KTM Duke 390 Special Edition has been turning heads at dealerships and on Indian roads. Spotted in cities like Delhi, Bangalore, and Pune, this updated model has sparked excitement among riders.
Its sleek Gunmetal Grey finish, first seen at a dealer yard, complements the bike’s sharp, aggressive lines. Enthusiasts have shared glimpses of the bike on social media.
highlighting its new cruise control feature in action. These sightings confirm KTM push to enhance the Duke’s appeal without raising its price, making it a compelling option for performance seekers.
Dealer Yard Buzz
Dealerships across India have started showcasing the 2025 Duke 390, with some units arriving in early March 2025. The bike Gunmetal Grey livery, paired with metallic black accents on the tank extensions, has drawn crowds.
Riders report that the new color adds a stealthy vibe, setting it apart from the vibrant Electronic Orange and Atlantic Blue options.
The addition of cruise control, borrowed from the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure, has also been a talking point, with dealers emphasizing its utility for highway cruising.
Social Media Hype
Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and X, are abuzz with posts about the 2025 Duke 390. Riders have shared videos of the bike navigating urban streets and open highways, showcasing its nimble handling and bold aesthetics.
Hashtags like KTM390Duke2025 and CornerRocket are trending, with enthusiasts praising the new features. The crawl function, ideal for city traffic, has also received positive feedback for its smooth low-speed control. These posts highlight the bike’s growing popularity among young riders seeking style and performance.
Design and Aesthetic Upgrades
The 2025 KTM Duke 390 Special Edition brings subtle yet impactful design changes. Its new Gunmetal Grey paint scheme, combined with a matte finish and orange highlights, enhances its streetfighter persona.
The bike retains its signature shark-like edges and visible air intakes, but the redesigned fuel tank and lighter alloy wheels elevate its visual appeal. These updates ensure the Duke stands out in a crowded market while maintaining its iconic “naked” lineage.
New Gunmetal Grey Scheme
The Gunmetal Grey colorway is a standout feature of the 2025 Special Edition. Unlike the flashier Electronic Orange and Atlantic Blue, this matte grey finish with metallic black tank extensions offers a stealthy, premium look.
The orange “390” graphic and white “Duke” sticker add a sporty touch. This color scheme appeals to riders who prefer understated elegance without sacrificing the bike’s aggressive stance, making it a versatile choice for both urban and highway environments.
Enhanced Ergonomics
KTM has refined the Duke 390’s ergonomics for 2025. The seat foam is thicker, and the profile is narrower, improving comfort for both rider and pillion. The standard seat height of 800 mm can be adjusted to 820 mm with an optional seat, catering to diverse rider heights.
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Lightweight forged aluminum footpeg hangers and grippy footpegs ensure better control during spirited riding. These changes make the Duke more comfortable for long rides while retaining its agile handling.
Technological Advancements
The 2025 Duke 390 is packed with cutting-edge technology, solidifying its position as the most feature-rich bike in its segment.
The addition of cruise control and the Crawl Feature, alongside existing rider aids like cornering ABS and traction control, enhances its versatility.
A 5-inch bonded glass TFT dashboard with smartphone connectivity further elevates the riding experience, making the Duke a tech-savvy choice for modern riders.
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Cruise Control Introduction
For the first time in the sub-400cc segment, the 2025 Duke 390 offers cruise control, a feature borrowed from the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure. Activated via updated switchgear with plus and minus toggles, it allows riders to maintain steady speeds on highways, reducing wrist fatigue.
This addition makes the Duke a surprisingly capable tourer, despite its streetfighter roots, appealing to riders who balance city commutes with long-distance trips.
Crawl Feature Benefits
The Crawl Feature, another first for the Duke 390, provides precise low-speed control, ideal for navigating city traffic. This low-rpm assist function ensures the bike maintains a steady pace without constant clutch or throttle input.
Riders have noted its smoothness in stop-and-go conditions, making the Duke more accessible for urban environments. Combined with the bike’s lightweight 168.3 kg frame, this feature enhances its practicality for daily use.
Advanced Rider Aids
The 2025 Duke 390 retains its robust suite of rider aids, including:
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- Cornering ABS: Adjusts brake pressure based on lean angle for safer cornering.
- Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC): Reacts in milliseconds to reduce wheel slippage, ensuring smooth performance.
- Three Ride Modes: Street, Rain, and Track modes cater to varied conditions, with Track mode enabling Launch Control for quick starts.
These features, displayed on the 5-inch TFT dashboard, provide riders with customizable control, enhancing safety and performance across diverse riding scenarios.
Performance and Mechanicals
The 2025 Duke 390 retains its proven 399cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder LC4c engine, delivering 45.3 bhp at 8500 rpm and 39 Nm at 6500 rpm.
Paired with a six-speed gearbox and a bi-directional quickshifter, it offers smooth power delivery and thrilling acceleration. The underbelly exhaust design balances the center of mass, improving handling. These mechanicals ensure the Duke remains a performance benchmark in its class.
Engine Specifications
The 399cc engine, introduced in the 2024 model, continues to power the 2025 Duke 390. Producing 45.3 bhp and 39 Nm, it offers a 3 bhp increase over the previous 373cc unit, with smoother acceleration and better low-end grunt.
The engine refined gearbox and optimized cylinder head enhance efficiency, making it compliant with BS6 Phase 2B norms. This powerplant delivers the raw, aggressive performance KTM is known for, perfect for spirited rides.
Chassis and Suspension
The 2025 Duke 390 features a reengineered steel trellis frame and a pressure die-cast aluminum subframe, improving strength while reducing weight. The curved swingarm enhances handling dynamics.
while the 43 mm WP APEX open cartridge fork (adjustable for compression and rebound) and rear monoshock (adjustable for rebound and preload) ensure a balance of comfort and traction. These upgrades make the Duke agile on tight corners and stable on highways.
Market Positioning and Value
Priced at Rs. 2.95 lakh (ex-showroom), the 2025 Duke 390 undercuts rivals like the Aprilia Tuono 457 and Yamaha MT-03 by a significant margin. Its feature-rich package, including cruise control and advanced rider aids, offers unmatched value.
Despite a Rs. 18,000 price cut from the 2024 model, KTM has added premium features, positioning the Duke as the best value-for-money performance bike in India’s middleweight segment.
Competitive Landscape
The 2025 Duke 390 faces competition from the Triumph Speed 400, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, BMW G 310 R, and TVS Apache RTR 310. However, its combination of a powerful 399cc engine, advanced electronics, and aggressive pricing gives it an edge.
The addition of cruise control and the Crawl Feature further differentiates it, appealing to riders seeking a versatile streetfighter for both city and highway use.
Conclusion of KTM Duke 390
KTM Duke 390 Special Edition reaffirms its status as a segment leader in India’s motorcycle market. Recent sightings have showcased its stunning Gunmetal Grey finish and game-changing features like cruise control and the Crawl Feature.
With a potent 399cc engine, advanced rider aids, and a price tag of Rs. 2.95 lakh, it offers unmatched value. Whether carving corners or cruising highways, this bike delivers thrilling performance and practicality.
For enthusiasts seeking style, technology, and raw power, the 2025 Duke 390 is a compelling choice that continues to set benchmarks.