Enter the KTM Duke 390,
a light weight and peppy
‘welterweight’ street
fighter. Pretty much as
soon as I saw the 390 it
had me mesmerised
SECOND OPINION
Let’s get one thing straight right from the
get go... this is a totally biased review. I own a
390 and absolutely adore it! I bought one of
the first bikes released in NZ and have been
singing its praises ever since.
There are a few updates to the 2019 model,
most noticeable to me are the changes in
the tank size and position. You’re tucked in
a lot more in this Duke, which feels really
comfortable and snug. There are slight
changes to the positioning of the bar and
indicators, with a modified display panel
completing the picture. At first glance the
2019 Duke 390 looks sleek and almost more
aggressive than the previous model, more
slick and eye catching, which was a tall order
for an already good-looking bike.
Performance wise, the 2019 Duke feels more
torquey than previous models, but still has the
same super smooth delivery which makes it
loads of fun around town.
I find the 390 to be the perfect allrounder,
I use mine regularly to commute into the
Auckland CBD and for quick shopping trips
into Newmarket and Mt Eden where parking
a car is a nightmare. However, because it’s so
light and compact, it also holds its own and is
equally fun up SH16 through sweeping bends.
It never fails to put a smile on my face and I’ve
happily cruised from Auckland to Hawkes Bay
without feeling cramped or that it was lacking
in power.
- JO BIRCH
KIWI RIDER 113