Re: KTM 200 Duke

Hello xbhp members!
I have ridden a honda shine extensively for the last 2 years. Now I'm looking for an upgrade. But I'm utterly confused between the Duke200 and the PulsarRS 200.
Need an overall reliable package and good aftersales services. Any suggestions on which would be a better buy?

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Thanks S1d and Sumit Singh..
Oil level is ok.. there was oil leakage through the cap, a s after service sv guys forgot to tighten the cap.. but now the oil has been top up but the error didn't stopped.. taking bike to service center again today..

Re: KTM 200 Duke

AFAIK they both use same engines, but is slightly detuned to fit the nature of RS. Its difficult to compare a semi/faired with a street fighter like duke. Duke is agile, intimidating, happy revving machine which always feels in hurry to reach its destination. RS on other hand is a superb machine with same heart but is not as agile as duke, and is slightly heavier. As far as maintenance goes, I doubt u will have any extra maintenance in first two years on duke, since service intervals are 7.5k on newer dukes it makes it even more affordable. I owned Bajaj P135 before and servicing was an issue but never faced that on duke at least in my city. Look wise both are good.

I would say it mostly comes down to your budget, abs (single channel on RS), faring. Hope this helps...

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Guys, I am facing a weird issue on my Duke! Bike seems to wobble a lot after 110Km/Hr, at normal speed bike seems to have no issues at all. SVC couldn't do much about it since they can test it out on the street.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

It can be due to misaligned tyre or worn out tyre ,pls check the tyres

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Need to get a rear tyre for my love. Pirelli or Metzelers ? Are Michelin's available ? And where do I get one from ? Replies will be appreciated.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Budget is not an issue, as i wouldn't mind paying a little more to get a better machine. RS200 does have the abs advantage. But somewhere i feel that KTM has better mechanics at the SVCs. Is that true?
I keep reading about dumb bajaj svc guys who are not at all trained.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Bajaj and KTM are frm same stable targeting diff audience. Imo ktm service is decent and shud b as its sightly upmarket. Parts are decently priced.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Third service is coming up. Can anyone tell me why my throttle has become a little tight/stuck at the beginning? Feels a little clogged.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

get the cable inspected (both ends, and replace if there has been any wear/damage), otherwise get it lubed and adjusted for correct free play during the service.

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yeh, michelins are available in stock size for the ktm's and are the most commonly used replacement apart from the mrf's(which most the 200's prefer) and the metz(390's)
the michelin cost's almost twice as much as the stock mrf with the benefits being better ride quality,less puncture prone and might last a couple 1000km more than the mrf. the mrf itself is a good tire but being a softer compound it is prone to knicks and punctures and wears out slightly quicker than the michelin.
the last time i checked a couple of months ago, the mrf was around 2900rs while the michelin was around 5900rs.
so it's upto you to decide if paying double the price is worth its benefits.. especially if you have been happy with the mrf.
As for the pirelli's and metz , they cost an arm and a leg (atleast for me).

how do i know this? - i've used both the stock mrf for around 14k km, could have lasted a couple more 1000km.. but a huge puncture (the 4th one) ruined the tire and currently running the michelin at the rear for close to 10k km with no puncture, cuts or bruises.. and the tire will easily do another 8k km.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you. I don't like the MRFs. They get punctured very easily. I've had at least 3 to 4 punctures and it's done about 10k kms. Maybe there are more i don't know of [emoji14]
I think I'll get the Michelin's now if they're around 6 grand. But do the pirelli's have better grip and longevity compared to the Michelin's? Or are they both pretty much the same? Oh and another thing. How does a 160mm rear tyre affect the performance of the bike ? It should affect mileage right ? What about acceleration and top ? And where can I get one of that size ? Do you advice against it ?

Re: KTM 200 Duke

I've seen pirelli being used on an r3 in the 140 size and they were pretty sticky soft compound that would have a life lesser than the michelins.. But grip is good.
I personally feel that the 150 itself is one size big for the Duke. 160 would be unnecessary. I've seen many switch to the 140/70 and have also ridden a Duke with a 140 Michelin radial and there was no difference felt in regular use. I had driven it both at city speeds and on the highway.
140 radial costs a bit less than the 150 radial.. Michelin 140 also has a bias ply which is much cheaper than the radial.. Iirc the radial was 5700 and the bias ply around 3800.
I might either go back to mrf or the Michelin 140/70 at next change. The 140/70 profile gives the tire more sidewall height translating to a more 'cushion' and probably better ride comfort. And I felt the 140 looks more proportional on the Duke.
As for the front, the mrf has simply been phenomenal.. So I don't see a reason to switch brands/size.. Will be sticking to the stock mrf for the front.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. The level stands the same after I had topped it the other day, so hopefully there isn't any leak. DRL's are going to be compulsory in a couple of years anyway. The constant reminders have to be ignored [emoji12]

Also, needed some suggestions on tank pad. KTM's original is 2040/- but is there a cheaper alternative? Ordered a fuel cap pad from eBay for 295/- which looks EXACTLY like the original. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sunny

Re: KTM 200 Duke

the electrical/electronics on the ktm's are pretty well designed/built (save for the odd stator coil failure a few older ktm's 2012/2013/part 2014). the newer ones seem to be improved on a lot of fronts and you shouldn't be worrying.
Why do you want the tank pad ? Just for the looks ? Try to avoid the ebay tank pads.. some of them though might appear nice, their removal (or if they peel off for some reason) is a pain and the glue messes up the tank cover.

In case you are thinking the tank pad is going to protect 'something', sadly its not. It's just a cosmetic patch on the tank cover. I've ridden my D200 for two years now and never felt the need for the tank pad. Did you know that the plastic (where you put the tank pad on) is only the fuel tank cover and not the actual fuel tank? That plastic fuel tank cover can be replaced for around 1100rs (yeh, cheaper than a tank pad)

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Is it possible to tweak the front forks so that they provide better cushioning? The front seems to jump whenever I go over a "step" on the road, for e.g. coming onto a new layer of tarmac laid on the road. Speed will be around 60kmph.

Also when I go over a bumpy road, sometimes there's loss of power on the wheels, similar to what happens during rev limiter. My guess would be sprocket teeth is skipping a link but is it possible?