A test mule of the upcoming KTM 390 Duke has once again been spotted during road tests. The latest spy images reveal that the company's 390 Duke has finally reached production-ready status. The bike is expected to launch soon in the Indian market in the coming months (end of 2023), followed by its global launch. But before that, the new-generation 390 Duke will likely be showcased at the 2023 EICMA Motorcycle Show. The upcoming Duke 390 will come with some significant design revisions and feature updates, along with major hardware changes that include a reworked trellis frame, a lightweight bolt-on subframe, and a new gullwing swingarm. Last month, the motorcycle has been spied undisguised on foreign land, but the latest test mule was spotted with camouflage in Pune, India. Now, let's get into the details:
New KTM 390 Duke: Powertrain & Performance
The upcoming KTM 390 Duke is anticipated to use an uprated 399cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine displacing more than the current version, which churns out 43bhp of maximum power at 9,000rpm and 37Nm of peak torque at 7,000rpm. The motorcycle may get a bump in power and torque figures, with the generational update.
Also Read: RE Super Meteor 650 vs KTM 390 Adventure vs BMW G310 RR: Pick Your Poison
New KTM 390 Duke: Design
The most notable changes on the KTM 390 Duke include sharper and larger fuel tank extensions that get cut-outs for improved aerodynamics. It is expected that the fuel tank will come in a size larger than the previous model. In addition, the next-generation 390 Duke will feature an updated LED headlight unit, boomerang-styled split daytime running lights, and a redesigned rear end bringing out the bike's muscularity. Other design features expected on the bike are a new engine casing, a reworked exhaust route, a repositioned coolant reservoir, and an O2-sensor on the exhaust header pipe.
New KTM 390 Duke: Hardware
Even in terms of hardware, KTM will give the motorcycle a thorough overhaul. Almost all of the 390 Duke's core hardware components will be identical to the latest RC 390 and the 390 Adventure. This means that the 2023 KTM 390 Duke will get WP-derived upside-down forks at the front that can be adjusted for compression and rebound. While its rear end may feature an adjustable mono-shock (rebound and preload). Note that only the export-spec model will get these exclusive updates because so far it remains unclear whether the India-bound Duke 390 will get an adjustable suspension or not. Needless to say, the wheels and brakes on the 390 Duke will be similar to those of the RC 390.
Also Read: 2023 KTM Duke, RC Range Launched in India, Check New Prices Here
New KTM 390 Duke: Price, Rivals
We anticipate the new KTM 390 Duke to carry a higher price than the existing model, which is available at Rs 2.97 lakh (ex-showroom). A price tag of around Rs 3.20 lakh (ex-showroom) is expected. Once launched in the Indian market, the new Duke 390 will rival the Honda CB300R, the BMW G310 R, the Kawasaki Z400, and the Bajaj Dominar 400.
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