Yes, you read the title correctly, KTM have brought back their 2022 model 390 Duke and it is selling for a low price of R72,999.00. We all know that the sub 400 cc market is massive in Asia, so big that manufacturers have to produce models in high quantities and when a new model is about to break cover, wallets are locked up in the safe and the old model is forgotten. The latest version of KTM’s 390 Duke is groundbreaking and a class leader in technology, handling, with its adjustable WP suspension and the most powerful single-cylinder motor in the sub 400 cc market, with its high-revving 399 cc LC4 motor making 45.3 hp and 40 Nm of torque.
If we have to rewind back the clock to 2017, the new back then and now second-generation 390 Duke was also just as impressive, having the first full colour TFT in its class, cell phone connectivity, rider modes and ABS that could also be adjusted. Back then, it was a big deal and being designed around the 1290 Super Duke made it a very attractive commuter. So attractive that I bought one in 2018 and did close to 20,000 km of problem-free and blissful riding.
My 2018 Duke 390 cost around R75,000.00 before putting it on the road, so when I saw this special pop up, I’ve got to be honest and say this 390 Duke is a bargain. Not only is it a bargain because of its price, and you probably won’t find a low-mileage 6-year-old model for the same price, but also because it has proved itself to be a great motorcycle. It might not have the new chassis, adjustable suspension or up and down quick shifter, but as a daily commuter sub 400 cc at 72k, is it really going to stop you? It definitely wouldn’t stop me…
Anyways, features aside, the 2022 model Gen 2 is pretty close to the Gen 3 on paper, and for those who aren’t chasing laptimes or trends, this Gen 2 390 Duke will welcome you to affordable and reliable commuting. The price difference also allows for some tasty upgrades. As mentioned, I did 20,000 km and that included commuting daily for a year and a half, long road trips and track days. The changes I made on mine for my kind of riding and taste were better tyres, three teeth down on the rear sprocket from a 45T to a 42T, K&N filter, removed DB killer as I liked the look of the standard pipe, R&G tail tidy and some orange bits because why not. I must say the sprocket change turned the Duke into a surprisingly decent open road bike, dropping the revs significantly and raising the top end by almost 20 km/h.
KTM haven’t mentioned how much stock is available, but we do know, is that every dealer will have dibs on one from June and colour-wise you’ll have the option of the white livery or the silver—sorry guys, no orange on this one.
If you don’t want to miss out on a bargain, get down to your local KTM dealer and pre-order yours before someone else is smart enough to…
