2024 KTM Tremendous Duke 1390 Evaluation | Bike Take a look at

2024 KTM Tremendous Duke 1390 Evaluation

Bike Evaluation by Wayne Vickers

The third and closing a part of the 30 years of Duke celebration, that began with us on the little 390 Duke, adopted by the brand new 990 Duke, earlier than culminating in us getting a fast style of the brand new 1390 Tremendous Duke R on the Almeria Circuit.

Lastly, within the afternoon, we obtained to throw the leg over the mighty 1390 Tremendous Duke. The Beast mk4. Whereas not as large an replace in comparison with the opposite two fashions, it’s nonetheless a severe replace – the bike is 60 per cent new.

Main with what’s an clearly bigger engine capability than the outdated 1290. The engine updates right here have been aimed toward Euro5 compliance, however one way or the other, they’ve managed to bump up efficiency as properly.

Did the outdated bike want extra hump? In all probability not. Nevertheless it’s obtained it now! 190 hp is perhaps the headline stat, however KTM have been extra desirous about stating that it nonetheless has a class-leading torque determine of 145 Nm. That’s planet-turning quantities of torque.

The opposite large change within the engine is the addition of KTM’s first cam shift expertise, which kicks issues up one other notch at 6,000 rpm (yo!). It’s a clean step up and never unsettling, however it’s definitely noticeable.

Sitting on the 1390 Tremendous Duke R, it’s instantly noticeable simply how a lot bigger and firmer the bike is over the 990. This factor means enterprise. And I’m not too proud to say that my first session on it, on a brand new observe, was taken pretty conservatively.

Almeria is a technical circuit with plenty of blind corners and tough traces, together with a number of off-camber entries. And I had model new tyres to wash in as properly. The entrance half of the circuit is generally easing on and off the throttle, throwing the bike from one facet to the opposite.

Then, down the again, there’s fairly a decent little chicane earlier than you lastly carry it spherical onto the again straight, and it appears like one other animal involves life if you totally open these faucets and get a correct really feel of that new engine.

The 1390 is just outrageous.

Expletives have been uttered. Many occasions. It’s an absolute animal acceleration-wise, particularly if you get into that meaty mid-range. I imply, it ought to be no shock, the bike is sort of 1.4 litres, for god’s sake, nevertheless it’s so civilised down low with that cam shift.

How sturdy is it? Effectively, the entrance was developing in third. And fourth, if you happen to have been actually on it. That wheelie management might be there for a motive… We have been seeing 260 plus down the again straight which is loads on a unadorned bike.

Oh, and if these figures aren’t sufficient? There’s an Akro full system obtainable that bumps issues up an additional 10 hp and 5 Nm to what looks as if a pleasant spherical 200 hp and 150 Nm. Completely mega. Observe use solely, after all… ahem.

Dealing with-wise, the bike is a noticeably heavier, firmer factor than the 990, however no slouch in any respect and drops eagerly on its facet. It feels fairly tall, too, whereas the bars-seat-peg ratio feels sporty with out being race-bike aggressive. Ergos are a standout, really. Simply as they have been within the outdated bike, it’s genuinely snug to punt round.

Sadly, we solely managed a session and a few laps earlier than gentle rain began falling.

Extra expletives, however for various causes. Simply as I used to be beginning to get snug and push on. Even in that brief time, there’s no mistaking it’s probably the most potent and succesful bike within the Duke line-up ever.

It’s barking mad if you happen to’re in that temper, and with the brand new cam shift, it’s even simpler to trip than the outdated mannequin. And I find it irresistible. Perhaps as a result of it’s so mad. The 1290 was most likely my benchmark for giant bare road bike animals, and this factor is simply… much more psychological.

Tech abounds. It will get all of the observe tech the 990 does (each by way of the optionally available Tech Pack) after which some. Being the hero mannequin, there are literally two variations obtainable. The 1390 R and the 1390 Evo. The Evo sports activities tremendous trick WP Gen 3 semi-active suspension at each ends and runs a bunch extra tech by way of suspension pre-sets and customized setting maps.

I didn’t get an opportunity to start out taking part in with these suspension maps in earnest earlier than the rain put a literal dampener on issues, however the three observe pre-sets are set for traditional, firmer and softer settings that will help you discover your most popular setup. Jeremy steered that ‘Observe 1’ settings (customary) appeared to be the go-to for Almeria, and I’ve no motive to argue in any other case.

The switchgear and sprint controls step up a notch in complexity over the 990, particularly with the Evo operating the semi-active suspension. There’s no getting away from the truth that there’s an unbelievable quantity of changes that may be made which provides complexity. However that’s most likely the kind of one who’d be seeking to purchase the final word Duke anyway. You might fortunately spend many hours fine-tuning the beast till it was simply excellent for you.

And that’s precisely what the 1390 Tremendous Duke R is. They’ve taken a motorcycle we cherished already and given it extra of every part. It didn’t want it – and logically, it’s most likely far more than what a number of riders want. Bikes like this aren’t about what you want, are they?

The actually spectacular half is that for a motorcycle that may be so barking mad, it’s surprisingly simple to trip if you happen to can reign within the need to go full ship in all places. I do surprise how lengthy I’d hold my license if I purchased one…?

Frankly, we should always assume ourselves fortunate that we’re nonetheless in a position to get bikes like this. With ever-tightening emission legal guidelines making it more durable and more durable for producers to get the tick.

All three bikes will hit their mark. At eight and a half grand for the 390, $20K for the 990 and from $32K for the 1390 Tremendous Duke, they’re all compelling prospects. It’s laborious to think about what the following ten years of Duke evolution will carry, however they definitely haven’t been resting on their laurels – the brand new trio of bikes are fairly superior.

Get your butt on one for a check trip after they’re obtainable, which ought to be across the finish of Feb for the 1390 SDR, March someday for the 390 Duke and Might for the 990 Duke.

I hope I can get one other likelihood to throw the leg over one and totally discover the bike’s potential after they land right here down below. Perhaps get the bike on a observe over right here in some dry climate… for greater than a handful of laps to let my feeble mind come on top of things.

I’ll log off by thanking the KTM crew for placing on an incredible couple of days and being so accessible and passionate; And somewhat bit nuts in a method that solely KTM is. It definitely makes the 80 hours of journey time there and again properly price it.

2024 KTM Tremendous Duke 1390 Specs

2024 KTM Tremendous Duke 1390 Gallery

For more information or to seek out your native KTM seller head to the KTM Australia website (link).