■You can shop this motorcycle's parts from Webike.
390DUKE : https://japan.webike.net/KTM/390DUKE/6528/mtop/
250DUKE : https://japan.webike.net/KTM/250DUKE/13633/mtop/
125DUKE : https://japan.webike.net/KTM/125DUKE/6244/mtop/
This is Motorcycle Journalist Kenny Sagawa.
This is an introduction of the Small Duke series.
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It is DUKE125, 250 and 390 of 2017 model.
Frames and dimensions are all common.
First of all, the design has been renewed.
Especially the headlight changed a lot.
125cc and 390cc adopt LED headlight.
250cc is the same headlight as the previous model.
There are some changes to the frame.
The engine has changed a lot with less vibration and smooth revving.
The meter of 125cc and 390cc are changed to TFT liquid crystal.
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Since 250cc is line-up for Japan specification, specifications around the headlight are slightly different from other models.
Today I rode the same course on the circuit many times, so I understood the difference by engine size.
125cc is a very handy motorcycle.
I think that it is close to a commuter.
I think that it can run comfortably around the town without stress.
It can be used as a means of transportation everyday.
On the circuit you can run with almost full throttle.
Then, it is 250 cc.
I think that 250 cc has the best balance among the Small Duke series.
It is a motorcycle that a general rider can ride with the most pleasant feeling.
It has very good balance of engine output, chassis, and suspension.
General rider can enjoy without difficulty.
Then it is 390.
Although it is the same system as the 250cc engine, since horsepower is bigger, it's little difficult to handle compared with 250cc.
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Depending on the corner, you need braking at the entrance of the corner where you don't need brake with 250cc.
Sometimes you need better technique for the riding because of better acceleration performance.
It requires to ride while keeping sharpness.
390Duke, you can feel the big bike's taste among the Small Duke series.
At the end of straight, 125cc ran at 110km/h, 250cc ran at 127km/h, and 390cc ran at 147km/h.
Because top speed is quite different, braking is required for that.
If you do not decelerate firmly, you will not make good cornering, so in this series I can say it can be a more favorite motorcycle for expert rider.
Let's straddle.
It is 250 DUKE.
Although there is a feeling of suspension stroke very much, damping is reasonably effective.
I think that the preload is just right.
I also got a 125cc and a 390cc, but the suspension is designed exclusively for each.
Compare individually, I could understand difference. However the feeling is very similar unexpectedly when I rode.
Suspension of 125cc is very soft and sinks well and the bike's height is low.
You can touch the ground at the most easily.
The 390 has more damping and uses a hard spring. It is solidly suspension setting.
However, as I mentioned earlier, the feeling of cornering is very similar. As expected, they're brother.
The riding position is a bit bending forward.
The conventional model was a naked position with a remnant of the off-road model, but the new model has like sport naked position.
Although it is family series, I thought that they were finished in different individualities.
125cc is recommended for people who want to run the circuit from now on and those who are beginners of sports driving.
Also, because the cornering speed is fast, it is also recommended for people who wish to practice such.
250cc is the best balance and there is fun that you can use the full power even if you ride on the circuit.
390cc can be a favorite motorbike of the expert who needs a solid riding skill in this series.
Of course, if you want to ride on a motorcycle with power, it is also recommended at 390.
Since there is individuality, I thought that it would be good if you could choose according to your situation.
