Celebrating a 30-year legacy of the Duke, the 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke is a bold declaration of KTM’s innovative spirit and engineering.
As the motorcycle world revs up for 2024, KTM has unleashed a new duo of bikes: the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO and the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R, which won’t be available in the US market. Celebrating a 30-year legacy of the Duke, these new entries are a bold declaration of KTM’s innovative spirit and engineering, reshaping the Naked bike segment with a fusion of raw power, cutting-edge technology, and a design that commands attention.
KTM’s recent unveiling of the 1390 engine series, culminating in the 2024 Super Duke R Evo, was a move that generated much buzz. Despite the ‘1390’ in its name, a hallmark of KTM’s naming convention, the engine is actually a 1,350cc powerhouse. This represents a relatively modest but meaningful increase of 49cc over the previous ‘1290’ models. This bump in displacement was achieved through a slight 2mm increase in the bore size, bringing it to 110 mm, while keeping the 71 mm stroke unchanged. This adjustment has successfully enhanced the bike’s horsepower to an impressive 190 hp at 10,000 rpm, a noteworthy 11 hp improvement over the 1290.
The chassis, inherited from the 1290 Super Duke R, has been refined, especially on the 1390 Super Duke R Evo, which features WP’s Semi-Active Technology (SAT) for its suspension. This state-of-the-art system employs variable damping, controlled electronically for real-time adaptation to various riding conditions. The Suspension Pro option pack, an addition to the Evo model, includes advanced functionalities like anti-dive for the front end and automatic rear preload adjustment.
Technological advancements extend beyond the engine. The bike sports a redesigned airbox with shorter intake stacks and expanded throttle bodies. These modifications focus on augmenting power and high-rpm performance, a strategy evident in the engine’s higher power peak and a torque increase to 107 lb.-ft. The transmission remains consistent with the prior model, although it has been tweaked to better align with the new engine’s performance characteristics.
The engine’s significant power boost is partly credited to an innovative cam-shift system akin to BMW’s ShiftCam approach, enabling the machine to alternate between two inlet cam profiles, optimizing performance across various rev ranges. This innovation necessitated a complete redesign of the cylinder heads.
The base model, offered in markets outside the US, maintains updated WP Apex suspension components, delivering robust performance albeit without the Evo’s semi-active capabilities. The braking system, supplied by Brembo, introduces an adjustable MCS master cylinder and a new clutch master cylinder with a self-venting system, enhancing both performance and maintenance ease.
Stylistically, the new models take the familiar angular design of the 1290 Super Duke R and sharpen it further. The most noticeable changes include a larger fuel tank and reconfigured side panels with integrated winglets. The repositioning of the indicators and brake light, alongside a significant weight reduction achieved by the new headlight design, gives the bike a sleeker, more aggressive look. Despite these weight-saving measures, the 467 lb overall weight of the new model is slightly higher than its predecessor, primarily due to the larger 4.6-gallon fuel tank and engine updates.
The 5-inch TFT display has a redesigned menu and new graphics. There are five standard ride modes: Auto, Comfort, Rain, Street, and Sport. Two optional track and pro modes are also available. Cruise control, wheelie control, Engine brake control, and other technologies are optional.
Priced at $21,499, the 2024 KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R and its EVO variant aren’t just mere upgrades. They are a bold statement from KTM, blending performance and technology in a package that’s as visually striking as it is exhilarating to ride. These models don’t just continue the legacy of the Duke; they elevate it, showcasing KTM’s unwavering dedication to pushing the limits of what’s possible on two wheels.
