2024 KTM 390 Duke Review - First Ride

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My current motorcycles are:-
2014 BMW R1200GS
2023 Kawasaki Z900 RS SE
2019 Triumph Speed Twin
2019 Royal Enfield Custom 650 Interceptor
2022 Honda GL1800 Goldwing Tour DCT (Airbag)
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Please be aware I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way in motorcycles or anything else. I'm just an ordinary biker like you probably are. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is important to you, please verify it via a knowledgable third party....the videos I post are just my opinions and are no more valid than anyone elses.

[willgarrod]

I live my 24 model, it’s 8 weeks old and 2’000 miles done. I’m 55 and an experienced rider and racer so don’t be fooled into thinking this is just for newbies.

[JTX-mvln]

Just a heads up to anyone in the area who owns this bike, I owned the 2019 edition. I've had mine for over four years and experienced six theft attempts. Unfortunately, they succeeded earlier this year. Please be careful and invest in strong security measures to protect your bike.

[ArthursMam]

I bought the original 390 when it came out. Been riding it for 11 years now and still love it. I take it on touring holidays, it’s great for Sunday rides out. Best of all worlds. It’s so light and flickable. Easy to service, hasn’t had any major issues . I do have to ride the clutch a bit to smooth it out while riding slowly through towns, slow traffic but it’s something I quickly got used to. My hubby loves riding it, but it is small. He’s 5ft 11 and to get tucked down in he sits on the pillion seat. But overall, great little bikes even for experienced bikers. I would never part with mine.

[billreynolds]

For those of us who've been riding long enough (50 years) and couldn't wait to get bigger bikes with gobs of power it's funny to see things come full circle. Now that we've scratched the size and power itch we are being drawn back to smaller and more practical everyday motorcycles. I've had the misfortune of seeing the new triumph speed 400 at my local dealer. I'm afraid to ride fearing that I'd pull out my check book and take it home. Your great reviews are making it any easier. Be safe. Bill

[Kim_Miller]

A great little bike. I bought the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 version two years ago for a city bike. It's a total hooligan and turns me into a teenager as soon as i sit on it. It handles twisty roads beautifully and I can manage a two hour ride to a mountain cafe for lunch and two hours home again before the seat tells me to get off. I was considering the 390 Duke but once I saw the Svartpilen I bought it immediately for the funky design.

[ajinkyakhanzode]

I’ve been really hoping to see this review from you, I like the bike a lot, just can’t get over the looks.

[debbieclegg]

Great review .. its good to see some positive vibes for the KTM

[jonomasonILoveU]

Got this bike in NZ in March, everything was unlocked as standard, QS is great. Got black Remus, barenders, carbon screen and all the orange cnc bits n bobs, goes like a bat outa hell, I love kTm😁.

[davidmatthews]

That is probably the first bike that I’ve ever seen tested on which a quickshifter is a viable option. With the small engine and limited power it’s a bike that can be ridden hard in real world conditions. With most motorcycles fitted with a quickshifter it will only be useful on a racetrack, normal roads with traffic and speed limits make them no more than an expensive fashion item.

[Pisceanboi]

Here in Australia the Duke 390 is regarded as the bike to have in the LAMS sector - roughly the equivalent of the A2 licence restriction in the UK. I prefer the looks of the Triumph Speed 400, but for everything else, this would appear to be a better machine and better value. You get that lovely TFT screen, an optional quickshifter, more power and torque, backlit instruments, riding modes and more. Interestingly whilst the UK press wax lyrical about the Triumph, I feel that is based on it being a British brand, whereas here, that sentiment doesn't really apply. Notably the BMW G310R is not far off the power to weight ratio of the Triumph, but the UK press seem largely unimpressed. I do think the Triumph gets lots of kudos because of the name, and the lovely retro styling - for everything else I think the Duke 390 has the technology edge.

[johnmacdonald]

390 Duke, Very popular first bike here with younger riders. Might be my age, I like the Triumphs.

[SirOsisofLiver]

I bought a 390 Duke in 2018 on a lark, only intending to keep it the summer. I ended up keeping it 6 years. It’s a fun little bugger to throw around, and sips fuel. I’ve been riding on road since the early ‘90s and have had plenty of bikes, but the 390 still stands out as fun.
Mine was dead reliable too.

I’ve since moved on to a V85 Adventure, better suited to long rides and travel. I still miss nipping through traffic on the 390 though.

[nigelsride]

Looks like you enjoyed that ride Andy. Cracking little bike for the money. 👍

[clivemanning]

I, m 69 yrs old have a triumph street twin 900, also this 2021 model for mega back lane fun.
Get the KTM power parts seat for comfort, a set of Diablo Rossi 3, s, you, ll be well dialled in.

[sceett]

I may be totally wrong but is the reason the gears are so short the fact that it’s not been run in properly yet and the computer brings the redline down until a certain number of miles have been completed? Kind of looked that way on the TFT.

[siindree]

Hey there TMF!
As it happens it is indeed as you said, I have just passed my license for motorcycles (the full license) and I have ordered one of these, even in the same colorscheme! It will indeed be my first bike since my moped days year and years ago. You can say I am nervously-excited for the delivery! I am a tall guy at around 184 cm, and a little bit of a gut also. So I think the seat might be an issue on some say 2 hour rides etc.. Hoping a comfort seat option becomes available soon!
I have also asked for a tail-tidy to be fitted before the bike is sent my way!

Great video! Did not make me question the choice haha... Been watching the videoes and subscribed since you had your ride through my country of Norway

[kevinjones]

I have a previous gen 390 2022 after all loads of different sports bikes, blades and Gsxr's. By a long way my favourite bike I have had over 30 years. Easy to see I e yourself and cheap to run. If you look after it it will look after you. 4th and 5th year is where the fun is at.

[plymouthjanner]

Great review of a cracking bike. Please can we see more KTM reviews. Been some time since you reviewed the bigger models. Cheers...

[sekc-chua]

This 390 Duke and it's other variants (especially the 390 Adventure) are fun bikes. KTM have done a great job with the single cylinder. I'm planning to get the 390 Adventure next year, with spoked wheels. Have fun with the Duke!

[ianhalliwell]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to me it looks like the KTM design team are lovers of the Transformers films. As i am considerably taller, weightier and older than your good self this bike isn't on my radar but as always i did enjoy the video.