KTM RC 390 or Duke 390

Choosing between the KTM RC 390 and the Duke 390.

Published On Dec 15, 2017 06:00:00 AM

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I am interested in buying the KTM RC 390 but am thinking if the Duke 390 makes more sense as the 2017 models offer riding modes. Does the RC 390 get modes? Is there any other difference between the two models, apart from the touchscreen panel, tank capacity and LED lights?
Abhishek, Delhi

The 2017 model of the Duke 390 does not have riding modes. It only has a feature with the ABS setting called ‘Supermoto’, where the front-wheel ABS stays on, while the rear switches off. Both bikes are based on the same platform so they are the same under their skin. The Duke 390 is a bit heavier than the RC 390, but it is also less aggressive thanks to its street-naked ergonomics. You need to evaluate what you will be using the bike for. If it is spirited, traffic-free riding, you will like the RC 390, but if it’s for the city, the aggressive ergonomics make it quite a pain to ride. This is where the Duke 390 will shine. For practical purposes and overall usability, you might want to go for the Duke 390. It is also the more feature-rich of these two KTMs as it gets LED headlights and a colour TFT instrument with Bluetooth connectivity.