ROAD NEWS
30 YEARS OF KTM DUKE
We can hardly believe it ’ s been 30 years since KTM introduced the first Duke model . 1994 saw the 609cc Duke hit the streets with ergonomics and styling that straddled the line between Supermoto and street fighter , bringing a real hooligan personality to the street ; naked and stripped back motorcycling . At the time , the 1994 Duke was a radical departure from traditional motorcycle designs . Featuring an exposed trellis frame , minimalist bodywork , and a single-cylinder engine , it was an anomaly in the market , capturing the attention of riders seeking a raw riding experience . In 1999 KTM introduced the more powerful Duke II , with sharper styling replacing the rounded body contours , something that ’ s continued to evolve to today . In 2005 , the Super Duke was introduced with the 990cc LC8 V-Twin powerplant . It quickly attracted a cult following , which led the way for the 2008 Super Duke R . 2008 also saw the next Duke update , the 690 Duke ; a hunkered down , powerful singlecylinder machine , with an underslung exhaust
and aggressive , elbows-out riding position . 2011 saw the rise of smaller capacity Duke models , starting with the 125 Duke . In 2012 , KTM introduced the game-changing 200 Duke and the 390 Duke hit showrooms in 2013 . Then The Beast hit the roads , the 1290 SUPER DUKE R . With a hugely powerful 1301cc V-twin engine it was literally a beast . A turning point in the Duke evolution came in 2018 , with the 790 Duke . Dubbed The Scalpel , this was a move away from the single cylinder Duke models with the introduction of a new parallel-twin engine and a bold , angular design . To celebrate its 30th anniversary , KTM has launched three new models . First up is the 390 Duke . Next is the 990 Duke ( not to be confused with the 990 Super Duke V-twin of old ), powered by an all-new LC8c parallel-twin . Not to be outdone by any other naked sports bike out there , the 1390 Super Duke R and Super Duke R Evo have evolved and seem , quite frankly , ridiculous - just how we like it . You can read our test of the new Duke 990 in this issue .
18 KIWI RIDER