Next-gen KTM 390 Duke spied in India with updated engine, chassis

The next-gen KTM 390 Duke has once again been spotted testing, right here in India where it will be manufactured. This close-up look at the upcoming machine reveals some fresh new details.

This latest spy shot of the next-gen 390 confirms many of the changes that have already been seen in earlier sightings. These include revisions to the engine, which are apparent from the new engine covers and the rerouted exhaust system, suggesting changes to both internals as well as peripherals. Intake routing also appears to be different to the current motorcycle, and this will likely be the most comprehensive update that this engine has received in some time.

 

As for whether the rumoured bump up in displacement to 399cc will materialise, we’ll have to wait for an official spec sheet. That being said, it does appear that this test mule sports a larger radiator with a twin-fan setup (the current Duke only has 1 fan). This could suggest that the updated bike is making more power, perhaps through increased displacement. There is also the possibility that the extra fan is simply to help improve cooling for the current engine, which though not as bad as it once was, is still a small concern on the current 390 Duke. The 390 Adventure, with its twin fan setup, does a better job of heat management.

While more of the frame is shrouded by bodywork on this next-gen machine, the portion of the frame that is visible appears to be quite similar to the current bike. What is visible is the revised swingarm, which seems to feature a slightly different shape and design. The Duke will also inherit the new (and rather neat looking) wheels and brakes from the recently updated RC 390, with the front brake disc forgoing its carrier and shifting from the left side to the right. This will result in a reduction in unsprung mass, which should aid agility.

 

KTM has also comprehensively altered the suspension setup for this updated bike, moving to an offset rear monoshock. Though the repositioned shock is not visible in this image, we do see the void where the shock is placed on the current machine. Additionally, expect tweaks to the state of tune and perhaps increased adjustability as well. However, KTM has set a trend of offering greater suspension adjustability overseas than in India, so it remains to be seen what spec the bike will be sold with here. The RC 390 received rebound damping adjustment for its monoshock with its latest update last year, so that’s likely to feature on the updated Duke in India as well.

Of course, the most apparent of all the changes is the new bodywork, with all the panels having been redesigned for this new generation. Most striking of the lot are the new tank extensions, which are sharper and longer than on the current bike. There’s also a new headlight, and the seats have been reprofiled, too, appearing to be more roomy. The mirrors have been redesigned, too, looking sharper now, like the rest of the bike, and there have been changes made at the touch points as well.

 

The switchgear appears different, with a new red switch towards the top of the left switch cube, which the current bike doesn’t get. This could be a hazard switch. And then there are the hand levers, which, strangely, don’t appear to be adjustable. The current machine gets adjustable levers and it would be odd for KTM to take this feature away, so perhaps this is just something specific to this test mule. After all, one lever is finished in black while the other has a bare metal finish, so it’s quite likely that the production version of the next-gen machine will continue with adjustable levers.

 

As for other features, the 390 Duke is already a well-equipped bike, coming with a Bluetooth-enabled TFT display, dual-channel ABS and a bi-directional quickshifter – all these will continue on the next-gen machine. Expect it to also receive an IMU as well as a traction control system, like the RC 390 received in its latest iteration.

Barring a couple of areas like the hand levers, this test mule appears to be fairly well finished. This is also not the first time that this next-gen machine has been spotted in India, looking production-ready. All this points towards the fact that the Duke is on the verge of being officially updated, and will almost certainly break cover sometime this year. Considering the add-ons and improvements over the current machine, expect a moderate step-up from its current price of Rs 2.96 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).