EICMA 2012: KTM 390 Duke Announced – Let’s Hope It Comes to North America

KTM made a big entrance on the small-displacement streetbike segment in 2011 with its 125 Duke and in 2012, the 200 Duke. Both models were popular sellers in Europe while the 200 had a successful launch in India, home of one of KTM‘s largest owners, Bajaj. North American consumers were left out however, as neither of the smaller Dukes were imported to these shores.

That may soon change with the introduction of the new KTM 390 Duke at the 2012 EICMA Show. A leaked slide from a KTM North American dealer meeting listed a 350 Duke as U.S. bound for 2013. At first, the assumption was it would use the single-cylinder engine from the KTM 350SX-F but KTM now reveals the new Duke will use a 375cc Single claiming 43 hp at 9500 rpm.

The chassis has been enhanced to cope with the larger engine and increased power (the 200 Duke claims 26 hp at 10,000 rpm), yet the 390 Duke maintains the dimensions and weight of the 125 and 200 versions. KTM says it will still weigh 326 pounds, fully fueled.

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Other highlights included disengageable ABS, Brembo calipers, 43mm upside-down forks from WP and a 2.77 gallon fuel tank.

Pricing is to be determined, as is U.S. availability, but we’re hoping that the KTM 390 Duke will be brought over.

Follow Motorcycle.com for more coverage of the 2012 EICMA Show.

[Source: KTM]

By Dennis Chung