Rennie Scaysbrook | November 28, 2023
The Super Duke has grown some cubes and will hence be known as the 1390 Super Duke R for 2024.
As the name suggests, the increased capacity is the major talking point as the traditional 1301cc V-twin that made its debut in 2013 is now confined to the history books, replaced by a new 1350cc unit (not 1390cc as one would hope) via a new 110 mm bore, up 2 mm over the old one.
From the top of the motor down there’s a new 0.4-gallon larger gas tank at 4.6-gallons, a new intake and now 60 mm throttle bodies (up from 56 mm), but the big news is KTM’s first variable cam timing system within the two cylinder heads.
Similar to BMW’s ShiftCam system, the KTM version allows for two separate valve lifts depending on the rpm range, providing more power and greater torque throughout the rev range. It also allows more finite control of the fuel mapping so the motor meets the various emission standards across the globe.
The system kicks in at around 6700 rpm and is dependent on rpm build-up (how quickly you’re going through the revs) and gear position. At this point, the cam shift allows for more aggressive cam timing (likely higher lift and longer duration, KTM won’t disclose exactly what), along wit different fuel mapping, thus giving greater higher rpm performance. Oh, and power has gone up 10 hp to 190 hp and torque is now a brutal 106 lb-ft, up three points from 2023—incredibly impressive numbers for a V-twin and getting close to what Ducati had in the last years of the Superquadro V-twin in WorldSBK. And this is from a street bike…
Leaner, meaner, keener… The ’24 Super Duke has grown in the right areas and slimmed down in others.
The chassis remains pretty much the same in the traditional tubular steel design but there’s a smaller, redesigned subframe and the suspension is the latest generation of WP Semi-Active Technology (SAT), which features electronically controlled magnetic valves for variable damping—giving you comfort for the street and stiffness for the track—the SCU (Suspension Control Unit) adapting the damping rates via the magnetic valves in real-time, reading the road surface and rider style to automatically adjust the suspension on the fly.
The tires have also changed from Bridgestone’s S22 and the OEM rubber will be Michelin’s dual-compound Power GP.
This stuff is par for the course on a Super Duke.
Aesthetically, the Super Duke is slimmer and meaner than before. The main piece of info here is the new LED headlight, now 700 grams lighter, flanked by new tank spoilers and added winglets. The light also features a Coming Home function where the headlight will remain on after the ignition has been switched off to light up the surroundings, and to save you walking into your unlit garage wall.
The electronics are as you’d expect with a six-axis IMU, three standard modes of Rain, Street and Sport, Cornering ABS with Supermoto mode, and lean angle-sensitive traction control. There’s also the optional Track and Performance modes that allow 10 levels of traction control.
2024 KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO HIGHLIGHTS
- Two new colorways celebrate 30 years of DUKE.
- Redesigned 1,350 cc LC8 V-Twin with increased bore and new cam shift technology is paired with new throttle bodies and airbox to deliver class-leading power.
- New headlight puts a new face on DUKE with two central LED projector lenses and signature DRL.
- New aggressive bodywork wrapped around the redesigned fuel tank with a 1.5 liter capacity increase.
- New WP APEX Semi-Active Technology (SAT) Suspension is lighter up front with improved sensors front and rear for unmatched performance and feel.
- Suspension modes include Auto, Comfort, Street, Sport, and new Rain mode.
- Optional Suspension Pro package includes Track and Pro modes with new Anti-Dive and Factory Start features.
- New optional 5-level Engine Brake control, Telemetry Screen, Lap Timer, and 5-level Anti-wheelie adjustment.
- Ultra-lightweight chrome-molybdenum steel frame with composite subframe.
- Cornering ABS by Bosch incl. Supermoto ABS, Ride mode technology and multi-stage, lean-angle sensitive Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) using a 6 axis lean angle sensor.
- Ride modes include Rain, Street, Sport and the optional Track and Performance modes with 10-level spin adjuster.
- KTMconnect Bluetooth smartphone connection for navigation, listening to music, and making phone calls.
- Optional Tech Pack combines Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), Quickshifter+, Track Pack, and Suspension Pro.
- New 5-inch TFT-dashboard displays all important information with new infographics for easy navigation.
- Cruise control for long distance comfort. KTM RACE ON keyless system for convenience.
The black on on orange has always been a Cycle News favorite.
2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke R Specifications
| MSRP: |
$21,499 |
| Engine: |
Twin-cylinder four-stroke, 75° V-twin, DOHC |
| Power: |
190 hp at 10,000 rpm |
| Torque: |
106 lb-ft at 8000 rpm |
| Displacement: |
1350cc |
| Bore x stroke: |
110 x 71 mm |
| Compression ratio: |
13.5:1 |
| Fuel system: |
Keihin EFI, 2 x 60 mm throttle bodies |
| Exhaust: |
2-2-1 |
| Transmission: |
Six-speed |
| Chassis: |
Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame, powder coated |
| Front suspension: |
WP 48mm fork, semi-active, fully-adjustable. 4.9in travel. |
| Rear suspension: |
WP shock, semi-active, fully-adjustable. 5.5 in travel. |
| Front brake: |
Brembo Stylema Monobloc four piston, radially mounted caliper, 320mm disc. ABS |
| Rear brake: |
Brembo two piston, fixed caliper, 240mm disc. ABS |
| Front tire: |
120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear tire: |
200/55 ZR17 |
| Rake: |
24.7° |
| Trail: |
4.17in |
| Wheelbase: |
58.7 in |
| Seat height: |
32.8 in. |
| Fuel capacity: |
4.6 gal |
| Weight: |
441 lb (wet, claimed) |
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