Just to refresh our collective memory, let’s remember that the KTM Duke makes its naked bike line up with a toy theme - be it colors or the engine sound or the ride experience.
On this toy ride, thou shall never forget that thou got a 43.5 bhp powerhouse between thou’s legs.
Engine: 1-cylinder 4-stroke engine, water-cooled
Displacement:373.2 cm³
Bore X Stroke:89 mm X 60 mm
Performance:35 Nm(43 hp)
Transmission:6 speed, claw shifted
Engine lubrication:Forced oil lubrication with 2 Eaton pumps
Primary gear ratio:30:80
Secondary gear ratio:15:45
Cooling system:Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump
Clutch:Wet multi-disc clutch / mechanchandru021y operated
Ignition system:Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment
So, LET’S BURN SOME RUBBER
Seating
Upright, confident, super cool. The Duke gets the Dude out of you.
Engine & Performance
The performance is nothing short of phenomenal on this powerhouse. You get started and you have everything behind you long gone. This toy is a bad boy & with 35 Nm of torque @ 7000 rpm, the engine blasts to somewhere around 60+ Kmph before you could ever realize.
The 6th overdrive gear is a boon for all those riders who wants to take the 390 along for a trip. The gear ratio is split such a way that the overdrive is not lousy as it may seem.
What else can I say about the 43.5 bhp engine which is available at a throwaway price of 2.1L! However, the engine gets heated up over long long distances & needs rest. Thanks to the single cylinder.
Handling
The wide handlebar, thigh accommodating tank & the upright seating posture gives most of the confidence to ride. Nevertheless to say, the suspension keeps you well put on bumps and in potholes. In my experience, I almost crashed on a 3/4 foot high hump and the bike took all of it making me feel I just ran over a pebble.
The ABS and the high carbon Metzeler tires doesn’t cark you through any hard bends & corners. Its a scalpel while slicing around rough corners.
Your girl friend is enthralled but safe!
Mileage
Do we need to talk about it? Anyways, it consumes a litre of fuel every 25 Kms.
Disclaimer: Please interact with your vehicle for the first 1000 - 1500 Kms, understand him, delay your adrenaline for the first 1500 Km before racing / revving the beast up.
Ride Safe! Happy Riding!
The Bike is Ready to Race! Are You?