KTM 390 series

2017 KTM 390 Duke | Updated chassis/engine/styling | MCNews.com.au

src: www.mcnews.com.au

The KTM 390 Duke and KTM RC 390 are 373.2 cc (22.77 cu in) displacement single-cylinder engine motorcycles assembled by Bajaj Auto, for the Austrian manufacturer KTM. The 390 Duke standard debuted at the 2012 EICMA show in Milan, Italy, and went on sale in India and the Philippines in 2013 and in the US in 2015. The RC 390 was presented at EICMA the following year. After the Duke's initial release, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer announced plans to export the 390 Duke to the US for 2014. Bajaj said eventually the bike will be sold in 80 countries worldwide.

Pierer said in December 2015 that KTM and Bajaj plan to replace the 125, 200, and 390-series Duke and RC lines in 2017, based on all new platforms, in part to meet Euro IV emissions standards, and to incorporate new technologies such as ride-by-wire.

Video KTM 390 series

390 Duke roadster

In its home market, the 390 Duke's engine size and weight place it in the midrange category, and it sells for more than three times the average price of a motorcycle in India. As one Indian reviewer put it "The 390 Duke may well be a simple little A2 license commuter for the European rider, but in the environs of Mumbai traffic, it's a proper rocket-powered scalpel." In the US market, the same motorcycle is considered small-displacement, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive. Similarly, the UK Sunday Times said, "Given that the 390 Duke weighs less than 150kg when it's full of fuel, you have to sit on it to stop it blowing away. It's as agile in traffic as a push-bike and whippet-thin," saying the bike was ideal for young riders with the A2 license, limited to 47 bhp (35 kW), who would find it easy to ride and confidence-inspiring, while feeling "fast and sporty". Such a bike in the UK would also appeal to experienced riders looking for a practical and efficient commuter bike and runabout. The 390 Duke won the 2013-14 Jury's Choice Bike of the Year in The Bloomberg TV India Autocar India Awards. IndianCarsBikes said that with a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) and a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) time of 5.5 seconds, the 390 Duke is the fastest motorcycle made in India as of January 2014.

Motor Cycle News reviewed the bike and complimented the build quality, saying "It may be built in India, but the Duke seems to be well finished. Every bike is quality checked in Austria before being shipped to dealers."

However, RevZilla criticized some of the bike's controls, stating "the levers are shit".

Motorcycle Consumer News tested the 390 Duke's top speed to be 167.4 km/h (104.0 mph), with acceleration from 0 to 97 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 5.53 seconds, and 0 to ¹/₄ mi (0.00 to 0.40 km) in 14.02 seconds at 147.87 km/h (91.88 mph). The brakes stopped the bike from 97 to 0 km/h (60 to 0 mph) in 43.1 m (141.3 ft), and fuel economy was tested at 3.97 L/100 km; 71.2 mpg_-imp (59.3 mpg_-US). The 390 Duke weighed 153 kg (338 lb) wet and the engine power was 30.04 kW (40.29 hp) at 9,600 rpm, with 32.92 N?m (24.28 ft?lb) torque @ 7,000 rpm.

The Indian made brakes were considered to be "the most obvious flaw on the 390". After 2017, the 390 series' front brake disc was increased from 300 mm to 320 mm.

Maps KTM 390 series

RC 390 sport bike

A sport bike version of the 390 Duke, the KTM RC 390 was presented at the 2013 EICMA motorcycle show in Italy, though most details had been leaked a few weeks earlier. The 2014 model year road racing style bike has the same 373 cc engine making a claimed 44 hp (33 kW) @ 9,500 rpm with a claimed weight without fuel of 147 kg (324 lb). With a fuel capacity 10.0 l; 2.20 imp gal (2.64 US gal), the wet weight would be 154.2 kg (340.0 lb). The frame of the RC is a different single piece trellis frame than the Duke, which KTM says is stiffer than the 390 Duke. The tires are Metzeler 110/70ZR17 front and 150/60ZR17 rear. Where the Duke has a steering head angle of 65° (or 25° rake), the RC's fork has a steeper 66.5° head angle (or 23.5° rake). The 1,340 mm (53 in) wheelbase is 27 mm (1.1 in) shorter than the Duke. The same ByBre disc brakes with ABS, and WP 43 mm front fork and rear shock are used on the RC 390.

KTM added a racing version of the RC 390, the RC 390 Cup for use by motorcycle racers ages 13 to 21 in the ADAC Junior Cup, a MotoGP event. The RC 390 Cup has no lights or mirrors, and no ABS to reduce weight, and an upgraded WP suspension, fully adjustable front and rear. The engine is detuned to a 38 hp (28 kW) with a block-off plate, and has an Akrapovi? exhaust.

Motorcycle Consumer News tests of the RC 390's power were 30.04 kW (40.29 hp) @ 8,600 rpm and 32.92 N?m (24.28 ft?lb) torque @ 6,800 rpm, with a wet weight of 165.3 kg (364.5 lb) They found a top speed of 167.4 km/h (104.0 mph), with an acceleration from 0 to ¹/₄ mi (0.00 to 0.40 km) in 14.02 seconds at 147.87 km/h (91.88 mph), 0 to 97 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 5.53 seconds, and braking from 97 to 0 km/h (60 to 0 mph) in 43.1 m (141.3 ft). The tested fuel economy was 4.17 L/100 km; 67.7 mpg_-imp (56.4 mpg_-US).

Cycle World's road tests of the RC 390 also showed a top speed of 167 km/h (104 mph), but faster acceleration 0 to ¹/₄ mi (0.00 to 0.40 km) in 13.67 seconds at 147.87 km/h (91.88 mph), and from 0 to 97 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 4.6 seconds. Braking performance and fuel economy were not so far off, at 97 to 0 km/h (60 to 0 mph) in 43.1 m (141.3 ft), and 4.1 L/100 km; 70 mpg_-imp (58 mpg_-US). Cycle Worlds's tested power figure was 29.9 kW (40.1 hp) @ 8,600 rpm, and torque was 34.4 N?m (25.4 ft?lb).

Motorcycle USA measured acceleration from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and 0 to ¹/₄ mi (0.00 to 0.40 km) in 14.21 seconds for 2015 model. Braking distance was measured at 148.2 feet from 60-0 mph with ABS disabled and 151.7 feet without ABS disabled.

KTM revised the RC 390 in 2017 by adding a slipper clutch, adjustable brake levers, ride-by-wire throttle, a larger 320 mm front brake rotor, larger mirrors, and some cosmetic and ergonomic changes.