2017 KTM 390 Duke: 5 new things to know

KTM updates the popular 390 Duke street-naked for 2017. Here's a low down on what all has changed in the motorcycle.

There’s no denying the fact that the KTM 390 Duke has been a runaway success in India ever since its launch in 2013. And there’s a good reason behind that – the 390 Duke is a motorcycle that combines an explosive powertrain with sorted dynamics at a relatively affordable price. As a result, motorcyclists in India bought this street naked in droves, and continue to do so.

However, if you’re planning to buy a 390 Duke soon, we suggest you to wait a bit more. That’s because KTM has recently dropped the veil on the 2017 390 Duke, which gets some serious improvements over the current model. Here’s a quick low down on its main highlights,

Design: The current 390 Duke is a handsome looking motorcycle, but the new model elevates its aesthetic appeal a notch higher. First of all, it looks sharper and more aggressive than before, thanks to a new front design that’s inspired by its bigger brother, the 1290 Super Duke R. This means it gets a new split LED headlamp, LED daytime running lamp and a sleek front cowl. The exposed Trellis frame remains as is, but it now gets a bolt-on subframe. Apart from that, all of the body panels have been redesigned to give it a sharper appearance. The underbelly exhaust has also been replaced by a more conventional side-mounted exhaust.

Dimensions & Weight: KTM claims the new 390 Duke  rides on a new Trellis frame. As a result, the wheelbase is reduced by10mm (1,357mm vs old bike’s 1,367mm). The ground clearance has improved by 15mm over the previous model at 185mm. The seat height has also been increased by 30mm, but more importantly, the fuel tank capacity has gone up to a total of 13.4 litres – 2.4 litres more than current motorcycle. The dry weight of the motorcycle, however, has increased by 10 kilograms as the new 390 Duke tips the scales at 149kg.

Engine: The liquid-cooled 373.2cc single-cylinder engine remains unchanged from the previous version, but it’s been tweaked slightly. While the power output still stands at 43bhp, it’s produced at a lower 9,000rpm mark in comparison to 9,500rpm in the old model. The peak torque is up by 2Nm at 37Nm, produced at 7,000rpm. Power is transmitted via a six-speed gearbox. Slipper clutch is still a part of the running gear.

Brakes, Suspension & Features: The 2017 KTM 390 Duke gets 20mm bigger front disc (320mm) while the rear disc remains the same size at 230mm. Dual-channel Bosh ABS will continue to be offered. The suspension setup is unchanged, featuring 43mm WP upside-down front forks and monoshock at the back.

Among some new features on the motorcycle it gets ride-by-wire throttle, LED headlamp, a TFT multi-colour display and ‘KTM My Ride’ Bluetooth connectivity option.

Launch Date, Pricing and Competition: KTM will launch the new 390 Duke globally around January 2017. Within 2-3 months of that, it will be launched in India. Currently, the 390 Duke is priced at Rs 1.96 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). When launched here, the 2017 390 Duke will be priced marginally higher than the current model. The new KTM 390 Duke will lock horns with the upcoming BMW G 310 R, which will also go on sale in the country around the same time.