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Next Gen KTM Duke 390 Spotted Testing — Getting Race Ready Again
The KTM Duke 390 made it's first appearance in 2012 and the brand has never looked back. The second generation Duke 390 was launched in 2016. And now, the third generation KTM Duke 390 (at least it looks like) has been spotted testing in Germany. The motorcycle may be unveiled at the 2020 EICMA motorcycle show at Milan, Italy.
According to RideApart, got it's hands on pictures that show a prototype KTM Duke 390 out on test. At first glace, the KTM being tested looks familiar. It sports the split LED headlight assembly, and the same mirrors that feature on the current generation Duke 390.
The biggest difference between the current generation KTM Duke 390 and the Duke 390 being tested, is the new chassis. KTM has made zero effort to hide the new chassis. The motorcycle is running a new trellis frame with evenly spaced tubes. The tubes also appear to be closer to each other. While it is not clear, the frame could be larger too. It is also difficult to tell if the rear sub-frame is any different from the spy shots.
An easy to see difference is the new aluminium swing arm. The bare aluminium finish has changed, and also the bracing is different. The swing arm looks more substantial at the place it widens; near the rear tyre's edge. The KTM Duke 390 being tested featured the Metzeler M5 Sportec tyres.
The rest of the new KTM Duke 390 is still in early development stages and it is difficult to predict what the motorcycle may look like when it's ready for launch. The LED headlight cluster and the rear view mirrors are also parts that can be changed. The furl tank however, appears to be wider and taller. This may filter down to the production motorcycle.
The rear shock absorber is still white and looks like the one on the current generation of the KTM Duke 390. A noticeable change is with the WP suspension in the front. While the fork appears similar, there seems to be an adjustability levers visible on the top. There is no confirmation of this feature will be available on the production motorcycle or if it there to allow adjustments to be made before finalizing the set up.
The lower engine block and casing appear to be the same but there is speculation that there are change to the head, and changes to the exhaust system. Changes to the exhaust system could be because of stricter emission norms, but these tweaks to the engine is no surprise.
The mechanics of the new KTM Duke 390 are expected to be the same. The current generation features a 373.2cc engine that produces 42.9bhp of power and 37Nm of torque. When the Duke 390 debuted though, performance numbers were different. The first generation produced 43.5bhp of power.
KTM has been at the forefront with its small bikes, and it won't be surprising to see them move the game forward with the likes of suspension adjustability and maybe even the inclusion of higher-spec electronic assists like traction control. Stefan Pierer, KTM CEO, was once quoted as saying all KTM's, even the 125cc models, will eventually get cornering ABS, and we're comfortably confident in wagering that the feature could debut on this model.
An updated RC 390 was also seen testing recently. The KTM RC 390 never got the same '2nd gen' visual upgrade that the Duke did, even though both motorcycles share the same platform. Rumor has it that the RC 390 spotted may debut sooner, but the third-gen KTM 390 Duke you see here is some time away. We assume the motorcycle will be available at some point in 2021. A least we know that there is a bigger, faster, and more advanced Duke 390 that will arrive soon!
Thoughts About The New KTM Duke 390 Being Tested
The Hooligan has always been a favourite because of the raw power the motorcycle has. Ever generation of KTM's have better features, more oomph and more performance numbers. The new Duke 390 is no exception. All that KTM needs to do is speed up the process. They have been successful but take forever to deliver machines that create hype — the Duke 390 Adventure for example. Please KTM, your delivery speed needs to b e as fast as your motorcycles.
