EXCLUSIVE - Closest Peek Yet At 2023 KTM 390 Duke

We’ve spotted pre-production examples of the upcoming KTM 390 Duke undergoing testing earlier, but this time we’ve caught one in broad daylight, and hence have a long list of observations. Here’s what’s new:

Starting from the front, the headlight has a more angular shape with a minimal bezel, like that of the 890 Duke. Next, the TFT console is new, with a more conventional rectangular shape (as opposed to the staggered border on the current model) that looks larger (around 5.5 to 6 inches) with narrower bezels. The shape of the handlebar stays unchanged, though it now gets redesigned bar-end weights with a dimpled pattern. The mirrors and mirror stalks are new too, with the shape of the mirror now hexagonal, and the stalk slightly higher and longer. Both of these should give riders a wider view, the lack of which is a big turn-off on the current model.

Moving on, though the test-rider’s arm covers the top of the tank, the overall tank silhouette looks unchanged. That said, the rider’s seat seems a bit more scooped, which may lead to a more approachable seat height. Additionally, both the rider and pillion seat have a perforated upholstery pattern, which may help keep the rider in place during hard acceleration and deceleration. Besides, the new aluminium subframe translates to a larger pillion seat too. And finally, the updated model has a 'T' shaped taillight, instead of the twin-LED unit on the current model.

While we originally believed that the updated 390 Duke would have a larger – likely 399cc – engine making 46.5PS and 40Nm, there are some rumours that capacity might remain unchanged. But this new model will likely be lighter, and possibly have slightly higher performance figures than the current 390. This, coupled with the lighter alloys and brake rotors from the RC 200 and RC 390, should make it more flickable as well.  And though it’s unclear from the images, we believe the updated 390 Duke will also feature adjustability, both in the fork and the monoshock, like the recently launched top-spec 390 Adventure. It’ll come chock-full of features too, with switchable ABS, cornering ABS, traction control, and quickshifter, with the larger TFT console offering turn-by-turn navigation (at the very least) along with the usual complement of smartphone connectivity.

KTM could unveil the updated 390 Duke globally at EICMA 2023 (November 7-12) with the India launch slated for the end of this year. And of course, with the long list of changes, we expect it to be priced not less than Rs 3.3 lakh (ex-showroom), or about Rs 30,000 more than the current model’s price tag.