Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

You are assuming the very worst of of the Duke!!! You almost seem disappointed the bike started at first go.
Only a small number of people have reported the hot start issue. Majority of the owners do not have that issue at all
Similarly for oil leak. The only serious issue facing the duke right now is the rim cracking.

It is true riding in traffic is a major pain for the duke but there is an easy solution. Start early and end early. I reach office by 8Am and leave for home around 5PM - traffic problem solved.

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Mesh jacket is compulsory in summers. Check out Alpinestars T-GP Plus Air Jacket - it is almost as if air-conditioner has been switched on.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences


True about the timing, that is super effective.

And about the jacket, if you are intending just for summer use, i'd say not to go for the a* , as it is too costly to just use for a few months of the year, there are many better options for that like the spartan helios or hyperion or even cramster for that matter.

Cheers
Ride Safe
Krishna

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Well.. I guess only the most vocal of us post online. And problems I guess makes us all more vocal. Here's hoping the bike stays that way, with the assumption I maintain it well of course. Thanks

And thanks for the recommendation. Will check it out. I've got parents coming in from Australia for a visit and the KTM Vented Jacket there only goes for 10K rs when you convert. I may consider that too..

Just a few other questions to the group (well what *DID* you expect from a new owner)
1) With regards to Security, what are my options? I've seen posts here on the XENA disc lock (and reviews online) but most of the posts on XBHP (see.. I've searched) seem to be fairly old. I would like to fork out for an immobiliser / GPS tracker but that might be a tad overkill. Any recommendations beyond carrying a big fat chain and lock? The bike is garaged in a small apartment basement (with the usual young, spritely & attentive security guard .. yes i am being sarcastic ) AND my work has a fairly private parking lot.

2) My bike still has "For Registration" written on both the plates. Is that still OK to ride in traffic? I was going to head into work. Should I be getting a TC / TR number in the interim or should I just carry the receipts showing that it's a new bike. I'm only asking as I'm still new to your country and in Australia, they give you your pressed plates on the spot.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Xena is a good disc lock, but, I feel its overpriced for something that shrieks when disturbed. You can get a good immobilizer installed at that price point. For an alternative you can check out padlocks with alarm from ebay or snapdeal. (They are fat and ugly but do the job).

I got my license plates on the spot from the dealer when I took delivery of the bike. I think it depends upon dealership and the city's RTO. Coming to your question, a TC/TR number is mandatory, although I think you get a grace period of 15 days from the purchase date of bike.

Hope this helps


Hyperions price has been revised, it costs almost as much the A* TGP Air.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I ride daily from BTM to ITPL. That is 20+ kms one way in peak traffic hours. And I will only say this - the KTM 390 is a much better bike compared to my earlier R15. And, this is after 6 month 6k kms of ownership. I have absolutely no issues riding this bike in any kind of traffic. Maybe, you need to adapt your riding style to the bike? I have gotten used to the power. Initially it felt "neck jerking". Nowadays, I even downshift once in a while to get a bit more acceleration.

Also, the bike's behavior in 38C heat in Bangalore has been pleasantly surprising - No coolant leaks, engine oil leaks etc. Once I did briefly see the high temperature warning though. Other than that, there is a mild chain slapping noise while going over sharp bumps.

Here is how my bike looks nowadays -



The windshield is MRA Spoiler. And it is effective in deflecting wind away from the torso - the "hanging on to the handlebar for dear life" feeling is greatly reduced.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Well, I do the same route. ITPL that is.
And yes, no coolant problems, just the oil leak. I think i had been clear about that.
Well, about getting used to power, it can be a bit varying for each person i guess.

And btw, the screen guard, is it effective in triple digits ? Looks good too.


Cheers
Ride safe
Krishna

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Finally some positive review about the 390! I was worried myself by reading people whine about the 390. I absolutely loved my friends d200 and based on that I've decided to get the rc390. But to be honest, I am quite shaken by the d390 rims getting shattered these days.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Buddy, there have been loads of positive reviews earlier but how many times do you want to hear praises of performance and handling? People get tired of saying /hearing the same thing again and again.

The only complaints have been of quality of parts (Rim/gaskets etc), thats all but yes, weak rim is the most concerning of all!


Thats a very nice looking windshield there, goes well with the bike. It still costs around 8k?

Btw, here is how mine looks like with RTR windshield. Had to take a lot of bashing for this, apparently it is very very fugly but what to do, it does help on highways. Did 161 sitting upright with slight forward lean so that helmet and visor is aligned.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

You need to lean her a bit more and get rid of the chicken strips on the tyre Perhaps mastering the riding techniques of the biking guru Keith Code should help you??:

Twist of the Wrist II - YouTube

No offence, but yeah the windshield is kinda eyesore on your lovely ride. Wish you a happy and trouble free ownership mate..


Cheers,

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Thought someone would notice those chicken strips

Actually the ghat section had just begun when I clicked this, it was just 4 lane highway before that. I didnt push the bike at all but still managed to reach level 4 in cornering (there are marks on tyre from 1 to 5 to guage that)

And thanks for the link, I already have Twist of the wrist, on my laptop, external HDD & my mobile, so you can take a guess how many times I would have watched it by now

And no offence taken, I have already been threatened by my riding buddies that they will rip it off the next time we meet!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Well add this to one of the positive ones (with a pinch of salt, or garam masala) While I'm still a new to the duke 390 (and pretty much motorcycling in general) I've been impressed with the d390. It is a fantastic bike and one which makes this 40 year old feel 18 again. The exhilaration, while certainly fleeting, is almost worth the entry price. The sheer value for money for such a bike, in India, seals the deal. Not being the lightest man on earth (in fact quite the opposite, what with my addiction to all things mutton & biriyani), I find the bike comfortable and absolutely suitable to my riding preferences. Discounting the encouragement of the RD350 boys at work, it has been the best purchase in recent memory, certainly going along side my Dell m17X or the Wedding Ring for my wife (not in that order in case she's reading this)

As with all purchases, I tend to over research it and it's not hard to focus on the negatives. Given their propensity for being a vocal bunch, they certainly drown out the positive reviews posted to this group. While I certain don't wish to downplay their grievances or at all make light of their plight, most of these do end up being the exception to the rule. Lets not mince words here. NO bike is perfect. There will be problems but if the RE guys can deal with it, so can you.

To those looking at purchasing the 390, read the reviews, make your mind up. I'm going to assume you're a passionate but mature crowd given the reception I got when I joined the group. ;-) The consistent message has been one of value for money and an absolute mad-monkey-bonkers rush to the nuts when you ride it. It's been pegged as a street fighter, a tourer and one suitable for the off road grognards. Certainly a definite all rounder and one (almost) suitable to the indian condition. Of course you can get better bikes but that's just a matter of deeper wallets and forgiving wifes (partners, girlfriends etc) is. A bike needs to speak to you. If this one doesn't, move on, no harm no foul and people will love you for standing your ground when you get that Kwaki Z1000.

To me, I love it. It's my second bike and I know it won't be my last and in all honesty, I'll be as passionate about the next and the next and the next right up until the day they bury me with the chest impaled traffic pole that killed me.

And thanks for all the advice. Keep it coming. I love the attention :-)

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

First of all let me tell you that Rs. 2.06 lacs (Mumbai in my case) is not at all a small amount.
Secondly, bajaj is not doing anyone a favor by selling these bikes in India, ofcourse they are selling it at a profit.

I am happy that Bajaj holds 49% stake in KTM and i am a proud owner of a KTM 390.

Even if i buy a bike worth 40K or a bike worth 10 lacs, i expect the build quality to be good, so all the owners including me are expecting the product to have a good build quality.

I dont mind, seeing local parts or Bajaj logos on many of the parts, the point here is they should hold together and work fine and work for a long period.

Now these oil leak issues are there since the Duke 200, still the scenario is the same, my 390 has suffered oil leak from oil filter area as well as the cylinder head.

Now the KTM engine is a high performance one and heats a lot, ofcourse KTM and BAJAJ knows this, so i fail to understand why the leaks when they already know that the engine heats a lot.

The rims is currently the most serious issue, its scary imagining the front wheel collapsing.

So buddy no one is whining.

It would be carelessness to just sidelines the serious issues, just because i love the way the bike accelerates n all.... i dont think so... the basic mechanical elements of a motorcycle are failing here....

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A word of caution to all regarding the ABS at slow speeds...

When you are riding in bumper to bumper or very slow moving traffic and by any reason you have to jump on the brakes when you had started to open the throttle nicely...

Make sure you don't press the front brake lever very hard, because in such situations if ABS comes into picture, you might end up bumping into someone.... (speeds below 40)

If ABS is kicking in for your every now and then, then please change your braking technique, always increase the braking gradually....

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Today while coming to office as usual an over-enthusiastic Santro got almost sandwiched between a BMTC bus and a Indicab and came to a halt with rear wheels screeching/skidding.

I was just behind him seeing all the circus and could break well in time but was shit scared by the screeching/skidding .
After that I just smiled and overtook him - hope he got the sarcasm.

Just after that a Splendor just nudged my back, I looked at him and he was in awe seeing me (in gears) - I just left it there.
Came to office and checked - there was no impact at all.

Lesson learnt - We have strong breaks/ABS but not everyone so need to be careful.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Wanted to know if there are any options or design one could share for mounting luggage at the rear so that pillion could sit comfortably even with tail bag. i know using big saddle bags may eliminate the need to use tail bags if touring 2 up for a week but again these saddle bags eat up into the rear footpeg space. Need help as i use my bike for 2 up touring.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=67556]sdfonechan[/MENTION], [MENTION=35815]krish2778[/MENTION], I got the A* for 10K from DSG store in Camp area. The quality is much better than spartan or cramster and as it is exclusively summer focused, the wind flow is best of the lot.