2017 KTM 390 Duke Review | This updated naked changed the game in the A2 category

It’s a joy to ride on short trips, it’s light & fast for West London. Yet to take it out for a long ride as the handlebar grips are painful & the seat is uncomfortable, not something I’ve come across in 53 years of biking 😭

It’s a nippy little bugger 😂

After just six months I noticed that all the bolt heads were rusting, I have a private plate that to the average thief makes the bike much older & the rust helps convince even me that it’s an older bike. Disgraceful quality, I wouldn’t buy another & so not surprised KTM are in trouble 😭

It’s new, so far only oil / filter has been changed

My last bike was a Ducati 916 SPS, a beast to ride but I got a lung illness & need a lighter bike, the Ducati is garaged, the KTM fits the bill but needs a few tweaks that I feel I shouldn’t have to deal with 👍🏾

Rides great brakes work fine but dont last long

Great stuff here. Sometimes if its windy or uphill it takes a big dip. If I ride at a decent incline thru the mountains eventually if the incline is long (like an hour straight almost) 6th gear will get stuck at 75-82 mph or start decreasing speed even to where I gotta stay in 5th and high rpms.

Reliability definitely an issue here. Beware of the power parts supplied from the manufacturer. They will cause their own sets of issues such as not fitting for the exact model it was made for ( clutch lever) or causing leaks/weeping (brake fluid reservoir and oil caps).Brake rotors are terrible. They are easily ruined sometimes just within a few good rides or within a few months of riding and cost $400 for the front alone. Hit the twisties a couple times or take a few 3-4 hour long rides through the mountains and I can guarantee one of your rotors will be warped. Upgrading to power parts clutch caused an issue with the clutch switch and caused motorcycle to shut off randomly.Any grip addons I chose including KTM ones had to have my throttle body grinded down. Had to replace battery within a few months and had cables crushed beneath it.Spark plug for ‘22 has to have gas tank removed even though countless youtube videos show it being done without that. Me and 2 other mechanics both verified beyond a doubt that is a lie.

Brakes suck so bad I hit the twisties and some tight turns for a few hours pretty good and the rear rotor warped, just right after replacing front rotors and all pads and the rear rotor warped. Recommend a galfor pad and rotor which unfortunately costs almost the same as stock.

stops on a sixpence,younger riders may not know what that is !

revs freely,now its run in,good acceleration,

so far so good,utterly reliable

everything works well

cant expect a lot in the end it is only 390

had ECU problem

I’m a Central West London rider, local roads or A40, I can throw this bike around & it sucks it up ❤️

Not got to wind it up yet as I’m still running it in. I would have more miles on the clock if the seating was not so uncomfortable 😭

New bike, first winter & the battery needed recharging several times. I’m amazed as I’m 50 + years biking & never had this trouble prior. Surface rust to bolt heads, on a 6 month old bike 😭

The bike isn’t due it’s first service quite yet but I’ll get back if possible 😂

All my other bikes are heavy, speed kings e.g. Ducati 916 SPS & is only happy when racing. The Duke is light & happy at even the slowest speed 😂

Perfect bike for riding through crowded cities, and twisty roads.

Smooth for a single, and quite punchy. Best kept between 5k-8k rpm

No major issues after 1 year and 6000 km. However, I don’t expect it to last for 20 years.

Bought a new one, left from 2021 for 5270 euros. Great bank for buck when compared to it’s competition

Ride quality is excellent, brakes aren’t the best but they work perfectly fine.

To early to say about reliability as the bike is to new.

Love the dash, tyres are great and give you loads of confidence. Might fit a chassis lowering kit as I’m on the balls of my feet, I’m 5’ 8”

Sometimes it cut out when approaching traffic lights and roundabouts due to the way they’ve set the engine up for EU Emissions I’ve fitted a coober air filter lid and that seems to sort out the problem

Full service roughly £200 depending upon Where are you take it, if done by self just cost of consumables

Fitted Michelin pilot powers handling is great I really recommend them and fitted Leo vince exhaust sounds great

Briliant handling and comfort better than I expected. I've ridden for up to 8 hours with breaks every 2-3 hours and not been fatigued. Brakes are surprisingly good for a single disc.

Great performance from the smooth single; its a revvy motor with a noticeable power band make it so much fun to use. It has the typical KTM rattle which is all part of the character. it can be a little snatchy in traffic but not enough to be annoying.

As a 3 year old bike its in great condition and far better quality than could be expected for a bike made in India. I've had no issues in 2000miles; but would not expect anything. Although not a fault, the only negative is the noisy fan wich is embarrassingly loud and cuts in at only 50% on the temp gauge.

I cant say anything about service costs; but its going to be a lot cheaper to service than my ex KTM 990 Adventure. Tax is cheap and fuel consumption is around 70mpg

Its a basic bike with ABS . The LCD display I am not too enthusiastic about but the info is useful. its dissipating that there is no power port or heated grip option.

More than adequate brakes, handling slightly upset on bumpy roads due to unadjustable budget forks and shock, but great for the price.

Great performance when ridden hard, but slightly uneven at low speeds.

Excellent build quality, has not missed a beat.

Good TFT screen, excellent lights, Bluetooth connection.

Best for blasting around the city by yourself for a couple of hours. My favourite features are the light weight and fun punchy engine, firm handling and slick gearbox. A city supermoto for half the price of a 450 SM conversion and won’t vibrate you to death on the highway.

Punchy and very smooth to redline. No real vibes. Pretty amazing really. Super slick shifting easy clutch pull and slipper clutch.

Seems to have a glitch with the oil pressure sensor coming on and off occasionally. Some oil seep but no leaks. Not perfect but no sign. issues so far. 2 yr warranty here so I wouldn’t be worried.

Oil change and check at 1000km

Really nicely equipped even compared to some middleweight naked. Upside down forks, radial front caliper, slipper clutch, light controls, ride by wire, great TFT screen, LEDs, trellis frame, awesome styling, orange wheels!!I didn’t by a small bike to get attention but it get thumbs up all the time from riders and non riders because of the distinctive looks. Pretty cool considering again it’s price.

Just been out on it for 5 hours and only had one very brief stop. No numb bum, room to move around on the seat and could have ridden it all day.

Enough poke to put a smile on my face up to 70/80 mph and happy to cruise at 65/70 and enjoy the ride.

I keep it in the garage and only use it for fun in the dry and after a 1,000 miles its still like new.

Had to pay for its 1st service at 600 miles after running in. Cost £160 which i think is high.

In this country shouldn't all bikes have heated grips as standard !

It is a good all round bike but I've changed the seats to the ergo ones to make it more comfy on long trips which it is(a bit) With a pillion you do need to work it a bit to make fast progress but it's more than capable. I'm even thinking of doing a tour on it to see how it copes. being a naked small bike it's not great on duel carriageways or motorways. Over 70 the wind pressure is pretty bad on my chest. I added a powerparts small screen but this was no help.

For it's size the engine is great it fly's on and makes you want to hammer it everywhere too. it does run out of puff about 100mph though but the wind pressure stops you getting to that speed anyway.

It still looks good but as the bike lives outside I have noticed a few tiny spots of rust starting to appear. Also had trouble staring it recently but after a battery charge all was good again which I'm glad of as the TFT was saying all sorts of issues were happening.

I think the last service was over £200 and I'm not quite sure what was done for that money but I like to keep a main dealer service history up if I can.

I paid £4600 new and was amazed what you get with this good looking little bike. The TFT is great and I've got it connected to my phone too.(you have to pay extra for this feature) and the suspension and brakes may not be top quality but work fine. I own a little fiesta ST which is a great fun car and this really is the motorcycle equivalent.

Brakes fantastic, ride bit choppy on front but sure footed. Changes direction easily gives lots of confidence on lanes but can be bumpy on front and through handlebars

For a single pot it's brilliant, goes well bit of an animal.

Keep an eye on oil levels, no leaks but does use oil, even from dealers insufficient oil in bike, no dipstick just sight glass and no easy to see. Be aware of dash faults (condensation) and fuel metering set too lean ,can cause stalling when new, dealers have no cure and no software upgrades

As usual dealers are expensive and confusing in regard as to what should be carried out at services. KTM are no help as they refer you to dealers

Needs centre stand, hazards, handguards.

Choppy on front end, too stiff? Brakes brilliant.

Needs to be smoother at bottom of rev range, possible too lean to meet current regs Needs different engine maps avaiable.

Tappets , shims, at 3000 expensive.

No hazzards, switch gear clunky,