Performance Icons: First-Gen 2013 KTM Duke 390

After witnessing the success of small-capacity performance bikes like the Yamaha R15,  KTM, in 2012, disrupted the 150-200cc sporty naked segment with the launch of the 200 Duke. While India had a few faired bikes in the small-capacity segment, there was nothing like the Duke in the naked streetfighter space. In just the following year, KTM did one better with the launch of the 390 Duke. The KTM Duke 390 didn’t just disrupt the segment—it marked a turning point in the history of the Indian two-wheeler segment. 

Up until then, the idea of owning a lightweight, aggressively styled, performance-focused street bike was just a dream for most enthusiasts on a budget. KTM changed that overnight with the Gen 1 390 Duke, a motorcycle that offered big-bike thrills in a compact, affordable, and exhilarating package.

A True Game Changer

The first-gen KTM 390 Duke was a true game changer in many ways. At a time when there were only sporty commuter-oriented bikes in the 200cc segment and much more expensive 650cc bikes such as the big Kawasakis and Hondas. There was nothing in between for those looking for performance on a budget. KTM came in a clutch and launched the 390 Duke in the sweet 300-400cc spot. While this segment was dominated by Royal Enfield, the Duke 390 became the first bike that made performance mainstream in this space. The Duke was affordable, but also packed a serious, serious punch. 

The 390 Duke came with a 373cc single-cylinder engine producing 44PS, and weighing just around 139kg (dry). This gave it an incredible power-to-weight ratio of 316.5PS per ton. For reference, the Volkswagen Polo GTI, which was available at that time in India, had a power-to-weight ratio of 149PS per ton, and it cost almost 15 times as much. This translated to blistering acceleration, razor-sharp handling, and an indicated top-speed of nearly 170kmph, which was unheard of at a price tag of just Rs 1.8 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Way Ahead Of Its Time

The 390 Duke featured a fat 43mm WP inverted fork, liquid cooling (with a bigger radiator for the India-spec bike), trellis frame, Metzeler W-rated radial tyres, and ByBre radial brakes. The bike came with dual-channel ABS as standard—a first for an Indian bike in this segment. Every component screamed sheer performance. The result? A bike that felt equally at home carving corners on the winding mountain roads or slicing through city traffic.

Even visually, the Gen 1 390 Duke looked like nothing else on Indian roads, well, except for the 200 Duke. The minimalist, edgy design which was complimented by a chiselled tank, exposed trellis frame, and aggressive stance, the 390 Duke was surely a head-turner. What added to the Duke’s design was the KTM’s signature white, orange, and black livery, it just looked fast even when stationary. Even its full-LCD instrument console came with the trademark orange backlight, and was packed with useful information.

Enthusiast’s Wet Dream

The Gen 1 390 Duke wasn’t for the faint-hearted. Its throttle was sharp, the engine eager, and the handling razor-sharp, ready to tip into corners the moment you even thought about it. It demanded respect from beginners and rewarded skilled riders. For young enthusiasts looking for a true rider’s machine without breaking the bank - this was the holy grail, and nothing could come close to the Duke.

At launch, the 390 Duke was priced aggressively and offered performance and features which were typically seen on bikes double its cost. It forced the industry to rethink what “entry-level performance”  bikes could mean, and gave Indian riders a taste of high-revving, high-adrenaline fun without the intimidating size or price tag.

The Beginning of a New Era

The KTM 390 Duke Gen 1 opened the floodgates for affordable performance machines in India. Even today, a well-maintained Gen 1 390 Duke is revered for its raw power, brutal acceleration, and pure, visceral analogue riding experience. In the pursuit of everyday usability, the later generations of Dukes became softer versions of their former selves, with more electronics and refinement.

The Gen 1 390 Duke showed that Indian riders were ready for more. It proved that small displacement didn’t mean small performance. Thanks to the original 390 Duke, today in 2025, we have more such bikes in the 300-400cc naked bike segment, such as the Bajaj Dominar 400 (derived from the 390 Duke platform), Honda CB300R, TVS Apache RTR310, Yamaha MT-03, Triumph Speed 400 and the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z (390 Duke’s Desi cousin). With its explosive power, a light kerb weight, and an unapologetically aggressive nature, the first-gen 390 Duke showed money can buy sheer happiness, even when you’re not spending all that much. The Duke’s incredible performance continues to be a benchmark for what an affordable streetfighter can achieve. The Duke didn’t just start a new chapter in the Indian biking scene, it re-wrote the book.