KTM 390 Duke 2020 Review - Prices, Specs, Variants, Features and Mileage

How insane is the heart?

How does efficiency cope up in 390 Duke with the blistering performance?

The performance is downright exhilarating. You won’t find a sad KTM 390 Duke owner anywhere! The sweet revving high compression engine will never bore you and the adrenaline rush will surely bring a wide grin. The torque curve is abrupt in 390 Duke and you need to work your way up the revs to extract every ounce of it. 

This is a machine that loves to be revved high. There is a sudden bump in torque after 6000 RPM which will push you back and make you hold on for dear life! Just kidding, this attitude is however very addictive and will convince the rider to keep on shifting just to enjoy that punch.

Efficiency is not something that can be associated with such a powerful machine. But as we are in India, it is apt to talk about how it fares. Mileage is not its strong point and KTM doesn’t compromise on sheer riding thrill for more mileage figures. But, when taking into account the sheer performance at hand, 808 km on a full tank is impressive. Precise fueling is also a major part in extracting this mileage figures off such a fearsome machine.

KTM has managed to squeeze in a volume of 13.5 litres under that sleek looking tank. Bajaj Dominar 400 manages to chuck out better efficiency figures by tweaking the same engine. Dominar has a more linear performance curve which helps it achieve better mileage with a slight decrease in power figures. BMW G310R has a smaller engine and thus less power and more mileage comes standard with it.

How addictive is the acceleration; 0-60?

Blink and you miss it! KTM 390 Duke is a mental machine when it comes to acceleration. We strongly believe that KTM put all of that torque on top so that the rider can be mentally prepared before going all out. 60 kmph comes up in a blistering 2.68 seconds and top speed is never-ending, at least on Indian roads.

The slick-shifting gearbox is a beauty and the short ratio gearing makes sure that you reach triple digits quicker than the speedometer! The trellis frame keeps vibrations at bay and the 390 Duke can go on all day at 10500 RPM; no sweat.

Dominar with is toned down nature is close to the Duke when it comes to the 60 kmph sprint, but top speed varies vastly. This is due to the strong mid-end of the Bajaj that gives it impressive acceleration despite the added kerb weight, as so is a sweet companion for cruising.

How confidence-inspiring are the bybre brakes?

The brakes from bybre have a very strong bite. It is not of the progressive type and will give newbies a hard time. But once used to it, these brakes will induce enough confidence to take corners with late braking. Slotted setup makes sure to keep the rotor temperature in check and thus braking efficiency at its maximum at all times.

Dual-channel ABS unit makes sure that you can have uninterrupted fun on the 390 Duke. The intervention of ABS is natural and doesn’t overlay with normal braking. It comes into action only after the wheels lock up and thus doesn’t confuse the rider.

Kerb weight also plays an important role in providing a brisk braking experience. This is the reason for Dominar 400’s linear braking which eventually results in more stopping distance. G310R has the least kerb weight but still ends up taking more ground to stop completely. 

How does the razor-sharp handling get along with rider comfort?

The 390 Duke is a very sharp handler and this is possible because of the combination of the split trellis frame, shorter wheelbase and beefy upside-down forks. The short and upright handlebar helps to change directions with ease. The shorter wheelbase is also a boon when it comes to manoeuvrability and filtering through traffic won’t be any more fun.

Comfort is not the Duke’s cup of tea and that perfectly aligns with the explosive character of the bike. Both the rider and pillion seats are wide but hard, which makes it a very bad touring companion. The riding position is, however relaxed and doesn’t put pressure on your wrists and shoulders. The suspension setup is on the stiffer side and so riding the 390 Duke is best suited for short distances.

Bajaj Dominar is the most comfortable of the lot if comfort is what you are looking for! Dominar 400 has been pitched in as a power cruiser which joins the club with the only other one, i.e. Ducati Diavel. The G310R is BMW’s answer to KTM’s growing fame and tries to provide the same riding experience as the 390 Duke. 

How sharp does the 2020 390 Duke look?

KTMs are known for their bright orange paint schemes. The 390 Duke also comes in two new shades that have much less of “orange” that it previously had. But it is a sharp-looking minimal motorcycle that will turn heads anytime, period. It is a small bike that doesn’t look like it packs an almost 400cc unit.

The exposed trellis frame shows 390 Duke’s unreal 373.2cc mill in all its glory. It is connected to the slide slung aluminium exhaust unit that sounds distinctive. Another eye-catchy feature of the 390 Duke is its LED headlight unit that takes inspiration from the Superduke, which is in a whole different league of its own.

Aesthetic Features

• Exposed trellis frame

• Triple split LED headlight

• TFT colour instrument cluster

• Belly guard

• Split seats

• Sharp tank shrouds

None of the competitors come close in for the visual treat that this pocket rocket provides. It is quirky, weird and thus bold. Bajaj Dominar 400 and BMW G310R both look the part but don’t have as much drama as the KTM.

What are the safety and class-leading features in hand?

Safety is an integral part of the 390 Duke as it is a motorcycle that packs in 40+ horses and weighs in at just 163 kg. So, things can go haywire pretty quick. KTM has made sure to provide the 390 Duke with an array of features to support you in extreme as well as day to day scenarios.

The one factor which made this orange entity sell like hotcakes is firstly, the power output and secondly is the list of class-leading features that will leave you mouth wide open. The highly intuitive TFT instrument cluster is the window to all of the gizmos that assist in safety and riding. It even comes with a slip and assist slipper clutch and the biggest addition in 2020 is the standardization of up-down quickshifter.

The competition is no match to what KTM has to offer here and that is what makes this Duke a unique and bang for buck proposition. The very similar Bajaj Dominar 400 tries hard to mimic but fails to do so. BMW is far behind in terms of features and has a lot of ground to cover.

How does the competition stack up?

KTM 390 Duke vs Bajaj Dominar 400

Dominar 400 is Bajaj’s answer to the ever-growing fame of 390 Duke. It uses the same engine but in a very composed state of tune. This makes it a very good touring machine, unlike the KTM which feels home at the racetrack. It all boils down to what you want from your motorcycle. If you are a person who loves recurring adrenaline rush, then the pocket rocket from KTM will suit you perfectly. But if cruising continuously at triple digits is your fetish, then the Dominar 400 will make a very good companion.

KTM 390 Duke vs BMW G310R

BMW tries hard to make its mark in the sizzling quarter-litre segment with the G310R. But steep pricing and insane cost of ownership makes it a sore product to own. KTM, on the other hand, provides you with a fine balance of mind-blowing performance and razor-sharp handling with an insane value for money. In any given direction, KTM 390 Duke is the better one of the lot.

Whom is this pocket rocket slated for?

KTM changes our motorcycling. It provides us with a bunch of products that made us scratch heads with confusion. We were confused as to how this is possible. But it is and KTM is the brand that started it all. It is the perfect hooligan machine, one with the insane performance, one with the unbelievable handling characteristics and one with lots and lots of orange. It helped a lot of riders have an experience which was once considered out of reach. It is the best entry-level performance machine out there and it is The motorcycle to possess.