Spied: KTM Dukes Get Overhaul

Spy shots have emerged that suggest KTM’s excellent naked Duke range is under further development, presumably to refresh the 2016 model range.

KTM 125

The 125, 200 and 390 Dukes have been tricking into the marketplace since the 125’s launch in 2011. We don’t get the 200 in the UK, but the 125 and 390 have been strong performers for team orange.

The engines give them away as being the 125/200 and the 390, and there’s no obvious sign that the firm has made changes to either mill.

The obvious area under development is the rear subframe, which is new in both instances, and – at this stage – is a bolt-on affair, whereas the current bikes’ is welded in place. This may be to make the bikes more crash resistant for learners, or could simply be for prototyping.

KTM 390

The rear number plate hangers and positioning of the rear indicators is also revised, while the only other visible changes of note are revised rider rearsets, and a large side-mounted exhaust on the 390 test mule. It’s unclear why the 390 would move away from the underbelly exhaust, unless it’s to help distinguish it as the bigger bike, or it may be for exhaust or noise emission reasons.

KTM told MCN: “It’s difficult to comment on the image of the Duke other than as a current model, the model will be seen undergoing common durability testing, as is the norm.”

We’d expect to see any revisions unveiled at the 2015 EICMA show in Milan, making these 2016 models.