Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

There wa no problem with the alloys or forks. Even the Metzlers worked fine. I did loose grip in front tire at a mountain hairpin near Jammu, but rest was fine.

Same happened to me. Replaced it with another local nut. SVC didnt have it.

You ride in High temperatures while going from Delhi to Jammu. Entire route damn hot. 40+ degrees constantly.

You do not need extra fuel for Srinagar to Leh. But yes you need it while doing Manali-Leh.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

definitely it helps at all speeds. Imagine your stock halogen high-beam illuminating the distance combined with LEDs illuminating the low-beam area. Boosts confidence during night rides.
But you could also try the 100/90W halogen bulb with a relay, and see if it helps, as this mod would be much economical. The battery is been holding good in my case, where the night consumption is approx 60 (stock bulb) + 10 +10 (two LEDS), which is 80Watts. additional 10 watts load may just hold fine as well.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

It has been almost eight months for me with this Virender Sehvag of Indian bikes. It can hit tripple hundreds, but has no class. Maybe thats the reason I've done only 3000 kms on it so far. It is not as inviting as my P180 v2 used to be (I miss you). I still have my pulsar and have contemplated many times on dropping off the duke back home and getting the pulsar here in Delhi.

Though there have been more turn ons than turn offs so far, but still I don't like ups and downs in relationships. There are moments when people in the RVM disappear like magic without even trying too hard, then there are bolts falling off.

- It was pure bliss at the trackday. It was a eureka moment for me as far as handling and performance is concerned. Owning a pulsar for 7 years I couldn't belive something could handle soo goood. Touched 174 that day, my highest on any road based vehical.

- Then there have been times when it shuts down in the middle of the road for no reason. Once it shut down when I was doing a constant 70 in 5th gear on a 6 lane highway with some traffic around me.

- For the first six years or so, my pulsar never had any engine oil leakages. But this Orange wheeled Chris Gayle started leaking within the first couple of weeks.

- I can literally see jaws dropping when people try to race me. A few days back I, bugger, was able to almost keep up with three Busas riding fast down the highway

- Nuts and bolts fall off; The fork seal busted a few days back; And now some vibrating noise starts annoying me for the few Kms I feel like riding.

I don't know why, but I've started feeling like I'm too old to ride this bike. It never invites me, always wants to throw me off, burns my legs, throws a lot of tantrums and needs a diaper.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hi guys its been three weeks with my duke its really awesome had a short ride to Nandi hills.Handles like a dream , a few pics of my ride sorry for pic quality its from my mobile

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Check the battery terminals for this one. I has SLIGHTLY loose terminals and I faced the same issue.

Lol! This bike sure has character. I now understand what some people mean when they say that Japanese bikes lack soul.

The alternator is a robust 350W unit. 100W is surely supported without any issue. I will try out the easier route first!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Ktm 390 recalled
Defective front sprocket locking plate
Pls read todays bombay times zigwheels for details
tej

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

This is a month old news here!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

You should have tried Lajpat Nagar KTM. It is the best of the lot in my opinion. Really good KTM Manager and sale staff.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Yes ... my mistake. I just went for the best discount offered.

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I am also facing these issues - Engine shuts down and also there is some sound in the rear of the bike when ever crossing a pothole or speedbreaker.
Checked with other riders and seems like they too have same issues .

But, this is one bike that can make a sane rider become a hooligan;
Its got the craziness of the RD350 but the tyres and the brakes make it controllable.
Have completed 500kms.... and i must confess - great riding in city traffic ( not stand still traffic because engine heats up pretty soon - reminds me of bigger bikes), racing, not for touring since the seat is really hard and no front visor.
I am looking forward to riding it on the track soon.

Just wish that it should been launched 10years back!!!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I see 2 ex CBR owners, one convinced with the Duke 390 and other not. Guys help me with this,

I am planning to buy a bike in the range of ~2L. Ninja 300 was the primary target but lack of ABS actually was a downside which I am not willing to negotiate.

I test drove the KTM. Having owned a RTR 180 previously, I liked the stance, the sound was soothing too. Power delivery was insane, no doubt about it.
I havent rode the CBR, but never liked it much because of the VFRish looks. However after exploring the market more and more, I am somehow beginning to tilt towards it. My requirement will be 50% office (mumbai) and 50% touring outside mumbai over the weekends. Having owned 2 TVS before and after putting 2L, I wish to have a fuzz free ownership experience. At the same time, I should not be the last one on traffic signal

Rather than positives, I tried to figure out the negatives with both the bikes
Duke: Quality issues, costly services (?)
CBR: Slightly sporty stance (though not deal breaker), low on power, looks a little blend (no offense at all )

Any advice Janta?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Bro... The Duke is perfect bike; for touring get the cbr visor installed and after market gel seats or additional padding!!
Right now its the best bike. It will test you and push you ....totally worth it !!!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I'm an ex Ninja 250r owner. I haven't done any mods to the bike except getting an aftermarket windscreen. Done quite a bit of touring too. Longest of those being
-Udupi - Chennai (around 750 Kms) in a single day
-Another ride covering close to 3k across the South.
I haven't faced any sort of reliability issues so far barring oil leak from the gasket and head which was discovered and rectified before the rides.
The hard seat was never a problem to me coming from the N250.
The pure versatility of the bike is what impresses me. It is as nimble has any commuter out there in traffic while being a blast to ride out in the highway munching miles.
Did a track day too in MMRC and came out mighty impressed.
The only sore point to be considered for touring is the range. Then again it's a matter of getting used to it and planning your fillups.
If your looking for comfort while touring,CBR is undoubtedly the goto option. Consider the Karizma too while you're at it. However if engine character and performance are at the top of your list at this price point, choosing the 390 is a no brainer

Sent from my GT-I9500 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Many thanks for your replies Vijeth and rajmadhawk.

As I said, Duke ticks all the boxes except for reliability. I didnt find the hard seat to be an issue in 2 test drives I have taken. I will be in the market for a month or 2 more before making purchase. I just hope reliability is addressed as we go ahead. As per the probiking, heating and 'hot start' issues are addressed / being addressed at the moment. Duke 390 with wind screen will make the best combo as of now. Buying CBR will just be 'settling' with a CBR and nothing more.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Actually riding comfort does not depend on how hard or soft the seat is, it's the matter of how the seat moulds to your derriere. Some softer seats might feel comfortable for a short amount of time, but prove extremely uncomfortable over long periods as they do not offer adequate support.
Edit :Sorry, misread the last post.I Thought you said , you're finding the hard seat an issue.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

A small correction if I may. It's isn't mean to say, Duke's aren't meant for long term reliability. Face of the matter is, CBR had its fair shares when it was launched, the NINJA two fifty had it's own shares when it was launched yesteryear (case in point, and request members to not start off a chain reaction)
From the know-how I've gathered, KTM is the only product in the entire Bajaj stable that gets detailing so much so and pertinent issues rectified and improved upon each lot. Keep in mind this bike is a fresh up bike from the drawing board, not a motorcycle that was manufactured decades back and improved upon, whereas one of the latter had so many engine related, chassis related issues, but sales went from bong to buck for the same product. But I'd definitely refrain from saying that to a KTM.

The only genuine gripe I have is the way the handlebar grips and levers are furnished. Bajaj shouldn't have skimped on this part which is the first thing that a rider notices, and this believe it or not makes a big impact on how the rider decodes the bike which rightly justifies the age old adage, the devil is in the details. Personally I'd say, KTM is a 95% quality product with just the 5% being skimped on shoddily designed parts from Bajaj's own stable.

P.S. The three ninety would make oneself upgrade from a bedwetter to a man.

Ride safe!

Cheers!
VJ