Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

One doubt...what's the maximum speed the D390 goes in 7500rpm? and the run in period is for the first 1000kms right?

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

I am not very sure but it should be between 135-140kmph.

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Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

Thx...totally confused abt the run-in period. Should i go as per the manuel or the motoman's way?? plannin to go to Bangalore during run-in period, 350km frm my place one way...lets see if i can hold it below 7500rpm..

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

I don't plan to follow the manual at all times and neither would I use motomans break in technique. Somewhere in between, ride normally below 7.5k rpm and occasionally redline the bike. The rides would also see a lot of engine braking which is the key to your pistons setting in nicely.
Never keep your speed constant, lot of engine breaking, occasional revving say till 10k rpm and get the bike serviced early, around 400kms. This is what I would be doing.
The nikasil coating and forged pistons would be able to take the load easily.

Sent from my GT-I9100

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

Nice review.

My impresssions on Duke 390 Test ride.

My background: I own an apache rtr FI and I have done a chennai-leh 6000km trip. I like touring and fun and fast rides inside city.

What i am looking for:
1. more powerful
2. comfortable motorcycle both city and long distance
3. bigger motorcycle (not heavier but physically bigger feel)
4. good looking (subjective, but i like ducatis, bullet and Audi ..a mix of class, solidness, and brute)
5. A good exhaust note (Apache RTR fi...is one of the best sounding IMO)
6. Usage 90% city( <50 kms) 10% (300kms and above) long rides.

If money is not a concern and if manufacturers bring the models to India with VFM as much as duke 390. I would buy the Triumph Tiger 800 or KTM 990 SMT or duke 690 or the street triple. daytona 675 (if i can own a second bike) ;P

Now the things i like about 390

1. Power
2. Abs ( Trust me, it is such great addition especially considering the indian roads, auto wallas and dogs. I could feel the abs saving me in the corners and dusty/sandy roads in chennai. I was scary to brake my apache hard after the 390 ride, b.coz the 390 felt so much more confident to push just because of the ABS)

3. it is a KTM ( lineage of incredile rally machines (dakar, 6 days enduro etc..)
4. Suspension and handling was excellent. (not spongy as the CBR/pulsar or hard as the Apache)
5. Not a bad looking bike.
6. Great VFM (compared to Ninjas and CBRs and 5 lakh upwards bikes in india)

Things that prevented me from booking the bike.

1. Gear ratios ( I felt the duke 390 will knock a lot inside the city rides and stop and go traffic, IMO I will only use the 2nd gear in chennai traffic, no option of 3rd coz it might knock. Considering that i would ride in the city 90% and the city rides would have a ratio of 60:30:10 (heavy traffic : medium: traffic free night rides) traffic. I would be forced to use just one gear in a 6 speed bike would be terrible. (correct me if i am wrong)

2. Looks (Most of my girls friends would want me to buy a sports bike, their opinion does matter a lot to me :P )
Honestly, I dont really like the naked look because i want my bike to be clean in chennai dust (the R15 will look much better hiding all the engine and it easier to wipe everyday)

3. Size (I like bigger feeling bikes and there is a lot to complain for example no pillion comfort, no touring luggage) (I like karizma and bullet compared to RTR it has more of all the points)

No pleasant tourer...No pleasant heavy traffic rider....I will wait for the Adventure version of the 390 or the RC 390.

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

Here's the Indian Duke 390 review by Autocar.

So I guess there will be no heating problems in the Indian Version.

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

What happens if we keep constant speed? say if i'm on 4 lane highway and i'm hoverin around 5 to 6k rpm with around 100km/h to 120km/h...how long can i hold on to that speed?

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

Well my plan is simple - Ride it like I stole it.
I have run in 4 bikes in the past (2 X Pulsar 180, Apache 160, Wind 125) and its worth it usually. This time however I plan on running in the engine by actually riding the bike normally, making trips like Bangalore-Chennai, Chennai-Pondy and getting it serviced at 1000Km. Might clean and lube the chain after 500Km though.

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

You can hold on to that speed till eternity with the duke 390, but once you complete the run-in.
You can go for the the 4lane highway ride right after taking your bike out of the showroom just that give it a break every 60-70kms, keep varying the speeds (100-120 variation is good enough), try to ride in all gears, give it a burst of speed occasionally and most important practice a lot of engine braking.

Varying the speed is advised so that the components are acclimatized to varying engine speeds and to prevent glazing.

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review


Here you go : Rs. 9000; says its for the 200 Duke, but guessing it should work for the 390 as well.


Performance Racing Store. R&G Racing Tail Tidy Kit - KTM Duke 200

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review


Hi Kamal, it was not the tail tidy, I was asking him for the license plate that was seen in the dukes of Austria. It seems to save us during wet and rain rides as it helps as a mud and splash guard. In the pictures, it was somewhat like a hard plate and when I inquired the dealer he told me we can get it by order and it costs around 7k. He said its a steel plate, not sure which one he is referring to. I stopped calling or visiting the ktm store for the past 2-3 weeks as I am really bored hearing the same answer from them regarding delivery (aug last or sep first week, nothing concrete). I am just going to wait for their call and trying hard to not think about the bike, but it seems to be a very big task as still I am always wandering the internet like a mad dog for updates and reviews, guess this bike has changed my behavior recently. Anyway lets wait for the good to come!!!

One imp thing guys, please help clarify!!! does the duke 390 has cable operated clutch or hydraulically operated clutch. KTM website still says hydraulically operated

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

Guys...can anyone ease post the service cost of Duke 390...?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

But the big question is still here,
how many people got the delivery of the bike?
I am from Delhi, booked it one 26 June, but still no idea about the delivery.

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But the big question is still here,
how many people got the delivery of the bike?
I am from Delhi, booked it one 26 June, but still no idea about the delivery.

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

Its cable operated, just like D200.

Re: Duke 390: Long Term Ride Review

It's not a hydraulically operated clutch. I am absolutely sure.

The service cost for duke 200 is rs 6xx so for the 390 it should be same or say a little more, not much.
Are you finally planning to get the 390? What happened to waiting for the p375?

Sent from my GT-I9100