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KTM Redesigns Small Displacement Dukes for 2024

Currently, the KTM USA website describes two smaller displacement Dukes available for the 2023 model year, including the 390 Duke and 200 Duke. KTM has just announced three new small displacement Dukes for 2024, each with substantial changes.

I suspect that North America (including the USA) will get the new 390 Duke and the 250 Duke, but not the 125. Note that we have no official word on this at this point, however.

The 390 Duke seems to be a popular model here, so I think it is fair to expect that this will be available. In any event, the new 390 features a larger engine, now displacing 399cc (previously 373cc). In addition, it gets a new frame, suspension and wheels.

As soon as we have information regarding U.S. availability and pricing, we will pass it along to our readers. Here is the KTM press release:

Adopting an all-out, no-compromise attitude, the all-new 2024 models represent the biggest change to the sub-500 cc capacity DUKE model range since the KTM 125 DUKE in 2011. The result is a complete redesign, with new engines, an all-new chassis concept, and new styling which amplifies the typically aggressive KTM DUKE design language you’ve come to expect.

For 2024, a new 2-piece frame design – composed of an all-new steel trellis main frame with a pressure die-cast aluminum subframe – enhances dynamics by augmenting torsional rigidity. This also adds improved agility and enhanced feedback from the chassis, with new triple clamps and a revised offset, improving handling characteristics and giving riders greater control and stability.

The frame is now also mated to an all-new curved lightweight swingarm, which contours around a relocated rear shock absorber. This is mounted off-center to allow for a larger airbox design while reducing overall seat height. Speaking of which, the reduced seat height was purposefully engineered into the new DUKE design to allow for greater accessibility, without compromising on stability or handling.

Delivering the knockout punch is an entirely new generation of lightweight, compact single-cylinder engines. Dubbed the LC4c, the engine range is made up of a smaller 125 cc and a 250 cc (for selected markets) engine and a larger 399 cc engine, as found in the KTM 390 DUKE. Building from the experience gained with the previous generation, these powerplants are completely redesigned, with newly optimized cylinder heads, and gearboxes, as well as meeting EURO 5.2 compatibility standards.

The 2024 KTM DUKE range also sets the benchmark for real-world technological advancement in the small displacement NAKED segment. All models in the line-up feature the latest version of selectable Supermoto ABS, 5” dashboards, and smartphone connectivity as standard – with the ability to fit an optional Quickshifter+.

Bringing more DUKENESS to each division – apart from a new metal fuel tank and high-quality surface finishes – the 2024 DUKE stablemates have embraced their own identities with visual differences across the range.

2024 KTM 390 DUKE
Visually, the 2024 KTM 390 DUKE rightfully takes ownership as the leader of the pack with key differences from the rest of the single-cylinder DUKE line-up. Signature Electronic Orange and Atlantic Blue color options dominate the visual impact, with longer tank spoilers featuring prominent air intakes, larger radiator covers, and external LED positioning lights completing the package.

Power is taken care of by an all-new lightweight 399 cc single-cylinder LC4c engine. Not only is it lighter and more powerful than the previous generation, but it also brings EURO 5+ compatibility and refreshed attitude to the KTM 390 DUKE. THE CORNER ROCKET is the perfect motorcycle for the European A2 license.

The 2024 KTM 390 DUKE also boasts a 43 mm WP APEX Open Cartridge front fork with 5-click adjustment on rebound and compression and a split piston rear shock absorber with adjustable rebound and preload. This means handling can be tailored to perfectly match the rider’s needs.

Swing your leg over the new seat, and you’ll be greeted by an all-new 5” TFT display, with selectable ride modes. The default setting is STREET Mode, with RAIN Mode as the name suggests, is selectable in adverse weather conditions for less aggressive throttle response and Cornering MTC as standard equipment.

TRACK screen is available on the KTM 390 DUKE for the first time. This standard feature unlocks a world of hooliganism, enlarged rpm display, launch control, for that perfect start and even a lap timer. Unnecessary info gets reduced to the bare minimum.

2024 KTM 250 DUKE
The 2024 KTM 250 DUKE casts a slim and compact shadow, thanks to smaller tank spoilers compared to the KTM 390 DUKE. These are aligned with painted headlight surrounds and a lower seat height. A new 5” LCD display, LED headlight, and all-new Electronic Orange and Ceramic White color options, set it apart from the rest of the range.

The 2024 KTM 250 DUKE also features an improved power-to-weight ratio over the previous generation, with a new Single overhead cam (SOHC) design that is lighter and simpler with fewer components, ride-by-wire, and a power assist slipper clutch.

Suspension is taken care of by a non-adjustable 43 mm WP APEX Open Cartridge big piston fork setup with 150 mm of travel, and a WP APEX Emulsion shock absorber, with preload adjustability on the rear.

2024 KTM 125 DUKE
While it might sit at the entry level of the KTM Naked range, the KTM 125 DUKE dominates the small capacity engine segment. A powerful 125 cc engine, exceptional electronics, and WP APEX suspension lift the 2024 KTM 125 DUKE to new heights.

Visually, the 2024 KTM 125 DUKE sets itself apart from the rest of the small DUKE range, with all-new Electronic Orange and Atlantic Blue color options, painted headlight surround housing an ultra-bright LED headlight, and compact tank spoilers.

Electronically, the 2024 KTM 125 DUKE shares its 5” TFT display with the KTM 390 DUKE, with the option of TRACK screen being selected, and Cornering ABS as standard. A refined ride-by-wire system and Automatic Turn Indicator Reset complete the package.

The 2024 KTM 125 DUKE also features a 43 mm WP APEX Open Cartridge non-adjustable front fork with 150 mm travel and a WP APEX Separate piston shock absorber with tool-adjustable preload.

Enhancing the new 2024 generation KTM DUKE line-up even further, a comprehensive selection of KTM PowerParts and KTM PowerWear is specifically designed to fit the new DUKE range and its riders, providing performance, style, protection, and comfort.

2024 KTM DUKE models will be available in selected markets from September 2023 onwards. Timing and availability not included for North America.

For more news about the 2024 KTM NAKED model range, visit KTM.com or your nearest authorized KTM dealer.

2024 KTM 390 DUKE

45 Comments

  1. RD SHOW says:

    Ill buy the CF MOTO 400NK Better bike ad same kind of $$$..

  2. Carl says:

    Why does KTM need those ugly orange pieces of plastic on each side of the tank?? Could they make them a little longer uhmmm maybe 6 inches past the front wheel?

  3. Auspuff says:

    Sorry KTM, your bikes are just too damn ugly, to own.

  4. PatrickD says:

    The styling that many people are looking for is provided by Husqvarna, who have technically identical bikes but with. distinct styling.
    I don’t care much for the KTM styling. I think the 790/890 Dukes are just about OK, and the track only RC8R is beautiful, but the rest are pretty ugly.

  5. Grover says:

    That grotesque extended cheekflap feature is enough to turn a lot of prospective buyers away. I honestly believe KTM could double their sales by terminating their entire design staff and hire new designers with a completely different design philosophy. Aesthetics count for a lot, even when it comes to bikes with superior performance.

  6. RyYYZ says:

    I find it interesting that KTM can give the Duke 390, a fairly inexpensive motorcycle, fully adjustable suspension, when so many more expensive Japanese and European bikes provide no suspension adjustability beyond rear preload.

    • Dave says:

      The RC390 has this too. I wonder if this new version of the Duke gets the same IMU based electronics package that the RC has? That’s also a huge step of from the very basic ABS stuff found on the competition’s bikes, if even so equipped.

  7. Mr.Mike says:

    I grew up in the 70s so the UJM form of the time imprinted itself on me in a big way. That said, I like the design of these bikes. It is fresh and exciting and if I were fortunate enough to own one I would surely spend long periods of time in my garage happily traversing every line and angle with my eyes.

  8. TP says:

    I always wonder who the heck the KTM stylist is. Don’t they now own MV Agusta? None of these angles or surfaces or shapes or colors work together. And why oh why do they persist with that blind, split, insectoid headlight? Yuck.

    • Nick says:

      Surely everyone knows the stylist of all their production bikes is Kriska, who seems obsessed with the angles in the ‘K’s’ of his name? All except the MotoGP bikes which are elegantly smooth, presumably in the interests of better air-flow.

      • Dave says:

        Kriska is an international design firm, not a person. They are more focused on brand than industrial design. It’s more likely that they’re responsible for KTM’s orange and graphics than their form aesthetic.

        They have several other motorcycle brands in their portfolio that don’t come out looking like KTM’s, in addition to brands outside of the motorcycle world.

  9. viktor92 says:

    It seems that make the naked bikes uglier every year is the name of the game…

    • Mick says:

      Yesterday I finally got around to putting the 2004 Multistrada back together after adjusting the valves.

      The wife selected it as the two up mount all those many yeas ago. It really is a good motorcycle. But when I bought it I thought that it defined ugly.

      But now after a couple of decades of the street bike industry redefining the true meaning of ugly. It doesn’t look nearly as bad by comparison. Kudos… I guess.

      • viktor92 says:

        Ha ha, the bike of today is prettier than that of tomorrow, so a 2004 it’s a beauty in comparison.

      • Artem says:

        I wonder how you did that. Desmo train is expensive. Not a spring.
        Lots of metal from Italy.

        • Mick says:

          A go no-go feeler guage makes it much easier. You measure the opener, then measure the closer by measuering the opener while pushing down on the closer.

          The closers are tricky to replace. But you get the hang of it using a magnet to get the keepers out and then develop a technique for reinstalling them. You get good at it… Just as you finish.

          Valve check time is here
          Gather your tools and some beer
          After four you are clear

          • dr. ed says:

            Testify! It’s not a ferrari, just different than other makes and once you figure it out, they are solid as ever. I had an 06 multistrada, and it was the most reliable and fun bike ever (until the tank swelled and started leaking gasoline onto the rear header whild parked in my garage…) They got the tank thing sorted (sort of), but man did that break my heart.

        • Motoman says:

          To Artem 😁

  10. My2cents says:

    I wonder if this is built in China? It certainly seems to have been designed in China. KTM has some decent looking adv motorcycles and they seem to function well enough. Their street bike segment just looks odd and strangely insect inspired.

  11. motomike42 says:

    Happy Halloween!

  12. Tom R says:

    Weirder looking than ever. Straight out of a Tron movie. Makes the new Triumph 400s look even better.

    The rider model in the second photo appears pissed that he has to be seen on that thing. “At least the helmet makes me unrecognizable”.

  13. Sparky says:

    I just wish KTMs weren’t so damn ugly, otherwise I’d love to have a 390 Duke.

    • Reginald Van Blunt says:

      At least part of the motor is silver/gray.
      Hack saw off the stupid war chariot pointed thing, R & R the headlight with a round one, install a flat seat , and replace the fragile spoked wheels, and it would almost be normal looking.
      Still questionable reliability.

    • Stinkywheels says:

      I’m with you. It starts with that godawful orange and goes down from there. I’ve got a friend that wants to sell a 1190 SD and another friend that is in the bike market. The first question outta his mouth, ” What color is it?”. End of story. Please KTM something besides Orange. The Pumpkin Spice of motorcycles.

  14. Gary in NJ says:

    I have a DRZ400SM that is just an all-out hoot to ride, but it is staring to get old and tired. For some reason the current (and previous) 390 Duke never spoke to me…but for some reason…this one sure does. Looking forward to your ride review Dirck.

  15. ORT says:

    Looks good. I hope that the USA gets the new 390 (@399cc) and the new 250. If they gave this motor to the 2024 390 Adventure along with a 4+ gallon (US) that would be a step in the right direction.

    Around here Kawasaki’s nice KLR650 ABS Adventure is selling quite well and as it still has the tubes in the tyres it has scared me off. For now. I am still saving up for a large enough down payment on a new bike. I’ll keep my 1200 Low Sportster and am looking at the 350-450 range. It takes time to save the money but it is coming along just fine despite the usual genuine needs that pop up in everyone’s life.

    I have always wanted a Guzzi but fear that with my physical handicaps it would be too much. And yes, I am probably still stronger than most people, especially those that are as I am. 70 years old is racing toward me, LOL! A used V7II or III might do and would allow me to kit it up to what I want/need for short travels to neighboring states.

    Light is nice but getting knocked around by bridge-winds and big rig trucks has taught me not to fear a bit of weight under me. Besides, the last time I tipped over on my GL1800 (I no longer own it) I easily righted it. Anger and a sudden burst of ‘tard-strength helps, LOL!

    Looking forward to Dirck’s real-world reviews of the inrush of current and new mid-sizers! And Guzzis!

    ORT

    • Stuki Moi says:

      “If they gave this motor to the 2024 390 Adventure along with a 4+ gallon (US) that would be a step in the right direction.”

      The slightly stiffer frame and upgraded engine, would make for a great 390 SMT……… For those for whom the mini-Duke is just too tight a fit, the Adventure too gangly, and the new 890 SMT just too much bike.

    • Harry says:

      A long time ago (2003) bought the now discontinued Yamaha YZF600R. It’s a carburetored inline 4 sport bike with a great front cowling and wind screen. No catalytic convertor. I installed a Hindle complete exhaust and re-jetted. The bike got mileage in the 50s with the 5 gallon tank. Actually a great touring bike with a comfortable seat. Put over 35,000 miles in two years touring with a Ventura bag system. In 2019 bought the Kawasaki Versys 650 with the optional saddle bags. Love the bags. Didn’t care for the bike compared to the Yamaha. Why? Glad you asked 🙂 First, the Yamaha smooth as silk, no vibration and so much more powerful. I rode the AlCan highway for over 2 days at 110, no sweat (top end over 150). The Kawa handlebar vibration drove me crazy. Under powered and top heavy, Good gas mileage but not that much better than the Yamaha. Sold the Kawa. Life is relative.

      • Roadrash1 says:

        Hey Harry! I had a new YZF600R in 1997, which I think was the 1st year it was released. Loved it! It made 200 mile highway trips without a gas stop. I also gave my then GF a ride on it to the place I proposed marriage. She said yes, probably because I had such a cool bike.
        Just kidding…we’re going to be married 25 years on this Halloween.
        My current bike, also bought new in 2013, is an FZ8. It is also very smooth, and I’ve put 52,000 miles on it so far.

        • Harry says:

          Really happy for you, 25 years is a milestone. I loved my 2003 (bought new) YZF600R. Only one criticism. Look nothing is perfect. The steel frame and weight of 486 pounds. With a lighter frame the bike could have gone on a diet and lost 30-40 pounds. I still remember one situation, riding Route 1 along the California coast and going uphill around a sharp bend in the wrong gear. I was probably around 2000 rpm and thought the bike would stall. But no, it gradually picked up speed and off we went. In 2005 I joined the Peace Corps and shipped out to West Africa. Sold the bike on Craig’s List. Not kidding. Tears formed in my eyes as the new owner rode away with my sold bike.

        • RyYYZ says:

          I had a 2013 Fazer 8 (FZ8-S) for a number of years. Got a great deal on it. It’s a shame it didn’t come with a little more power out of the box (like 80% of the FZ1’s power would have been nice). I wanted to do some touring, though, and despite adding a Shad seat, I just didn’t find it comfortable enough for multiple day rides.

          But yeah, very smooth engine, very tractable down to low RPMs. Bit of flat spot between 5k and 6k rpm, though.

      • ScotocS says:

        I had a Yamaha FZ6R. Fuel-injected — but the smoothness on and off throttle was perfect (much better than a Ninja 400 I owned for six months in 2020 and 2021). The FZ6R was 472 pounds I believe. The riding position was a fantastic compromise (I did rotate the handlebar a few degrees and use the higher of the two seat positions). Overall I think this thing had the best combination of comfort and control, smoothness and power, heft and nimbleness of any bike I’ve ridden.

        • Harry says:

          Any idea why Yamaha stopped production on the FZ6R? Was it slow sales? The YZF600R was dropped and replaced by the YZF-R6. Then they dropped the R6 because of difficulty in meeting European emission standards? There has been so much flux in models dropped and new models brought up. I really hate it. Why not just stick with a certain model configuration and every year add improvements? The FZ6R sounds like a bike I would enjoy owning. My current Ninja 400 is a major improvement on the 300 that I owned previously. Basically the 300 is way under powered. But life is relative. My prior bike was a Suzuki GSX-R600. Not looking at extreme performance but really liked the YZF-600R, it was a sweet spot for me. The GSX-R600 a little over powered and terrible mileage. A liter bike? Yes, if you like being locked up.

          • Dave says:

            Two bikes that I think would appeal to you- The Kawasaki ZZR600 and the Yamaha FZ6 (pref 2007+). Both are incremental improvements with similar characteristics to the YZF 600r that are plentiful with low mileage in the used market.

    • Mick says:

      I was just at a Guzzi, Ducati, Aprilia shop yesterday. I mentioned to the parts gal that Guzzi certainly makes small bike for the size of the engines that are in them. Nice looking little guys too. They had one sitting up on a box and the near by Ducati Desert X still towered over it. I couldn’t help but think that Ducati had lost their way.

      I think getting blown around by the wind is more about the design of the bike and not it’s weight. I ride around on a 285 pound bike all the time and never notice any more issue with the wind than any of my other bikes. And being a Minnesota native, I am no stranger to slashing winds and driving rain. A big single is a lot loke a V-twin cruiser in that they are perfectly happy to plod around at any speed in a sort of laid back shuffle. Even a supermoto with huge fangs is happy to just soak it all in. Pit bull lap dogs.

      I guess if I had to buy an off the rack street bike and had health issues I would probably go for a 690 Duke, Enduro,or Supermoto. You can save a bundle on a low miles used one that has the later engine with two counterbalancers. The Enduros go a little cheaper there is a tubeless supermoto kit available in the wheel and hub colors of your choice for $1600 including a choice of several different tires that come mounted and balanced. I just gifted a friend one. They come ready to race, as it were, equipped with rotors. necessary brackets and your choice of rear sprocket size. All mounted and ready to slap on. Bob’s your uncle. Though the kit does take a few weeks to show up.

      The cool thing about the street bike scene is that you can get almost any bike in history with super low miles on it if you shop around. Some of them are cost prohibitive. But most of them and quite a bit cheaper than a new bike.

  16. TimC says:

    It’s a 7/8 scale Real Motorcycle version of the Grom

    • Mick says:

      They’re paying attention. Grom are everywhere around here. New Hampshire has a thing for low speed limits. So I guess I’m not surprised. A lot of the natives here drive at 37mph no matter what the speed limit is. Usually they are actually speeding.

  17. Roadrash1 says:

    When I bought my 2018 690 Duke, I specifically asked the dealer for a white one. He emailed me back, joking that he had a “Not Orange” bike ready for me! Lol!

  18. Harry says:

    Really interesting. On many prior 400 cc shootouts either the Duke 390 or Ninja 400 came out first. Looks like KTM wants to cinch the 400 title with the displacement increase. Interesting what Kawasaki will do to counter this development. I would love to have Kawasaki increase the displacement to 450 along with an increase in compression ratio. Of course Kawasaki has the other 400, the 4 cylinder model, that really can’t compete in pricing with these 400 models.

    • Dave says:

      They now also have CF Moto 450 SS (and soon NK) and Triumph to contend with. More coming to the party all the time.

      This refresh of the Duke looks pretty good, but the last version did too.

  19. mickey says:

    Well at least with KTM there are no complaints of bold new colors lol

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