Jul 02, 2016 10:17 AM
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The 390 Duke comes across as a thought-out, competent motorcycle, a stand-alone piece from its bigger siblings. It takes aim at riders who may be new to riding, but not to the idea of performance.
Performance starts with the class-leading power coming from the 373 cc single-cylinder powerplant. Below 7, 000 rpm, power is relatively docile, perfectly suited for new riders. From there, power climbs quickly and steadily to the redline, just past the 10, 000 mark, providing riders with 25 foot-pounds of claimed torque at 7, 250 rpm and 43 ponies at 9, 500 rpm to tame as their skills develop.
The Duke is brought to a halt via ByBre brakes manufactured by Brembo. The front wheel is fitted with a radial-mounted four-piston caliper clamping down on a 300 mm rotor while the rear wheel has a single piston digging into a 230 mm disc. ABS is standard and can be disabled via a hidden button on the dash. What this means for new riders is superior stopping power compared to other bikes in the beginner class of motorcycles.
