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**sundarvignesh** · 06-16-2013, 12:45 AM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

so June 25th it is..... spoke to the manager at KTM Chennai, the demo bike should hit the showrooms by the 22nd-23rd.

**DeVille** · 06-16-2013, 02:10 AM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

By the way, what's the deal with the rear tyre profile being so high?
Am not an expert in tyres but if it's slicks that are mainly meant for dry weather and smooth tarmac, why does the profile have to be 60 when the width is a good 150mm?

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**splus** · 06-16-2013, 02:32 AM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Originally posted by DeVille View Post

By the way, what's the deal with the rear tyre profile being so high?
Am not an expert in tyres but if it's slicks that are mainly meant for dry weather and smooth tarmac, why does the profile have to be 60 when the width is a good 150mm?

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What do you mean?
Ninja 650 has 160/60 and Ninja 300 has 140/70, so they're both higher than Duke's 150/60.

It happened to me few times while riding my D200 that guys riding next to me were waving at me, trying to tell me that my tire is flat because the profile looks low.

**mohitahuja** · 06-17-2013, 10:39 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

I spoke with the showroom guy today. Duke 390 is expected in the range of 2.4L on the road. Hand guards will be included as a part of standard equipment. Test ride bike should ideally be available by 25th. Waiting period is 90 days for now. Bookings are on!

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**DeVille** · 06-18-2013, 01:32 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Originally posted by splus View Post

What do you mean?
Ninja 650 has 160/60 and Ninja 300 has 140/70, so they're both higher than Duke's 150/60.

It happened to me few times while riding my D200 that guys riding next to me were waving at me, trying to tell me that my tire is flat because the profile looks low.

Didn't know about the 300 and 650 Ninja's tyre aspect ratio. So I studied the tyre code a lil and you're right, the profile isn't high- my bad.
Then i'm guessin its the curved, more rounded design of the sidewall that actually makes it look slim. For ex- the Yamaha FZ series has a flat squarish design that makes it look super wide despite being 140 mm

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**THE46FAN** · 06-18-2013, 05:39 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Finally, 25 June 2013. Venue : Inspire 1, The Westin, Pune. Time : 11:45 Am.....

**sudhi** · 06-18-2013, 05:53 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Originally posted by THE46FAN View Post

Finally, 25 June 2013. Venue : Inspire 1, The Westin, Pune. Time : 11:45 Am.....

also get the pricing info buddy. the date is in Finally. can anyone attend it or it will be strictly on invite basis?

**THE46FAN** · 06-18-2013, 06:01 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Originally posted by sudhi View Post

also get the pricing info buddy. the date is in Finally. can anyone attend it or it will be strictly on invite basis?

I think it's an open invitation...No idea abt price...

**splus** · 06-18-2013, 11:51 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Originally posted by DeVille View Post

Didn't know about the 300 and 650 Ninja's tyre aspect ratio. So I studied the tyre code a lil and you're right, the profile isn't high- my bad.
Then i'm guessin its the curved, more rounded design of the sidewall that actually makes it look slim. For ex- the Yamaha FZ series has a flat squarish design that makes it look super wide despite being 140 mm

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Oh yeah, those MRFs on Duke 200 have almost more a V shape than O. A bit too much for my taste, you can almost feel as if you have more grip when cornering hard than when cornering lightly. If I look at the tires of both Ninja 300 and 650 I can see they have more "normally" rounded profile (more in sense it's more like O than V) than MRFs on Duke 200.

And yes, just because of that MRFs on D200 don't look so beefy as one would guess... But I personally prefer it much more than flat profile tires of FZ or CBR 250, such profile can't be good for cornering.

I hope Metzelers on D390 are more "round" than MRFs on D200.

**Adoksh** · 06-19-2013, 09:28 AM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Live updates from XBHP Pune please

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**mohitahuja** · 06-19-2013, 01:17 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

I stumbled upon this:

Latest motorcycle news

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/First-rides-tests/2013/June/jun1413-video-ktm-390-group-test/

Read the latest breaking news, sport, bike exclusives and more from the world of motorcycling at Motorcycle News today. Check it out for yourselves

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**chaosaddict** · 06-19-2013, 01:41 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Originally posted by mohitahuja View Post

I stumbled upon this:

Video: KTM Duke 390 vs A2 rivals group test - | Motorcycle News | New Motorbikes | Buyers Guides | MCN

Good find, & I can feel my mind declining towards D390

**DeVille** · 06-19-2013, 01:50 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Originally posted by splus View Post

Oh yeah, those MRFs on Duke 200 have almost more a V shape than O. A bit too much for my taste, you can almost feel as if you have more grip when cornering hard than when cornering lightly. If I look at the tires of both Ninja 300 and 650 I can see they have more "normally" rounded profile (more in sense it's more like O than V) than MRFs on Duke 200.

I hope Metzelers on D390 are more "round" than MRFs on D200.

**mohitahuja** · 06-19-2013, 01:51 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

Originally posted by chaosaddict View Post

Good find, & I can feel my mind declining towards D390

One rider liked the cbr 500r but the rest were in favour of the duke, lighter, faster and easier to live with. Overall all three were on favour of the duke... I am really glad I put my money on this!

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**DeVille** · 06-19-2013, 02:20 PM

re: KTM Duke 390 Review & first impression: xBhp Exclusive

[MENTION=46701]mohitahuja[/MENTION] [MENTION=48174]chaosaddict[/MENTION]- Interesting perspective from those Brits. They just called the N300 as "not terrible"!! That will rile some folks who have spent nothing less than 4 damn lakhs for it here!

On a serious note, I can understand why the overseas mkt will love the 390- they refer to anything less than 600cc as LITTLE and the Duke is as fun as a Little bike can be. This is why the CBR250 and even the N300 were dismissed with disdain by readers of motorcycle-usa.com in the comparo. Anything with a big fairing, twin headlights offering less than 600cc i4 grade performance is looked down upon as a pretender! The duke doesnt have that baggage and looks unassuming.

With all the powerful and intimidating machinery those guys have, the 390 will be a welcome break- no worry about handling 180bhp and 200kgs but offering equal thrill and much more forgiving- kinda big toy. Hence many who have SBKs will buy it as a 2nd bike.

Now let's see what kinda reception it gets in our market!

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KTM Duke 390 Review : xBhp Ride Report

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