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

You're every bit right. These are professionals, but we have pros too. No matter how unbiased one tries to be, the mindset plays a significant role. I am pretty sure that a similar test in India would have concluded differently.

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

Hey! WTF happened to the rest of my post?? Had spent 15 mins typing 3 paras x(

EDIT: Have added on to my previous post

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

Lol... pls retype!

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

hahaha & I thought I just quoted your 3 paras

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

Aarghh! Have edited my post to include the vanishing paras [MENTION=46701]mohitahuja[/MENTION]


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

I saw CBR500 in Thailand. Looks quite good, better than in photos. I'm really not a fan of CBR250 but 500 looks much better. Also has a very good windshield, I think it'll be a hell of a good cruiser. But, it looks pretty much like a 600cc bike in size, it's probably heavy as well. I don't know the specs but the power to weight ratio might be much better on D390.
And... From what I've read, it looks like India is getting CBR400 and not CBR500. In that case just forget it, it's like a CBR500 but with smaller engine...

I think Duke 390 is going to be a world wide super hit! It just doesn't have any competition... They nailed everything - power, weight, size, price... A very convenient street bike with plenty of power that can be easily ridden on a highway. 1000 cc bikes are so last year!

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

Am lil surprised that they're comparing the Duke to the Ninja and the CBR. It's direct and perhaps only rival now is the CB500F that I quite like. Even Roland Brown praised it in the Apr issue of Bike India. The fact that it's full sized and does have a proper pillion seat and large tank works for me.

It's only 4PS more powerful tho it weighs 192 kgs kerb




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

Yeah, it's a good bike but its biggest drawback is it's heavy and big like a 600-800cc bike but it makes only as much power as a 400cc bike. It's a very nice bike but I'm pretty sure you'll be left with yearning for more power within few months of ownership. 48 PS in 192 kg body isn't much at all, however nice and comfy the bike is... Has only disadvantages if compared to 600+ cc bikes, which there are many. If it's cheap then OK, I'd understand, but if it's not then... Meh.

I think KTM will soon turn tables in bike industry where bike manufacturers will start focusing more on making bikes lightweight instead of making them more powerful. I think that soon to be released SuperDuke 1290, which is supposed to be ultralight, will really turn things around in the big bike game.

The lighter the bike is the more fun it is. And the more practical it is for every day usage. I think many big bike owners in west are becoming tired of owning a big bike that, due to its weight and raw power, is suitable only for a ride in a good highway, and even then can use it only to half of its potential because they'll break speed limits or it's too heavy to have some good fun with it.
More and more people want a bike that will give them good enough power (or in fact, power to weight ratio) for having fun rides WHILE being suitable for easy zipping around a town...

And that's what Duke 390 has - it's just a perfect balance between being lightweight enough to be a practical bike for zipping easily around a city and being powerful enough (which it wouldn't be if it was 40 kg heavier) to take it out for a longer weekend ride.

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

I am eagerly waiting to ride D390. I think it is 5 days to go for launching.

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

DUKE 390 launch is at
Inspire 1, The Westin, Pune 1145 hours 25 June.
Open to all. Hope that I'm free that day

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

Any information on compression ratio of indian version, is it same as European or less.
If it is same then it will require high octane petrol. Which is rarely svailable even in metros. Lets see how it performs with our adultarated fuel.

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

Got a call from PBK Bangalore to come down for the down payment this weekend, they confirmed the launch is on 25th. But they still don't have an OTR price for it. Not in town for a few weeks, will be missing out the launch excitement. :/

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

Scumbag dealers are too keen to gobble up our cash! Mumbai PBK has been accepting bookings since start- April


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

It's true they are taking bookings. I booked on 17th April. But they aren't demanding down payment at all. I went with 1L to pay as advance last week. They refused to accept it till the launch is done.

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

This is my biggest concern.
I know that octane levels in premium and normal petrol should be same, but I can really feel a difference in premium and normal petrol in low rpms - my Duke 200 is noticeably less jerky in low rpms with premium fuel.

The compression of Duke 390's engine is really high. I'm not sure that regular bike magazine reviews will pay much attention to this issue, we'll know for sure only from the new owners after some time, if the bike is smooth or not...