Every time I see a 390 Duke on the street, my heart rate kicks up just a little. It doesn’t matter that I’ve moved on to faster, more powerful bikes—there’s something about that compact, aggressive machine that tugs at my heartstrings. The 390 was my first real big bike, and even now, it still feels like the one that truly lit the fire.
So when I saw a video of what looks like an electric Duke—aggressive silhouette, angular tank, split seat, unmistakable attitude—being shown off casually by KTM stunt rider Rok Bagoros inside the KTM Motohall, I felt a jolt. This is happening.
And it’s happening loud, even without a combustion engine.
Let’s get one thing straight: if KTM were to electrify anything, the Duke is the perfect place to start. It’s nimble, torquey, and unapologetically rowdy—exactly the kind of platform that thrives with the instant grunt of an electric motor. The prototype in Rok’s video already looks the part: USD forks, rear monoshock, wide bars, short wheelbase, compact TFT dash.
It’s practically a stunt bike out of the box. Which makes perfect sense, because let’s be honest—this is exactly the type of bike Rok Bagoros would ride, and absolutely thrash.
Coincidence? I’m not so sure. This “leak” feels too perfectly orchestrated to be accidental. It’s not just a reveal—it’s a vibe check. KTM didn’t throw a press conference. They let their top stunt guy post it from the company’s own museum. That’s not random. That’s strategy.
Now here’s where things get even more interesting. You can’t talk about this bike without talking about Bajaj. Because let’s not forget—Bajaj literally saved KTM’s ass. Financial backing, manufacturing muscle, and a whole lot of engineering synergy have kept KTM sharp over the past decade. Oh, and just a week or so ago, Bajaj bailed KTM out of certain death by injecting hundreds of millions of euros into the company.
It’s not a stretch to think the electric Duke is the lovechild of Austrian aggression and Indian ingenuity. And if that’s the case, we’re not just looking at a one-off experiment—we’re looking at the blueprint. Just like the 390 platform birthed the RC, the Adventure, and Husqvarna’s Svartpilen and Vitpilen models, this electric Duke could lay the groundwork for a whole family of EVs. The long-rumored E-Pilen? This might be its mechanical twin underneath the skin.
Call me a KTM nerd, but this is giving me goosebumps. From my first 390 nearly a decade ago to this next-gen electric Duke, it really does feel like everything’s come full circle—only this time, it’s silent, instant, and supercharged by the future. Let’s just hope that KTM finds the stability it needs to be Ready to Race for years to come.
