This year KTM is celebrating “30 years of the Duke” and we took a look at two updated models, 390 Dukes And 990 Dukes. For last, we’ve saved the best – and biggest – the 1390 Super Duke R Evo. Known for many years as “The Beast,” the Super Duke gets a displacement upgrade from 1,301cc to 1,350cc (hence the evolutionary name change from 1290 to 1390) and other upgrades for 2024. KTM said it was 60% new.
To achieve a larger displacement, KTM removed the Super Duke’s twin cylinder from 108 mm to 110 mm but the left stroke is similar at 71 mm. There’s also a new cam shifting system that alternates between two different valve lifts above and below 5,700 rpm, allowing for both low-end and top-end torque instead of having to compromise between both. The 1390 Super Duke R Evo’s 75-degree, liquid-cooled LC8 V-Twin engine now produces 190 horsepower (up from 180) at 10,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque ( up from 103) at 8,000 rpm, all while meeting Euro 5+ Compatibility.
Other engine changes include a redesigned airbox with reduced stack height due to a shorter throttle body, larger throttle body inlet diameter (60mm, up from 56), new upper-stage injectors repositioned for better fuel-air mixture injection and modification. 5th and 6th gears. Durability improvements have allowed longer service intervals, with valve checks now required every 60,000 km (37,282 miles).
The redesigned air intake and air box allowed KTM to increase fuel tank capacity from 4.2 to 4.6 gallons. The refreshed bodywork includes revised fuel tank fairings with new spoilers that create downforce at high speeds, a slimmer subframe shell and a new 1.5 lb lighter LED headlight unit is used. shared with 990 Duke.
KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo | TAKE OFF
As before, the 1390 Super Duke R Evo has a chrome-plated steel main frame that uses the engine as a load-bearing member and supports the rear with a cast aluminum/composite subframe. The updated WP Apex semi-active suspension includes 48mm upside-down forks and a rear shock with multiple modes (Auto, Comfort, Street, Sport and Rain). The optional Treo Pro package adds Track and Pro modes, automatic preload leveling, anti-dive and Factory Start, which reduces rear preload when stopped to lower seat height.
Throttle-by-wire and a 6-axis IMU allow for a full suite of electronics, including riding modes (Sport, Street and Rain), cornering ABS with Supermoto mode disabling ABS in rear, sensitive traction control, and cruise control. The optional Technology Package adds Engine Slip Tuning, Quickshifter+, Pro Suspension and Track Pack, which adds Track and Performance driving modes, engine brake control, wheelie control, magnetometry distance and lap timer.
Top-of-the-line Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers squeeze 320mm discs up front and they are controlled by a Brembo MCS (multi-click system) radial master cylinder. The self-venting Brembo clutch master cylinder eliminates the need to bleed air into the hydraulic clutch system. The Super Duke’s 17-inch wheels are shod with new dual-compound Michelin Power GP tires, which save 1.2 lb of unsprung weight compared to the previous tires. The Super Duke’s claimed wet weight is 441 lb.
We tested the 1390 Super Duke R Evo at Almeria Circuit, a racetrack in southern Spain. The English translation of the track’s website describes the 2.5-mile, 15-lap track as “spectacular” with “more hours of sunshine than in Europe.” In fact, it is a difficult course with many blind corners. And when we got there, it was cold with “many hours of clouds” and after the first few lessons, “tears fell from the sky” (rain).
As a Naked Bike, the 1390 Super Duke R Evo has an ergonomic design, with upright handlebars, adequate footrest and a well-padded saddle. Despite its “Beast” moniker, in today’s world of complex electronics and delicate tuning, the Super Duke is quite civilized, or at least it could be. Our low-speed driving was limited to the pit lane, but in our testing of previous models, the Super Duke performed well on the street.
Related: Review of KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo 2022
When learning an unfamiliar piece of music on a cold day, the 1390 never felt uncomfortable or jerky. It’s easy to modulate the bike’s throttle and its handling characteristics are neutral and reassuring. After a few observation laps, I started to figure out the Almeria’s layout and picked up speed through the turns. On corner exits, The Beast really comes alive, with plenty of torque at the ready. On the two straight sections of the track, I was able to hold the WFO throttle and feel the significant thrust the Super Duke can generate.
When approaching the end of those straights, a hard squeeze of the right lever puts everything into reverse, returning man and machine to a more manageable speed, while a gentle push up registers. The east will quickly begin to lean into the next corner. As my confidence grew, the Super Duke was right there by my side, always ready to give more without ever crossing that invisible line into the abyss where things go from great to terrible in the blink of an eye.
Judging by how fast the ex-racers and race rats in our group were passing me, the 1390 Super Duke R Evo is capable of much more than I can do. Then it started to rain.
We huddled together and shivered in the unheated paddock as dark clouds rained down on the track, surrounded by sullen faces. A while later, as the pouring rain gave way to drizzle, the KTM guys asked us if we wanted to go out to the track to do some rolling and wheeling. Not being a wheelie person, I would normally pass, but this was the perfect opportunity to test out the new adjustable wheel controls, which can be set to one of five levels, from very low to very high or it can be turned off.
Ripping off a styling wheel turns out to be easy. The Super Duke produces so much low-end torque that the clutch doesn’t need to be engaged. I selected the medium caster setting, shifted into 2nd gear, let off the throttle to compress the fork, then opened the throttle. The front wheel was raised but not higher than the set lift angle thanks to the intervention of the IMU-based traction control system. From zero to hero at the touch of a button.
I then ventured out onto the track one last time on the wet pavement, but when another ride crashed into the gravel ahead, I tucked my tail between my legs and headed back to the paddock.
The KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo is a powerful machine, with more power, refinement and capability than before. While its full potential can only be realized on the track with the right people in the right conditions, it’s also a hell of a street car, as long as you can resist the temptation. going too far toward the wild side.
Technical specifications of KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo 2024
- Basic price: $21,499
- Website: KTM.com
- Guarantee: 1 year 12,000 miles
- Engine Type: Liquid cooled, horizontal V-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cylinder.
- Move: 1,350cc
- Diameter x piston stroke: 110.0 x 71.0mm
- Horse power: 190 horsepower @ 10,000 rpm (factory claim)
- Torque: 107 lb-ft @ 8,000 rpm (factory claim)
- Transmission process: 6-speed wet clutch, hydraulically driven
- Final drive: Chain
- The standard long: 58.7 inches.
- Rake/Trail: 24.7 degrees/4.0 inches.
- Seat height: 32.8 inches.
- Wet Weight: 441 lbs
- Fuel quantity: 4.6 gallons.
- Petroleum consumption: 40 mpg (factory claim)
