Picture this, you’re on the coast and in the mountains, it is a sunny day with not a breath of wind. You open the garage door to an angular and aggressive looking motorcycle. You turn your key to a cheesy greeting “Ready to Race”. You get onto the seat, kick the side stand up and engage first gear. A little mean aggressive click into first sends a shiver through your spine and away you go.
Shocked about how quick this little bike is, especially the fact that it is a sub 400cc category bike. Wait, a sub 400cc bike with a slipper clutch, ride-by-wire and a disc big enough to be classified as a dinner plate? Yes, a sub 400cc bike! This quirky little machine has an attitude big enough to rival a 1000cc bike and it is not shy! You know the confidence tequila gives someone? That is exactly what this bike does! A tequila shot every night waiting for the next turn of the throttle the following day. A bike that turns like a cheetah, has an attitude of a lion and costs the price of loaf of bread? What more could you ask for.
During a commute to work, the fuel consumption is outrageously good. Easy to see this bike coming from a mile away and bright orange rims makes it stand out more than pimple on a teenager’s face.
Have you guessed what bike it is yet? Why yes, it is the KTM 390 Duke. The bike that KTM used to get into the masses and make a huge impact worldwide. A character that is second to none and leaves you wanting to ride the longest route home every single day. Oh wait, did I just tell you that? Now you know why I am always a few seconds before being late!
KTM has a gem of a motor and I believe that all of the rivals in the class now aim for the 390 Duke as it is the bike everyone looks up to. Who knows where KTM can go with this motor? Oh wait… There is still two more bikes with this motor and those are to come!
