Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hi guys! Just wanted to know if anybody has had any correspondence with bajaj ktm on the wheels cracking issue?

I have always wanted to get this bike, but about the rims, i am still not very convinced. Hoping any of you might have had a word with them over this and what they are doing about it.

Thanks.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Do you guys think it will be good idea to go for some other rim once the rim cracks like ninja one

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I agree that it is not necessarily the bike but sportier position does put more pressure on the wrist as compared to upright position like duke or bullet.

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Unfortunately nothing is being done on that issue.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Ninja Rim rear costs 25k!! Thats for a 250R, no idea for the N300. In that amount you might really own a shop of D390 rims.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

How about using D200 rims in replacement of 390 rims?
Are they any better?

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Sadly we use D200 rims only, ours are just painted orange. As a matter of fact the same rims are also used on D125 which is exported outside India...

Edit - Snickers fun for Dukers

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Technically they are the same rims I guess, only colour coated differently.
As the weight of the 390 is more maybe they can't withstand the force of an impact.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Today I happen to talk the KTM guys where I booked my bike, and inquiring upon, both the wheels are the same on the 200 and 390, and indeed the colors are a bit different. When asked upon (Coimbatore) KTM folks, did these guys face any rim cracking issues since the showroom's inception? They were like, what? Rim crack.. the manager chuckles.. says no sir, this is the first time we're hearing such issue and that is from you. We haven't faced any cracked rim, in all the bikes sold since our inception. Even the mechanic was clueless.

And there was a univesal nod from the chaps at the KTM, when inquired about the rim specification, that both the wheels on the bike are almost the same on the D200 and D390, and even, some other nitty gritty too are a direct fit.

But that being said, the cost that Ninja bears is absolutely not worth the buck you spend on the spares. It's just import duty, and all the hoopla around them. Personally I feel it's Kawi brand image that gets the buck in the bank for the reasons above mentioned. Why does the same headlight assembly manufactured by the same company (Rinder, just in case you don't know) used by the same partner company Bajaj's own products, sell for one-third of the price of the Ninja's

Let's take a case in point, you show a TVS Jive indicator to a guy who is a well versed "bikeable" person and ask the difference in quality in quality, he'd say TVS Indian, oh crap well know what it is all about. Take the same indicator, rename it as Kawasaki Genuine Parts, and he'd go gaga, he'd go like, wow that's Kawasaki man! Look at that indicator how they've crafted, look at that curves, look at the clear glass, blah, blah what not. All these parodies, I've experienced quite a lot of times. Sigh!

And how many of you know that the indicator on TVS Jive is the same that's used in the Ninja while the former costs some 90 bucks and the latter some 350 to 400 odd bucks. Sigh!

Take a look...

TVS Jive's




Kawasaki Neenja's



This being said, I still adore the Ninja, one beautiful bike I've ridden, but I think the price is where it's a big BIG loot on the pocket and even more when it comes to spares and the service and the like. In that respect I think KTM has really done a commendable job on the quality and the overall package.


Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hi all, i don't know if any of us has tried this before, but i have dropped a mail to ktm austria today, to their marketing and PR manager.

I got an automated mail that he is sick and not currently in office, lets see if there's anything that these guys have to say.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

You need to send a mail to [email protected]. I have sent a couple of mails to then regarding engine leak issue on my D200 which got sorted very quickly. No need of sending mail to KTM Austria.


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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Is that the steel carcass I'm seeing in the middle..!!??


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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences


I just did. Thanks.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Also, this means that the road conditions are supposed to be normal. In that case, probably the indian roads do not qualify for this.

On my pulsar 220, i have had numerous such instances when some ditch came out of nowhere, at speeds above 90kmph, but i havn't had this issue ever. What i make out from this reply is that the dreaded moment when you see a ditch suddenly and you ride your duke 390 into it, be assured to replace your rims.

And that also means, you are not supposed to ride fast anywhere except freeways for that matter. Leave alone small cities.

Still, i find some credibility in the line which says tubeless tyres will never let air out instantly, hence not posing a risk to life. What do other people think about this.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Here is some tourer work on my KTM D 390,,,