The KTM Street Demo Tour is on! Also known as the Ride Orange Demo Tour, Team Orange will be taking trips around the United States to let everyone willing try out its new lineup of bikes.
Last year was especially monumental for the Austrian bike maker with the unveiling and launch of the new 990 Duke, and its full lineup of little-r Dukes, 125, 250, and 390. Top of it all and top of the class, was the 1390 Super Duke, which we’re still waiting to crack massive wheelies with. But as they say, patience is a virtue.
While there is a full lineup of new Dukes on the horizon from KTM, perhaps one of the more anticipated releases from the brand is the 990 Duke. Skeptics, myself included, should be lining up to try this bike to quash any form of doubt surrounding the new middleweight naked bike. That said, I am delighted to report that KTM has confirmed the presence of the 990 Duke during the demo tour, as well as the 790 Adventure and 1290 Super Duke GT. No 1390 or 390 and below just yet, unfortunately.
The first day of the event is set for March 1, 2024, and event-goers will have the chance to try out any of KTM’s current street models for the U.S. market. It will be held at KTM dealers across the country and on some of the nation’s best roads. Pre-planned routes will be set up in the various areas, and participants will also receive a VIP Card voucher (valued up to $500) that can be redeemed for KTM Powerparts, Powerwear, and/or Spareparts at any authorized KTM Dealer with the purchase of a KTM street model.
As for the schedule:
| Month | Date (2024) | Region | Event | Location |
| March | 1 to 9 | Daytona, FL | Daytona Bike Week | 1425 Tomoka Farms Rd. Daytona Beach FL 32124 |
| April | 3 to 7 | Scottsdale, AZ | Arizona Bike Week | 16601 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale AZ 85260 |
| May | 17 to 19 | Leeds, AL | MotoAmerica-Barber | 6040 Barber Motorsports Pkwy Leeds, AL 35094 |
| May to June | 29 to 1 | Lake George, NY | Americade Motorcycle Rally | 48 Canada St. Lake George, NY 12845 |
| June | 14 to 16 | Brainerd, MN | MotoAmerica-Brainerd | 5523 Birchdale Rd. Brainerd, MN 56401 |
| June | 27 to 30 | Plain, WA | Touratech Rally West | Beaver Rally Rd. Plain, WA 98826 |
| July | 12 to 14 | Salinas, CA | MotoAmerica-Laguna Seca | 1021 Montery Salinas HWY Salinas,CA 93906 |
| August | 1 to 11 | Sturgis, SD | Sturgis Bike Week | 1701 Lazelle St. Sturgis SD |
| August | 14 to 18 | North Haverhill, NH | Touratech Rally East Dirt Daze | 1299 Dartmouth College HWY North Haverhill, NH 03774 |
| October | 11 to 13 | Deadwood, SD | KTM ADVENTURE Rider Rally | 100 Pinecrest Lane Deadwood SD 57732 |
For each of the demo tour’s stops, registrations for the ride will open up at 9:00 a.m. each day, and the rides will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Participants must be at least 21 years old with a valid motorcycle endorsement to participate, and riders between the ages of 21 to 24 years may only ride motorcycles that are 500ccs and under. Any rider who is 25 years old and up will be able to ride any displacement.
KTM also requires that these riders must be experienced with no passengers allowed. Demo rides are taken on a first-come-first-served basis. and on top of that, riders are supposed to bring their own gear. That means a helmet, eye protection, gloves, long sleeves, pants, and sturdy footwear.
Perhaps the biggest draw to this event will be the fact that the 990 Duke will be there. Given the chance, I'd definitely call dibs on that bike. I need to know if it will be a marginal or marked upgrade over the 790 Dukes, and if it holds a candle to the Super Dukes that it mimics.
