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**mohitahuja** · 06-20-2013, 09:49 PM

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

Originally posted by splus View Post

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...

+1 to that. Apart from the quick wearing supposedly expensive Metzeler tyres

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**DeVille** · 06-20-2013, 11:03 PM

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

Hey [MENTION=18379]splus[/MENTION]

**splus** · 06-21-2013, 12:06 AM

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

Originally posted by DeVille View Post

Hey @splus Specs n features-wise the CB/R trio seems unexciting on paper itself, so the Duke's already half-won the battle.
Only area where it has a clear -ve is the single cylinder engine compared to Honda's twin which will be inarguably more refined n smoother. The 390 is bound to have vibes in the upper half of the rev-range…

I guess you're right about KTM's approach being the way forward in the industry
This is very visible in the current crop of litre class SBKs some of which have become so diminutive they look like 400-600 cc bikes!

My only concern is the fibre bodywork of the 390 may be lil fragile for our rough environment. Which us why I'm waiting for the Pulsar 375…I guess you've already booked a D390

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Hehe, I haven't booked it yet, I'm still in Thailand. But I'm coming back on 26th, a day after the launch. Right on time!

Don't know if I'll get it, depends also on the price, and I'll do a test ride and see how it feels. A bike is so much more than a xx hp or a specs sheet. For me it's much more important how it feels and handles, what feeling I have while riding it. When riding a Duke 200 it always puts a big smile on my face, like no other bike, and for me that's maybe THE most important factor in choosing a bike. KTM is the most fun of all bikes I've tried, and even if it had less power to weight ratio than other bikes (which it doesn't) I would have gone with it just because I feel really good riding it.

For example, many people are very happy with CBR250, whereas for me it's a boring bike (no offence to owners, this is just my opinion!). Perfect for longer highway rides, comfy with great straight line riding.
Riding a Pulsar 200NS after riding a Duke feels like riding a Honda Unicorn - much less power, but very big and comfy seat with refined engine. Perfect for commuting.
You try a Duke, and you'll quickly realize that the bike REALLY dislikes low speed. It's constantly urging you to rev it more and more and more, never enough, it's almost as if its fuel injector is also an adrenaline injector. Not perfect for a relaxed city ride or a long and comfy A to B highway ride, but every time you get off the bike you'll have a big heart and big grin, feeling 10 years younger. Not many bikes will give you this feeling.

But ultimately, we're all different and have different preferences, and therefore prefer different bikes.
But one thing is sure - unless a bike will be your main transport vehicle where you need to take into account practical factors then it's better to FEEL than to THINK when choosing a bike. Choose a bike that makes you feel good. Simple as that.

BTW, Duke has very good quality parts. Heck, Duke 390 will be exported to 70 countries, including Europe, US and Australia, so it HAS to have great quality! My Duke looks almost like new even after 10 months of ownership, despite me being very bad in maintaining it! And the great thing about Duke (at least in India) is that all the parts are really cheap! So, no worries about parts... Except when you worn out your Metzelers of course!

**VaibhavPisal** · 06-21-2013, 11:52 AM

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

Originally posted by splus View Post

And the great thing about Duke (at least in India) is that all the parts are really cheap! So, no worries about parts... Except when you worn out your Metzelers of course!

I have a question. can we switch to mrfs found on duke 200 once metzelers are worn out, without any modifications ? i believe they have same size. if yes that would save us considerable cost.

as for quality of mrfs, after owning R15, i think they are quiet good. have never been able to make them loose grip, despite of trying. even on lean angles, sudden pulling of throttle results in no loss of grip. maybe i dont push it hard enough but for me they are perfect. i heard duke mrfs are only slightly harder than on R15.

as for bigger engine of 390, i guess if they are suitable or not, we can tell only after trying.

**bprags** · 06-21-2013, 12:03 PM

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

Originally posted by VaibhavPisal View Post

I have a question. can we switch to mrfs found on duke 200 once metzelers are worn out, without any modifications ? i believe they have same size. if yes that would save us considerable cost.

as for quality of mrfs, after owning R15, i think they are quiet good. have never been able to make them loose grip, despite of trying. even on lean angles, sudden pulling of throttle results in no loss of grip. maybe i dont push it hard enough but for me they are perfect. i heard duke mrfs are only slightly harder than on R15.

as for bigger engine of 390, i guess if they are suitable or not, we can tell only after trying.

Please don't do it for safety reasons. I don't think the MRF's can handle the 44 horses of the 390.

**mohitahuja** · 06-21-2013, 12:52 PM

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

Originally posted by bprags View Post

Please don't do it for safety reasons. I don't think the MRF's can handle the 44 horses of the 390.

I agree. The mrf tyres would especially fail to provide adequate traction in the wet with 44 ponies on tap. My dealer had hinted he expects a pair of Metzeler tyres to cost around less than 10k for us!

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**VaibhavPisal** · 06-21-2013, 01:07 PM

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

Originally posted by mohitahuja View Post

I agree. The mrf tyres would especially fail to provide adequate traction in the wet with 44 ponies on tap. My dealer had hinted he expects a pair of Metzeler tyres to cost around less than 10k for us!

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if its less than 10 k, then thats reasonable. but how is it possible to import tires and price them that low? are they also made in India like rest of bike?

**chaosaddict** · 06-21-2013, 02:04 PM

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

Originally posted by VaibhavPisal View Post

if its less than 10 k, then thats reasonable. but how is it possible to import tires and price them that low? are they also made in India like rest of bike?

In India, you can always expect a black market following...

don't ask why

. By the time your Metzelers wear, the availability will increase as well, provided you're lucky enough not to be the first guy raisin' an inquiry

.

**Shujah** · 06-21-2013, 04:33 PM

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

Thanks Chaos, I wanted to know what exactly they would use for the upgrades, or what parts would be changed in the engine or exhaust.

**Praful** · 06-21-2013, 05:18 PM

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

Email from KTM BLR

Dear Sir,Greetings from Central Bangalore KTM (Langford Road). We are happy to inform you that the KTM 390 Duke is officially being launched in India on the 25th of June, 2013 at Pune. Bookings would open the following day, 26th of June 2013, 8:00 AM. In order to ensure that bookings occur seamlessly, we would like to keep you informed that all customers would be served on a “First Come, First Served” basis on the 26th of June 2013.
A token system shall be implemented at the store entrance on the 26th of June. Token numbers shall be issued to customers sequentially and these numbers will be called upon for bookings.
We look forward to seeing you at the Langford KTM store. Thank you for your cooperation with this procedure.
For any clarifications, feel free to call us on: +91 - 9036000680 or 080 - 6539 3535.

Booking Details:
Amount: Rs. 30,000
Modes of Payment Accepted: Cash, Demand Draft, Cheques (Subject to Clearance), Credit and Debit card payments (with surcharge of 2.25% extra), Internet Banking (RTGS Payment).
Cheques, Demand Drafts should be made payable to “M/s. Khivraj Motors” and should be payable in Bangalore.

**prasenjit220** · 06-21-2013, 05:26 PM

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

Originally posted by Praful View Post

Email from KTM BLR

Great

Thanks for sharing the email brother

So the incessant wait is finally about to get over.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by VaibhavPisal View Post

if its less than 10 k, then thats reasonable. but how is it possible to import tires and price them that low? are they also made in India like rest of bike?

Yes. It is technically possible.
--
WP Suspension is manufactured under license by Endurance Systems, Pune.
--
In the same manner, Metzeler tires can be manufactured under license by MRF, Chennai.
We will get all our questions answered on 25 June

**DeVille** · 06-21-2013, 07:11 PM

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

[MENTION=10473]Praful[/MENTION]- any specific ex-showroom price that you could get out of them?
[MENTION=18379]splus[/MENTION]

**Praful** · 06-21-2013, 07:23 PM

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

Originally posted by DeVille View Post

any specific ex-showroom price that you could get out of them?

Nope, they (PBK) claimed that prices will be announced on 25th :/

For me personally its the price that will make it or break it. I am really looking forward to the bigger Honda, although the KTM would be more fun to ride, for me personally the Honda may just tick more boxes.

**nelson_sanjoy** · 06-21-2013, 08:40 PM

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

Originally posted by Praful View Post

For me personally its the price that will make it or break it. I am really looking forward to the bigger Honda, although the KTM would be more fun to ride, for me personally the Honda may just tick more boxes.

sorry for OT
but is the Honda really coming ??? I am yet to see any official confirmation or some solid news on this...

**Praful** · 06-21-2013, 09:02 PM

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

Originally posted by nelson_sanjoy View Post

sorry for OT
but is the Honda really coming ??? I am yet to see any official confirmation or some solid news on this...

I don't know, but I'd like to think its coming

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KTM Duke 390 Review : xBhp Ride Report

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