KTM 1390 Super Duke R Launched At ₹22.96 Lakh

It is Children’s Day, and in order to make your inner child happier than ever, KTM has brought back its big bikes, including the big daddy Duke of them all: the 1390 Super Duke R.Launched at ₹22.96 lakh, it’s the brand’s flagship hyper naked sport offering and it’s coming to India after its global debut almost a year ago. 

The heart of the KTM 1390 Super Duke R continues to be a V-twin mill as usual, but the displacement has now bumped up to 1,350 cc. This mill produces 190 bhp and 145 Nm, 10 bhp and 5 Nm more than the previous generation 1290 Super Duke R. Plus it also debuts a new “cam shift” system, which is KTM’s interpretation of variable valve timing mechanisms within the cylinder heads. The 6-speed gearbox has also been optimised with shorter gear ratios, along with a slip-and-assist clutch and bidirectional quickshifter available as standard. 

While the new KTM 1390 Super Duke R is built around the same trellis chassis frame as the previous generation. It is now underpinned by the latest 48 mm WP Apex fork with compression, rebound and preload adjustable options as standard. The monoshock has also been revised to accommodate separate adjustment functions for high and low speeds. Similarly, the brakes have been swapped with new Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers clamping down on dual-320 mm discs. 

The radical, aggressive design of the new 1390 Super Duke R might be the same as the KTM 990 Duke, but over here it feels much more substantial. Key noteworthy elements include the new vertically stacked LED headlight and the new tank spoiler with winglets integrated to it. The subframe cover has also been cut short which makes the bike look butch and streamlined from behind. 

On the features front, the new KTM 1390 Super Duke R retains the same plethora of ride-assist features like lean-sensitive ABS, traction control, wheelie control, slide control, etc. On top of that, it also gets a tyre pressure monitoring system, and two more ride modes – Performance and Track – aside from Rain, Street and Sport. Lastly, the new KTM 1390 Super Duke R is also available with cruise control and a bunch of optional extras, including Engine Brake Control and a 5-step adjustable wheelie control function.

However, at ₹22.96 lakh, this new hyper-naked sport bike is quite an expensive proposition from Team Orange in India. And quite rightfully so, as the KTM 1390 Super Duke R is arriving as a CBU, just like its major rivals: the Ducati Streetfighter V4 and the BMW M 1000 R. However, unlike the Italian and Bavarian offerings, which are regarded as the pinnacle of sophisticated technology – the new KTM 1390 Super Duke R is more brutal and aggressive-looking among the three.