked to accommodate the TFT screen, with the pass switch, hi and low beam switch now being activated with the index finger. The rest of the space is occupied by the toggle switches for operating the TFT display. The right hand continues to have the familiar switches, except the headlamp on/off switch is missing with AHO becoming mandatory. Throttle control also gets more precise with the incorporation of Ride-by-Wire. Lower down, the radiator guard does seem a bit inadequate, with a gaping hole in the centre, a bit more protection would be required, especially if one is planning a ride to places like Spiti and Leh. The 390 also has a slipper clutch, which helps substantially while pushing the bike on track.
Power remains the same at 43.5 PS, but torque is up by 2 Nm to 37 Nm, one more than the RC 390. The bike is BS IV compliant, even with the increased torque. That is thanks to the aluminium side-slung exhaust, though the muffler remains placed in the belly to keep the weight as low and centred as possible. This keeps the CoG low and helps in going around corners faster. Though all of this has increased the kerb weight of the new 390 to 163 kg. This is also thanks to new fuel tank, which is now steel with a 13.5 litre capacity, which should see an increased range by 100 kilometres.
Like the Duke 250
The rear WP 10-step adjustable suspension remains the same, and the Metzelers are H rated, with a speed rating of 210 kmph, well above the speeds the bike can attain. I managed a top whack of 160 kmph on the 1.2 km straight fully crouched, while seated upright, the bike still hit 150 kmph on the speedo. The lower spec tyres are substantially cheaper than earlier, while at the same time will have a longer life. The corner connoisseurs might of course want to upgrade! One thing which is a bit unnerving is the manner in which the rev-limiter kicks in. It is far too sudden. Making the rear skip along with your heartbeat! Which is unfortunate, since the bike begs to be redlined! The brake light is an LED unit, the brightness of which seemed inadequate in bright sunlight.
At Rs. 225000 ex-showroom DelhiPhotos: Arjun Dhavale
- Riding Gear By: Spartan ProGear and MT Helmets
The front end of the bike also sees wider mirrors, now standard across the KTM range and adjustable brake and clutch levers. You also get hand guards as standard fitment. The switchgear has been tweaked to accommodate the TFT screen, with the pass switch, hi and low beam switch now being activated with the index finger. The rest of the space is occupied by the toggle switches for operating the TFT display. The right hand continues to have the familiar switches, except the headlamp on/off switch is missing with AHO becoming mandatory. Throttle control also gets more precise with the incorporation of Ride-by-Wire. Lower down, the radiator guard does seem a bit inadequate, with a gaping hole in the centre, a bit more protection would be required, especially if one is planning a ride to places like Spiti and Leh. The 390 also has a slipper clutch, which helps substantially while pushing the bike on track.
- Adjustable clutch and brake lever
- Hand guard is standard fitment
- Wider mirrors
- A radiator which should be better protected from flying stones!
- The new toggle switches for the TFT display
Power remains the same at 43.5 PS, but torque is up by 2 Nm to 37 Nm, one more than the RC 390. The bike is BS IV compliant, even with the increased torque. That is thanks to the aluminium side-slung exhaust, though the muffler remains placed in the belly to keep the weight as low and centred as possible. This keeps the CoG low and helps in going around corners faster. Though all of this has increased the kerb weight of the new 390 to 163 kg. This is also thanks to new fuel tank, which is now steel with a 13.5 litre capacity, which should see an increased range by 100 kilometres.
- The refined mill with more torque
Like the Duke 250
- The split trellis frame in orange and white
- The easier to grip larger steel fuel tank
- Saddle gets new material and is wider for extra comfort
The rear WP 10-step adjustable suspension remains the same, and the Metzelers are H rated, with a speed rating of 210 kmph, well above the speeds the bike can attain. I managed a top whack of 160 kmph on the 1.2 km straight fully crouched, while seated upright, the bike still hit 150 kmph on the speedo. The lower spec tyres are substantially cheaper than earlier, while at the same time will have a longer life. The corner connoisseurs might of course want to upgrade! One thing which is a bit unnerving is the manner in which the rev-limiter kicks in. It is far too sudden. Making the rear skip along with your heartbeat! Which is unfortunate, since the bike begs to be redlined! The brake light is an LED unit, the brightness of which seemed inadequate in bright sunlight.
- The longer lasting Metzelers are easier on your pocket!
- Brake light isn't bright enough in bring sunlight
- Sticky enough rubber
- Side stand indicator and engine kill switch will be displayed in yellow at the top
- KTM's genes
- The tacho goes from blue to red as the revs rise
- Connecting your smartphone through bluetooth
- ABS gets three modes, On, Off and Super Moto!
- You can customise what you see by clicking on the quick selector buttons
- Tailoring the display to the riders preferences
At Rs. 225000 ex-showroom DelhiPhotos: Arjun Dhavale
- Plastic shrouds to keep the dirt out!
- The coolant cap is very awkwardly placed
- Pass, Lo and Hi Beam switch rolled into one
- The missing headlamp switch
- The key goes at the top of the tank and not on the handlebar
- The rearset and slightly higher placed footpegs are good for the track
- The rear suspension also gets plastic shroud protection
- Adds to the weight, but also the aural quality
- Protrusion!
- The saddle is much more comfortable now
- A motorcycle like this and a corner like that. Heaven!
- Ridden by: i, The Biker
- Riding Gear By: Spartan ProGear and MT Helmets
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