2017 KTM 390 Duke Review | This updated naked changed the game in the A2 category

The 2017 KTM Duke 390 raised the A2 licence bar. It’s one of the most fun to ride, involving and high quality machines in its class.  It’s refined, easy to live with, fast, comes with a high level of spec and superb attention to detail.

• Latest review: 2024 KTM 390 Duke

There’s a whole raft of official Power Parts accessories, too. If you plan for this to be your first ‘big’ bike you’re in for a treat, but even if you’re an old hand it won’t fail to impress.

KTM completely transformed the 390 Duke for 2017, turning it from merely a good low-capacity naked, to the best machine in the entire A2 licence category. Giving the bike its first major updates since its inception in 2013, the 2017 version offers an unparalleled level of fun, quality and performance for its size.

Then in 2021 the KTM 390 Duke was updated again, with new colours, a Euro5 engine and an up-and-down quickshifter. You can see the new bike below.

Gone is the slightly lack lustre quality and styling and in its wake comes a 5.2in full colour dash, illuminated switchgear, brilliant panel fitment and deep glossy paint. Claimed dry weight is just 149kg dry, meaning its 44bhp single-cylinder engine has more than enough poke to achieve a decent level of performance.

For a thumpy single, the engine is impressively long-revving

At the front, the new non-adjustable WP forks are well damped and the four piston radial calipers bite hard, offering enough bite to inspire confidence in the corners. For a thumpy single, the engine is impressively long-revving and remains near-silent in traffic, but at high rpm it transforms into the snarl of a throaty crosser.

Despite its new-rider-friendly ergonomics, the 390 is serious fun. It’s capable of a genuine 100mph, you can tempt the Duke into the occasional wheelie and it will back into corners when the ABS is switched to Supermoto mode. To comply with the new stringent Euro4 emission laws, KTM have given this bike a ride-by-wire throttle and a bigger airbox.

• Were you looking for? KTM 390 Adventure review

A side-mounted exhaust also replaces the old stubby underslung unit. This year’s bike keeps its slipper clutch, which was added in 2015, and a new chassis also gives the 390 its sharp handling.

Once you've read this review and our owners' reviews, you may want to join an online community to meet likeminded people. There's a popular owners' club for this bike at the KTM Duke 390 Forum.

Watch: KTM 390 Duke video review

As well as a smoother power delivery and more grunt, the new KTM Duke 390 also has sharper handling and more precise steering thanks to a new chassis. The steel trellis frame, which now has a bolt-on subframe and a 690 look-a-like lattice swingarm, has racier geometry and a slightly more canted-forward riding position that shifts more weight on to the front end.

As a result, there’s extra feel for what the front end is doing in the corners, but the KTM is still roomy, comfortable and with its straight bars, still has an aggressive, supermoto feel to it.

• Related: MCN's guide to the best first big motorbikes

It’s nimble through traffic and has a natural new-rider-friendly riding position for riders big and small. New riders will find it simple to get on with and it’s still an impressive machine for the more experienced.

Adding to the sense of big-bike quality is the new WP 43mm upside down forks and single rear shock. KTM reckon they’ve spent a lot of time developing these units for the new machine and you can tell. Braking is also improved with the old model’s four-piston radial Bybre (a subsidiary of Brembo) caliper now gnawing a single disc that’s grown from 300 to 320mm.

To keep up with Euro 4 regs, the 390 Duke’s four-valve 44bhp, 373.2cc single-cylinder motor now has ride-by-wire, a side-mount exhaust, replacing the old stubby underslung item and a bigger airbox. KTM says it makes 5.7% more torque at low rpm.

You also get a slipper clutch (added to the 390 in 2015). It might be small, but the engine is smooth, punchy and there isn’t much it can’t do in the real world, especially with just 149kg (dry) to push along. It has performance to keep you interested long after you’ve jumped through the hoops needed to get your full licence.

In June 2017 KTM issued a recall of their 125 and 390 Duke motorcycles after it was found that there were some issues with the headlight. The recall will address the issue by carrying out a software update that addresses the issue.

Only time will tell if the new 390 Duke will be more durable than the original, which suffered some reliability and quality issues. The new machine’s build quality, paint finish and level of components is much improved, so the signs are good.

Our KTM 390 Duke owners' reviews show the bike is a lot of fun, but a little costly to run due to expensive servicing and maintenance. That said, it scores an impressive 4.8 out of 5 average for reliability.

The main grumbles mentioned by owners are rust appearing on some of the bolt heads and fasteners. Some mention that the bike uses quite a lot of oil and needs checking regularly. The OE battery seems to have caused problems for a few owners, too, so check if it's been replaced or consider swapping it yourself.

With a vast improvement in build quality, more expensive-feeling components and lots of snazzy standard equipment, the 390 Duke offers the best value for money in the A2 licence class.

A new one set you back £4699 when launched, and used examples are already coming onto the market at a little under £4000. That as-new price crept up to £5149 by 2021, though.

If you fancy an A2-friendly naked but the KTM isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other bikes to consider. The Honda CB500F has less aggressive and radical styling and makes slightly more power from its parallel-twin engine.

The Yamaha MT-03 was updated in 2020 in-line with the rest of the excellent MT family. Arguably the most direct KTM competitor, it'll be the bike to beat when the 2024 Duke hits dealers.

And finally, the Kawasaki Z400took a small break in production in 2022 while it was updated for Euro5 before being reintroduced in 2023. For 2024, the model will be replaced by a new Z500.

A2 group test: KTM Duke 390 vs Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT Edition vs Honda CBR500R

First published in MCN 16 May 2016 by Adam Child

When did A2 bikes get so appealing? Turn the clock back 20 years and entry-level bikes were about as exciting as Antiques Roadshow. Remember Honda’s CB400 Superdream in the 80s or Suzuki’s GS500E in the 90s? I rode those bikes and still shudder now. But today new riders have a plethora of bikes to choose from and with Kawasaki recently launching their new Ninja 400 they’ve made the decision even harder. So we chose to put it against our class favourites from last year, Honda’s

CBR500R and KTM’s naked 390 Duke, and subject all three to the unforgiving examination of the MCN250 test route.

And the verdict? There are many reasons why the Kawasaki should win this test. It’s the quickest, therefore the most fun. Most preferred its sporty looks and it handles far better than its price suggests. But the catch is that it doesn’t have the all-round capabilities of the Honda.

The CBR feels like a bigger bike. Its dimensions are normal-size and it’s comfortable, refined, and smooth, offering a huge tank range and excellent fuel economy. If I had to pick one bike to do it all again, I’d pick the CBR. The KTM is tempting, fun and punchy and more

importantly it’s over a grand cheaper than the Honda, but if you want a bike for daily use and long trips it falls behind. The Honda wins.

It’s the KTM Duke 390’s first major overhaul since its launch in 2013 and KTM have left no stone unturned. As well as new styling the fuel tank capacity is up from 11 to 13.4 litres and there’s a new two-piece seat, handlebars, adjustable levers, riding modes, ABS and a new 1290 Super Duke R-style LED headlight.

It also has a multi-function glass-fronted 5.2” TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity. With its superb panel fit and deep paintwork, the Indian-built 390 Duke is every inch the baby 690 Duke R or 1290 Super Duke R.