KTM 1390 Super Duke R: Explained In Images

Styling

The 1390 Super Duke R dons a sharp, muscular design built around long, extending tank shrouds and heavily chiselled body panels. One look and you’ll immediately realise why almost all the smaller Dukes look like this one

Details:

• The orange-finished trellis frame (a known trait of Dukes) complements the blacked-out alloy wheels

• This is the only Duke with a single-sided swingarm, and it looks really cool. We just wish the wheel design was a bit cooler as it doesn’t look all that different compared to the smaller Dukes. 

• The LED DRLs are extremely angular, and some might find it a bit too ‘alien’. Also, interestingly, the DRLs are auto-adjusting as per the ambient light

• You need not even bother with choosing a colour as it is available only in one - KTM’s trademark bright orange shade

Engine And Performance

A 1,350cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin engine forms the center-point of the bike. It’s got all the power you need: 190PS and 145Nm, to be precise. 

Details:

• The bright orange-painted trellis frame hides the massive V-twin fairly well 

• But due to the nature of this genre, the engine portion looks a bit messy, which is quite normal with liquid-cooled engines, as you can see the exposed plumbing

• We really like the way the two-to-one exhaust curls around before ending up in a massive end-can. The exhaust design is also pretty good and well-packaged considering the stringent sound and emission norms.

• Claimed top speed stands at 250kmph, and a bi-directional quickshifter comes as standard 

• The claimed mileage is 16.94kmpl, which is pretty decent for such a high-performance bike

Features

The 1390 Super Duke R comes with a fully loaded electronics package, built around a 5-inch TFT display with connectivity and navigation support.

Details:

• You get 5 power modes: Street, Sport, Rain, with Performance and Track modes being optional extras. Plus, of course, you get switchable, dual-channel cornering ABS and traction control 

• Other rider aids include wheelie control, a lap timer, a programmable engine braking function, and cruise control

• Everyday touches include a USB charging port and backlit switchgear that make it easier to live with

Underpinnings And Specifications

The bike is sculpted around a chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame with a cast-aluminium composite subframe, a 48mm WP Apex upside-down fork and a WP Apex monoshock at the rear — both fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound.

Details:

• Braking duties are handled by twin 320mm front discs with radially-mounted Brembo Stylema 4-piston callipers, and a 240mm rear disc

• The fork is blacked out, and goes well with the contrasting orange. A gold fork may have looked tacky, if you ask us.

• It flaunts 17-inch alloys wrapped in 120-section front and 200-section rear Michelin Power GP rubber

• Seat height is at 834mm, ground clearance is 149mm, and the fuel tank holds 17.5 litres of juice. Yes, the seat is on the taller side, and the ground clearance is not the best. But then again, this is designed for smooth roads or the racetrack.

The KTM 1390 Super Duke R’s price may be on the higher side, but it’s a genuinely intimidating, track-capable super-naked. If you have the skills and the deep pockets, then the Super Duke R offers an experience like none other.