Duke II stealth plate relocation

The fit and finish of the KTM Duke is really remarkable. Very little expense was spared - then again it is an $8300 single so you should get something for the money and quality hardware abounds.

One of the nice details is the lovely license plate bracket - it's a gorgeous little trellis bracket that any bridge builder would be proud of. It also hangs out back distracting from those pretty pipes and will vibrate your plate in two in a matter of weeks. Aside from the plates unattractive location there's the matter of stealth. In NYC it's important to be able to take your plate with you when you decide to park in a less than legal location. The answer is Velcro.

Clean the back of the airbox with alcohol and bend your plate to follow the curve. Put the male or coarse Velcro on the airbox and the fuzzy stuff on the plate - it lasts longer that way. Two strips should be more than enough and, no, I haven't lost a plate in ten years now. In fact the Velcro's inherent vibration damping will keep your plate intact.

Cut the bracket so only the part needed to support the pipes is left and remove the small light. Drill two holes behind the pipe mount and relocate the license light backwards to maintain that "legally lit plate" and you now have a very sleek posterior for your Duke that any Ducatisti would envy. Now to address the matter of the scooter sounding exhaust.

(L to R) Cutting the plate bracket, Velcroing the plate onto the back of the airbox, drilling into the seat pan for the light and then installing the light - easy!