KTM has announced that three new U.S. models will appear at dealerships next Spring, including the 390 Duke, RC 390 and 1290 Super Adventure. Priced at $4,999, $5,499 and $20,499, respectively, these models round out the ever-expanding KTM U.S. model lineup.
The two smaller bikes each feature a 373 cc single making a claimed 44 hp. The naked Duke is only 306 pounds dry without the plastic of the RC 390 (324 pounds dry).
The 1290 Super Adventure gets a version of the Stonking motor already available in the U.S. model 1290 Super Duke R that so impressed MD.
Here is the press release from KTM:
Murrieta, CA – KTM North America, Inc. is excited to announce three new models to the 2015 street line-up, including the 390 Duke, RC 390 and the 1290 Super Adventure.
The 390 Duke is an expansion to the Duke line that already includes the 1290 Super Duke R and 690 Duke. The Austrian manufacturer pulled out all stops on this state-of-the-art, liquid-cooled 4-stroke engine from the Bosch electronic fuel-injection system to the four-valve cylinder head with DLC-coated finger followers. These engine components all combine maximum power with impressive refinement and reliability. WP suspension components as well as a top quality ABS braking system by Brembo ensure precision and full control for a retail price of $4,999.
The new KTM RC 390 captures the thrill of Moto3 racing and translates it into a nimble street-legal bike. The compact 375cc single-cylinder 4-stroke motor delivers 44 HP and an impressively high power to weight ratio. Exceptional braking performance and a lightweight chassis combine to deliver unmatched control and agility. This fully-faired race machine comes with a trellis frame, WP upside-down 43mm front forks. LED lighting, ABS, lightweight cast aluminum swingarm, and light aluminum wheels to make it a class-leading performer. This unit will retail at an exceptional value of $5,499.
The 1290 Super Adventure is the latest addition to the Adventure line-up joining the popular and award-winning 1190 Adventure and 1190 Adventure R. The new model features the most comprehensive standard equipment package in terms of comfort, electronics and performance. Semi-Active WP suspension, motorcycle stability control (MSC) with cornering and off-road ABS, MTC traction control with 4 ride modes, cruise control and the world’s first LED cornering light, comfortable heated seats and heated grips to make it feel like a factory-fitted ride. The US version will come equipped with KTM touring side bags for a retail price of $20,499.
All three of the new models will be available at a KTM dealership in Spring 2015. For more information please visit www.ktmusa.com.
Had a KTM 390 Duke for one year now here in Norway. Funny little bike to ride, as long as you are not over 180 cm tall. No problems so far (4000 km) with the quality. Good bike for commuting, and I have done day-trips up to 500 km without any problems. But of course it is not a ‘tourer’. I am 62 now and have been riding all sorts of bikes since I was 16. As you get older you should go for lighter bikes, but you often see people my age on bikes that are too heavy for them.
Can a 450/690 fit into the RC?? Looks like a cheaper way to get an F450. A 690RC at a reasonable price could easily fill the hole the missing SV650 left behind. Those older SV track bkes are getting tired.
I’m 52 and my first street bike was an RZ350 (imagine that). I didn’t want it because it was cheap, I wanted it because it was cool. They had the RZ cup so it was a real two stroke race bike right? A slew of aftermarket parts to drool over. In hindsight it wasn’t all that great but I didn’t know any better. Still ride to this day. This looks like that kind of bike. I hope history repeats itself.
KTM just made it really difficult to pick, the 390 or the RC390, decisions, decisions. I like the 390 for city commuting and the RC390 for spirited riding through the back roads…maybe both for less than the price of a 600!!
Those are roughly the price points that have been rumored for these bikes. I had initially thought the estimates were a little too optimistic, so I am glad to see KTM bring them here at those very competitive price points. They must be selling like hotcakes in India if we can get them for that kind of money.
Now… RC690 – bring it.
Hopefully the success of this family of bikes will open up the floodgate on many of the other cool bikes not available in the US.
Wouldn’t count on it.
First there would have to be success. Just because a few guys online think they are cool, doesn’t mean those same guys are going to run out and buy one. How much of a sales success they actually are has yet to be seen.
yeah, unfortunately far too often “hope” is used as a front line strategy. hope is nothing, LESS THAN nothing, I say we leave it out.
less “hoping” more “doing”.
We just don’t have enough serious motorcyclists or people who use motorcycles for everyday commuting. Instead, we have bikers who mostly prefer tavern to tavern parade ponies. That is okay, it’s a free country, and cruiser guy has just as much righ to choose his ride as do I. It doesn’t drive getting the type of motorcycle over here that are available elsewhere, though. It drives lots of cosmetic packages on Harley’s. If you know some European motorcyclists you know the differences I am talking about.
I am not a cruiser guy, but I do not commute on my motorcycles either. Our traffic laws, infrastructure and the driving attitude and habits of auto drivers do not encourage motorcycle commuting. Perhaps that means that I am not a serious motorcyclist. I don’t really care.
A few houses down from me lives a non-serious, Harley-riding motorcyclist who has two relatively new Harleys in his garage farkled out – probably $50K – $60K between the the two bikes and farkles. He may not be serious with his mileage, but he sure is with his wallet. Is he doing more or less for the motorcycle industry than the guy that might buy a $5000 390 Duke to ride five times a week? Are dollars more serious, or days commuting?
Most of the motorcycle commuters I see ride cruisers. And I can see why – cruisers a great commuter bikes; low to the ground, most are belt or shaft driven, low-end torque perfect for town riding, simple air-cooled mills built to a pretty low (read: reliable) power spec, many even have hydraulically adjusted tappets.
Good thought provoking post Jeremy. Those of us who tend to ride everyday, generally poo poo those that don’t. Probably a big mistake. Both are important to the well being of the industry.
Now if we could just convince more non riding people to buy bikes even if they only want to ride them occasionally, we’d all be better off.
That is my point of view. Buy a cruiser, a dirt bike or whatever. Enjoy it everyday or from time-to-time. Develop an appreciation and passion for the machines and the value they add to your life.
I get poo-pooed a lot from “serious” motorcyclists on forums because I willingly admit that I don’t commute and have no intention to do so, so no worries. What I often don’t bother to share is that I have ridden through most of Europe, several countries in Africa (almost all unpaved), done about half of the TAT, crossed more passes in Colorado, Idaho and Utah than I can remember and have been to every state in the continental US and the Canadian provinces that border us. And the majority of that was done on those 500 lb adventure “poser” bikes that “serious” motorcyclist assure me are useless on anything gnarlier than a gravel road and never venture beyond the local Starbucks. I also do track days… with said poser bikes.
One day perhaps, if I am lucky, I can build up the courage to start commuting so that I can get my Serious Motorcyclist Member Card. Fingers crossed!!!
You should learn to read first, or commuting on a motorcycle might kill you. Your smartarse retorts won’t save you when you miss interpret the wrong way sign..
I never stated that serious motorcyclist are only those who commute daily.
I did reread it HS1, and acknowledged further down that I misinterpreted.
And the remarks were intended to provoke some thought and discussion, not be smartarse or offensive.
Apologies.
Thanks Jeremy, and I apologize too. I was also trying to provoke thought and wasn’t as clear in expressing my thoughts as I intended. I’ll try again.
The guys I know from the UK and Italy truly appreciate any good motorcycle model, regardless of its nameplate. They don’t dislike all cycles not made by their single brand of choice. If KTM, Honda, Triumph, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ducati, Aprilia, BMW…. puts out a good model that fits their needs, they will cross shop it. They go to multiple GP venues, take motorcycle holidays to the Alps or Spain. The Brits can tell about when their father meet Hailwood and when Joey Dunlop served them a pint. At seven years old going to Jack Lilly’s what a formative right of passage. This drives the free market to offer a diversity of motorcycles. People are open to buying them. Guys in America who are willing to trade their Harley’s for a non-cruiser made some other brand would fit in a relatively small conference room.
Another type of rider, in especially Southern Europe and Asia, commutes daily. This drives a market of the type of bikes this article is about and some a lot smaller. We have a market that is so largely driven by guys whose passion is to decorate Harleys. We have lots of options available to do so. But if you are a motorcyclist and not a biker here, critical mass is with the herd and not with those riding to a different drummer. It wasn’t that way in the 70’s and 80’s. During the 90’s it shifted.
Re: “Is he doing more or less for the motorcycle industry than the guy that might buy a $5000 390 Duke to ride five times a week? Are dollars more serious, or days commuting?”
HS1-RD-CX100-VFR’s point could’ve maybe been more easily digested with far fewer words.
“We just don’t have enough motorcyclists…”
Actually, rereading his post, I think his point is we don’t have enough motorcycles specifically like the 390’s or other , non-cruiser bikes because of the American gravitation towards cruisers and our inclination not to use motorcycles as primary transportation.
I could have been equally succinct I suppose had I said that I think if we had more commuters or serious motorcyclists, then we may just see more cruisers on the road because cruisers already make great commuters. Perhaps more so that a 390 Duke. I think it is just American tastes and roadways, not riding habits, that drive cruiser sales.
Our densely populated cities and their suburbs aren’t very different from those in other parts of the worls, where smaller commuter motorcycles flourish.
Smaller bikes have always been available, Americans and our cheap gas have just chosen not to adopt them as a primary means of transportation. Same goes for trains.
I commute 42 miles each way because: only work from mid April through mid September, hours are 10AM-6PM and miss rush hour, mostly secondary roads in Western NY, boring drive, fun ride. Have noticed many bikes having less than 300 miles per year ridden when doing state inspections. These would be classified as garage jewelry. Many cruisers with 6,000 miles per year which indicates commuting to me. Motorcyclists, Bikers, Whatever, numbers are dwindling.
“Our densely populated cities and their suburbs aren’t very different”
Similar structurally, but very different. Unless you live in a major metro in California, there is no lane splitting and for the most part no motorcycle-specific parking or other incentives to commute on bikes. There are also no licensing tiers here, which is really what fuels small displacement sales in European countries. The expensive fuel you mentioned may have something to do with that as well, though there are plenty of cars in Europe that can compete with even small motorcycles for fuel consumption.
The recent 300cc – 500cc experiment the manufacturers are running right now in this country is interesting. These bikes have just enough power to be useful outside of large cities. I am curious to see how that segment takes off. I hope it explodes, but I have my doubts.
re: “I am not a cruiser guy, but I do not commute on my motorcycles either.”
me neither. traffic doesn’t bother me so much as simply don’t like the idea of getting ON a bike knowing that i’m going shortly be getting OFF of it.
everybody knows when I leave out on a bike 5, 6, (7 at the latest) in the morning…? don’t even bother checking for me until the little hand on the clock has swept around at LEAST 12 hours.
if it reaches the 13 hour mark and I’m not back…? ok, you may begin dialling my phone or dialling the cops whichever you prefer.
I’ll be getting one each of the 390’s. Why not get 2 they’re small.
I wish the Dukes and Super Dukes had way better styling, paint, and body materials. I would be very likely to buy a Super Duke with the tour package if the bodywork were more fitting of an almost $20,000 road bike than an entry level ATV.
The RC390 with ABS and WP suspension as standard equipment is quite a deal at $5500. Better torque off the bottom from the single cylinder never hurts for a street driven, small displacement motorcycle either. Also, the KTM just looks better than the competition. Time will prove if the quality is there.
i reckon MD’s handlers will be along shortly with the announcement of the RC390 cup.
handle it roy… handle it! handle it!
Does some insanely stupid Japanese law prevent the Japanese OEM from installing USD forks on small to mid size high performance motorcycles?
KTM, with these 390 models, appear to be the analogy to BMW 3 Series among caged vehicles. The Germans owned the small ultra high performance cage market till about a year or two ago when Toyota (Lexus) got serious with their small sedans.
It’s strange the way the Japanese wait till maker in some far away country create a certain market and dominate it….then no serious contender till years later, or decades in BMWs case.
Still fond memories, decades ago, ripping over Mt. Tamalpais on my orange/black early 70s RD350. Got spare spark plugs?
Compared to my RD, estimate 390 Duke makes a lot more power/torque, weighs 40 lbs less, and has more handling/braking than could be imagined by a street rider of that era. Maybe better handling/braking than the GP Champion bikes of the early 70s! For $5k? Wow.
I believe it’s more that the Japanese companies are generally beholden to hard nosed, “very senior” engineers who refuse to spec USD forks unless they provide a tangible benefit for the cost. Which the cheap ones probably don’t do. Looking “fast” just doesn’t seem to carry much weight amongst those guys.
I remember talking to a Honda engineer about the S2000, and the main source of pride was not how “fast” it was, but that it achieved it’s performance objectives using a lowly 2L I4 and 16 inch wheels with fairly narrow and high sidewall tires; instead of taking the easy way out, the way mere plebians without real depth of expertise are forced to do…. Seeing the grounds up redesigned, yet steel framed and right side up unadjustable forked CBR650F launched into an increasingly bling obsessed market, makes me think of the same ethos….
It’s the same reason the Big4 cannot bring themselves to make easy money off the current “supernaked” fad by simply stripping fairings off their superbikes and adding higher bars. Catering to those who want the best sport bike they can get; except for an actual sport bike that is, just doesn’t cut it as a valid engineering goal. No matter how loudly the US and European sales channels are screaming bloody murder and pointing to sales numbers of S1000Rs, Superdukes and Tuonos.
One of the best posts I’ve seen on this site in a long time. The hard-nosed engineers at those Japanese companies are exactly why I favor Japanese bikes, and why I will be buying a shiny new Honda CBR650F (red, of course) in the spring. It is a triumph of cost-effective engineering over buzzword-driven marketing.
re: “Looking “fast” just doesn’t seem to carry much weight”
well actually that’s the engineering point. “looking fast” DOES carry much weight.
USD forks are generally heavier than conventional kit. sure, lotta benefits in grafting that GSXR750 front end on to a SV650…? but “free lunch” isn’t one of them.
Falling on their own sword. Stuki Moi, well written!
With this kind of pricing for the 390’s and to get a KTM for that, I would say that Honda, Kawasaki and others may have some problems competing IF the same traditional KTM quality and performance is there with these models. One must also keep in mind that Honda’s own CBR250 and not sure about the CBR300 but suspect it is also produced in Thailand to help keep costs down. Even HD is building some bikes and importing some components (been doing this) for some time to help pricing as well. Although I’m sure some HD purists will argue that they are all USA made. Sorry Charlie, not the case.
Honda will have no problem selling mini CBRs and Kawasaki will have no problem selling the little Ninjas. They may lose a few sales to die hard guys that want something ” different”, but by and large there will still be a ton of little CBRs and Ninjas sold.
I’m sure there will be, but it will be because both Honda and Kawasaki have much better dealer networks. If KTM had the same dealer network, it then would be much harder for the big H and K to move these I would think.
That’s an interesting take and poses the question as to how important dealer accessibility is to sales. In this regard too is that KTM doesn’t easily roll off the tongue when the general public speaks motorcycles. They are a niche player that motorcyclists know but outside our world, not as much.
re: “That’s an interesting take and poses the question as to how important dealer accessibility is to sales.”
Q: which comes first, the chicken or the egg…?
A: the DEALER.
Oh I don’t know. Could be wrong, but I don’t think the average motorcyclist ( at least in the U.S. ) thinks Italian, or European when they think motorcycles. They think Japanese or American, although that could certainly be changed if there was a strong dealer network for any particular brand. I live near Cinti, not exactly a small American city,( we have a world renowned zoo, orchestra, pro baseball and football teams) but all BMW, and Ducati and Moto Guzzi dealers in this city have gone out of business. There is a Ducati dealer in Lexington KY, a BMW dealer in Columbus Ohio and a Triumph dealer in Dayton Ohio ( there is a triumph dealer in Cinti but from the looks of it he will be gone soon).. Couldn’t tell you where the nearest Moto Guzzi, or Aprilia, or MV or Buell dealer is. Certainly not close.
Oh and there is a KTM dealer in Xenia Ohio
I’ve had a Duke 390 for a year now. This thing is a hoot to ride on the little mountain roads. I have several street bikes in my garage (SMT 990 and and RC8R) and I almost always take the 390.
I love both of these small bores. However, I think they would find a wider audience if they would offer them in more traditional (mature) colors in addition to the “ready-to-race” orange.
A silver or black frame with solid color bodywork would lure in the older folks who also seem excited about these bikes. I know I am!
Spray paint is cheap
good, I’ve got half a mind to “rattle can” the R1’s silver engine.
Those smaller bikes are awesome looking designs. Part of me struggles with this whole go to the country with the cheapest labour thing, but as others pointed out the end price is attractive. I wonder about the quality of an Indian-built machine, but I did have various issues with my SuperDuke, so maybe these will better. I have to say the manufacturers have really refocused and are introducing the most interesting models in a LONG time. I would like to see a mini-adventure now to give an alternative to the Belugas on the market….yeah, I know about the KLR—still a bit too big.
Just read a comparison test in the British mag Bike, they thought the Duke 390 felt cheap and a bit like a toy.
Some of my favorite girlfriends felt the very same way….. 🙂
Perfect!!! Cheap toys are fun!
A mini-adventure sure would be a natural evolution off this platform. I’d love to put my fat arse on a small adventure bike for a week or two of exploring/camping. I think this is a fantastic bike and affordable to many. On the other hand, another big adventure bike isn’t what most are looking for. Wretched be too much excess…..
One key difference in the case of these 390s is that KTM is part owned (47%) by Bajaj out of India. So in a sense this is largely an Indian product with a good portion of the profits going back to an Indian company. I find that much preferred over a Japanese, EU, or US company sourcing out the cheapest labor and keeping the profits for themselves.
Quality and quality control remains to be seen, of course, but here’s hoping…
re: “Part of me struggles with this whole go to the country with the cheapest labour thing”
you should, as there is no hiding of costs, there is only asking someone else to bear the burden of them…
someone who’s name you don’t know.
CCM450 could be the bike for you, whn the bugs are worked out.
I just decided on my 17yo daughters first street bike the RC390 sorry Kawi guess she won’t be riding green after all.
You just decided which of your bikes you’d allow your daughter to borrow. 😉
The Honda, Kawasaki, or Yamaha would all be better choices for a youngster’s first bike.
HMMM OK Guilty as charged but then again if I am paying the bill I can lie with the shame
live with the shame that is
No way my daughter would be riding blue over orange on the street and my dime, unless the blue boys added ABS…. Despite the Yammy otherwise sounding like perhaps the best sport bike out of all of them. For myself, I’d still get the Ninja. For my use, 1-2 gallons of added gas, trumps 3-5 added horsepower. And a “sportbike” with a single…..???
I’ll be getting the Duke, though. More my idea of what a single ought to be. Just have to wait until I get a test ride from the Orange truck, to make sure there’s no weird ergonomic issues that affect my aging body more than it does the obviously younger A2 target market.
The Yamaha would win in performance, quality and maintenance. Looks are subjective, but for a first bike the Yamaha might be the wiser choice. It’s a know quantity while the KTM is still sketchy IMHO.
I’m surprised at everyone’s surprise. It came in right where we’ve been hearing it would since it broke cover last year.
The price on the 390 is because of the India build, cheap labor. At the same time, local (India) sales will be HUGE because no import tax there. Same with Honda builds in Thailand (the Grome), etc.
Those folks have markets of which the US folks can only dream. And, it’s why we are seeing smaller bikes here.
It’s cause those two bikes will be made in India
My 500 exc was $9899. The Duke 390 is about half. Lots of fun for under 5k.
I’m getting one top add to the stable.
Hey, where’s the tip of the hat to me? 🙂
John – I’m surprised too. I figured the Duke 390 would come in at around $6000-$6500. Many said there’s absolutely no way that KTM will be able to sell that bike for that kind of money in the U.S. To see the price at $4999 suggests that KTM wants this bike to be competitive with the other bikes in its class. I’m excited for some comparison reviews of the CBR300R, YZF-R3, Ninja 300, and the RC390.
I agree with everything! The particular potential review you mention will be a great one indeed!
Whoa, the pricing on the 390’s is way lower than I expected. I may have to clear out a space in the garage…