Me & KTM
GaneshRaj R
Madurai
KTM Duke 390
Chennai
2013 KTM Duke 390 Specifications
* Engine: 373.2cc, 4-valve, single-cylinder, water-cooled, DOHC
* Power: 43.5 PS @ 9000 RPM
* Torque: 35 Nm @ 7000 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed manual
* 0 – 100 km/hr: 5.8 seconds
* Top Speed: 170 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 25-28 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Suspension: Upside down forks (Front), Mono-shock (Rear)
* Tyres: 110/70/17 (Front), 150/60/17 (Rear)
* Brakes: 300 mm disc (Front), 230 mm disc (Rear), ABS
* Length x Width x Height: 2002 mm x 873 mm x 1274 mm
* Wheelbase: 1372 mm
* Ground Clearance: 170 mm
* Seat Height: 800 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 11-litres
* Kerb weight: 154 kgs
Too fast, too fast, too freaking fast my brain is screaming, but it is as if my right wrist has become disconnected from my brain.
Cruising the streets at 60kph at around 4000rpm in fifth, and 100kph at 5000rpm in sixth feels effortless.
Race the throttle to tear the air and blast the wind, the bike is awesome.
Grip levels on the Duke 390 are phenomenal in the wet. The bike stays planted like it’s in the dry thanks to the super grippy Metzeler M5 Sportec tyres.
Sudden brake with ABS lock the Tyre with complete grip, the combination of ABS and Metzeler worked great.
The Yamaha RD350 (39PS, US-spec) was supposed to hit a 100kmph in about 7 seconds. The 390 does that in 5.6s crossing 60 in just 2.7. I saw an indicated top speed of 172kmph (90kg rider, prone) though the V box confirmed that the actual speed was 168.5kmph. That is properly, respectably fast! Realistically, 130kmph is almost too easy to get to (11s from a standing start!) and as much as 150kmph is possible without requiring too much space or effort. As in massively, massively impressive.
* Performance
* Handling
* ABS
* Metzeler tyres
* Value for money
Disadvantages
* Engine heat
* Pillion seat
* Small cluster
* Ride quality
LoL
Back in the city, the 390 Duke is a great companion with its upright riding position, responsive motor and quick handling. Clutch pull is easy and engagement of the transmission is sure. In short, you might find yourself laughing in your helmet as you play with dense traffic.
The only downer we witnessed with the KTM 390 Duke was that the engine got quite hot while commuting in slow-moving city traffic for a while. However, out on the open highway, this problem doesn’t exist. Getting ahead of traffic is definitely the 390 Duke's forte, and in a combined city and highway cycle of both easy and hard riding, we got a respectable fuel economy figure of 33kpl.
The 390 Duke breathes life into values that have made motorcycling so amazing for decades. It combines maximum riding pleasure with optimum user value and is superior everywhere where really nimble handling counts. Light as a feather, powerful and packed with state-of-the-art technology, it guarantees undreamed of dynamic fun, whether you're in the urban jungle or a forest of bends.
