KTM Malaysia has now launched the latest iterations of its entry-level naked bikes, the Duke 250 and the Duke 390. The new arrivals represent a refreshing of the range, as the Duke 390 has up to this point been in the Malaysian market for nearly four years, and two years in the case of the Duke 250.

Both bikes retain the trellis frame from before, while perhaps the most apparent change from the 2016 model is the exhaust – the previously underslung unit is now higher mounted, with a right-hand-side mounted muffler. In the case of the Duke 390, the same 373.2 cc single cylinder engine serves here with 44 hp at 9,000 rpm, although peak torque gets a slight bump to 37 Nm at 7,000 rpm, up from 35 Nm previously.


Updates to the Duke 390 chassis include an 830 mm seat height (30 mm taller than before), 1,357 mm wheelbase (10 mm shorter than before), while weight has increased by 10 kg to 149 kg. Fuel capacity is now 13.4 litres, an increase of 2.4 litres over the previous model.

Suspension duties are handled by 43 mm WP Suspension upside-down forks and rear monoshock with adjustable preload. Rolling stock comprises 17-inch wheels with a 110/70R17 front tyre and 150/60R17 rear tyre. Brakes are a single 320 mm front disc with a Bybre four-piston caliper and a 230 mm rear disc, slipper clutch and a six-speed transmission.


The Duke 390’s two-channel ABS comes with three modes – Normal, Off, and Supermoto, which disables ABS for the rear brake only. Additional updates to the Duke 390 include a more padded seat, CANBUS system, Metzeler M5 Interact tyres, broader rear-view mirrors, Euro 4 emissions rating and a ride-by-wire throttle. The Duke 390 also gets a multi-function TFT LCD screen with automatic brightness control, and further data can be observed on mobile devices via the KTM My Ride app.

The Duke 250 receives a more modest spec list by comparison, making do with a monochrome LCD display, while a cable throttle is standard for the 250 instead of the 390’s ride-by-wire, also doing without the Duke 390’s Supermoto ABS mode (ABS itself is still present on the Duke 250). Its 248.8cc single cylinder engine produces 30 hp at 9,000 rpm and 24 Nm of torque at 7,250 rpm.


Compared with its immediate predecessor, the 2017 Duke 250 also gets a 30 mm hike in seat height to 830 mm, 10 mm shorter wheelbase at 1,357 mm, and an 8 kg weight gain to 147 kg. Fuel capacity grows 2.4 litres to 13.4 litres, and like the Duke 390, is also rated Euro 4 for emissions.

Running gear on the Duke 250 includes 17-inch wheels with a 110/70R17 front tyre, 150/60R17 rear tyre, 43 mm WP Suspension upside-down fork, rear monoshock suspension with adjustable preload, 300 mm single front brake disc with a four-piston Bybre caliper and 230 mm rear disc brake with switchable two-channel ABS.

Both bikes are manufactured in Jitra, Kedah; the KTM Duke 250 is priced at RM 21,730 while the KTM Duke 390 is listed at RM 28,800, including GST but without insurance and registration. Warranty coverage is for two years with unlimited mileage.