KTM motorcycles is known for its dirt bikes, like the SX and XC lines, but the Austrian marque also produces
ATVs and street bikes like the Super Duke, and even a new sportbike with the RC8 Superbike.
2014 KTM 390 ABS The 2014 KTM 390 Duke ABS combines maximum riding pleasure along with optimum consumer worth and it is exceptional everywhere exactly in which very nimble handling counts. Light-weight like a feather, strong and filled with state-of-the-art technologies, it guarantees undreamed of dynamic enjoyable, regardless of whether you are inside the urban jungle or perhaps a forest of bends. This is a fun to drive machine, the sudden bursts of acceleration makes the 390 a perfect petrol head’s companion on the long straights and long sweeping corners. The throttle response is good, 0 to 60 comes before you expect what more the 2014 KTM Duke 390 has acres of power and continues to rev till 10,500 rpm. The wide handle bars add to the sensational ride quality, the bike likes to be pushed into hairpin bends but does give confidence while doing so. The gear ratios are adequate when compared to the KTM Duke 200, the 6th gear is quite tall. The ride quality on the 2014 Duke 390 is substantially good, even though ride is a bit hard, it is comfortable on the tarmac laid roads. The gripper Metzeler M5 Sportecrubber is an added advantage. We did cruise around 120 on plain smooth roads, and the bike did sit well planted. Seats do provide adequate comfort, but it’s good as a single seater.
Engine: 1-cylinder 4-stroke engine,
water-cooled
Transmission: 6-speed
Horsepower @ RPM: 43
Energy: Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Displacement: 373 cc
Top Speed: 93 mph (Est.)
KTM 1290 Super Duke R
It would be understandable to approach the KTM 1290 Super Duke R with caution. This latest in the brand’s line of notoriously aggressive naked V-twins was first seen as a prototype nicknamed “the Beast”, which snarled its way through some spectacular promotional videos and was wheelied up the Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb by racer Jeremy McWilliams. With 180bhp from its 1,301cc V-twin engine, the Super Duke is more powerful than almost any other streetbike, let alone most naked bikes of similarly light weight. There was a slight suspicion that this time KTM, which revels in its racing record and hardcore image, had gone a step too far. But if the Super Duke is a beast it’s a very polite one: phenomenally powerful, yet remarkably composed and easy to ride, and backed up by sophisticated electronics. Much to my surprise, the strongest impression after riding it on road and track isn’t how frighteningly fast it is but how manageable. The strong and flexible V-twin produces armstretching torque from below 4,000rpm. The Super Duke revs with thrilling ferocity and remarkable smoothness for such a big twin, all the way to its 9,800rpm limit and a top speed of well over 150mph. Riders attracted by the Super Duke’s bad boy image might be unimpressed to find that the traction control system limits wheelies, although this can be turned off. It’s hard to imagine anyone being disappointed by other aspects of the KTM’s performance.
Engine type: 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75°
Displacement: 1301 cc
Bore/stroke: 108/71 mm
(4.25 x 2.79 inches)
Power: 132 kW (180 HP)
at 8.870 rounds/min
Starting aid: Electric starter/12V 11.2Ah
Transmission: 6 gears
Engine lubrication: Pressure lubrication
with 3 Eaton pumps
Cooling system: Liquid cooling
Clutch: PASC slipper clutch,
hydraulically operated
Engine management/ignition: Keihin
EMS with DBW, double ignition Chassis
Frame: Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel
trellis frame, powder coated
Handlebar: Aluminum,
konifiziert 28/22 mm
Front suspension: WP-USD 48 mm
Rear suspension: WP-Monoshock
Front brake: 2 x Brembo four
piston, radially bolted caliper,
brake disc 320 mm
Rear brake: Brembo fixed mounted
two-piston brake calipers
Brake system: Bosch 9ME
Combined-ABS
Chain: X-Ring 5/8 x 5/16″
Steering head angle: 65,1°
Wheel base: 1482 ± 12 mm
(58.34 inches)
Ground clearance: 140 mm
(5.51 inches)
Seat height: 835 mm (32.8 inches)
Tank capacity: 18 l (4.75 gallons)
Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON)
Dry weight: 189 kg (416.6 lb.)
