Source: MotorcyclistOnline.com
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adam Waheed Official (@adamwaheed) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Motorcyclist Magazine (@motorcyclistonline) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adam Waheed Official (@adamwaheed) We try out KTM’s new and improved ’24 390 Duke during Puerto Rico’s Duke Fest. (Adam Waheed/)Did you know that KTM’s 390 Duke is one of the bestselling new motorcycles in the US territory of Puerto Rico? Known for its warm year-round tropical weather and higher than average population density (more than California!), this small Caribbean island is a good place to ride compact and fuel-efficient bikes like the 2024 390 Duke ($5,899).The 390 Duke’s muscular stance makes it a favorite among Puerto Rican riders. (Adam Waheed/)The KTM 390 Duke is an aggressively styled naked bike that embodies these qualities, offering a peppy riding experience for new riders, and anyone seeking a compact, easy-riding streetbike for around-town use.“I think it’s a combination of things,” Evinmotors’ Carlos Olivares says when asked why the little orange bike is so popular. (His KTM dealership sold 25 bikes that particular day.) “First of all the adrenaline when you go on a KTM bike, you know because of the torque and ready-to-race thing, but also reliability. It’s a very good product. We haven’t had any major issues.”Puerto Rican motorcyclists love their KTM Duke streetbikes. It’s easily one of the more popular bike brands in the Caribbean island. (Adam Waheed/)The KTM 390 Duke boasts distinctive naked bike styling that exudes a sense of aggressiveness and athleticism. From its sharp lines to its muscular stance, every aspect of the bike’s design reflects its performance-oriented nature. The minimalist bodywork not only showcases the bike’s mechanical components, but gives it a raw and purposeful aesthetic.Additionally, thoughtful details such as full LED lighting (including the turn signals), a nice-looking color TFT display, and premium touches like chunky and backlit switch gear, a nice seat cover, and adjustable brake and clutch levers further elevate the bike’s overall appeal, making it a head-turner on the road. Whether you’re cruising through the city or parked at a café, this Duke commands attention with its striking design and bold presence.At the heart of the KTM 390 Duke is a larger-displacement 399cc single-cylinder engine, capable of delivering 43 hp and 37 lb.-ft. torque. This liquid-cooled thumper is capable of freeway speeds (upward of 80 mph) with a punchy, high-revving engine character, which is unique for a single-cylinder engine in this class. It drinks from a generously sized 4-gallon fuel tank and delivers upward of 50 mpg! Maintenance-wise after the initial 620-mile service, it goes 6,200 miles between engine oil/filter service, with the valve inspection interval (and spark plug replacement) of 12,400 miles.Hundreds of riders come out to go on a casually paced fun ride during 2024 Duke Fest. (Adam Waheed/)The engine’s responsive throttle and fast-revving character ensure a thrilling ride—especially at high rpm. But oh boy, does it vibrate. Engine vibration can be felt through every control and is downright excessive at high revs. A six-speed gearbox with optional electronic quickshifter ($249.99) allows for full-throttle upshifts and clutchless downshifts. Our only gripe is that you have to pay extra for this feature, although it’s included on the vehicle (this feature has to be “unlocked” by the dealer using the official KTM programming tool).Cruising down the often narrow road surfaces, the 390 Duke handles much like a scooter. It’s quick steering and athletic feeling, which make it easy to scoot around town. An inverted fork and direct-mount (between the frame and swingarm, sans linkage) shock provide nearly 6 inches of suspension travel and do a fine job of soaking up the rough stuff. It’s no wonder why it’s so well loved, with 390 Dukes spread throughout the island. It was especially evident by the hundreds of KTM riders participating in the Duke Fest.Duke Fest is open to all riders on any types of motorcycles. (Adam Waheed/)“It was awesome,” Olivares said in regard to the huge turnout of Orange Brigade riders. “People responded very good so we’re very grateful for the Puerto Ricans and their love for the sport.”“I think you know, not just motorcycles, any gasoline sport in Puerto Rico—It’s like part of the culture of the Puerto Ricans,” when asked why Puerto Ricans love their KTM Duke streetbikes.“So from early ages, everybody’s involved with motorcycling.”Who knew that the KTM riding community is so strong on the island of Puerto Rico? (Adam Waheed/)Obviously this 364-pound KTM isn’t going to offer the supreme ride quality of a full-size streetbike, but that can be attributed to its narrow wheelbase more than anything. The suspension is adjustable with handy tool-free clickers atop the fork leg (left side is compression, right side is rebound damping adjustment). The beefy-looking shock also offers rebound damping adjustment but it requires a flat-head screwdriver. Spring preload adjustment is limited to the shock only.Toss on some KTM accessory luggage and the 390 Duke instantly transforms into a light-duty touring rig. (Adam Waheed/)Ergonomically, the 390 Duke favors smaller riders. Its single-cylinder engine configuration makes it slim between the rider’s legs, but the distance between the handlebar and seat is cramped for a 6-foot-tall person. The thinly padded and forward sloped seat forces the rider into an aggressive (and cramped if you’re tall) seating position which is good for a few miles, but creates discomfort during longer rides. The rearview mirrors do a fine job of showing off what’s behind you but they do buzz due to the borderline excessive engine vibration.The 390 Duke is in its element on tight and curvy stretches of road. It’s a fun little bike to rip around turns. (Adam Waheed/)In addition to its impressive performance and design, the KTM 390 Duke also features advanced technology aimed at enhancing the riding experience. The bike comes equipped with a suite of electronic aids, including ride-by-wire throttle, which allows for adjustable combined engine and throttle maps (Track, Street, and Rain), traction control, ABS (with the ability to disable rear ABS), and launch control (enabled after engine break-in), allowing you to tailor the bike’s performance to suit your preferences.Furthermore, the TFT display provides access to essential information such as speed, gear position, and fuel level, keeping you informed on the road. Lastly the display is also Bluetooth compatible so you can connect it with your iOS- or Android-powered smartphones.The color TFT display is bright and easy to read day or night. It’s loaded with features and the chunky, backlit switch gear makes menu navigation easy. (Adam Waheed/)In terms of braking, the double disc braking system employs a racy radial-mount caliper and stainless steel brake lines front and back. The brakes are easy to use and more than capable of stopping it in a pinch, but we wish the rear brake offered more power.Despite its cramped riding position (for a tall person) and buzzy engine, the KTM 390 Duke has a lot going for it. It looks cool, has a punchy engine (for its displacement) and offers a rich feature set that riders typically won’t find in this segment for the dollar. The LED headbeam works well after dark and it won’t break the bank with its extended maintenance intervals. Whether you’re carving corners on a twisty road or cruising through the city streets, the KTM 390 Duke delivers cheap thrills while looking the part of a bigger, more expensive bike.The rider’s seat looks nice, but it is thinly padded and one of the components we’d upgrade if the bike was ours. (Adam Waheed/)Gear BoxHelmet: Arai Corsair-XJacket: Rev’It BlackwaterGloves: Rev’It Speedart AirPant: Rev’It PistonBoot: TCX R04D Air2024 KTM 390 Duke Technical Specifications and Price
MSRP:
$5,899
Engine:
DOHC, liquid-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder
Displacement:
399cc
Bore x Stroke:
89.0 x 64.0mm
Transmission/Final Drive:
6-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower:
44.3 hp @ 8,500 rpm
Claimed Torque:
28.8 pound-feet at 7,000 rpm
Fuel System:
Bosch EMS w/ ride-by-wire
Clutch:
Wet, multiplate, antihopping; mechanical actuation
Frame:
Steel trellis
Front Suspension:
43mm WP Apex, compression and rebound damping adjustable; 5.9 in. travel
Rear Suspension:
WP Apex monoshock, spring preload and rebound damping adjustable; 5.9 in. travel
Front Brake:
Radial fixed 4-piston caliper, 320mm disc w/ ABS
Rear Brake:
2-piston floating caliper, 240mm disc w/ ABS
Seat Height:
32.3 in.
Fuel Capacity:
4.0 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:
364 lb.
Contact:
ktm.com”}]]
