The KTM Duke 950 v-twin, expected to go on sale later this year as a 2004 model, should have a claimed dry weight in the 370 pound range, according to early reports. This is nearly 50 pounds lighter than the lightest, naked Japanese v-twins of similar engine capacity.
The efficient design of the 75 degree v-twin is a large part of the story, but KTM is a dirt bike manufacturer, first and foremost, and therefore greatly skilled at minimizing the weight of its motorcycles. Expect the new Duke to ride like a dirt bike on steroids, as a result.
At the very least, if the new Duke is as light as we expect it to be, it will put pressure on other manufacturers to find significant weight savings in their production naked bikes . . . certainly a good thing.
