It comes with ABS
The KTM 390 Duke, thanks to new European regulations that mandate them, comes with an Antilock Braking System, or ABS. And Bajaj isn’t messing around: this is the latest generation of Bosch ABS system. What this means is that no matter how hard, hamfistedly and downright idiotically you grab the brakes — front or rear — the wheels will not lock and cause dramatic screeching, usually resulting in damage to bones and bike. We believe this is a huge step forward for the Indian motorcyclist, given that most of us refuse to believe, let along recognise that it is in fact the front brake that is effective in bringing a motorcycle to a stop, while the rear can only cause trouble in the wrong hands ( feet? ). ABS will most certainly improve the safety of the 390 in the wet, especially considering that this is the most powerful locally-built motorcycle we’ve ever had access to. Including the Yamaha RD350.
However, should be skilled or stupid enough to want to disable the ABS, KTM have included a ‘secret’ button to do just that. Other than this, the brakes remain substantially the same as on the 200, sporting radially-mounted calipers and braided hoses. Despite what they look like, those hoses are indeed braided items, just covered in black plastic, unlike the ‘naked’ hoses of the 2017
