Reviews/ Ktm/ 390 Duke
Ktm 390 Duke
8.0/10 Naked

Ktm 390 Duke Review

"Brilliant urban weapon when bought carefully from a responsible previous owner."

Urban commuters wanting genuine performance and handling $3,500-$6,500 used 2017-2023
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Used Buyer Review

The 390 Duke is genuinely one of the most entertaining small bikes ever built, and the used market is littered with them for good reason — early owners upgrade quickly, leaving decent examples at sensible money. That LC4c single punches hard for 373cc, revs like it's angry at something, and the chassis is properly sorted with WP suspension that shames most competitors. Buy between 2017-2022 and you're getting a genuinely sophisticated package. Here's the honest bit though: these things attract young, enthusiastic riders who treat them accordingly. Check the subframe religiously — drops and kerb nudges crack them. The throttle-by-wire on later models is slick but inspect wiring harness condition carefully. Service history matters more than mileage; KTM's recommended 8,000km oil changes are non-negotiable with this engine. Skipped services cook the top end. Used prices have stabilised nicely. Find a well-documented example under 15,000km from someone who actually maintained it and you've got a genuinely brilliant urban weapon that'll embarrass much bigger bikes through traffic.

Pros

+Savage power-to-weight ratio
+Excellent Bosch cornering ABS
+Sharp, adjustable WP suspension
+Premium components throughout
+Huge aftermarket support available

Cons

-Fragile subframe cracks easily
-Vibration gets tiring long-distance
-Hard seat punishes after 45min
-Previous owners often thrash them
warning
Avoid if

You want comfortable touring or hate vibration

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