Announcement

**NiXTriX** · 05-25-2012, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by chicane1879 View Post

I am surprised to see on how come we are not coming across any posts on the performance of the bike vis-a-vis competition(Read: Drag test/top speed etc) in this thread inspite of this bike being touted as a performance oriented machine.

Missing the good ol Pulsar/Apache/R15 comparo posts!!

Originally posted by AnupamOnWheels View Post

Maybe the owners are too happy with their acquisition.

I don't want to offend anyone and I respect and love any and every bike ever produced, but seriously, I think by most of the auto magazines and websites the fact is already established that by looking into every aspect - KTM Duke 200 is a real overall winner. In Less than 1.5 lakh range it's a sure shot winner and if you consider CBR250. Duke is again a winner by maybe a little margin. The most exciting thing about Duke is it's feature vs value graph. Truckload of features with less price.

Although I agree with AnupamOnWheels, I can't help but think that a comparo is pointless, bacically because there is no other bike in its category. CBR250 is a different kind of motorcycle and so is the R15 v2. I'd wait for a Naked Street fghter motorcycle before making a comparo.
And also I'm a very happy chappy on a Duke

**chiragsthakur** · 05-25-2012, 09:55 AM

Not to offend anyone here, but seriously I have read many users praising its engine but complaining about the bad quality checks by Bajaj. Front fork oil leak, petrol spilling out of the tank, cold start, engine heating(not a serious issue actually for high revving bikes), Rim getting cracked due to hard bump, some guys making jugaad to keep some lids intact. I mean, if we are paying 1.4L then haven't we got the right to get a good product in all aspects?

Engine is 200cc but some of my friends say engine feels stressed at 125+ speeds. Is it really so?

I have booked R15, but I am still feeling that I want a duke, but those quality issues in duke are making me keep my booking of R15.

Originally posted by AnupamOnWheels View Post

KTM Duke 200 is a real overall winner.

**hunkofgals** · 05-25-2012, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by chiragsthakur View Post

Not to offend anyone here, but seriously I have read many users praising its engine but complaining about the bad quality checks by Bajaj. Front fork oil leak, petrol spilling out of the tank, cold start, engine heating(not a serious issue actually for high revving bikes), Rim getting cracked due to hard bump, some guys making jugaad to keep some lids intact. I mean, if we are paying 1.4L then haven't we got the right to get a good product in all aspects?

Engine is 200cc but some of my friends say engine feels stressed at 125+ speeds. Is it really so?

I have booked R15, but I am still feeling that I want a duke, but those quality issues in duke are making me keep my booking of R15.

all those problems are not faced by each and every duke owner
front fork leak
coolant leakage
cold start
rim cracking
i havent faced any issue with the bike till date ( touch wood)
it is only the engine heating which is common among all the dukes
and we just cant blame the KTM
not all bikes produced are top notch and get superior quality with zero problems
every bike has its own draw backs and faults
if we keep on pointing them we can never find a perfect bike which wont exist only
.
i just want to say that
not every duke owners are facing that problem only few are facing it
in my city there are 30 dukes sold til date
and during the KTM session none had any problem except the engine heating issue
so i can say that it might be manufacturing defects of only few bikes and those who got those bikes are facing it

**chiragsthakur** · 05-25-2012, 10:19 AM

Thats good to hear actually. But based on your hands on experience with the duke, do you think engine will be durable and strong for 5 years unlike some pulsars?

If you say yes, then I will be getting a duke 200

Can we get filters and exhaust pipes from KTM's powerparts in India?

Originally posted by hunkofgals View Post

all those problems are not faced by each and every duke owner

**burninrubbr** · 05-25-2012, 10:29 AM

Hey guys is it completely necessary to fill 91 Octane fuel ? The one that we get at our pumps is 89 right ? So if I fill the 89 octane, it will affect the engine a bit, right ?

**tusharsmoily** · 05-25-2012, 10:39 AM

@all Duke owners..

Can the Duke do 130+ kmph even with a pillion?

**Janesh.J** · 05-25-2012, 10:59 AM

Originally posted by burninrubbr View Post

Hey guys is it completely necessary to fill 91 Octane fuel ? The one that we get at our pumps is 89 right ? So if I fill the 89 octane, it will affect the engine a bit, right ?

Hi,
It is necessary to use 91 Octane fuel as the duke is a high compression ratio bike (11.3:1).
The user manual also recommends using fuel of 91 octane and above. Using 91 octane and above will ensure better combustion, prevent detonation which will increase engine life.
I personally use Shell super. If thats not available, you can use Xtrapremium.
Hope this helps.

**AnirbanB** · 05-25-2012, 11:03 AM

Hi guys,

I'm looking for dual purpose tyres for my Duke which would perform better than stock in off road conditions.

Any information regarding the options available would be really helpful.

**joel_sherly** · 05-25-2012, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by Janesh.J View Post

Hi,
It is necessary to use 91 Octane fuel as the duke is a high compression ratio bike (11.3:1).
The user manual also recommends using fuel of 91 octane and above. Using 91 octane and above will ensure better combustion, prevent detonation which will increase engine life.
I personally use Shell super. If thats not available, you can use Xtrapremium.
Hope this helps.

what is the octane level in ordinary BP petrol? is it 89???
will it affect the performance?
can anyone post all the octane ratings of premium petrols in India????

**NikhilB** · 05-25-2012, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by burninrubbr View Post

Hey guys is it completely necessary to fill 91 Octane fuel ? The one that we get at our pumps is 89 right ? So if I fill the 89 octane, it will affect the engine a bit, right ?

burninrubbrji,
Technically, normal petrol available at pumps alll over India is 91 Octane now. But you still need to look for "trusworthy" pumps.
Most recommend the premuim fuel because chances of adulteration are lesser there.
I have been using normal petrol since my second tankfull. 3k kms, no problems.

**AnupamOnWheels** · 05-25-2012, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by NiXTriX View Post

Although I agree with AnupamOnWheels, I can't help but think that a comparo is pointless, bacically because there is no other bike in its category. CBR250 is a different kind of motorcycle and so is the R15 v2. I'd wait for a Naked Street fghter motorcycle before making a comparo.
And also I'm a very happy chappy on a Duke

Completely True that a comparo is not that useful as Impulse, CBR250, CBR150 and R15 V2 all are quite different than Duke. Duke is purely a Naked Streetfighter and the only other bike in this category in India is FZ-S. CBR250/CBR150 is basically track tools with maybe a little percentage of touring capability. R15 V2 is totally track tool. Impulse almost inclined to the offroad segment. But still we can have a comparo if needed.

Originally posted by chiragsthakur View Post

Not to offend anyone here, but seriously I have read many users praising its engine but complaining about the bad quality checks by Bajaj. Front fork oil leak, petrol spilling out of the tank, cold start, engine heating(not a serious issue actually for high revving bikes), Rim getting cracked due to hard bump, some guys making jugaad to keep some lids intact. I mean, if we are paying 1.4L then haven't we got the right to get a good product in all aspects?

Engine is 200cc but some of my friends say engine feels stressed at 125+ speeds. Is it really so?

I have booked R15, but I am still feeling that I want a duke, but those quality issues in duke are making me keep my booking of R15.

I can assure you one thing that all these problems you mentioned are not felt by every Duke owner. For example, I haven't found any of the issues you mentioned above except for the engine overheating issue. Apart from that issue I have one more issue which is specific to my Bike only - The Radiator fan is not working. But that's not a big issue, I am just not getting time to visit SVC, so riding the bike lot less. I am sure anyday I'll visit the SVC it would be resolved.

Originally posted by chiragsthakur View Post

Thats good to hear actually. But based on your hands on experience with the duke, do you think engine will be durable and strong for 5 years unlike some pulsars?

If you say yes, then I will be getting a duke 200

Can we get filters and exhaust pipes from KTM's powerparts in India?

[/LEFT]

I am sure if maintained properly it can and will surely last 5 years and many more 5 years.

Originally posted by Janesh.J View Post

Hi,
It is necessary to use 91 Octane fuel as the duke is a high compression ratio bike (11.3:1).
The user manual also recommends using fuel of 91 octane and above. Using 91 octane and above will ensure better combustion, prevent detonation which will increase engine life.
I personally use Shell super. If thats not available, you can use Xtrapremium.
Hope this helps.

I am still filling only the premium oil, but after the price hike I'll have to take a big bad blow to continue with my habbit and preference.

**chiragsthakur** · 05-25-2012, 03:09 PM

Was it working earlier?

Thanks for your valuable inputs. Also let me know whether we get filters and exhaust pipes from KTM's powerparts in India?

Originally posted by AnupamOnWheels View Post

I have one more issue which is specific to my Bike only - The Radiator fan is not working.

Any Duke'r'

riding via Airoli Brigde daily between 7.45am to 8am?

**hunkofgals** · 05-25-2012, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by chiragsthakur View Post

Thats good to hear actually. But based on your hands on experience with the duke, do you think engine will be durable and strong for 5 years unlike some pulsars?

If you say yes, then I will be getting a duke 200

Can we get filters and exhaust pipes from KTM's powerparts in India?

[/LEFT]

i cant say about its durability as it is launched few months back
but i can say that the quality is top notch
.
go ahead and get the duke u wont regret
and regarding
power parts
there is no availability of air filter nor exhaust here but u can buy it from online
.

and i finished my 1st servicing , the bike goes crazy till 120 but after that it struggles to reach to 138 ! i could hardly cross 120
why is it so ?

**Janesh.J** · 05-25-2012, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by joel_sherly View Post

what is the octane level in ordinary BP petrol? is it 89???
will it affect the performance?
can anyone post all the octane ratings of premium petrols in India????

Originally posted by NikhilB View Post

burninrubbrji,
Technically, normal petrol available at pumps alll over India is 91 Octane now. But you still need to look for "trusworthy" pumps.
Most recommend the premuim fuel because chances of adulteration are lesser there.
I have been using normal petrol since my second tankfull. 3k kms, no problems.

As NikhilB has mentioned most cities across india have 91 Octane. Here in vadodara we dont have 91 octane, only 89. I think metros have 91 octane as its mandatory.
As for as performance goes, i have not tried other fuel, maybe if someone else has can comment on that.

**Doga** · 05-25-2012, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by AnupamOnWheels View Post

Completely True that a comparo is not that useful as Impulse, CBR250, CBR150 and R15 V2 all are quite different than Duke. Duke is purely a Naked Streetfighter and the only other bike in this category in India is FZ-S. CBR250/CBR150 is basically track tools with maybe a little percentage of touring capability. R15 V2 is totally track tool. Impulse almost inclined to the offroad segment. But still we can have a comparo if needed.

There is nothing wrong in doing comparos. Besides I believe 2 if not all these bikes fall largely in the same category, especially the CEEBER and the duke. If we get too picky about the category/subcategory/type/segment then we will not be able to do any comparos atleast here in India where choices are very limited in a particular segment and till recently non existing in most .
People who would consider CBR would also consider duke because of similar performance and tech. I atleast did.

I can assure you one thing that all these problems you mentioned are not felt by every Duke owner. For example, I haven't found any of the issues you mentioned above except for the engine overheating issue. Apart from that issue I have one more issue which is specific to my Bike only - The Radiator fan is not working. But that's not a big issue, I am just not getting time to visit SVC, so riding the bike lot less. I am sure anyday I'll visit the SVC it would be resolved.

The overheating is not an issue. That is normal for a kind of bike like duke. The compression ratio is second only to the Ninja. Now the Ninja has a fairing which offers a bit of shield from the heat. The duke on the other hand is naked. I personally don't find the heat bothering(My bike is pretty new and have had plent of rides in stop-go traffic). I like when the fan comes on and sprays hot air on my legs on the contrary. Feels like you are driving a high tech bike. Call me weird if you may

Also regarding you fan issue, I suggest you do a thorough check before arriving on conclusions. Go for a spin, change gears a lot, trying to redline in every gear, come to a halt, check the temperature bar, if it's still not 1 bar less than the max, pull the throttle in neutral while you are idly. keep on doig so until you reach the required bar level. Now check if the fan is running. You should be in a secluded place to hear the fan running, or you could just get off and see the fan running.
Do this as I too was under the same impression that my fan was not running until one day I tried all of the above and did see the fan come to life

I am sure if maintained properly it can and will surely last 5 years and many more 5 years.

I am still filling only the premium oil, but after the price hike I'll have to take a big bad blow to continue with my habbit and preference.

I am using premium fuel too. Power to be precise. But am not very sure, what RON it is. Though technically it should be RON 91 plus additives, but it'd be great if a list is obtained where RON number is listed for all the fuel brands in India(metros/non metros).

Responses in Bold

1987-93	1990-96	1996-98	2003-05	2003-12	2012-15	2014-19	2015-XX	2020-XX
Kawasaki Bajaj KB-100	Yamaha RX 100	Yamaha RXG	Scooty PEP	Honda Activa	KTM Duke 200	Activa-i	Activa 125	Yamaha R3

1987-93	1990-96	1996-98	2003-05	2003-12	2012-15	2014-19	2015-XX	2020-XX
Kawasaki Bajaj KB-100	Yamaha RX 100	Yamaha RXG	Scooty PEP	Honda Activa	KTM Duke 200	Activa-i	Activa 125	Yamaha R3

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