KTM Duke models get a makeover

It’s not exactly an extreme makeover, but the KTM Duke range is apparently getting some plastic surgery for 2016.

Spy photos of a couple of 390 Dukes published online by Motorcycle News show a bike that looks almost identical to the current model except for a smaller rear guard and more rounded and compact tank.

It is believed it will also have a bolt-on rear subframe from the RC390 rather than a single piece.

From the photos, it can be seen there is no belly pan, but there may be one in the end product. Wheels, mirrors, engine, trellis frame, headlight, bars, etc all seem to be identical to the 390 Duke I rode on the world launch in the Austrian alps.

It is believed KTM’s long-time outsourced design house, Kiska, is again responsible for the updates to the range. The current design began in 2011 with the 125 and the range now includes a 200 as well.

There is also talk that a touring version of the 390 Duke is on the drawing board. One photo shows a slightly larger fly screen which would be an accessory. But it does seem to show some sort of fitting on the rear for panniers, rear rack or a top box.

It also has a long standard-type exhaust, rather than the stubby pipe.

Meanwhile, an adventure version of the 390 Duke has been quashed. That’s not because they aren’t planning a 390 adventure bike, but it would be on a completely different platform to the Duke.