2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch: New Colors, New Tech, Same Attitude
The DUKE family has always been KTM’s sharpest statement in the street world—bold lines, aggressive ergonomics, and that unmistakable “pick a fight with every corner” attitude that’s defined the range for three decades. The 2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch doesn’t try to reinvent what a DUKE is. Instead, it refines and expands the formula across every displacement tier, from compact urban weapons to the apex predator hyper-naked. What stands out immediately is how the lineup threads the same DNA through very different missions: lightweight agility and approachability on the small singles, big-bike tech and premium features in the midweights, and flat-out dominance at the top.
From a style standpoint, the 2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch leans into design evolution rather than a hard reset. You can see it in the refreshed 250’s slim compact shadow after a recent styling upgrade, the 390’s new color presence, the 990’s “next-generation DUKE DNA,” and the 1390 EVO’s aggressive face and aero-informed stance. KTM is clearly aiming to keep the DUKE range the benchmark in the Naked segment by pairing familiar attitude with more modern rider interfaces, deeper electronics, and meaningful chassis and brake updates where they count.
Availability is refreshingly straightforward. KTM confirms the KTM 250 DUKE, KTM 390 DUKE, and KTM 990 DUKE will land at authorized dealers early Spring 2026, while the KTM 990 DUKE R and KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO are in dealers now. That timing matters because it splits the lineup into two buying moments: the immediate “I want it now” performance crowd, and the spring wave for riders hunting value and fresh colorways in the smaller and mid segments.
2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch Brings Big Updates to the 250 and 390
The 250 DUKE has always been a smart entry point into KTM’s street ecosystem, and the 2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch makes that case stronger with a recent styling upgrade and two new colorways—black and silver—that give it a sharper identity in the lineup. Underneath, the 250 stays focused on accessible performance with a compact single-cylinder 249.07 cc SOHC engine and a lightweight feel that encourages newer riders to push their skills without feeling overwhelmed. KTM backs that up with a PASC slipper clutch and Ride-by-Wire, with optional Quickshifter+ for riders who want the upmarket experience without jumping displacement.
Chassis and ergonomics are where the 250 continues to punch above its weight. The two-piece frame design pairs a steel trellis main frame with a pressure die-cast aluminum subframe, while a curved cast aluminum swingarm helps lower the seat height and tuck the exhaust tighter for that compact DUKE silhouette. At 31.4 inches (800 mm), the seat height is confidence-building for a wide range of riders, and KTM’s suspension choices keep the ride sporty without drifting into harshness: 43 mm open-cartridge WP APEX USD forks up front and an off-center WP APEX emulsion shock with adjustable preload in the rear.
Braking comes from a BYBRE system developed with Brembo, with a 320 mm front disc and 240 mm rear disc, plus dual circuit BOSCH ABS paired with Supermoto ABS for riders who want to disengage rear ABS and play a little. LED lighting and a digital LCD dash round out the functional package, and the fuel tank’s steel construction adds both comfort and a solid 3.9-gallon (15 L) capacity. Fully fueled weight is listed around 363.7 lb (165 kg), which fits the “lively and tossable” brief correctly.
The 390 DUKE remains the all-rounder hero in this range, and the 2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch gives it the kind of update that riders will actually feel: a new WP FCR4 brake caliper for improved stopping performance. That’s a serious nod to how the 390 gets used in the real world—hard commuting, weekend canyon runs, occasional track days—and it reinforces KTM’s claim that this bike delivers a big-bike feel in an agile package. For 2026, the 390 also picks up new black and blue colorways that add street presence without losing the DUKE’s edge.
Mechanically, the 390 runs a single-cylinder 398.7 cc DOHC engine with EFI, balancer shaft, PASC slipper clutch, and Ride-by-Wire, with optional Quickshifter+. Like the 250, it uses the two-piece trellis-and-cast-subframe layout and the curved cast aluminum swingarm concept to keep the bike compact and centered. Suspension steps up with adjustability: 43 mm open-cartridge WP APEX forks featuring compression and rebound adjustment in 5-click steps, plus an off-center WP APEX Separate Piston shock with 5 levels of rebound adjustment.
Braking hardware lists the familiar 320 mm front / 240 mm rear discs, with BOSCH ABS and Supermoto ABS again on deck. The tech package is where the 390 really flexes: a 5-inch full-color TFT that allows ride mode toggling, cornering-sensitive MTC, Launch Control, and KTMconnect. Ride modes include Street and Rain, and Launch Control holds revs at 7,000 rpm with the throttle pinned for repeatable starts—exactly the kind of “I can’t believe this is a 390” feature that keeps the model at the top of the lightweight naked conversation. Seat height comes in at 32.2 inches (820 mm), with the same 3.9-gallon (15 L) capacity and roughly 363.7 lb (165 kg) fully fueled.
2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch Goes Full-Force in the 990 and 1390
This is where the 2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch gets spicy, because the midweight-to-hyper-naked end of the range is stacked with legitimate performance intent. First up is the 2027 KTM 990 DUKE, positioned as the next-generation step for riders who want a hard-hitting parallel-twin punch without jumping into the “THE BEAST” class. KTM calls out compact aggression, sharp design, and class-leading rider tech, and backs it with the LC8c 947 cc DOHC parallel twin paired with a PASC slipper clutch. It also brings a new READY TO RACE colorway and qualifies for the KTM 4 Year Premium Manufacturer’s Warranty, which is a meaningful ownership angle in a segment where riders actually rack up miles.
The 990 DUKE’s chassis reads like a purposeful road weapon. An ultralight tubular chromium-moly steel frame is designed for cornering stability and comfort, with a cast aluminum subframe that also houses the high-flow airbox with side inlets. WP handles suspension with 43 mm open-cartridge APEX forks offering 5-step adjustability and a gas-assisted WP APEX shock with matching 5-step adjustment.
Braking is serious: twin 300 mm floating front discs with 4-piston radially mounted calipers, plus a 240 mm rear. Electronics climb into premium territory with selectable ride modes including Sport, Street, Rain, and optional Track and Performance modes, plus optional Quickshifter+. Track mode adds 10-level adjustable traction control and telemetry features, which is exactly the kind of “street bike with track brain” feature set that makes midweights feel like they’re cheating.
The 5-inch TFT uses intuitive pictograms, LED lighting includes a Coming Home feature, and optional tech like MSR, Cruise Control, and KTMconnect rounds out the daily usability. Specs land at 179 kg (394.6 lb) ready to ride, 3.9 gallons (14.8 L) fuel, 32.4 inches (825 mm) seat height, and a longer 58.1-inch (1,476 mm) wheelbase that hints at stability under power.
Then there’s the one a lot of riders have been waiting to see actually hit production: the 2026 KTM 990 DUKE R. First shown at EICMA in 2024, the R finally moves from concept hype to showroom reality, and it’s clearly aimed at riders who measure a bike by braking markers, lean angle, and how precise the front end feels on imperfect pavement. The 2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch positions the 990 DUKE R as the most performance-focused expression of the platform, and the upgrades support that claim in every direction.
The centerpiece is the new 8.88-inch landscape touchscreen TFT with split-screen mode, improved readability, and offline map navigation—a major step up in how you interact with the bike. KTM also updates the switch cube layout, connectivity unit, and introduces more advanced ABS logic with SPORT ABS and SUPERMOTO+ ABS, alongside customizable ride modes and a map navigation system. On the performance side, the 947 cc engine gains additional horsepower and a higher RPM limit while maintaining torque figures, which is exactly how you sharpen a sporty twin without sacrificing midrange shove.
Chassis geometry and ergonomics get more aggressive, too. KTM increases seat height and ground clearance by +15 mm, adds longer travel up front, and steepens the swingarm angle to unlock 3 degrees deeper lean angle—real, track-inspired changes that also translate to more confidence and clearance on fast road riding.
Suspension becomes fully adjustable and more rigid: 48 mm WP APEX forks with 143 mm travel, described as 34% stiffer than the standard 990’s 43 mm units, and a new fully adjustable WP APEX shock designed around a new linkage system, with revised travel, a new linear spring, and sportier settings. Brembo comes in strong with Stylema monoblock front calipers, a Brembo MCS master cylinder, and larger 320 mm discs (up from 300 mm on the standard 990).
Tires are Michelin Power Cup 2, wrapped around orange wheels sourced from the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO model, and the R’s colorway nods directly to the 2011 KTM 990 SUPER DUKE R, including an Electronic Orange gloss powder-coated frame. It even ships with a rear passenger seat cowl as standard, with passenger seat and pegs not included—another signal this bike is built for focused riders. Like the 990 DUKE, it carries the KTM 4 Year Premium Manufacturer’s Warranty and remains around 179 kg (394.6 lb) ready to ride, with a taller 33-inch (840 mm) seat height and 8.2 inches (210 mm) ground clearance.
At the top, the 2026 KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO is the apex predator of the 2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch, and KTM is not subtle about it. This is “THE BEAST” evolved—hyper-naked performance with advanced aerodynamics, semi-active suspension, cornering ABS, and a deep rider-aid suite. It arrives in two READY TO RACE colorways—orange and black—and runs a 1,350 cc LC8 V-twin with CAMSHIFT technology designed to deliver class-leading power across the RPM range. Ergonomics and comfort aren’t ignored either; the bodywork wraps a larger 4.6-gallon (17.5 L) tank, and KTM includes a RACE ON keyless system and cruise control for long-distance practicality.
Chassis and electronics are where the 1390 EVO justifies its flagship status. The WP APEX Semi-Active Technology (SAT) suspension actively adjusts damping on the fly, with modes including Auto, Comfort, Street, Sport, and a new Rain mode. Optional Suspension Pro adds Track and Pro modes with Anti-Dive and Factory Start features, while additional optional tools include 5-level engine brake control, telemetry, lap timer, and 5-level anti-wheelie adjustment.
Bosch cornering ABS with Supermoto ABS, lean-angle sensitive MTC via a 6-axis sensor, and ride modes including Rain, Street, Sport, plus optional Track and Performance modes with a 10-level spin adjuster put it squarely in “superbike brain in a naked chassis” territory. A 5-inch TFT displays updated infographics, and KTMconnect brings navigation, music, and call capability via Bluetooth. Specs include a 75-degree V-twin DOHC layout, 320/240 mm brakes, WP semi-active 48 mm forks and linkage shock, a 58.7-inch (1,491 mm) wheelbase, and approximately 200 kg (440.9 lb) ready to race. This is not a bike you “try.” This is a bike you commit to.
If there’s one takeaway from the 2026 KTM DUKE Model Launch, it’s that KTM is making its naked range easier to buy into at every level while still rewarding serious riders with meaningful hardware and electronics upgrades. The 250 remains the accessible stepping stone with premium touches. The 390 gets a braking upgrade and keeps punching way above its weight. The 990 DUKE pushes tech and real-world performance, while the 990 DUKE R goes straight for precision and track-ready intent. And the 1390 EVO? It’s still the kingpin—now smarter, smoother, and even more savage when you want it.
About The Author
Discover more from SportBikes Inc Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.