KTM 390 Duke 2024: Should You Buy One?

This motorcycle gets a lot of hate, and I still think it’s one of the best motorcycles on sale in India. In a world of too much information, perhaps the ability to provoke strong feelings is the 390’s biggest asset.

Detractors take various stands: the most common being the deplorable cliché about colored hair and tight pants. Some are actually afraid of the incredible performance. Others complain about prices. Some of these issues are rooted in reality—but let me explain why none of that should stop you.

Design: Polarizing by Intent

There’s no mistaking these oddball angular lines for anything but a KTM. No one else does polarizing design with this kind of consistency.

The questionable:

Tank extensions grown to comedy proportions
Greater-than/less-than DRLs not well integrated
Area from headlight to number plate: less attention than the worst Android skin
Exhaust looks like it was finalized 6 minutes before production

The good:

Quality levels unequivocally better
Finish is good (varies slightly part to part)
Classic KTM silhouette maintained

Design is subjective, and KTM is forcing you to have a feeling. I think it looks good from some angles, overblown from others.

Engine: Effortless Performance

The engine is lighter, larger, and tuned for more torque earlier with more horsepower waiting when you’re ready.

Aspect	Performance
Power delivery	Pulls hard from 5,000 RPM
Quick shifter	Works well in almost all situations now
Flexibility	Noticeably better than previous 390s
Character	Effortless thrust building to a crescendo at redline

The flip side: Below 5,000 RPM, there’s vibration—a significantly heavy buzz in the bars between 5,000-6,000 RPM. Above that, vibration tails off, but I can’t call this a smooth engine.

Both test bikes threatened to stall at low revs, and one actually did. Once revs come up, it’s controlled, unstrained, and delightfully loud.

Chassis: The Big Leap Forward

This is where the 2024 shines. All-new from the RC390:

Lighter wheels and brakes
Brand new trellis frame
Completely new adjustable suspension
Aluminum subframe
Only the Metzeler M5s carried forward

The result: One of the best sporty chassis setups you can experience in India today.

The suspension adjustment range isn’t generous, but it’s effective. The base setup is far ahead of previous 390 Dukes. KTM offers settings for sportier or more comfortable riding.

This KTM:

Tiptoes through bumps, light on its feet
Manages mid-corner bumps and line corrections easily
Always goes where you point it
Gets through traffic gaps so quickly it feels like cheating
Settles into a smooth highway groove the 390 Adventure can’t match

For a ₹4 lakh motorcycle to do all this so easily—that’s a benchmark. I haven’t laughed this hard with a motorcycle in ages.

Comfort Considerations

The lower seat height makes you feel more in the bike. But I wish KTM offered the 820mm seat with a removable 20mm spacer for choice.

At 6’ tall, my feet fold up quite a bit. The riding position is unabashedly sporty. Watch the angle between your thigh and calf on your test ride.

The seat is nice but could be longer front-to-back. Larger riders might feel constrained versus 2017-2023 390s.

Features and Frustrations

What’s good:

Connectivity
ABS you can turn off (why would you?)
IMU-equipped rider assistance (not sophisticated, but effective)
Better headlight, mirrors, and switches than ever

What’s frustrating:

TFT interaction design is poor
Everything buried in menus
Must stop to change anything
No long-press shortcuts on switches
Launch control exists… for YouTube drag race videos?

Service and Warranty

Factor	Details
Service interval	~4 months apart
Service cost	₹2,200-3,500 per visit
Warranty	5 years / 70,000 km
RSA	₹500 (only covers 100km around dealership)

Note: Finding warranty documentation online requires generating 22 million OTPs first. If your insurance has roadside assistance, don’t duplicate with KTM’s limited RSA.

The Emotional Core

The 2024 390 Duke is a triumph (lowercase). This is a very solid update to one of India’s best motorcycles.

For serious riders: If you’re interested in going fast and improving your skills, the 390 will accelerate your development.

For city riders: Better suspension, better heat management, and more low-down torque make it easier in traffic.

But here’s what makes the 390 special: previous generations were either raw brute force with a welcome mat for beginners (Gen 1) or sophisticated with no margin for error (Gen 2).

The 2024 achieves more than both while managing a delicate balance between “wow, so much” and “oh my God, too much.” That balance is why you feel such strong emotions riding it—the high when you ride well, the frustration when your inputs are jerky.

This trait appears in all the most memorable motorcycles: they turn the spotlight on you, they churn up your heart.

The Warning Label

The 390 should come with a warning:

It feels light and fun
But approach with caution
It should not be your first motorcycle
If you want this feeling but safer, consider the 250 Duke as a starter

This will feel easy to ride, but it bites the hand that doesn’t feed it correctly.

It looks like Johnny Bravo, but make no mistake—that is John Wick.

The Verdict

Buy it if:

You’re a developing rider who wants to improve
You appreciate chassis brilliance
You can handle (and enjoy) an emotional motorcycle
You have experience on smaller bikes first

Skip it if:

This would be your first motorcycle
You want a smooth, refined engine
You need simple, intuitive controls
Vibration is a deal-breaker

You’re going to absolutely love the Duke, or you’re going to hate it. There’s no middle ground—and that’s exactly what makes it one of India’s best.