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

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

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

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

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

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

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

hahaha & I thought I just quoted your 3 paras

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

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

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

[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!

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

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

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

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