New KTM Duke singles for 2024 By Ben Purvis
The single-cylinder 390 Duke, 200 Duke and 125 Duke marked a notable change for KTM when the lineup was first announced back in 2011 - creating a set of entry-level steps into the brand's street bike range and later spawning sportier RC390, RC200 and RC125 derivatives as well as a matching set of Adventure models.
Now, a dozen years on, KTM has finally got around to giving the range a complete overhaul with new engines, a new chassis and improved rider safety technology that sets a standard not seen on any current rivals in the small, single-cylinder class.
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| 390 Duke |
In the 2024 range - now made up of the 390 Duke, 250 Duke and 125 Duke as the '200' model bites the dust - all three versions are visually near identical. The top 390 version gets detail differences to set it aside, including slightly extended side panels and glitzy LED running lights around the headlight, but the latter is available as an option on the smaller versions as well, so you'll be hard pushed to tell them apart at a distance. The styling is typical KTM, all sharp creases and angles, but the bikes debut the latest generation of the brand's 'face' with those running lights, which sit in boomerang-shaped panels either side of the headlight.
The chassis, shared across all three versions, is completely new but identical to the design seen on the electric Husqvarna E-Pilen prototype that was shown a couple of years ago - a strong hint that the much-rumoured E-Duke and the E-Pilen itself are set to reach production in this model cycle.
Although still a steel trellis frame, the layout is redesigned and the bikes get a new cast alloy seat subframe that eliminates the need for rear bodywork. KTM says the design is tailored for the ideal torsional rigidity, and the steering geometry is revised with new triple clamps to tweak the offset. At the back, a new banana-style swingarm clears the under-belly exhaust and provides a mount for a direct-action monoshock that's offset to the right-hand side.
The front suspension is made up of 43 mm WP Apex forks on all three models, although the 390 Duke gets adjustable versions as well as an uprated rear shock. Similarly, the ByBre brakes are shared across the range, including advanced cornering ABS that works even when the bike is leaning - a first on bikes as small as the 125 Duke. It has KTM's 'Supermoto' ABS, too, which means the rear wheel's antilock can be switched off if you prefer to be able to lock it. Traction control is also standard, lean sensitive on the 390 Duke, which also gains three riding modes for Street, Rain and Track.
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| 125 Duke |
There's a new 5-inch TFT display to control those electronics, including phone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, as well as illuminated bar controls.
When it comes to performance, the 390 is the most powerful, getting a new 399 cc single in place of the old 373 cc version, with 4 mm longer stroke (64 mm) allied to the same 89 mm bore. Power peaks at 33 kW and 8,500 rpm, with 39 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. That power output is carefully chosen - the 390 Duke weighs 165 kg including fuel, giving a power-to-weight ratio of 0.2 kW per kg, which is precisely on the upper limit for A2-class bikes.
The 125 and 250 Dukes are both lighter at 154 kg including fuel and feature a completely new engine. Unlike their predecessors and the 390 Duke, the new smaller engine is a single overhead cam design, more compact and lighter than the previous DOHC setup. They also gain ride-by-wire throttles. The 125 cc version peaks at 11 kW - the limit for learners - and 10,000 rpm, backed up by 11.5 Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm. The larger 250 cc version, unhindered by attempts to fit within specific European licence categories, achieves 23 kW at 9,500 rpm and 25 Nm at 7,500 rpm.
