A few days ago, we reported that KTM has started testing the updated versions of the Duke 250 and the Duke 125. It is a widely known fact that the Austrian bikemaker has its hands full with upcoming projects and that includes the updated RC lineup as well. Of all the motorcycles available in its portfolio, the Duke 390 is among the more popular ones. The orange pocket-rocket is admired for its ballistic performance and cutting-edge tech on offer. And guess what? It looks like KTM is prepping an update for the Duke 390 as well!
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The latest spy shots that have surfaced, courtesy of Rideapart, reveal that the upcoming Duke 390 is going to look a lot more inspired by the big daddy – The 1290 Super Duke R.
The LED headlight cluster is retained from the outgoing model and there isn’t any confusing set of handguards we witnessed on the updated Duke 250. The front suspension looks similar to the current unit too but KTM seems to have paid special attention to the bodywork. The bodywork around the fuel-tank has been extensively reworked and now features an air-vent which could assist in diverting the hot air away from the rider. One of the major problems the Duke 390 has been riddled with in its lifespan is heat but it has improved over the years. The air-vent could also assist in improving the streetfighter’s aerodynamics.
The updated Duke 250 which was spied a few days back had a new set of alloy wheels on. The same five-spoke cast wheels can also be seen on this Duke 390 as well. The exhaust system looks to have once again become an underbelly unit but we aren’t sure whether it would remain the same in its final iteration. The updated Duke 390 also seems to have borrowed the revised subframe and swingarm from the Duke 250. Moreover, it looks like it will also make use of side-mounted rear monoshock, while the tail lamp section is set to be revised as well.
The outgoing Duke 390 makes a maddening 43.5ps of peak power @ 9000 rpm and 37nm torque @ 7000 rpm from its 373cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. The powertrain is expected to remain the same.