Announcement

**NashX** · 03-17-2012, 02:36 PM

Got my Duke on the 13th of March checked the bike for flaws/damage/defects for about 20mins found none removed the very important saree guard

..left had a hard time believing it was mine finally rode to a shell petrol station and filled up .
No issues till date with coolant leakage or the gear box , finding neutral was easy.
Mileage has been between 34-42 in the city which i am happy of and cant really ask for more

Looking at getting the ECU Mod done a little later

and maybe a sprocket change

I have a RC1060 K&N filter with me which i intent to use on the duke what do you guys think Yes? or No?

Cheers !

**spiralbrain** · 03-17-2012, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by maverick1 View Post

Hello Everyone,

This is my first Post in Xbhp, but i have read each and every post about Duke in this forum ...........
TO BE continued in next post , cbr other TD impressions, my dilemma regarding buyinga bike and help needed from fellow experianced riders

Hi Maverick,

Welcome to XBHP. Your first experience with Duke has been bad as your post suggests. A lot of people have reported the same. This is because most of the demo bikes have been abused. The manual suggests not to cross 7,500 RPM till the first 1000Kms but there are vidoes of people doing 120 on demo bikes. A new engine is rough and is prone to stalling till it runs in. This is why it heats more and feels rough. The Duke that was delivered to me is a lot different than what I had taken a test ride on, the ride height is lower. Also a new bike is in terms de-tuned till it crosses the run-in limit. The RPM is restricted to 7,500 RPM where as it can go up to 10,500 for a de restricted bike. I would advise you to try a Duke that has had its first service done.

I myself was looking to get the CBR but changed my mind till the Duke came out. CBR is heavy, also its more of a touring bike than a city bike. I did not find the seating too comfortable maybe because I am not tall enough.

I am sure the Ninja is a better choice compared to the Duke because of its higher power and twin cylinder configuration. If you look at the price tag of the Ninja, the Duke costs less than half. I am sure being a Mechanical Engineer you have spotted some innovating design features as the light alloy Swing arm, trellis frame inverted forks, Fuel Injection.

The issues such as Gear Shift, have been resolved after the first service.

**rohitoasis** · 03-17-2012, 03:48 PM

Further to the delivery yesterday. Went around Chennai till way past midnight and at the end of the day completed the first 100 Km within city withing 5 hours of delivery. Man this bike gives me goosebumps while describing to my colleagues in office.

Had a big queue in office to ride the bike today including the big bosses. A total hit.

Living and loving each moment with it. I am just hoping if Chennai was not so sveltering hot as it is now. I could actually be riding this bike than posting here right now..

**sayank10** · 03-17-2012, 04:11 PM

any kolkata xbhpian out here owning duke?

**ABikerAtHeart** · 03-17-2012, 04:21 PM

I got like a litre of fuel. Shouldn't it have concked the whole system console

How much of fuel is prefilled during delivery?

**ronthedon** · 03-17-2012, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by sharingan View Post

This is the tuning scene in india

OT: I remember meeting you and shubz at probiking during the interview

Hey man wassup..! umm forgot ur name

. Did u guys get ur photos on the website yet. I saw Shubz pic on Iamabiker though.

**Biker@rpm** · 03-17-2012, 05:57 PM

I got my baby after the 1st service... few points.
In Hyderabad..
1. service center looks like a slum. full of dust and oil spread here and there
2. service person knows only to change the RPM meter range and some basic information about the cockpit .
3. Once i kept asking question about how cockpit works and other information . The service head told we are not sure will let you in next service, which is after 5000kms.
4. water wash, oil change, air filter change, coo lent oil change (free service) cost 650rs..
5. Mine was 5th bike to get serviced in this service center and that's the only service center in hyderabad.
6. only difference which i felt , engine was smooth .. of course it will be cuz of oil change.

Power parts arrived, but pretty costly.. gloves looks awesome with a tag of 5k.. Rim stickers just plain orange tags too 1250rs.. petrol tap sticker, tank pad so on fall between 1.5k to 2k... crash pad is something which u can add to ur duke which again 1250... just for front wheel ...

will keep you guys posted on this after 500kms drive.

happy riding.
Orangians.... Go Duke... !!!!!

**Rajathslr** · 03-17-2012, 09:02 PM

Many of u may consider this as an OT but I really m worried about the slick tyres we have on Duke..So was watching some "gone wrong" crashes..

Wat could have been possibly gone wrong in this crash?? (@0:27)

He was goin in decent speed but still, Was it panic braking that lead to the crash...? (Apologies if misinterpreted as OT)

2007 R6 Crash *Uncut Raw Footage* - YouTube

**sayank10** · 03-17-2012, 09:58 PM

Originally posted by Rajathslr View Post

Many of u may consider this as an OT but I really m worried about the slick tyres we have on Duke..So was watching some "gone wrong" crashes..

Wat could have been possibly gone wrong in this crash?? (@0:27)

He was goin in decent speed but still, Was it panic braking that lead to the crash...? (Apologies if misinterpreted as OT)

2007 R6 Crash *Uncut Raw Footage* - YouTube

he has let down his knees too early and too low,and tooo much rear break it seems like.

**joshzma225** · 03-17-2012, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by maverick1 View Post

Hello Everyone,

This is my first Post in Xbhp, but i have read each and every post about Duke in this forum as well as another popular one. I have read the complete Ownsership thread till page 95 in the XBHP !

The reasons for so much reading is -

(i) I always research, analyze a product, let it be a bike or electronics a lot before taking a plunge, specially when i am buying a Product in India. ( I am an Indian, a patriot but unfortunately i have found generally products made here to be of worse quality, even Bikes/ electronics being sold here by MNC's known for strict quality control are third grade compared to other developed Markets read Toyota, Honda, Morphy Richards etc).

(ii) Duke got me super exited, The bike as well everything around it.
I being a Mechanical engineer, having worked in Arai and Toyota was thrilled with Superb power to weight ratio, Liberal use of Exotic Materials ( IN indian perspective) like Aluminium, Molybdenum, Magnesium, Higher Grade Plastics, Excellent BHP to CC ratio , radical Looks

Little Bit of History

I started my search for Bike soon after Shifting back to India read May 2011.

Soon I got engaged and the search hit a bottom as soon as i divulged my plan of buying a bike to my parents.
Started search by looking and reading a lot about Ninja 650r, then got even more exited about Monster 795.
had to drop plans about either of them due to their cost more then a decent mid size saloon, there weight and upkeep in Lucknow, no availability of dealership etc etc.

Shifted focus to 250cc sub 2 L bracket. Somehow shelling the monies for ninja 250r did not make much sense to me, ican answer why it did not make sense to me if someone asks me, not now as its not relevent to the topic in hand.

Had only one bike in this range in oct 2011 - CBR 250r

I looked at pics and it did not appeal me as much. Having seen and ' felt ' Big Bro VFR i was not so gungho about the looks . I anyday preferred Ninja.
then heard reports of soft exhaust Note, and simply got uninterested as a good exhaust note is must, read deep powerful.

Got To know aboout KTm rumours, naked monster style bikes with low and mid range punch and good flickability has always appealed me so has same kind of power delivery in fully faired bikes .

After spending countless hours reading blogs, rumour mills, Technical breakdowns, then ownership issues and solutions. I went to have a look...............

THe First Eye contact-
Went with parents, wife and sister as my sis and my wife both have had been genuine interest in biking & adventure and pillion review is imp for me. Parents for obvious reason

Probiking- Duke looked aggresibve as i thought, bigger then as i thought, built quality simply international as i did not expect.
I was over the moon

. Couple that with Superb VFM i was dying to go for test ride unfortunately it was not possible being first Sunday after Holi most of staff was on leave.

Second Eye Contact-

I went again day before yesterday to test ride it, first kudos to Pro biking guys in Lucknow to take out the demo bike down the stairs just for my test ride. It took six people to manage it ! The bike looked even better in day light at around 2.10 PM, gleaming, superbly clean, and just 54 km on Odometer

Test Ride

As soon as i started the engine and gave a gentle twist to throttle, i did not like the exhaust note, found it stressed and noisy, not that good everything is alright inside kind of mechanical clatter which i love as a mech engineer/ designer but harsh not that uniform clatter.
Swinged a leg over and found ride hight bit high for my height but the light weight easily compensated that.
1st gear was finewhile going for second i was unable to find neutral! During the course of some 35 mins with Duke solo, with pillion, then as pillion, neither me or the Probiking Guy was able tofind Neutral!! He finally found it when the bike was at standstill and he standing next to it trying for some 3-4 mins which felt like ages !
Gear Shift was also notchy, no where to be called smooth even compared to My Bajaj Pulsar 180 Dts i with all mech Console and all black colour
Couple it with fact that at 7500 rpm gear change light got lit constant red , and bike reaches that rpm alarmigly fast hence necessating ultra fast gear shift which is not smooth to perform and the gear and break leavers are smaller then expected ! It was not enjoyable at all
engine felt Stressed at anything above decent Rpms may be around 4000, dont know exactly which RPm as even in not so harsh sunlight , Console was not much visible and coupled with fact i was still not comfortable with gear shifting or even finding gear shifter!!
Engine note/ exhaust note made me feel that engine will not last long and will certainly heat a lot as its smooth or stress free or even vibe free compared to even my old 180 .!!
Handle was tight hence turn ins were not good, i think this is a problem with the particular bike cant comment till i take second test ride.
bike was light and pickup was good
certainly has fresh look in street ,a big eye magnet
loved led blinkers and led tail light
breaks have lot of bite in a good way, front itself was able to stop bike from the speed of around 80 in calm controlled way
did not use rear much so cant comment
did not check trip average so cant comment

Told the handling issue and obviously neutral/ gearing issue to the Probiking manager he promised he will get it corrected by SUnday morning, i.e. tomorrow so i can take it for spin this time for longer duration and in less trafficated environment to be absolutely sure .

In short, i left dissapointed and sad to be more accurate

Honda CBR 250R

Decided to have a look at CBR just to be sure . it took me hardly 2 to 3 mins to reach Honda Showroom, read B R Honda and 6 mins more to be astride a red 2011 CBR with C- ABS
Bike was in bad shape, unclean, lookes abused, pillion rider confirmed that it has been test driven on an average 5 times a day from many months!
Forgot to check how many km,s it had ridden simply was not fancyingthe bike, its dirty condition, obvious poor quality of plastics used, rusted steering bolts, poor bulb powered blinkers , tail light, sari guard were mile below the fit and finish of Ktm DUKe , kudos to Bajaj for that
I felt the weight while reversing the bike, honda guy had to help me pull it back as it was in a kind of sunken spot!!
when the bike started i was suprised with smooth but still deeper engine note then duke
when on the move bike felt surprising light almost as much as duke
neutral was extremely easy to find specially so after struggling to find one on duke
gear shift were precise, not even needed that fast unlike duke
riding posture was more front biased compared to duke, but i like it that way as i feel it gives more control over bike, my personnal opinion

TO BE continued in next post , cbr other TD impressions, my dilemma regarding buyinga bike and help needed from fellow experianced riders

....Maybe you should ride a new Duke because it is definitely a world apart from the TD Duke, if that doesn't appeal to you and if you are in a hurry, I would say a CBR 250r is just right for you. Otherwise wait for something that matches your standards of Quality. In My personal opinion, it is not just the Aesthetics of the Duke that appealed to me, but the Swarm of High End & "For the First time in India" Components that were being packed into this Bike. It is basically a combination of all the things you ever said a bike in India lacked put together. "Oh if only it had better suspension..Monoshock...Inverted Front Forks...More BHP...too heavy...too ugly etc etc etc. In 2014 the Duke 350 is arriving at a higher cost compared to the Duke 200, albeit with more tricks under it's sleeve!!! Hopefully that will impress you. Good luck in your quest to find the right bike!!!

**glider99** · 03-17-2012, 11:42 PM

Originally posted by Rajathslr View Post

Many of u may consider this as an OT but I really m worried about the slick tyres we have on Duke..So was watching some "gone wrong" crashes..

Wat could have been possibly gone wrong in this crash?? (@0:27)

He was goin in decent speed but still, Was it panic braking that lead to the crash...? (Apologies if misinterpreted as OT)

2007 R6 Crash *Uncut Raw Footage* - YouTube

hi, i never felt any issues with the tyres. i went on two longer trips into the ghats from here, doing hundreds of turns already and i would say, that the bike additionally to it's flickability is super sharp in any turns: you choose the line and angle and it will follow it like on tracks, no shaking. you can easily even correct the angle with downshifting or braking. amazing handling as per my experience. and i never felt that the tyres where short of grip, even when i was in an angle where the footrests already touched the road.
this is just my experience, please do share yours, but i think the handling is just awesome.

**Rajathslr** · 03-18-2012, 12:04 AM

Originally posted by glider99 View Post

hi, i never felt any issues with the tyres. i went on two longer trips into the ghats from here, doing hundreds of turns already and i would say, that the bike additionally to it's flickability is super sharp in any turns: you choose the line and angle and it will follow it like on tracks, no shaking. you can easily even correct the angle with downshifting or braking. amazing handling as per my experience. and i never felt that the tyres where short of grip, even when i was in an angle where the footrests already touched the road.
this is just my experience, please do share yours, but i think the handling is just awesome.

Agree with u, I have also been leaning freely at the hairpins and have taken very sharp turns without the loss of any grip but I have never encountered any sudden obstacle around a corner as such where in I braked hapazardly because of panic to see the bikes response....so little wary about tat..anyways its better i stop thinking -vely and just enjoy the ride...

**Brat** · 03-18-2012, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by Rajathslr View Post

Wat could have been possibly gone wrong in this crash?? (@0:27)

This dude got on to too much power too soon, therefore the crash. Any decent rider knows that the right wrist is not to be used as an on-off switch.

**Ri$hi** · 03-18-2012, 08:23 PM

Originally posted by sivigshankar View Post

When did you book the bike ?

I booked my bike on 2 nd of march. Try to use the default font and color

, unless You want undue attention from the mods.

Originally posted by Rajathslr View Post

Wat could have been possibly gone wrong in this crash?? (@0:27

The rear tyre has lost the traction. When the bike is leaning any kind of sudden movement like sudden braking or on/off the throttle will lead to loss of control. One needs to be patient till the bike straightens before opening up the throttle or if You had to brake in the mid corner due to emergency then straighten the bike before you could even think of touching the brake levers. Traction control and ABS/C-ABS would be life saving in this situations.

**vkalapati** · 03-18-2012, 10:28 PM

Booked my Duke last Monday @KTM Vijayawada will be getting the babe next week.

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KTM 200 Duke

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