Ride review - KTM 390 Duke

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
09/06/2019 at 16:04 • Filed to: None

I wanted to love it.

A brand new 390 was available for under $4k out the door, which is a good $1500 off MSRP. All the reviews made it sound like the best low displacement bike ever made, and visually... Well. It’s stunning. One of my favorite bike designs on the market at ANY price.

Not the bike for me though.

First off was a stretch of I-90 on a moderately windy day , where the Duke felt incredibly i l l-at-ease. Swaying like a drunk and accelerating with all the gusto of the Miata, it was pretty obvious that highways weren’t the KTM’s forté.

This was made worse by the incredibly annoying RPM Guage flashing like crazy whenever you went over 6k. Which—Spoiler alert—is all the time when you’re driving at 60mph. May not sound that bad, but it was incredibly distracting, and I can only imagine how frustrating it would be a night.

Next up was backroad canyon carving!

Unfortunately just as I was starting to enjoy my time with the Duke...

*Bap bap bap*

I was bouncing off the r ev- limiter.

This continued for a few more curves, really putting a damper on the twisties, until I shifted up into 3rd. No more R ev-limiter action , but also no more fun, as the bike suddenly felt pretty gutless and (relatively) unresponsive.

So yeah. I showed up expecting to absolutely love it, but walked away with a completely different view of KTM’s entry-level Duke. :sadface: The salesman was a pretty cool guy, and said something about people either loving or hating single cylinders. This was my first, so hell if I know.

I will say though that this bike got more attention than anything else I’ve rode. I had no less than three people yell out there window about how amazing the bike looked. Can’t say I disagree.

I think I'll stick to looking at the more powerful middleweight and up bikes, as I really like the extra stability, and knowing I have power everywhere in the rev range.

DISCUSSION (33)

jimz > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 16:08

if the MT-09 isn’t your cup of tea, check out the Kawi Z900RS. IMO it wears the “modern classic” clothes better than the XSR.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 16:14

The Duke 390 is best suited to around-town screwing around. My issue is that if i’m in the saddle for more than 45 minutes I get off with a totally numb set of hands and bollocks. Not for me. I love me a small gutless sportbike but it’s gotta have 2 or more cylinders.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > jimz
09/06/2019 at 16:15

It’s way more retro than the XSR900. The XSR references retro without actually going there.

(I own an XSR900 and unabashedly love the thing)

AestheticsInMotion > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
09/06/2019 at 16:16

Huh. Now that you mention it my hands and forearms felt surprisingly beat after just 20 minutes with the little thing.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 16:17

I know several people who’ve been less than thrilled with the 390 Dukes. I badly want a Husqvarna 701 Vitpilen or an Indian FTR 1200, but the damn things are $12k. Plus I already have the XSR900 (which I love) and I don’t really need another retro-inspired naked.

Tripper > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 16:18

I went 4k out the door on a Grom...This seems like a significantly better deal, haha.

AestheticsInMotion > Tripper
09/06/2019 at 16:20

Yeah I was shocked. It’s a 2018, but still only $ 3800 and the only miles on it are the 20 or so I put on today.

AestheticsInMotion > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
09/06/2019 at 16:24

I reaaaaaally wanted to love it. At that price I would have bought on the spot even though the Miata hasn’t sold yet.

I’ll probably try a Vitpilen as there’s one at a dealership that I like .

Have you done any kind of oppo review on your Yamaha??

jminer > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 16:29

A low rev limiter really kills the enjoyment of a bike for me. It doesn’t seem like it would, but if I can’t run it to 8k I’m banging it off the rev limiter all the time and it really ruins the experience. I liked the NC700x , but its low 6k RPM drove me insane when I rode it.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 16:36

since you don’t want it, can I have it?

Kidding aside, your posts have made me realize how cheap bikes are and now I really want one.

M.T. Blake > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 17:02

Wait... so what’s the top speed? Bouncing on the rev limiter at 60mph?!

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 17:14

I haven’t. I probably should at some point. It’s basically just an FZ-09 with different styling/ergonomics.

I’d like to find out what the big single in the 701 Vitpilen feels like compared to my triple.

Decay buys too many beaters > M.T. Blake
09/06/2019 at 17:51

That’s the break in shift light, rev limiter is much higher

Decay buys too many beaters > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 17:53

Yeah, I figured. It’s the best beginner bike, but it’s not much beyond that. Compared to the other bikes you’ve tested it would feel downright anemic.

Decay buys too many beaters > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
09/06/2019 at 17:56

Not the same thing, But I have a Street Triple R and a 701 Supermoto. Totally different engine characters . The 2016 revision of the KTM 690 motor is incredible. Smooth, super torquey midrange, and a high redline. Only complaint I have is that it is relatively unhappy around town at low revs, but I prefer the 690 motor to the 675 on tight twisties.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Decay buys too many beaters
09/06/2019 at 18:07

Neat. A supermoto would be a ton of fun, I just wish the also weren’t so damn expensive (and that I had a garage to park one in).

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
09/06/2019 at 18:07

Pretty much my same sentiments, except for cylinder count.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 18:10

The tach flashing at 6k stops after break in first service.

I still think it's the best starter bike on the market. But not really something you want to use out of town.

moto-joe > jminer
09/06/2019 at 18:11

It doesn't redline until 10k....the rev limiter is set to 6K for the breaking period....after that you can open it up and it's much more fun!

moto-joe > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 18:12

Whoa, buddy....you’ve got it all wrong. The bike needs broken in. The rev limiter and shift light is intentionally set lower for the first 600 miles.

You aren’t supposed to be doing 70+ mph until it’s broken in with its first service. The fact that the “salesman” didnt tell you any of this, was a disservice to you, the bike, and their dealership.

I have a 2017, I bought as a leftover in April 2018. Once I got past that first service and they unlocked the rev limiter and such, it became a whole new bike to me. I have since put on over 6000 miles on it, including plenty of freeway travel, to other states and such.

If you dont like the way it rides on the highway, that’s one thing...but you didnt get a true feel of the engine during that test ride.

Decay buys too many beaters > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
09/06/2019 at 18:12

I wanted one since they came out in 2016. Ever since reading that Sean MacDonald article. Main reason I didn’t was price, $11k+ for a dirt bike is ludicrous. Finally swallowed my pride and just paid it last year. No regrets.

jimz > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
09/06/2019 at 18:36

I looked at it and thought “huh, it’s my FZ-09 with a fake gas tank and round headlight.”

AestheticsInMotion > Decay buys too many beaters
09/06/2019 at 18:44

And yet when I hop on a Grom, it's still an absolute blast

AestheticsInMotion > moto-joe
09/06/2019 at 18:45

Hmm, I’m pretty sure it was revving up to 10k (and the dash shows up to like 13k right?)

AestheticsInMotion > moto-joe
09/06/2019 at 18:48

Huh. I wish he’d mentioned that. He definitely seemed to be trying to get me to look at (an admittedly super cheap) cbr500, maybe they don’t want to sell the KTM’s?

Hopefully someday I get a chance to ride one that's been broken in!

Decay buys too many beaters > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 18:49

T he Grom is kind of in it’s own class. Slow, light, and small enough to do downright reckless street rossi stuff without actually breaking the law (much). Wouldn’t really ca ll it a beginner bike, and just about everyone I know who bought one as a starter sold it quickly after and got something bigger

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > jimz
09/06/2019 at 19:24

It’s just a different tank altogether and seat. Seating position is a little bit more aggressive since the seat is 2” further back. I like the simpler styling as compared to the FZ-09, but that’s just a personal preference.

moto-joe > AestheticsInMotion
09/06/2019 at 21:21

Here is a good thread, echoing the difference... https://www.ktmduke390forum.com/forum/new-members-introduction/42746-break-period-killing-me.html

I just feel bad that you didnt get a real feel for how much fun it is. Granted, it’s still a 390 (373 ccish actually), but with being so lightweight, it actually has a decent power to weight ratio. Likely comparable to a Honda CB500F or Ninja/Z400.

My only gripe is I think the suspension can be a bit harsh on rough roads, but that's likely true for other sport/standard bikes. From what I understand, they really revamped it from 2017 and on, which is why I went with that leftover last year.

moto-joe > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/06/2019 at 21:42

I disagree about not using it out of town. It’s top speed is about 100 mph, it’ll run 75-80 on the freeway for a few hours if you want to. Not saying it’s something designed to ride across country, but I’ve put 8+ hours in a day with it. I have over 6000 miles on my ‘17 and it runs great!

That said, I think its happiest on smooth, paved, twisty mountain roads...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > moto-joe
09/06/2019 at 21:48

I’m not saying you can’t use it out of town. You absolutely can! But for how un comfortable I find the seat, the lack of power, and short gearing, it’s best suited to city riding and low speed tw isties (like before 60mph).

It's great that you've out that many miles on and find long days! I'm a fan of using things in ways they weren't necessarily intended or at least things they're not best suited for. I've put a few hundred dirt miles on my Monster, taken it camping, and touring. People thought I was nuts. The only thing nuts about it was how awesome it was.

moto-joe > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/06/2019 at 22:10

The fan kicks on a fair amount during city riding on a warm day...not a big deal, just a bit annoying.

I think it likes nicely paved country roads, mountain roads, etc...

An Airhawk seat pad greatly increases my riding time regardless of what bike I’m on....I highly recommend them...very affordable and way better than gel seats.

lol....I took the Duke camping once....granted, it was a Koa....but with some sling over the seat side saddles, my tailbag, and backpack, I was able to get my tent, sleeping bag, and such all packed up. It was just for 1 night, but I made it work!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > moto-joe
09/06/2019 at 22:37

It does kick on a bit. Surprising for such a little motor.

Between my Monster and Africa Twin I haven’t had a issue with comfort, but I bet it would be a bit nicer with one of those.

Post some pics and tell the story! That's what oppo is all about! I've got some good pics monster camping last summer.

K.C. Skyrider > AestheticsInMotion
09/08/2019 at 12:15

That rev limiter is for the break in only. And I doubt you know how to shift a single cylinder or use torque if you were ringing it out. I can't believe someone would publish something written by an obvious novice in this class.