The Z500’s ergonomics allow for both upright riding when wanted and a somewhat tucked-in stance for sportier riding.
The 2024 Kawasaki Z500 is upgraded from the Z400 with a larger-displacement engine, sharper styling, new technology, a new seat shape, and more upgrades. The naked bike is now powered by a 451cc parallel-Twin with a claimed max 51 hp and 31.7 lb-ft of torque. It has a trellis frame and features a short-wheelbase/long-swingarm configuration, and it’s light weight at 366 lb for the standard and 370 lb for the SE version.
We got the chance to test the Kawasaki Z500 in and around San Diego and came away impressed with the bike’s nimble handling, extra torque, and comfortable ergonomics. Watch the video below to see the 2024 Kawasaki Z500 in action, and read our full review here.
The 2024 Triumph Daytona 660 sportbike is powered by a 660cc inline-Triple that makes 95 hp and 51 lb-ft of torque. (Photos courtesy Triumph)
In the mid-1990s, when I cut my teeth as a motorcyclist, the Big Four Japanese manufacturers were engaged in a middleweight sportbike arms race. Every other year, each brand unveiled an updated platform, squeezing a few more ponies out of their 599cc inline-Four engine and tweaking frame geometry, suspension systems, and brakes.
As a result of this one-upmanship, middleweight sportbikes went from entry-level all-arounders to racebikes with lights and license plates. Which is great, except for the fact that only a small percentage of riders spend weekends wearing down knee pucks at the track. Add to this that a tricked-out middleweight now costs nearly what a liter-class machine does, and we arrive at something of an evolutionary dead end.
The 2024 Triumph Daytona 660 in Satin Granite/Satin Jet Black, one of three colorways available.
And yet here we are with a new Triumph Daytona 660. The storied British manufacturer enters the highly competitive middleweight class by hitting the reset button, aiming to produce an affordable, attractive sportbike that can handle commuting and light touring, as well as footpeg-scraping backroads and the occasional trackday. To see if they pulled it off, Triumph invited us to Alicante, Spain, for a full day of riding in everything from city traffic to mountain passes.
Inline-Triple | Triumph Daytona 660
The Daytona 660 is powered by an updated version of the engine that powers Triumph’s Trident 660 and Tiger Sport 660, and it’s a callback to the Daytona 675 that Triumph produced from 2006-2018, which was the first inline-Triple in the middleweight sportbike class. The Triple provides the best of both worlds: torque in the lower rev ranges like a Twin and ample mid- and top-end power like a Four.
Peeking out from the bodywork is the Triumph Daytona 660’s inline-Triple.
The Daytona 660’s 3-cylinder mill gets a trio of new 44mm throttle bodies and larger exhaust valves, and its airflow was increased with a front-mounted intake and a larger airbox. A new crankshaft with increased gear width provides smoother revving, the pistons now feature a low-friction coating, and the radiator and fan are both larger and have been repositioned for more efficient cooling. Exhaust gasses flow through a 3-into-1 header and into an underslung silencer that produces a satisfying growl that becomes a bark with a twist of the throttle.
These upgrades result in a claimed 95 hp at 11,250 rpm, a 17% increase over the Trident 660, and the Daytona’s 12,650-rpm redline is 20% higher than the Trident’s too. The engine cranks out 51 lb-ft of torque at 8,250 rpm (9% more than the Trident), with 80% of that power on tap at only 3,125 rpm. Triumph says the Daytona 660 will get you from 0-60 in just 3.6 seconds.
With the Daytona 660, Triumph offers an affordable, comfortable sportbike for everyday riders.
The Triumph Daytona 660’s sculpted bodywork looks fast even when standing still, and the bike’s design has great attention to detail.
Bespoke details | Triumph Daytona 660
At the tech briefing the night before our test ride, I got my first close look at the Daytona 660 in Satin Granite/Satin Jet Black, a color scheme that, combined with the “660” in neon green on the lower fairing, says “badass” without rubbing your nose in it. (Other colorways include Snowdonia White/Sapphire Black and Carnival Red/Sapphire Black.) The bike’s fit and finish make it look pricier than its $9,195 base price, and its styling is aggressive but exudes a bespoke elegance that stands out from its competition. Take a close look at how the fairing flows into the distinctive molding of the gas tank, or how the silencer nestles near the rear tire, and you’ll see that Triumph’s design team sweated the details. With minimal bodywork highlighting the powerplant and frame, the Daytona 660 looks impressive just leaning on its kickstand. I couldn’t wait to put some miles on it.
From city streets to winding backroads, the Triumph Daytona 660 is easy to handle and fun to ride.
Capable commuter? | Triumph Daytona 660
We started our ride in morning traffic, threading through congested urban roundabouts – the first test of Triumph’s middleweight reset. Is the Daytona 660 a comfortable, capable, and intuitive commuter? It only took a few minutes on Spanish city streets to make me appreciate the availability of useful torque from low revs. Urban stop-and-go traffic is easier to navigate on a machine with a wide powerband, so you can squirt between vehicles without fiddling with the gearbox.
A comfortable rider triangle makes the Triumph Daytona 660 a bike you can ride all day, and it would be a great sport-tourer with some accessory luggage.
At low city speeds, even after shifting into a higher gear than necessary, the Daytona’s engine delivered smooth, confidence-inspiring power without the need to wind up to high rpm. The 6-speed gearbox, which has updated input/output shafts and revised gear ratios, is well-sorted. There are no annoying searches for neutral, each shift accompanied by a satisfying “snick,” and the slip/assist clutch feels light at the lever (Triumph offers an optional quickshifter for those who want to bypass the clutch).
The Triumph Daytona 660 has an understated white-on-black instrument panel that combines LCD and TFT displays.
The cockpit design is well-suited for city riding. The instrument panel, which is a hybrid LCD/TFT display, was easy to see through my tinted visor, even in bright light, and the tachometer, fuel gauge, gear indicator, and digital speedometer are clustered thoughtfully, giving me a lot of information with a quick glance down. The clip-on bars were easy on my wrists and didn’t force me to reach or crouch. Footpeg positioning was comfortable for my 6-foot frame. Likewise, the stock seat height of 31.9 inches was in the Goldilocks zone (Triumph offers a lower seat option that drops the saddle about an inch).
The Daytona 660’s engine, drivetrain, and ergonomics come together in an impressively intuitive commuter that I felt confident flinging around unfamiliar city streets on our way to the mountains to see if Triumph kept the “sport” in their new sportbike.
We tested the Triumph Daytona 660 on twisty roads in the mountains above Alicante, Spain.
Into the mountains | Triumph Daytona 660
It was no accident that we were invited to ride the Daytona 660 through the mountains outside of Alicante. As we gained elevation, the beautifully engineered Spanish roads became downright exciting, with hairpins, sweepers, and significant elevation changes that put the bike’s chassis to the test. The radial 4-piston calipers, twin 310mm discs, and braided lines provided progressive, powerful braking without fading, even after miles of serpentine road.
The Triumph Daytona 660 is equipped with competent brakes, grippy tires, and both ABS and TC.
Response from the throttle-by-wire throttle was precise and predictable. The three riding modes – Sport, Road, and Rain – each offer a different throttle response and level of traction control. Traction control can also be shut off, and a few of my fellow riders who did so had their rear tires step out on them under hard acceleration out of turns on dusty sections of road. I kept it engaged and didn’t have any such issues. In addition to traction control, the Daytona 660 is equipped with ABS, which adds to peace of mind when pushing the bike hard in the bends.
With sporty steering geometry and a low weight of about 445 lb with a full tank of gas, the Triumph Daytona 660 carves through tight corners with ease.
The Daytona 660’s steering geometry and stock Michelin Power 6 tires made it easy to flick through chicane-like mountain sections, and the Showa suspension – a nonadjustable 41mm inverted fork and a single rear shock with preload adjustability – kept things composed on hard braking into turns and over less-than-perfect bits of tarmac. The suspension package is not top-shelf, but it is up to the task for what most riders will ask the Daytona 660 to do: keep a big grin plastered on your face as you carve up your favorite backroads.
A great first impression | Triumph Daytona 660
The Daytona 660 won me over almost immediately. The folks at Triumph clearly spent a lot of time refining this machine, as it felt sorted out in a way that not all first-generation models do. And, as I spent more time on the bike and got a chance to uncork it on beautiful mountain roads, things just got better.
Priced at $9,195, the Triumph Daytona 660 delivers good value and should fit just about any rider’s budget.
This is a powerful, agile, attractive motorcycle that ticks most of the important boxes for less than $10,000. Although our test ride kept me in the saddle for nearly eight hours, I was comfortable enough on the Daytona that I would readily sign up for touring duty, especially considering optional upgrades such as a tankbag and tailbag, heated grips, tire pressure monitoring, and the My Triumph Connectivity System that adds navigation as well as phone and music interactivity.
The Daytona 660 accomplishes what Triumph set out to do: reset the middleweight sportbike segment by offering a versatile, exciting motorcycle that is affordable enough for entry-level riders but capable enough for those with more experience and buying power. And, regardless of your moto skillset, this is a beautiful machine that outclasses the competition with design details usually reserved for pricier bikes. While this may not be the bike for riders who spend lots of time at their local track, that isn’t Triumph’s target audience. I hope Rider gets a Daytona 660 for a longer-term test, because the taste of this bike that I got in Spain left me wanting more.
The 450NK is one of four bikes in CFMOTO’s lineup powered by a liquid-cooled 449cc parallel-Twin with dual counterbalancers and a lively 270-degree crank. (Photos by Kevin Wing)
As a husky guy who’s 6 feet tall and more than 200 lb, I’m not the target buyer for small bikes, but man, I sure love riding them. Don’t get me wrong; I love riding powerful bikes (like the 190-hp KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo I track-tested in Spain) and big bikes (like the Harley-Davidson Glides I recently rode on a nine-day, 4,200-mile tour through four states), but they require a level of respect and seriousness that I’m not always in the mood for. Sometimes I just wanna have fun.
The CFMOTO 450NK has carefree written all over it. It weighs just 364 lb, makes 50 hp at the crank, and has nothing to figure out – just hop on and ride. That’s not to say the 450NK is a toy or just a playbike. While it’s certainly slender between the knees and is easy to toss through a set of tight turns, it doesn’t feel diminutive, nor does it have a cramped cockpit. Snug, perhaps, but not cramped. The positions of the upright handlebar and footpegs are sensible, and the sculpted shape of the tank allows the rider to comfortably wrap around it, giving the sense of sitting in rather than on the bike.
Powering the 450NK is a liquid-cooled 449cc parallel-Twin that’s a workhorse in CFMOTO’s lineup. The same engine is found in the 450SS sportbike, the Ibex 450 adventure bike I recently tested, and the forthcoming 450CL-C cruiser. Dual counterbalancers help it run smoothly throughout the rev range, and its 270-degree crank gives it a delightful rumble complemented by a spicy exhaust note – not the dull drone one might expect of a bike in this class.
Except for a bit of low-speed roughness, the 450NK’s cable-actuated throttle provides good response. The slip/assist clutch makes for a light, easy pull when rowing through the 6-speed gearbox, and both the clutch lever and front brake lever are adjustable for reach. The 450NK’s 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels and narrow 110/70 front and 140/60 rear tires (made by CST, the parent company of Maxxis) contribute to the bike’s nimbleness. A light push on either end of the handlebar is all it takes to initiate a turn, and the 450NK holds its line obediently.
The 450NK’s tailsection has cut-outs in the bodywork, a small pillion, and a stylish taillight.
The bike makes a great commuter or playful canyon carver. It purrs smoothly at highway speeds and will do “the ton” with little effort. Given my body’s weight and terrible aerodynamic profile, not to mention my tendency to twist the throttle with abandon, I recorded lackluster fuel economy during this test – just 42.4 mpg, yielding about 157 miles from the 3.7-gallon tank. When our lighter and less aggressive associate editor, Allison Parker, tested the 450SS, she posted a more respectable 63 mpg. Sheesh, maybe it’s time to shed a few pounds and reduce my coffee intake.
Angular bodywork gives the 450NK a sleek streetfighter look. The bike is equipped with ABS, TC, a TFT display, and LED lighting.
The 450NK’s suspension and brakes, while competent, are about what you’d expect for a $5,399 motorcycle. The 37mm inverted fork is not adjustable, and the multi-link rear shock is only adjustable for spring preload. Damping is good for general street riding without being overly taut or too soft. The J.Juan brakes, with a 4-piston radial front caliper pinching a 320mm disc and a 1-piston floating rear caliper with a 220mm disc, provide adequate, consistent stopping power. Standard safety features include ABS and switchable traction control.
Carles Solsona, CFMOTO’s Italy-based motorcycle design director, did a great job on the 450NK’s styling, which echoes that of the 800NK. Both bikes have a V-shaped headlight nacelle with a large daytime running light, and the tops of their front fenders have a unique convex shape. The tank shrouds, radiator shrouds, lower cowling, and airy cut-outs in the tail give the 450NK a modern, go-fast look, and the Zephyr Blue colorway is especially eye-catching (the other color option is Nebula White).
Useful amenities include full LED lighting, a USB charging port, and a 5-inch color TFT instrument panel that includes Bluetooth connectivity to the CFMOTO app, which allows navigation and music to be shown on the screen. The switchgear and menus are intuitive, but the app’s navigation function needs some refinement.
The TFT is packed with info, but the small, thin font can be hard to read.
As with other bikes in CFMOTO’s lineup, the 450NK delivers good value for the money, but its most endearing trait is its approachability. After a long hiatus from riding, my brother, Paul, has returned to the joys of motorcycling, and lately we’ve been getting together for Saturday morning rides. He has taken a shine to the 450NK, which has been the perfect bike on which to sharpen skills that had become dull.
Whether you’re new to riding, returning to the fold, or are a jaded veteran, the smile that will be on your face after riding this bike is priceless.
At just $5,399, the 2024 CFMOTO 450NK provides a lot of value in a playful package.
The 2024 Kawasaki Z500 SE provides larger displacement, more torque, and updated styling over the previous generation in a fun, easy-to-ride package. (Photos by Kevin Wing)
Last year, Kawasaki debuted a new 451cc parallel-Twin in the Eliminator cruiser. Displacement was increased over that of the Ninja 400 sportbike and Z400 naked bike with a longer stroke, resulting in an increase in torque. For 2024, Kawasaki has migrated that engine back into the Ninja and Z series, and the larger engine prompted new names – now the Ninja 500 and the Z500.
It only takes a glance at the Z500’s updated styling to understand why Kawasaki’s marketing slogan for the bike is “All Eyes on You.”
When we test rode the Eliminator, we enjoyed the extra torque and performance of the larger engine. And while there’s plenty to like about a cruiser, the Ninja and Z series have strong fanbases who will certainly be glad to see the upgraded engine in their preferred platforms. We got the opportunity to test the Z500 SE for a day in and around San Diego, and we found the engine and other upgrades particularly well-suited to the naked bike’s package and target customers.
Survey Says… | Kawasaki Z500
While developing the Z500, Kawasaki paid special attention to what customers were looking for by surveying customers interested in the Z400, as well as dealers who served these customers. The responses informed the Z500’s upgrades, resulting in a motorcycle that should suit the needs of customers who are most likely to buy it.
The added torque from the Z500’s 451cc parallel-Twin is a welcome upgrade that provides more fun while remaining predictable and manageable for newer riders.
Kawasaki found that most shoppers interested in the Z400 were beginner riders with less than one year of experience, in their mid-30s, and not interested in passenger accommodations. They were looking for a bike for commuting duties and backroad rides, and they wanted it to be capable of highway speeds and keeping up with traffic while remaining lightweight and nimble. Interestingly, while the Z400 is mostly the same as the Ninja 400 but with less bodywork and different ergonomics, Kawasaki found that customers who were looking for a naked bike were not interested in a sportbike and vice versa. Kawasaki also found that style was an important driving factor for purchase.
With the data in hand, Kawasaki designers got to work to address this list of customer needs.
Among other extras, the SE version comes with a rear seat cowl in place of the standard’s passenger seat.
Ready to Rev | Kawasaki Z500
The new engine is the most significant upgrade over the Z400. The 451cc parallel-Twin has a bore and stroke of 70.0mm and 58.6mm, and it now makes a claimed 51 hp at 10,000 rpm and 31.7 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm. The torque, up from the Z400’s 28 lb-ft, also arrives 500 rpm earlier.
The 451cc parallel-Twin in the Z500 provides added torque compared to the previous engine. Also seen here are the SE version’s angular lower cowl and frame sliders.
During our test ride, we spent the morning riding around the city streets commuter-fashion, and we found the engine ideal for this role. The extra torque made for quick acceleration while remaining easily manageable and unintimidating. When we ventured onto the canyon roads south of town, the Z500 proved itself to be capable of spirited riding. Vibrations were noticeable above about 7,000 rpm, but they weren’t so bad as to become a problem.
If you’re looking for a fun, easy-to-ride, and affordable daily bike, the Z500 should be on your list.
The Z500 features a slip/assist clutch with an incredibly light feel – one of the lightest I’ve tested and another factor that would make this bike a good fit for commuting. Stopping at a stoplight or stop sign every block was no problem for my left hand. Press launches like this involve lots of U-turns for repeated photo passes, so we were especially glad of the super light clutch feel during our ride.
The Z500 loves getting out of town for the day for some fun on canyon roads.
Nimble Naked | Kawasaki Z500
The chassis comes unchanged from the Z400. Like its predecessor, the Z500 rides on a trellis frame with the engine as a stressed member. It features a short-wheelbase/long-swingarm configuration with a wheelbase of 54.1 inches, a seat height of 30.9 inches, and a fuel capacity of 3.7 gallons. The standard version weighs 366 lb, while the SE version with included accessories weighs 370 lb.
Commuting duties are easy on the Z500. The bike’s low weight, nimble handling, and light clutch feel make getting around town a breeze.
Suspension comes in the form of a 41mm Showa fork and a bottom-link Uni-Trak rear shock with five-way preload adjustability via the included tool kit. A 310mm front disc is gripped by a 2-piston caliper, and a 220mm rear disc is paired with a 2-piston caliper. Unlike previous Z-series bikes, both the standard Z500 and the SE version feature ABS.
Nissin brakes provide solid stopping power. Both versions of the Z500 come equipped with ABS.
The wheels feature a star-pattern, five-spoke design, are 17 inches front and rear, and are shod with Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300F tires.
Upon first rolling out of the hotel parking lot for our test ride, my first impression was how nimble the Z500 is. Tight turns into parking lots are stress-free, and the bike feels slim between the legs. New for the Z500 is a flatter seat shape and new seat cushion, adding comfort over the previous Z400.
The Z500’s ergonomics allow for both upright riding when wanted and a somewhat tucked-in stance for sportier riding.
The riding position is fairly upright with a handlebar that’s taller and wider than the Ninja’s. The bike also features new mirror stays meant to reduce mirror vibration, and although they still vibrate at highway speeds, they’re crystal-clear and smooth while riding around town.
The nimbleness of the Z500 made city riding easy, and it made canyon roads exciting. The bike feels as light as the spec chart claims, if not lighter. The suspension didn’t soak up every bump in the road, but the bike remained stable while being flicked through sinuous curves and inspired confidence. On Kawasaki’ list of customer needs, the Z500 gets a positive mark on being a capable and fun machine for both city traffic and backroads sprints.
Sugomi Style | Kawasaki Z500
Styling is an important factor for many motorcycle shoppers. The Z500 comes with updated styling over the Z400, and while it’s still recognizably a Z-series bike, it looks cleaner and meaner. Kawasaki has been using the term “Sugomi” to describe its Z-series styling for years, and this one looks more predator-like than ever.
2024 Kawasaki Z500
One styling highlight of the Z500 is a new triple-headlight configuration. The top two lights are low-beams, with the bottom light being high-beam. We rode during the day and didn’t get to see how the headlights illuminate the road at night, but the LED lights looked bright and clear.
Other styling changes include sharper bodywork and cleaner-looking side covers. The SE version comes with an under cowl and rear seat cowl that add to the Z500’s appearance. The upswept exhaust parallels the line of the rear section, and the bodywork floats above the engine to highlight it.
The Kawasaki Z500 SE likes to have fun on backroads.
Standard or SE? | Kawasaki Z500
We rode the SE version during our test ride, which includes a few features not found on the standard. The most noticeable difference is the color. The standard version only comes in recognizable Kawasaki Candy Lime Green, while the SE version only comes in Permission Candy Red.
The Kawasaki Z500 SE comes in Candy Persimmon Red, while the standard version is available in Candy Lime Green.
The SE also includes a 4.3-inch TFT display to replace the standard version’s LCD display. Both displays allow Bluetooth connection to a smartphone via Kawasaki’s Rideology app, where riders can check vehicle info, a riding log, a maintenance log, and other details. While both displays have the same functionality, the TFT looks much nicer and more modern, and the background can be changed to black or white.
The standard version of the Z500 has a high-contrast LCD screen with buttons on the left.
Both displays also feature the Economic Riding Indicator, which appears on the screen to indicate favorable fuel consumption. The indicator is unobtrusive on the screen, and I saw it appear during more gentle riding while keeping revs low. We prioritized fun over efficiency during our time aboard the Z500, but it might prove to be a useful feature for everyday riding.
The SE version comes with a nicer TFT display compared to the standard’s LCD display. Both displays can connect to a smartphone through Kawasaki’s Rideology app.
Additional features on the SE include LED turnsignals (the standard has LED headlights and taillights), a meter cover, a radiator screen, frame sliders, a rear seat cowl, tank and knee pads, a USB-C charger, and an undercowl. The price difference between the two versions is $700. Most of the accessories on the SE are also available for the standard version, but it’ll save you a few hundred dollars to get the SE instead of accessorizing the standard to the same degree.
The Kawasaki Z500 fits its purpose to a T. It’s a fun, easy-to-ride bike, and the upgrades since the previous Z400 make it even better without a big jump in price. Those shoppers who filled out Kawasaki’s survey should be pleased with the results of their efforts. We certainly were.
Celebrating Triumph’s rich racing history is the new 2025 Triumph Trident 660 Tribute Special Edition, which features a race-inspired graphic scheme, Triumph Shift Assist, and a flyscreen.
The modern Triumph Trident 660 debuted for model year 2021 with a name brought back to commemorate Triumph’s first triple-cylinder motorcycle launched in 1968. A racing Trident called “Slippery Sam” claimed five consecutive Isle of Mann Production TT wins from 1971-1975, and this Tribute version for 2025 pays special homage to the Trident’s racing history.
“Since its launch in 2020, this middleweight roadster has reinvigorated this highly competitive category, selling more than 35,600 units worldwide,” said Paul Stroud, chief commercial officer for Triumph Motorcycles. “Its triple engine and premium detailing at a great price has been successful in bringing younger and new riders to Triumph, and just as ‘Slippery Sam’ once inspired a generation, we believe this special edition has the iconic style, extra technology, and dynamic performance to appeal to today’s Triumph fans.”
The Trident 660 is powered by a liquid-cooled 660cc Triple that makes a claimed 80 hp at 10,250 rpm and 47 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm. It has a seat height of 31.7 inches and a weight of 416 lb. Throttle-by-wire allows two ride modes (Road and Rain), and it comes with ABS, switchable traction control, and a combined TFT and LCD display.
Suspension is supplied by Showa, with a 41mm inverted separate-function fork delivering 4.7 inches of travel and a preload-adjustable monoshock with 5.3 inches of travel. Nissin brake calipers grip 310mm discs in the front and a 255mm disc in the rear, and the bike rides on 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels wrapped in Michelin Road 5 tires.
The 2025 Triumph Trident 660 Tribute Special Edition adds a white, blue, and red graphic scheme inspired by “Slippery Sam,” as well as a Number 67 race graphic, a flyscreen, and Triumph Shift Assist, which enables clutchless up and down gear changes with an autoblipper on downshifts for smoother changes.
The 2025 Triumph Trident 660 Tribute Special Edition will be available for one year only with an MSRP of $8,595. It will arrive in dealerships starting April 2024. Visit the Triumph website for more information.
The 2024 KTM 990 Duke 96% new and replaces the 890 Duke R. We tested it in the mountains of southern Spain as part of KTM’s “30 Years of Duke” launch that included the 390 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R Evo. (Photos by Francesc Montero & Sebas Romero)
What’s the magic number? When the first Duke debuted 30 years ago, it was 602cc, which was packed into a single-cylinder engine that made 58 hp. These days (in the U.S. market), Dukes range in displacement from 249cc in the Duke 250 to 1,350cc in the 1390 Super Duke R Evo. In between, KTM offers the 390 Duke (399cc), 790 Duke (799cc), and 990 Duke (947cc). For this KTM 990 Duke review, we take one of the newest Dukes on a test ride in the mountains of southern Spain.
Evolution of the Duke. Front and center is the 1994 KTM 620 Duke. Behind it to the left is the 990 Duke, in the middle is the 1390 Super Duke R Evo, and behind it to the right is the 390 Duke. They are surrounded by other milestone Duke models from the past 30 years.
With its displacement approaching a liter, the new 990 Duke resides in the so-called “super middleweight” class. It replaces the 890 Duke R, but there’s more to it than just a 58cc bump in engine size. According to KTM reps at the global launch in Spain, the 990 Duke is 96% new and “more like a smaller Super Duke.”
Powering the 990 Duke is KTM’s liquid-cooled LC8c parallel-Twin with DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder – the same engine platform found across the 790/890/990 Adventure and Duke lines. Only the 990 Duke has the 947cc version that makes a claimed 123 hp at 9,500 rpm and 76 lb-ft of torque at 6,750 rpm (up from 121 hp and 73 lb-ft on the 890 Duke R). The intake mixture is fed through a 46mm throttle body and compressed at a ratio of 13.5:1, the Bosch engine management system uses throttle-by-wire, and the 6-speed transmission is mated to a PASC slip/assist wet clutch. Spent gasses exit through a new stainless-steel exhaust that’s Euro 5+ compliant.
The liquid-cooled LC8c parallel-Twin is a workhorse engine that powers all KTM 790/890/990 Adventure and Duke models. The frame, subframe, and swingarm are new.
Wrapped around the 990 Duke’s engine is a new frame, subframe, and swingarm. The chromoly steel frame, which uses the engine as a stressed member, is stiffer for added stability and wider at the back to pass outside rather than inside the swingarm. To compensate for the stiffer frame, the diecast aluminum subframe allows more flex, and it now houses the airbox. The swingarm, which is constructed using gravity diecast aluminum and uses a closed-lattice rather than the previous open-lattice design, is 3.3 lb lighter than the 890 Duke R’s. Curb weight with the 3.8-gallon tank fuel is a svelte 395 lb.
The KTM 990 Duke has a stiffer frame while its swingarm allows more flex. The net result is more responsive handling.
Like the 890 Duke R, the 990 Duke is equipped with adjustable WP Apex suspension, but it has a new 43mm inverted open-cartridge fork with 5.5 inches of travel and a single gas-assisted rear shock that’s mounted directly to the top of the swingarm and has 5.9 inches of travel. Convenient fork-top adjusters offer five-click adjustability for compression (left leg) and rebound (right leg). The shock also has a five-position adjuster for rebound that requires a flat-blade screwdriver, and preload is adjustable using a spanner (both tools are in a kit under the seat; compression cannot be adjusted).
The KTM 990 Duke’s front wheel is shared with the 1390 Super Duke R Evo, and a new rotor mount saves 2.2 lb of unsprung weight. The 4-piston calipers are made by J.Juan.
The 990 Duke rolls on 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels shod with Bridgestone Battlax S22 tires (the latest S23s weren’t yet available for homologation). The front wheel is the same as the 1390 Super Duke R Evo’s, but the rear is slightly different because the 990 has a two-sided swingarm and the 1390 has a single-sided swingarm. Slowing things down are the same 4-piston radial front calipers with 300mm discs and 2-piston rear calipers with a 240mm disc as on the 890 Duke R, but a lighter connection between the front rotors and the wheel saves roughly 2.2 lb of unsprung weight. Cornering ABS with a rear-off Supermoto mode is standard.
The 5-inch TFT display uses intuitive graphics that show how different settings affect the motorcycle’s behavior.
In terms of technology, the 990 Duke has a new 5-inch color TFT display with a scratch- and glare-resistant bonded-glass screen, redesigned menus, and optional KTMconnect for smartphone pairing to allow access to navigation, audio, and phone calls. All lighting is LED and there’s a USB-C charging port. Rider electronics include three standard ride modes (Sport, Street, and Rain) and two optional ride modes (Performance and Track) that adjust throttle response, lean-sensitive traction control, and wheelie control. Track mode enables a10-level rear-wheel slip adjuster that can be adjusted on the fly, launch control, a lap timer, and telemetry functions. Cruise control, Motor Slip Regulation, and an up/down quickshifter are optional.
The 2024 KTM 990 Duke is nicknamed “The Sniper” and is available in orange or black.
The 990 Duke has also been restyled, with a more muscular, hunched-forward stance like the 1390 Super Duke R Evo. Both share a unique headlight design with stacked low and high beams in the center that are framed by a pair of DRLs shaped like curved talons. Compared to the 890 Duke R, the 990 Duke’s seat is angled up more in the front to prevent the rider sliding forward, is flatter, has new foam, and sits at 32.4 inches, down from 32.8 on the 890. The pillion seat was moved up by 0.8 inch to give the passenger a better view and more legroom.
Spain is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe and it has fantastic twisty roads.
My test ride on the 990 Duke was a romp in mountains above Almería, Spain, on a cold, clear February morning that was part of the “30 Years of Duke” press launch that included the 390 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R Evo. When we did a comparison test of KTM’s full Duke lineup in 2021, the 890 Duke was a staff favorite, “a standout machine that encourages you to test its handling and your nerve, and it consistently rewards the rider with confidence-inspiring feel and agility or a gentle prod where lesser machines fall short.” We described it as “a mustang, wild at heart, straining at the bit, and embodies the essence of the Duke series: immediate power and razor-sharp cornering stripped down to the barest of essentials.”
The KTM 990 Duke has a unique headlight design that’s shared with the 1390 Super Duke R Evo.
Is the 990 Duke even better? Yes and no. It is an exciting machine that provides a thrilling rush of power and has a light and balanced feel, a responsive chassis, and an excellent electronics package. The Duke’s steady evolution from the 790 to the 890 to the 990 is obvious, but the 990 feels like it just turned 40, suddenly thrust into middle age. As a seven-tenths scale Super Duke (at least in terms of engine displacement; the 990’s 123 hp is 65% as much as the 1390’s 190 hp), it demands more respect and has lost a bit of its free-spiritedness.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just a shift in focus, and with the 790 Duke back in KTM’s lineup, it makes sense.
The KTM 990 Duke, all grown up and serious as a heart attack.
Our launch base camp was the Circuito de Almería, located in an arid region near the southern Spanish coast where many Spaghetti Westerns were filmed. From the track, we rode north into the mountains, climbing rapidly on a road with so many hairpins it felt like riding the Alps minus the tour buses. On such a tight, technical road, the 990 Duke felt like overkill. The 390 Duke we rode the previous day would have made more sense, or perhaps KTM’s 690 SMC R supermoto.
After we did our photo passes on a 1st-gear hairpin where I struggled to find my groove, we continued climbing to the top of the mountain. Down the other side, the curves opened up and the 990 Duke felt more in its element.
The KTM 990 Duke is light, powerful, and agile.
On a short ride on public roads, some of which were wet or lightly glazed with ice, I didn’t try out the Performance or Track modes, or the new launch control. The Street and Sport modes provided plenty of excitement, and the more I rode the 990 Duke, the more I fell under its spell. Allow me to reiterate two key specs: 123 hp and 395 lb. That power is delivered in a direct but very manageable way to the rear wheel, which is attached to a lightweight motorcycle with a retuned chassis that ensures steering inputs hit the bullseye. Admirable qualities, but also ones that encourage a high rate of speed.
Compared to the 890 Duke R, the KTM 990 Duke’s seat is flatter and 0.4 inch lower.
I’ve tested enough KTMs to become accustomed to its menus and appreciate the intuitive illustrated motorcycle graphics that show how different settings affect vehicle dynamics. The new switchgear on the 990 Duke is easy to use, but there are too many steps involved in changing modes and settings on the fly. A simple “mode” button that would allow a rider to quickly toggle between ride modes would simplify the process.
So 990 may be the magic number. Nearly 20 years ago, the KTM 990 Super Duke was the first big-bore streetbike made by a small Austrian company known for its dirtbikes. Since then, KTM has become Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, the Super Duke has gotten super-er, and the 990 Duke honors that legacy.
With short wheelbases, sporty geometry, and low curb weights, the CFMOTO 800NK and Suzuki GSX‑8S hustle through tight corners with ease. (Photos by Kevin Wing)
Back in the ’70s, Cycle magazine coined the term “Universal Japanese Motorcycle” to refer to the proliferation of standard bikes built by the Japanese Big Four that adhered to the same formula: air‑cooled inline‑Fours with tubular cradle frames, disc front brakes, telescopic forks, and dual rear shocks.
Much has changed in the last five decades, but manufacturers still stick to tried‑and‑true formulas when designing motorcycles. These days, regardless of where bikes hail from, there has been a convergence in the middleweight class on parallel‑Twin engines because they are cost‑effective to produce, easy to package within a frame, and flexible in terms of tuning. Also known as vertical Twins because the two side‑by‑side cylinders stand upright, modern versions typically have liquid cooling, fuel injection, and a 270‑degree crankshaft that produces a V‑Twin‑like rumble.
We put the CFMOTO 800NK (left) side-by-side with the Suzuki GSX-8S (right) for this comparo.
Last year, Suzuki, a veteran of the UJM wars, introduced a liquid‑cooled 776cc parallel‑Twin that powered two new models: the GSX‑8S naked sportbike and V‑Strom 800DE adventure bike. The engine has DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, a 270‑degree crank, throttle‑by‑wire, and Suzuki’s patented Cross Balancer system, which minimizes vibration. The GSX‑8S is equipped with several Suzuki Intelligent Ride System electronic rider aids, including throttle response modes (Active, Basic, and Comfort), multi‑mode traction control (1, 2, 3, and Off), an up/down quickshifter, Easy Start, and Low RPM Assist.
2024 Suzuki GSX-8S
Chinese manufacturer CFMOTO entered the U.S. motorcycle market in 2022 and has expanded its lineup to 11 models for 2024. One of its newest is the 800NK, a naked sportbike powered by a liquid‑cooled 799cc parallel‑Twin that’s a previous‑gen version of the KTM 790 engine, which CFMOTO now builds under a partnership agreement. Similar to Suzuki’s modular approach, the same engine is found in CFMOTO’s Ibex 800 adventure bikes. On the tech front, the 800NK has throttle‑by‑wire, throttle response modes (Sport, Street, and Rain), and cruise control but no traction control or quickshifter.
2024 CFMOTO 800NK
Those looking for an affordable, streetfighter‑styled motorcycle would likely cross‑shop these two bikes, especially since there’s just a $500 delta between their MSRPs: $8,999 for the Suzuki and $8,499 for the CFMOTO. To suss out their differences, we tested them back‑to‑back on local freeways and backroads and had our friend John Ethell at Jett Tuning run them on a Dynojet dynamometer.
CFMOTO 800NK vs. Suzuki GSX8S: Wonder Twin Powers, Activate!
Despite just a 23cc difference in displacement between the CFMOTO and Suzuki, there’s a significant difference in engine output. Both Twins rev out to nearly 10,000 rpm, and their dyno curves show fairly linear increases in power and flat torque curves. Past 6,000 rpm, their curves begin to diverge, with the CFMOTO climbing to 93.4 hp at 9,400 rpm while the Suzuki levels out at 75.9 hp at 8,300 rpm. Torque figures are closer, but the 800NK still has the advantage in the upper rev range, maxing out at 57.1 lb‑ft at 6,600 rpm compared to 53.3 lb‑ft at 6,700 rpm on the GSX‑8S.
The CFMOTO also has a lower curb weight, giving it a higher power‑to‑weight ratio. It weighs 410 lb with its 4.0‑gallon tank full, whereas the Suzuki weighs 445 lb with 3.7 gallons in its tank.
Differences in power and weight aren’t readily apparent at lower rpm and around‑town speeds, but the Suzuki feels more refined. The GSX‑8S starts easily when cold, idles smoothly, and has spot‑on fueling and throttle response. The 800NK, on the other hand, is slow to warm up, idles like it’s in a bad mood, and exhibits some hesitation when making throttle adjustments between 4,000 to 6,000 rpm, which corresponds to a dip in the horsepower and torque curves.
Above 6,000 rpm, however, the CFMOTO finds its groove, responding cleanly and directly to throttle inputs and making its power and weight advantages readily apparent. It flicks back and forth through tight corners more easily than the Suzuki, and a twist of the wrist catapults the 800NK ahead more rapidly than the GSX‑8S, which falls flat in the upper rev range. Although sound doesn’t necessarily affect performance, it does tap into our emotions. The CFMOTO’s more aggressive exhaust note makes for a more engaging riding experience without being too loud.
New for 2024, the CFMOTO 800NK charges forward with a distinctive LED running light and angular bodywork in either Nebula Black (shown) or Nebula White.
There’s also some daylight between these bikes in terms of shifting. Both are equipped with 6‑speed transmissions with cable‑actuated slip/assist clutches. Neither bike requires much effort to change gears, but the Suzuki’s gearbox is noticeably smoother, and it’s aided by the convenience of a quickshifter. The CFMOTO has an adjustable clutch lever, but the Suzuki does not.
When manufacturers aim for aggressive price targets, one of the most common places to cut costs is with the suspension, particularly in terms of adjustability. Both CFMOTO and Suzuki sourced their components from Japanese suspension maker KYB, and both bikes have inverted forks (43mm on the CFMOTO, 41mm on the Suzuki) and rear monoshocks. The only adjustability on the GSX‑8S is rear preload, but the 800NK offers full adjustability on the fork and rebound and preload adjustability on the shock. Ride quality between the two is fairly similar, with their damping rates calibrated for general use rather than the tautness of more aggressive sportbikes, but the CFMOTO allows riders to dial in their preferences front and rear.
Yerba Buena Road, which slithers through California’s rugged Santa Monica Mountains, was the perfect place to test these two middleweight streetfighters.
The CFMOTO has a slight edge in terms of braking. With components sourced from J.Juan, a Spanish subsidiary of Brembo, the 800NK has a pair of 4‑piston radial front calipers pinching 320mm discs, a 2‑piston rear caliper pinching a 260mm disc, a radial‑pump front master cylinder, and steel‑braided lines. The 800NK’s brakes provide strong, consistent power with good feedback from the adjustable front lever, but they could use more initial bite.
The Suzuki wears Nissin brakes, with dual 4‑piston radial front calipers squeezing 310mm discs, a 1‑piston rear caliper squeezing a 240mm disc, an axial‑pump front master cylinder, and rubber lines. Stopping power is decent, but the Suzuki’s brakes feel more numb and provide less feedback than the CFMOTO’s. ABS is standard on both bikes.
The Suzuki GSX‑8S has a minimalist look, and it’s available in Pearl Cosmic Blue (shown), Glass Matte Mechanical Gray, and Metallic Matte Black No. 2.
The 800NK and GSX‑8S are compact machines with short wheelbases, narrow waistlines, and sporty chassis geometry. Both have steel frames, steel subframes, cast‑aluminum swingarms, and tapered aluminum handlebars. From the cockpit, the Suzuki almost disappears beneath the rider thanks to its svelte tank, 1.7-inch narrower handlebar, and slender (but 0.4 inch taller) seat. The CFMOTO’s tank and bodywork flare out more, and its handlebar is wider, giving it more visual presence from the saddle. Its seat is also wider at the back and has thicker, more comfortable foam.
The CFMOTO’s higher power, lighter weight, and wider handlebar give it an advantage over the Suzuki.
As streetfighters, these bikes lend themselves to an aggressive riding style, but they’re comfortable enough for everyday riding or commuting. Their handlebars’ bends and risers allow for an upright seating position, and their footpegs are placed high enough for good cornering clearance but low enough for adequate legroom.
When you exit the highway and find your way to a winding backroad, they are more than happy to display their athleticism. Both roll on 17‑inch cast wheels with 120/70 front and 180/55 rear tire sizes, and their radials – Maxxis Supermaxx ST on the CFMOTO, Dunlop Roadsmart 2 on the Suzuki – provide neutral handling and decent grip. With its additional steering leverage and 35‑lb weight advantage, the CFMOTO is more agile than the Suzuki but not by much.
CFMOTO 800NK vs. Suzuki GSX8S: Devil in the Details
In some ways, these are two evenly matched motorcycles, while in others, they diverge. One is built by a well‑established Japanese brand that has been building motorcycles since the early 1950s and selling them in America since 1963. The other is built by an upstart Chinese company that has been building motorcycles only since 2000 but has grown rapidly and not only builds its own engines and motorcycles but also builds them for KTM, Europe’s largest manufacturer.
Both bikes have similar profiles, with pointy headlight shrouds and dagger‑like tailsections. Despite the riders’ go‑fast crouches above, handlebars positioned well above the triple clamp and sensibly placed footpegs allow for comfortable, upright seating positions.
Although the Suzuki GSX‑8S was introduced in 2023 as a new model with a new engine, it feels very refined. It has the build quality and fit and finish one expects from one of the Big Four Japanese manufacturers, and its engine, electronics, and chassis work together harmoniously. The GSX‑8S costs $500 more than the 800NK, but it has standard features that the CFMOTO lacks, such as traction control and an up/down quickshifter. Its bright TFT instrument panel uses a larger, thicker font and is easier to read in all conditions than the one on the 800NK.
As the new kid on the block looking to build trust in the market, CFMOTO’s value proposition is to provide more bang for the buck. For the 800NK, that starts with the tried‑and‑true KTM 790 engine that delivers an additional 17.5 hp and 3.8 lb‑ft of torque over the GSX‑8S motor. It continues with a 35‑lb lower curb weight, suspension with more adjustability, higher‑spec brakes, and features like cruise control and smartphone connectivity. Not only is the base price lower, but it comes with an additional year of warranty coverage. But it also feels rougher around the edges, particularly regarding its low‑rpm fueling.
The 2024 CFMOTO 800NK TFT display changes with ride mode, but the text is too small.
The 2024 Suzuki GSX-8S TFT display is easy to read and adjusts to light/dark conditions.
If you’re an experienced rider who wants a light, powerful, somewhat rowdy streetfighter and can live without traction control and a quickshifter, you’ll want the CFMOTO 800NK. But if you’re someone who prioritizes smoothness and refinement over power, or if you’re a newer rider, the Suzuki GSX‑8S is for you.
Each bike has its strengths and weaknesses, but both provide a respectable mix of performance, technology, and style at a reasonable price.
Spec Comparo: 2024 CFMOTO 800NK vs. 2024 Suzuki GSX-8S
Base Price: $8,499 (CFMOTO) — $8,999 (Suzuki)
Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles — 1 yr., unltd. miles
For this 2024 KTM 390 Duke review, we traveled to Almeria, Spain, to test the updated naked bike on the street and a gymkhana course. (Photos by Francesc Montero & Sebas Romero)
This is a year of milestones. The AMA is celebrating its 100th anniversary, Rider is celebrating its 50th, and KTM is celebrating “30 Years of Duke.” What started out as one bike in 1994 is now a seven-model lineup, including the 125 Duke, 250 Duke, 390 Duke, 790 Duke, 990 Duke, 1290 Super Duke GT, and 1390 Super Duke R Evo. We tested three new/updated models recently – the 390, 990, and 1390 – and we’ll start off with our KTM 390 Duke review.
A selection of Dukes over the years, with the original Duke 620 in the middle, three 2024 models (390 Duke to the right of the Duke 620, and the 990 Duke (l) and 1390 Super Duke R (r) in the front), and others from intervening years.
Thirty years ago, KTM – then a small Austrian manufacturer of dirtbikes – launched its first street-focused motorcycle, the Duke 620, a supermotard-style bike that was the brainchild of KTM engineer Wolfgang Felber. Starting with a KTM 620 R/XC dual-sport, which had a kickstart-only 602cc Single that made 56 hp, Felber shortened the suspension and gave it 17-inch spoked wheels shod with sticky street tires. Weighing just 315 lb, the flickable, wheelie-happy Duke – named after Geoff Duke, a British GP racer who won multiple world championships – became a cult favorite, a hooligan bike that encouraged a rowdy riding style.
On display at the “30 Years of Duke” launch in Almeria, Spain, was the first 1994 KTM Duke 620 that rolled off the assembly line. Even three decades on, it’s still a bad-ass looking bike. (Photo by the author)
Today, KTM is the biggest brand in the Pierer Mobility empire – Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer that also includes Husqvarna, GasGas, and MV Agusta. Although the “Ready to Race” brand says it prefers to look ahead to the future than dwell on the past, KTM recently honored the Duke legacy by hosting a press launch in Almeria, Spain, for three new/updated models: the 390 Duke, 990 Duke, and 1390 Super Duke R Evo. The launch began with a half-day ride on the 390 Duke, which is the focus of this review.
Except where noted, the 2024 KTM 390 Duke in the static photos is outfitted with a long list of PowerParts accessories and its mirrors have been removed. The Akrapovic exhaust system and engine crash guards are two of the most obvious ones in this photo.
What’s New | 2024 KTM 390 Duke
Launched in Europe in 2013, the 390 Duke made its way to our shores in 2015 (read our road test review). Along with the 125 Duke and 250 Duke, the 390 Duke is made in India by Bajaj under the scrupulous supervision of KTM engineers. Just as KTM’s 790 Duke and 790 Adventure models are made in China by CFMOTO, these strategic partnerships allow KTM to increase its production capacity, keep a lid on ever-increasing labor costs, and gain in-country access to the two largest motorcycle markets in the world.
Displacement of the liquid-cooled, counterbalanced LC4 Single was increased from 373cc to 399cc, netting a small gain in horsepower and torque.
While the 390 Duke has evolved steadily over the years, the 2024 model represents a major leap forward. Compared to its predecessor, KTM says it is 90% new. Displacement of its liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine has increased from 373cc to 399cc, contributing to a small increase in horsepower (45, up from 44) and torque (28.8 lb-ft, up from 27.3). The updated engine is lighter, has improved cooling yet also warms up faster, and has longer oil-change and valve-inspection service intervals. A larger airbox is located under the seat, and the fuel tank now holds 3.9 gallons, up from 3.6.
The 390’s tubular-steel trellis frame was made stiffer and now has an upper mount for the rear shock, which was moved from the center to the right side and positioned at a more horizontal angle, lowering the seat height from 32.7 to 32.3 inches. A new pressure die-cast aluminum subframe is also stiffer, and the new curved, open-lattice cast-aluminum swingarm has a lower mount on the right side for the shock and is curved to accommodate the tucked-in exhaust.
WP suspension front and rear was upgraded to adjustable Apex components. The rear shock was moved to the right side and mounted at a more horizontal angle to lower the seat height. The orange billet reservoir cover is an accessory.
As before, the 390 Duke’s suspension is made by KTM-owned WP, but for 2024, it is upgraded to higher-spec Apex components. The 43mm inverted fork, held in place by new triple clamps, now offers rebound and compression adjustability with five-position clickers atop the fork caps. The Separate Piston rear shock has five-position rebound adjustability in addition to adjustable preload (both easily done with toolkit stored under the seat). Suspension travel has increased from 5.6 to 5.9 inches in the front and remains 5.9 inches out back.
For 2024, the single-disc Bybre front brake was moved to the right side of the wheel, and the 320mm disc is 20mm larger than on last year’s model. Revised wheels and new Michelin Power 6 tires reduced unsprung weight by nearly 10 lb.
Revised 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels are shod with new Michelin Power 6 tires, and the combo sheds a remarkable 9.5 lb of unsprung weight. Claimed wet weight for the bike, however, remains the same at 364 lb. Single-disc brakes front and rear are made by Bybre, with a 4-piston radial front caliper pinching a 320mm disc (up from 300mm) and a 1-piston rear caliper with a 240mm disc (up from 230mm). ABS with a rear-off Supermoto mode is standard.
The new headlight design is similar to that on the 2024 2024 KTM 990 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R Evo. The orange-anodized reservoir cover and levers as well as the lever guards are accessories.
The 390 Duke has a new LED headlight with a DRL surround that’s shaped like the new headlights on the 990 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R Evo, and all three bikes share a 5-inch color TFT display. With an MSRP of $6,299, electronics are typically limited in this price range, but the 390 Duke has throttle-by-wire with two ride modes (Street and Rain) that adjust throttle response and lean-adaptive traction control, as well as new launch control. New switchgear and revised menus on the TFT are easier to use, but multiple buttons must be pushed to change ride mode and other settings. We’d prefer a single button to change ride mode on the fly.
The 5-inch color TFT display is shared with the 990 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R Evo.
What’s It Like to Ride? | 2024 KTM 390 Duke
I love small sporty bikes, and I have a particular fondness for the 390 Duke. My Duke dalliance started in 2017, when KTM hosted a launch for an updated version of the 390 Duke in Turin, Italy, where we began our test ride by turning laps on a test track with banked curves on the roof of the Lingotto building, a massive five-story structure that was a Fiat factory from 1923 to 1982. Then we buzzed around the streets of Turin before making our way into the foothills of the Alps. Cool location notwithstanding, it was the most fun I’d ever had on such a light, affordable bike. Its MSRP back then was just $5,299.
Riding the 2017 KTM 390 Duke on one of the banked corners of the rooftop test track at the Lingotto building in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Sebas Romero & Marco Campelli)
A year later, we got a 390 Duke for a test on our own turf, and I wrangled the keys away from Jenny Smith long enough to give it a proper thrash.
This time around, it was a cold, clear day in Almeria, Spain, when our multinational group of journalists hopped on a fleet of shiny new 390 Dukes. I chose one in KTM orange, with the bright color found not only on the tank and sharply angled bodywork but also on the seat, frame, and wheels. When I turned on the key, the instrument panel welcomed me with a “30 Years of Duke” animation that’s exclusive to 2024 models. Although the seat is a tad lower, the 390 Duke doesn’t feel dainty or undersized but rather slender and compact.
Over its 11-year history, the KTM 390 Duke has been updated multiple times. The 2024 model is 90% new.
The 390 Duke is an eager beaver, a fiesty machine that begs to be flogged. Its 399cc Single fires up quickly and settles into a mellow burble at idle, but the ’lil Duke really comes alive when its throttle is twisted WFO. With peak horsepower at 8,500 rpm, peak torque at 7,000 rpm, and a 10,000-rpm redline, it pays to keep the engine spinning. Let the revs drop too much, and it can be hard to regain momentum on a twisty road. Though counterbalanced, the engine gets buzzy at high revs.
And believe you me, Spain has more than its fair share of muy twisty roads.
The KTM 390 Duke is a compact, narrow machine that is fun to toss around on tight, technical roads. The best approach is to maintain corner speed and keep the revs up.
KTM’s nickname for the 390 Duke is “Corner Rocket,” and it lives up to the name. With just 53.4 inches between the axles, sporty steering geometry, and narrow, grippy tires (110/70 front, 150/60 rear), the 390 turns almost as quickly as your brain’s synapses fire off the command to your hands. A lot of shifting is required to stay in the meat of the powerband, and the 6-speed gearbox with slip/assist clutch does the rider’s bidding with minimal effort. The bikes we were riding had the optional Quickshifter+ installed, allowing us to bang our way up and down through the gears without the clutch.
New electronics for 2024 include ride modes, cornering traction control, and launch control.
The new Apex suspension did a good job of soaking up bumps as well as the chassis gyrations of being constantly on and off the gas. Since my 200-plus pounds is above average, I used the hook spanner under the seat to ratchet up the rear preload a few clicks. Likewise, the brakes capably slowed the bike and its oversized cargo, and the adjustable hand levers were appreciated.
As with all KTM streetbikes, the 390 Duke’s design is heavy on sharp angles.
After a 75-mile hair-on-fire street ride, we returned to the hotel, where KTM had set up a gymkhana course in the parking lot. Pairs of riders went head-to-head on an out-and-back slalom course, with bragging rights going to the fastest time. I’m not a racer, so even though I beat the other rider, I didn’t bother to ask my time. The fastest journalist was a guy from Australia who sliced and diced the course in 34 seconds. Jeremy McWilliams, the former MotoGP racer, current King Of The Baggers racer for Indian, and development rider for KTM, beat all comers with a 32-second time – while wearing jeans and tennis shoes. Check out his Instagram page to see a photo of him losing the front, which he saved on his way to victory.
2024 KTM 390 Duke in orange colorway (no accessories)
Upgrades like ride modes, cornering traction control, and adjustable suspension have pushed the 390 Duke’s price up to $6,299, but it’s still a reasonably priced bike that’s more fun than ever. And it’s certainly worthy of the Duke’s 30-year legacy.
2024 KTM 390 Duke in blue colorway (no accessories)
The muffler and catalytic converter are tucked away under the chassis for a cleaner appearance that exposes the 8R’s aluminum swingarm.
The Suzuki GSX-8R is the fully-faired sibling of the Suzuki GSX-8S, which was just released in 2023. Both bikes are powered by an all-new 776cc 4-stroke DOHC parallel-Twin that can also be found in the V-Strom 800 models. The tubular handlebar from the 8S is traded for a pair of clip-ons on the GSX-8R that are about 2 inches lower and a smidge farther away from a rider, and the KYB suspension on the 8S has been replaced with Showa suspension on the 8R.
To demonstrate the breadth of capabilities offered by the GSX-8R, Suzuki invited us to Palm Desert in California for a ride on rural and mountain roads, followed the next day by sessions at a racetrack. Watch the video below to see the 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R in action, and read our full review here.
The new 2025 Moto Morini Corsaro 750 naked and fully faired Corsaro Sport were announced for the U.S. market at the 2024 AIMExpo show in Las Vegas. The brand says these new models are a reinterpretation of Moto Morini’s historic Corsaro, “embodying its past values while expressing defining elements of Moto Morini’s future.”
These two new models by the Italian brand appear to be mostly the same, though there are a few differences. They share the same engine, frame, braking components, and suspension, but the Sport gets a wider rear tire, clip-ons, a taller seat, and more bodywork compared to the Corsaro 750.
Both models are powered by a new 749cc 90-degree V-Twin with a claimed power output of 96 hp and a bore and stroke of 90mm and 58.9mm, respectively. Moto Morini claims a top speed of 130 mph. Highlights of the engine include a dry sump and counter-rotating crankshaft.
Brembo brake components include dual 320mm front discs paired with 4-piston monoblock calipers and a 220mm rear disc with a 1-piston caliper, and ABS is standard. The inverted fork is fully adjustable, and these bikes feature a progressive link shock in the rear.
The frame for the Moto Morini Corsaro 750 and Corsaro Sport is made of both aluminum and steel with an aluminum swingarm. The wheelbase is 57.6 inches, and the claimed curb weight is 441 lb. The Corsaro 750 has a seat height of 32.3 inches, while the fully faired version gets a taller seat of 33.1 inches.
Both models feature 17-inch aluminum wheels. The rear tire of the Corsaro Sport is wider at 190mm compared to the Corsaro 750’s 180mm.
Pricing for the 2025 Moto Morini Corsaro 750 and Corsaro Sport has not yet been announced.
