As a new era gets underway in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock, there’s a big rule change coming in for the WorldSSP field. Previously, the Tissot Superpole session decided the grid for both Race 1 and Race 2 but that will change this year. Now, the Friday Superpole session will determine the Race 1 line-up but how the field lines up for Race 2 will be based on the fastest laps for each rider in the Saturday race. At the Official Test for WorldSSP, riders gave their thoughts on the new format which will also see Superpole take place on Friday afternoons, with no Free Practice 2 session for the WorldSSP field.
The top nine positions on the Race 2 grid for 2024 will be based on the fastest laps set in Race 1 to allow riders to showcase their talent in different ways and to highlight outstanding performances. It potentially allows a rider who had a disappointing Friday to recover their weekend too if they set one of the top nine fastest laps in Race 1. For riders who do not achieve these, positions 10 onwards on the grid will be determined by the Tissot Superpole results.
Discussing the new rules on how the Race 2 grid will be set, Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), who was quickest during the Official Test, said: “Without FP2, I think it’ll be important to do something for Race 2, because if you crash during the Superpole, you have the chance to make a good lap time and try to start Race 2 in the first nine positions.”
WorldSSP veteran Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing), who’s changed teams for 2024, outlined a potential extra challenge as he said: “For the Superpole on Friday, I think it’s a small advantage for everyone who has everything from the year before, the same team and bike, and arrives with a good base. Maybe for us who have three days to understand where we are and how to be fast, it’ll be a little bit more difficult. For the grid for Race 2, I don’t know. The important thing is that it’s the same for everybody.”
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) comes into 2024 as the highest-placed rider from last season, and he explained his thoughts on the new format: “At the moment, I’m not focusing on it but it’s going to be interesting. I have to be fast over a single lap in the race because I, for sure, want to start as far forward as possible in Race 2.”
Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) is heading into his first season as a Ducati rider and gave a short answer about how he feels the new rules might impact him: “I think, if I do the job as I need to do, it will not be a big problem. It’s a different rule and we’ve never had this before and it’ll be fun.”
A NEW ERA BEGINS: watch every single moment from WorldSSP in 2024 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
The 2024 FIM Supersport World Championship season is just days away from firing up and at the test on Monday, there’s already a major headline. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was able to lap under Andrea Locatelli’s all-time lap record, with the new track surface at Phillip Island seeing times tumble before the weekend has even got underway. Setting a 1’31.881, he was just less than a tenth ahead of the opposition but topped both the morning and the afternoon session.
Setting 98 laps throughout the day, it was a voyage of discovery for Montella on day one, with the #55 enjoying the new surface. Having done a race simulation, he already went two seconds quicker over the course of it than last year. Chipping away throughout, the Italian – who took a first race win of his career back in 2022 with Kawasaki on ‘The Island’ – finished on top but it’s not the domination that it seems, with less than a tenth of a second margin after both sessions.
Speaking at the end of the day, Montella recapped his test: “It was great! We enjoyed the new tarmac a lot. We worked a lot on race pace and tried to do a time attack. I’m happy because it was unexpected; I found a good feeling and good pace with the bike. There was a lot of grip; from last year’s race pace, I think I went 2s quicker than last year and it’s good tarmac for sure.”
Continuing, talking about his preparation for the first round of the 2024 season, the 24-year-old said: “Now, we need to rest because today we did a lot of laps. We’ll eat well and enjoy this island. I saw a lot of riders faster in this test: Caricasulo, Huertas, Manzi, Schroetter, Oncu, a lot! Let’s see but I hope to stay where I am and enjoy the weekend and the start of the season. I like this circuit; we were fast last year but in Race 1, I broke my collarbone. I hope this year is better than 2023 and we’ll try to do our best!”
Yari Montella’s (Barni Spark Racing Team) preparations for the 2024 FIM Supersport World Championship were completed in the best possible fashion as he topped the times by 0.062s ahead of Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing). The two Italians were the only riders to lap in the 1’31s bracket at the newly-resurfaced Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, the final test day for the WorldSSP field before the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round.
THREE MANUFACTURERS IN THE TOP THREE: Ducati leads MV Agusta and Yamaha
Caricasulo’s first Official Test with his new Motozoo ME AIR Racing team couldn’t have gone much better as he set a 1’31.943s to post the first ever 1’31s lap of the legendary Phillip Island circuit, going two tenths quicker than Andrea Locatelli’s pole lap record of 1’31.176s from 2020, although he did have a crash at Turn 4 in FP1 which impacted his testing programme. However, in the final 30 minutes of the session, Montella overhauled his time by 0.062s to claim top spot in both FP1 and FP2, unofficially smashing the lap record. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) claimed third with a 1’32.183s, matching Locatelli’s pole lap record but finishing three tenths down on Montella.
First morning in the office for our #WorldSSP riders is done
HUERTAS QUICK DESPITE CRASH: P4 for the Spaniard, four tenths separate the top six
Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) comes into 2024 having replaced last year’s Champion, Nicolo Bulega, and started his Ducati career with P4 at the Official Test. The #99’s day was disrupted by a crash at Turn 9 in the final hour of FP2, with his bike brought back to the pits, but his 1’32.290s was enough to secure fourth. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) claimed fifth place with Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) in sixth despite losing time in FP1 thanks to a technical problem. He was 0.453s slower than Montella.
STRONG STARTS FOR NEW BEGINNINGS: Mahias, Booth-Amos and Navarro all in the top ten
2017 Champion Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) is returning to WorldSSP on a full-time basis, and he showed his speed with P7 on Day 1 on his Yamaha YZF-R6 as he lapped half-a-second down on Montella. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was eighth as he looks to build on his stunning 2023 rookie campaign, with two Triumph riders just behind him and rounding out the top ten. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph), who’s switched to the Street Triple RS 765 for this season, was ninth ahead of Jorge Navarro (WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph) in tenth as the team get ready for their WorldSSP debut. Despite his strong day, the #9’s FP1 session was impacted by a Turn 10 tumble.
TIME TO GAIN? Inside the top 15 at the test…
Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) narrowly missed out on a spot in the top ten as he finished the day in P11, only 0.017s clear of home hero Oli Bayliss (D34G Racing) in 12th with the Australian planning on completing a long run in FP2. Rookie Niccolo Antonelli (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) was 13th ahead of the returning Lorenzo Baldassarri (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), looking to mount a title challenge in 2024, in 14th. Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) completed the top 15th.
DRAMATIC DAY: red flags disrupt running
There were several red flags throughout the day, mostly due to birds on track, which caused some disruption. However, Piotr Biesiekirski (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) brought out the red flags when he crashed at Turn 2 with just over an hour to go, with the Polish rider taken to the medical centre. At the end of the session, he was transported to hospital by helicopter; he is conscious but suffered a head injury and concussion. Marcel Brenner (VIAMO Racing by MTM) also crashed, this time at Turn 6, which disrupted his day although, as it came in the final hour, his lost running was kept to a minimum. Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) had a technical problem during FP2 when his bike came to a halt at Turn 11.
The top six from the Official Test for WorldSSP, full results here:
1. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’31.881s
2. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +0.062s
3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.302s
4. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.409s
It’s the moment motorsport fans have been waiting for the world-over; the new season is dawning and a new chapter ready to be written. In the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, it’s no different as the Official Test once again raises the curtain for the forthcoming season. Getting the test underway, the FIM Supersport World Championship with two sessions of action at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on Monday, with the opening four hours going to Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team).
Testing, testing, testing Currently the #WorldSSP Top 3
• Yari Montella (1’32.277s) • Adrian Huertas (1’32.370s) • Federico Caricasulo (1’32.529s)
An array of names enjoyed time at the top as the lap times themselves tumbled, although it was Italian rider Montella who got off to a strong start, challenging the lap record from four years ago, held by Andrea Locatelli. The 1’32.277 saw Montella just over a tenth off that elusive lap record and with another session to come in the afternoon. He was just less than a tenth ahead of fellow Ducati rider Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team), who is one of the pre-season favourites despite never having had a podium. A quarter of a second off Montella’s time was class veteran Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) in P3, making it three Italian bikes inside the top three with his MV Agusta. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) took fourth, whilst fellow Yamaha rider and 2017 Champion Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) rounded out the top five.
Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) was a solid sixth after the opening session, whilst the home crowd had plenty to cheer about as Oli Bayliss (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team) shone in P7 as he readies for his third season of action and looks to make a step. Eighth went the way of Britain’s Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph), with a new challenge lying ahead for him. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Jorge Navarro (WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph) completed the top ten. Outside of the top ten, big names such as Turkish duo Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) were 11th and 13th, whilst Lorenzo Baldassarri’s (ORELAC Racing VerdNatura) return to the class saw him 16th; he was two places behind rookie Niccolo Antonelli (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team), whilst Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) struggled in 24th.
The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is going to be epic with huge changes in terms of both the rider line-up and rules, with plenty to look forward to. Just days before the Championship erupts with the roar of the engines at the legendary Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, there’s time for another test day each for WorldSBK and WorldSSP. You can view the full test schedule HERE, but how else can you follow the test?
Our FREE Live Timing page will be your favourite tool during the test, giving you the latest information as it does during a round. You’ll be able to adjust to the new line-ups after massive changes in both WorldSBK and WorldSSP while also getting a reference for the sort of lap times we could see during the Australian Round. There will be post-session reports across both days, giving you the story of how testing went and key things to look out for. We’ll also have interviews and highlights so you can see the first track action from Australia, plus you can follow WorldSBK on social media for clips, posts, and news. If you miss any of the action, subscribe to our newsletter and catch up on everything whenever you can.
A NEW ERA BEGINS: watch every single moment from 2024 LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
2023 in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was incredible and 2024 is set to take that up another level as the excitement continues to build for a new era. Massive line-up switches and big new rule amendments mean everything has changed as riders try to beat Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) after he claimed last year’s title. Here, we’ve collated the big stories heading into the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round to ensure you’re on top of everything before the season starts.
A NEW ERA BEGINS: a massive grid shake-up and high-profile rookies…
BIG RULE CHANGES: weight additions, superconcession changes and more
Announced towards the end of 2023 to come into effect for 2024, there have been some changes to the WorldSBK technical rules. A new weight limit – where riders have to add half the difference if they are under a reference weight – is one of the biggest changes. Concession and superconcession rules have had some revisions too, with the concession checkpoint now every two rounds rather than three and manufacturers earning concession points in the Tissot Superpole Race (previously, it was just Race 1 and Race 2). There’s also a reduction in fuel tank capacity to 21 litres. Check out full details of the new rules HERE, plus read WorldSBK Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla explaining the changes when they were announced last year.
2024 SEASON PREVIEW: your FREE guide to the unmissable season
With everything that has changed this year, it’s imperative to watch the season preview show before racing gets underway. Interviews with key figures, including all the riders, make it a must-see while the five factory team managers also give their thoughts on the upcoming campaign. The riders also do their best to name just one rival for 2024, although some end up saying multiple names, plus you can hear from Lavilla about the new season.
The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship really kicked off with a series of surprising moves, which were all triggered by Toprak Razgatlioglu’s decision to leave Yamaha for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Opting to leave the team he won the 2021 title with was a surprise as was joining a manufacturer who showed potential but inconsistently, although the final third of the 2023 showed promise heading into this season.
RAZGATLIOGLU’S PRE-BMW STORY: STK600 Champion, Kawasaki wins and Yamaha history maker
The Turkish star made his debut within the WorldSBK paddock with a one-off appearance in 2014 in STK600, before returning for a full campaign in 2015 and claiming the title. Fifth in STK1000 a year later provided the foundation for a title challenge in 2016, finishing eight points behind Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing). He secured a WorldSBK debut in 2018 and took two podiums, before a first win came in 2019 with the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing outfit. A switch to the factory Yamaha team for 2020 secured fourth in the standings, starting and ending his season with wins, before beating then Kawasaki rider Jonathan Rea to the title in 2021. Race wins and podiums continued throughout 2022 and 2023 but he was unable to beat Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) to the title in either year.
ADAPTING TO THE M 1000 RR: Razgatlioglu’s testing programme
27-year-old Razgatlioglu got his first taste on the M 1000 RR in early December when at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, although rain disrupted this plan. A trip to Jerez overnight for two more days of testing was again disrupted by the weather, before BMW opted for a late change of plans and travelled from Jerez to Valencia. A bit of a break followed before the paddock headed to Jerez and Portimao together the final European tests before the start of the season in Australia.
POSITIVE VIBES: Razgatlioglu rapid in testing
The only two tests Razgatlioglu was with his rivals were in January 2024 at Jerez and Portimao, but there were good signs from those tests when alongside his competitors. At the Spanish venue, Razgatlioglu was fourth on Day 2 before he topped the times at Portimao ahead of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), potentially setting up a brand new rivalry between the pair heading into 2024. All signs point to BMW benefitting from Razgatlioglu’s arrival, with the three other BMW riders – teammate Michael van der Mark and Bonovo Action BMW’s Garrett Gerloff and Scott Redding – also fast in testing.
RAZGATLIOGLU’S THOUGHTS: “my first goal is to get the first win with BMW”
Discussing how he thought his 2024 campaign would play out, Razgatlioglu said: “The feeling with the project is very good. Testing is very positive. We are not 100% ready but every day we are getting closer. In general, the bike isn’t bad. Every day, we are improving, and this is important. I’m very excited for the first race. It’s not easy to say whether can fight for the title in 2024. If we improve the bike, we will fight for the Championship. My first goal is to get the first win with BMW. We’re not so far away, I feel. I just need more time to understand and improve the bike, especially the setup. I hope we improve it and find the setup before racing.”
WHAT DO BMW THINK? “the target is at least a win…”
Speaking on Day 2 of the Portimao test, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers the goals for 2024. He said: “Australia and Barcelona, in terms of results and grip and track position, are a bit of the odd ones out. Since we could carry the setup from Jerez to Portimao and it immediately worked, so we are convinced we have a good base package. I go to Australia with a lot of optimism. For sure, we need to get back to the podium. We have several in 2022 and had a hard year in 2023. The target is at least a win, but I would imagine we would see several podiums.”
A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow Razgatlioglu’s first BMW season in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship will get underway next week at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit but, before that, there are two more test days for the WorldSBK and WorldSSP competitors. The Official Test is broken down into two sessions per day with one class taking to the track each day. Monday is dedicated to the WorldSSP field, with Free Practice 1 at 09:10 Local Time (UTC+11) and Free Practice 2 at 13:40 – FP1 ends at 13:10 for a 30-minute break. On Tuesday, it’s the turn of the WorldSBK field. Free Practice 1 begins at 09:10 again and the day follows the same structure, with Free Practice 2 getting underway at 13:40.
A NEW ERA BEGINS: watch every moment from the 2024 season using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
As the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship edges closer, and we’re now just days away from lights out in Australia, there’s two more test days to put in the history books. The Official Test takes place at the legendary Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia on the Monday for WorldSSP riders and Tuesday for the WorldSBK competitors prior to the round, with the entire WorldSBK field and all WorldSSP riders competing in the full season getting a chance to refine their packages for Australia.
THE ENTIRE FIELD PRESENT: 23 WorldSBK riders ready for Tuesday’s test
The Official Test will be the last chance for the 23-strong WorldSBK field to refine their machines for the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round just a few days later. It’ll be the first time Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) rides his YZF-R1 machine in Australia, as it will be for Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) on his M 1000 RR and Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) on the ZX-10RR. While Team HRC have kept the same line-up for 2024, with Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge staying, they have a new bike for this year. The last tests proved tricky so they will be hoping to make a step forward at Phillip Island. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will try his Panigale V4 R at the iconic circuit for the first time as he prepares for his maiden WorldSBK campaign.
Rookies Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin (both PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) will be hoping to have the full 2024 Honda package for their second WorldSBK test of 2024, while other rookies – Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) – will continue their adjustment to WorldSBK. For Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), it will be his first test day of 2024 after missing the Jerez and Portimao tests through illness.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR: preparing for 2024
One topic coming into the Official Test is the fact Phillip Island has been resurfaced, with the test the first time the WorldSBK field will try it ahead of racing. Of course, there are other things that will be spotted too. Teams may be trying different items on their machines to extract the maximum performance and secure the best possible results to kickstart their 2024 campaign in style. For some, it’ll be a test to continue adapting to their machines while, for others, it will be making sure everything is set up for the Australian Round.
WORLD SUPERSPORT ON TRACK: 27 riders testing on Monday
In WorldSSP, everyone who is taking part in the full season – and not the WorldSSP Challenge – will be on track at the test. It’ll be the first chance to see how rivals stack up against each other as well as some new and returning faces. After fighting for the title last year, Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) has a new teammate as Glenn van Straalen joins the Dutch team as they look to win the title. At the Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team, Adrian Huertas fills the void left by Nicolo Bulega. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) makes a full-time return to the Championship, as does Hikari Okubo (Vince64 Racing Team by Puccetti). Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) is back after winter surgery as he looks to get back to his best, while there are other big changes on the grid.
Class veteran Federico Caricasulo has a new home, linking up with Motozoo ME AIR Racing after their switch to the MV Agusta F3 800 RR from Kawasaki machinery. Niki Tuuli joins the EAB Racing Team which will run the Ducati Panigale V2 this season, after a change from the Yamaha R6. Tom Booth-Amos will race in the full season with PTR Triumph, alongside Ondrej Vostatek while 2022 title contender Lorenzo Baldassarri is back as he joins the Orelac Racing VerdNatura squad after one season in WorldSBK. John McPhee and Jorge Navarro lead the new WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph project and there are two rookies at the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda team: Kaito Toba and Khairul Idham Bin Pawi, who get their first action alongside rivals in Australia. Wildcard Tom Toparis (Stop & Seal Racing) will also take part in the test; the Australian Round will be his first race in the WorldSBK paddock since 2019.
A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow the 2024 season in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
This is a year of milestones. The AMA is celebrating its 100th anniversary, Rider is celebrating its 50th, and KTM is celebrating “30 Years of Duke.” What started out as one bike in 1994 is now a seven-model lineup, including the 125 Duke, 250 Duke, 390 Duke, 790 Duke, 990 Duke, 1290 Super Duke GT, and 1390 Super Duke R Evo. We tested three new/updated models recently – the 390, 990, and 1390 – and we’ll start off with our KTM 390 Duke review.
Thirty years ago, KTM – then a small Austrian manufacturer of dirtbikes – launched its first street-focused motorcycle, the Duke 620, a supermotard-style bike that was the brainchild of KTM engineer Wolfgang Felber. Starting with a KTM 620 R/XC dual-sport, which had a kickstart-only 602cc Single that made 56 hp, Felber shortened the suspension and gave it 17-inch spoked wheels shod with sticky street tires. Weighing just 315 lb, the flickable, wheelie-happy Duke – named after Geoff Duke, a British GP racer who won multiple world championships – became a cult favorite, a hooligan bike that encouraged a rowdy riding style.
Today, KTM is the biggest brand in the Pierer Mobility empire – Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer that also includes Husqvarna, GasGas, and MV Agusta. Although the “Ready to Race” brand says it prefers to look ahead to the future than dwell on the past, KTM recently honored the Duke legacy by hosting a press launch in Almeria, Spain, for three new/updated models: the 390 Duke, 990 Duke, and 1390 Super Duke R Evo. The launch began with a half-day ride on the 390 Duke, which is the focus of this review.
Launched in Europe in 2013, the 390 Duke made its way to our shores in 2015 (read our road test review). Along with the 125 Duke and 250 Duke, the 390 Duke is made in India by Bajaj under the scrupulous supervision of KTM engineers. Just as KTM’s 790 Duke and 790 Adventure models are made in China by CFMOTO, these strategic partnerships allow KTM to increase its production capacity, keep a lid on ever-increasing labor costs, and gain in-country access to the two largest motorcycle markets in the world.
While the 390 Duke has evolved steadily over the years, the 2024 model represents a major leap forward. Compared to its predecessor, KTM says it is 90% new. Displacement of its liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine has increased from 373cc to 399cc, contributing to a small increase in horsepower (45, up from 44) and torque (28.8 lb-ft, up from 27.3). The updated engine is lighter, has improved cooling yet also warms up faster, and has longer oil-change and valve-inspection service intervals. A larger airbox is located under the seat, and the fuel tank now holds 3.9 gallons, up from 3.6.
The 390’s tubular-steel trellis frame was made stiffer and now has an upper mount for the rear shock, which was moved from the center to the right side and positioned at a more horizontal angle, lowering the seat height from 32.7 to 32.3 inches. A new pressure die-cast aluminum subframe is also stiffer, and the new curved, open-lattice cast-aluminum swingarm has a lower mount on the right side for the shock and is curved to accommodate the tucked-in exhaust.
As before, the 390 Duke’s suspension is made by KTM-owned WP, but for 2024, it is upgraded to higher-spec Apex components. The 43mm inverted fork, held in place by new triple clamps, now offers rebound and compression adjustability with five-position clickers atop the fork caps. The Separate Piston rear shock has five-position rebound adjustability in addition to adjustable preload (both easily done with toolkit stored under the seat). Suspension travel has increased from 5.6 to 5.9 inches in the front and remains 5.9 inches out back.
Revised 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels are shod with new Michelin Power 6 tires, and the combo sheds a remarkable 9.5 lb of unsprung weight. Claimed wet weight for the bike, however, remains the same at 364 lb. Single-disc brakes front and rear are made by Bybre, with a 4-piston radial front caliper pinching a 320mm disc (up from 300mm) and a 1-piston rear caliper with a 240mm disc (up from 230mm). ABS with a rear-off Supermoto mode is standard.
The 390 Duke has a new LED headlight with a DRL surround that’s shaped like the new headlights on the 990 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R Evo, and all three bikes share a 5-inch color TFT display. With an MSRP of $6,299, electronics are typically limited in this price range, but the 390 Duke has throttle-by-wire with two ride modes (Street and Rain) that adjust throttle response and lean-adaptive traction control, as well as new launch control. New switchgear and revised menus on the TFT are easier to use, but multiple buttons must be pushed to change ride mode and other settings. We’d prefer a single button to change ride mode on the fly.
What’s It Like to Ride? | 2024 KTM 390 Duke
I love small sporty bikes, and I have a particular fondness for the 390 Duke. My Duke dalliance started in 2017, when KTM hosted a launch for an updated version of the 390 Duke in Turin, Italy, where we began our test ride by turning laps on a test track with banked curves on the roof of the Lingotto building, a massive five-story structure that was a Fiat factory from 1923 to 1982. Then we buzzed around the streets of Turin before making our way into the foothills of the Alps. Cool location notwithstanding, it was the most fun I’d ever had on such a light, affordable bike. Its MSRP back then was just $5,299.
A year later, we got a 390 Duke for a test on our own turf, and I wrangled the keys away from Jenny Smith long enough to give it a proper thrash.
This time around, it was a cold, clear day in Almeria, Spain, when our multinational group of journalists hopped on a fleet of shiny new 390 Dukes. I chose one in KTM orange, with the bright color found not only on the tank and sharply angled bodywork but also on the seat, frame, and wheels. When I turned on the key, the instrument panel welcomed me with a “30 Years of Duke” animation that’s exclusive to 2024 models. Although the seat is a tad lower, the 390 Duke doesn’t feel dainty or undersized but rather slender and compact.
The 390 Duke is an eager beaver, a fiesty machine that begs to be flogged. Its 399cc Single fires up quickly and settles into a mellow burble at idle, but the ’lil Duke really comes alive when its throttle is twisted WFO. With peak horsepower at 8,500 rpm, peak torque at 7,000 rpm, and a 10,000-rpm redline, it pays to keep the engine spinning. Let the revs drop too much, and it can be hard to regain momentum on a twisty road. Though counterbalanced, the engine gets buzzy at high revs.
And believe you me, Spain has more than its fair share of muy twisty roads.
KTM’s nickname for the 390 Duke is “Corner Rocket,” and it lives up to the name. With just 53.4 inches between the axles, sporty steering geometry, and narrow, grippy tires (110/70 front, 150/60 rear), the 390 turns almost as quickly as your brain’s synapses fire off the command to your hands. A lot of shifting is required to stay in the meat of the powerband, and the 6-speed gearbox with slip/assist clutch does the rider’s bidding with minimal effort. The bikes we were riding had the optional Quickshifter+ installed, allowing us to bang our way up and down through the gears without the clutch.
The new Apex suspension did a good job of soaking up bumps as well as the chassis gyrations of being constantly on and off the gas. Since my 200-plus pounds is above average, I used the hook spanner under the seat to ratchet up the rear preload a few clicks. Likewise, the brakes capably slowed the bike and its oversized cargo, and the adjustable hand levers were appreciated.
After a 75-mile hair-on-fire street ride, we returned to the hotel, where KTM had set up a gymkhana course in the parking lot. Pairs of riders went head-to-head on an out-and-back slalom course, with bragging rights going to the fastest time. I’m not a racer, so even though I beat the other rider, I didn’t bother to ask my time. The fastest journalist was a guy from Australia who sliced and diced the course in 34 seconds. Jeremy McWilliams, the former MotoGP racer, current King Of The Baggers racer for Indian, and development rider for KTM, beat all comers with a 32-second time – while wearing jeans and tennis shoes. Check out his Instagram page to see a photo of him losing the front, which he saved on his way to victory.
Upgrades like ride modes, cornering traction control, and adjustable suspension have pushed the 390 Duke’s price up to $6,299, but it’s still a reasonably priced bike that’s more fun than ever. And it’s certainly worthy of the Duke’s 30-year legacy.
Bringing you the Best Motorcycle News from Around the Web!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok