Re: KTM 200 Duke

I just don't understand what would have happened I wasn't messing with the bike or am sure no one else would have stole it.
the part has cost me 112₹
Total 3rd service cost was 2489₹.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Hi guys, I am selling my 3 year old zma due to various issues and want to buy an atleast 200cc machine. I have a bugdet of 1.5 lacs and I tour a lot. I have shortlisted Duke200, Thunderbird 350, though more inclined on Duke due to obvious reasons but have little doubt on saddle comfort on long rides. Please guide me on comfort point for Duke for long rides. I am 5f 8inch tall and weigh 75 kgs and have dine 500+ kms many times on zma without much fatigue.

Re: KTM 200 Duke


Well you already know that the D200 was not meant for touring, I travel many times (mumbai-pune) around 170 kms to be exact your bum goes numb, but the pleasure it gives you can ignore this flaw and the small pillion seat is not the best either.

I guess its all up-to the rider till what extent he can take it or not, but if your heart says so then go for it

Re: KTM 200 Duke

I am solo tourer. On highways I used to take break of 2-3 minutes for stretching and relaxing after every hour apart from tea/food/sutta breaks. I am a calm rider, will not go above 100kmph even on expressways. Have read lot of complaints for d200 on stiff suspension etc, prior to zma I had Uni which was also known for stiff suspension but in Uni I had no probs.
Do gel seats make any difference in comfort on d200?

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Like another user mentioned, its mostly up to the riders' capability to tour.
I tour quiet a bit on my D200 and do not face any specific issues that can be pointed to the Duke. I don't do high speeds, and am comfortable maintaining 85 - 95 kmph all along, which is also the sweet spot on the 200. And i have a reputation for riding long hours (around 2 - 3 hrs) without a break.
Remember its a naked, so the wind blast (well.. depending on the weather/wind on that particular day) will be noticeable (more compared to say a bike with a fairing) beyond 90kmph.
I know a couple of folks who hit 100+ consistently on the highway on the 200.. it comes down to the individuals comfort zone.
For the record, i am 6ft and 90kgs .

The d200 and the tb are the opposite ends of the spectrum, so its always better you test ride both a few times before taking a call. The D200 now costs around 1.6Lakhs.
You might also want to consider the cbr150r (which will be in your budget), which though short on cc/bhp/torque compared to the d200, will easily keep up with the duke 200 on the highway.. and you will not miss the refinement that you are used to on the zma.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

I have done 400km ride many times on my duke. My butt was sore only the for the first couple of rides. Later your seat gets accustomed to ur butt.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Thanks bro for detailed info. Will request my friend to borrow me his d200 for a day for a long ride of minimum 300 kms to test my comfort level on it.

I don't want to go for less than 200cc and carb (faced lot of carb related issues earlier) so am excluding tb and any 150cc. If not satisfied with d200 then may be I will wait for apache200 fi.

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Yeah...its all about adaptation. Though gel seats or good riding pant with cushion support can help.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Stiff suspension is not a flaw in the D200 its the way it is, just like the attitude of any girl(did not meant to hurt anyone) its the bikes character
When i drive my friends TD350 i feel like its floating on the water
Regarding gel seats i haven't used it was thinking of it but then dropped the idea

Re: KTM 200 Duke

One ride may or may not do justice.. if you have been touring regularly, then most likely you will get used to the dynamics of the duke after a few rides.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Does the suspension soften out little bit after few k kms?

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Just wanted to feel the basic things on d200 for long ride.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

D200's suspension will never feel as plush as a ZMA, whatever km you clock on it.
But it's all about you getting used to it.
I would worry more about the riding stance than the suspension. I have never felt comfortable on a duke due to it's awkwardly set foot pegs.
I love RC's stance though.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Exactly, sometimes I wish the footpegs were a little on the front side, but I guess it is positioned so to avoid direct heat waves from the engine.

Re: KTM 200 Duke

Does the stiff suspension can take toll on your back/ spine? Has anybody encountered this issue? I am looking out for a 200 cc machine and has almost finalised on Apache 200. But its currently only available in carb so lityle apprehensive. D200 is where the heart is. Am 38 yrs old.

Re: KTM 200 Duke


Suberb mate nice shortlisted items,

I used my duke and went on 2 rides after getting it (got it last month ) one long raid was about 500 Kms and one more was 360 Kms and for first few days really i felt like my footrest i landed my leg directly on my gear shift lever and on brakes in traffic then i got used to it.

And after a week of using my bike regularly i got irritated and i just consulted and put a net kinda cover (photos i will upload tomorrow) for my seat which also looks good and feels comfort after that my seat got used to my Butt or either way. then i never felt hard it was like superb. and then only i took for a long trip in weekends and it went well i never felt discomfort . So if you want you can adjust any time.

And i like the duke, i use it for touring, and really awesome bike when i get used to footrest. and you will really love your bike riding in traffics its like the sound makes you to rev awesome. i love it.

and no hardships if you are a true RE lover go for Thunderbird. as usual duke suspension is KTM is way far better than RE in all means. but both different cases so never can compare both.

and if you feel suspension is too hard and u will only run on a high way i recommend you to reduce the rear shox notch by 2 it will make you feel more comfort (not recommended if you hit a pothole above 60 KMPH) i used to reduce whenever i travel longer in high ways you will never feel small small obstacles in .

But i will say truely i am a kinda off-road guy and the suspension is meant for offroad if you travel in High ways and wanted confort as i said reduce the notch , everything has its job to do , just have to use them.

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Lol not to say anything about your age go for apache believe me i tried driving APACHE 200 and they have improved the bike like a "HELL" really awesome ergonomics vibration free.

About carburettor its good la No problem for carburettor itself waiting is around 1 month and EFI not yet launched in INDIA.

So take this for a test Ride TVS really improved a lot in quality and ergonomics, Brakes, Vib. free engines, Go for it.

Re: KTM 200 Duke


Hi

I got a friend in his early twenties who has got some back problems after getting his D390.
But i think its more to do with his being obese.
He is 6ft and fairly new to riding and must have done pot-holed stretches of road sitting relaxed on the hard seat + hard suspension of the ktm.

Otherwise he still swears by the comfort of his Duke and is happy to get the suspension setting to Hard again !!

Cheers.