Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hi
I Would like to know how many links are there in duke chain.I ride a ninja 300,since both duke and ninja chains are 520x need to know weather it can fit directly to ninja
Thanks

Re: Update My issue is Resolved

[QUOTE=Adarsh_Bk;1080100]It looks brilliant jagjit! Did you fabricate the windscreen yourself too?

I am curious which helmet was it that you were wearing in first pic. It looks like a snorkelling mask



Thanks for like Adarsh, yes i fabricate this windscreen,


My dear mate this is not a helmet, I am a SIKH so i wear " Turban " on my head so that's why i can't wear helmat, but while bike riding i wear all the safety gears, i wear off road goggles for my eye protection, with that i cover my face from dust with face mask,

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Thanks ya its very difficult to keep it below 7500 rpm, done every quality check and showroom manager was every helpful and he told me that till now not a single owner complaint about any issues in D390 so i think its the matter of luck

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=10886]jag[/MENTION]jit

The bike looks evil man. Good work on the windshield there...


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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Thanks guys for your valuable inputs..

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Visited ass and my battery positive terminal was broken. That's the problem. Rectified. By the way air filter cleaned,injector, spark plug cleaned.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

The bike looks great!! Good Job.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

@All: Saw a D390 rider geared up, with knee guards, saddlebags etc. Near the Hyderabad Harley showroom at about 10:30 this morning. Might be returning from some ride.

BTW, can anyone comment on the exhaust note of the 390? I didn't find it as annoying as the 200, but at the same time it wasn't vrroom vrroom as well!

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Well to be honest, I am more inclined towards an IC4 for the vroom vroom it produces. However, when you cross 5K rpm on D390, the exhaust note is sweet (better than twin).

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

The 390 behaves similarly to the R15. Just like on the R15 engine note changes from 7k rpm onwards and a surge is felt, similarly on the KTM, the engine smooths out 5k rpm onwards (both in sound and vibes) and at around 7k rpm it gets a sudden surge and that is when the bike can power wheelie in 1st gear. Also, the engine sounds sweet and is nowhere comparable to the pitter-patter type sound that is heard below 5k rpm.

The only hitch - while the R15 can be redlined pretty much at whim, this bike can not be - with the amount of acceleration that is produced, you will run out of roads soon. As a result, you get to hear that sweet roar pretty less!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

You got a 390 too? I'd really like an offline review. I might be looking at the RC version unless R25 is irresistible!

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Stock exhaust or any other after market ?
just asking...

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Yes, I got the D390 way back in Oct last year. Some 8k+ kms done till now. If you want any help understanding anything about the bike, ask away. PM me or preferably ask it here where others might respond too.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Wow. What happened to the R-sold?

Anyway, I have been discussing with Riaz (he invited me to ride his bike some time too) and also went through this thread randomly.

I'm not sure how this fits in, coz I'm not yet in the market for a bike, so the 'What Bike' thread is not applicable.
Anyway, after having spent 6yrs.with R15 and not going for a proper touring upgrade (CBR250 did not excite me enough, N250's maintenance would be like a white elephant, N300 was not affordable, GT250R I liked but avoided due to lack of 5th cog&oil cooling) I presume if I upgrade, I would be interested in RC390 or R25.
Since the engine will be more or less similar to Duke 390, I guess my questions can stay in this thread, unless Mods advice otherwise.

My initial impression of this bike is that Bajaj has done it yet again by giving us 'safety with real performance at affordable price'.

I have read a few reviews. On the performance front, I understand it does 120kmph at 6500RPM with 3K RPM to reach peak power and another 1K RPM to redline.

On the issues front, I am aware of the sprocket issue, alloys, oil leaks etc.
I don't get judgemental about these, but just have one question for you on that front too.

My initial questions to you (and others) are as follows:
1. How is the bike doing after almost a year?
Any parts not holding up?

2. What are the scheduled replacements and cost? (I know the rear brake pad costs Rs.267)

3. Compare it with R15 (not in terms of handling, simply in terms of power)

4. How is the SVC response and quality of workmanship? Cost of maintenance (other than tyres)

5. What does your heart say, a year after owning this bike?

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Trust me, though there might be lots of personal thoughts and experiences, personally I much dislike the idling note of the bike. But twist the wrist and the sense of urgency it has and the exhaust note is nothing sort of bassy -- boy, it's just excellent. Only you reach illegal speeds so fast, you always have to ride the in the 4 t 4.5-5k rpm here in city. Stretch its legs, and it can give you experiences. Think of this.. With Duke 390 it's a one-night stand, every single time you crank it up. I can't get any more explicit than this, such is the audacity of this machine.

Sprocket issue have been rectified and replaced by the company for free on all affected Duke (again a design defect) Secondly, very early batches did have some oil leak issues, busted seal, all were taken care of promptly. Secondly the oil leak was a design fault in and of itself, not a manufacturing defect per se. Newer models have been rectified with such issue and yes occasional issue does pop up.

Reliability for now, most owners are happy even all these niggles have been sorted by the SVC promptly. If you'd recall, the CBR250 had it's fair share of issues when launched in India, but all were promptly rectified in the further lots continually. And I don't think KTM is too is on the right track. Think of this when you manufacture a bike ground up, certain issues do pop over the long run, but all issues are continually being rectified and improved by KTM engineers. S

All SVCs in my opinion are not the best. You see, an chap at the SVC either can make your day positive or negative depending upon the bikes they handle on that unfortunate day your bike is in the SVC. Less bikes = Good job, more bikes = Delay, clumsy work, high chances of repeat visit. It's been the case in all the different brand of bikes I've owned.

Compare with R15, simply in terms of power = (Need I elaborate more?) Not to diss the R15, it's one of the best 150cc bikes one can lay their hands on. The problem with enthusiasts is this. Whenever they see a bike powerful or that has a little more oomph than theirs, they immediately start comparing it to their bikes. It's not a bad attitude per se, but just a little wise thought would yield the desired results. Remember, each motorcycle has its own character, pretty much like a human being. You can't compare Sachin Tendulkar's skills with that of a Marc Marquez, though both are excellent sportsmen in their own way. Just so you get the point.

Cost of ownership is not too pinchy on the pocket, nor is it affordable for a common man. The oil price alone would make a lot of folks to reconsider. But if you can own it, you definitely can do the bills. If you can't then don't buy the bike. I always say.

What does my heart say. Three little words..... Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. This doesn't need an explanation, only you need to experience it yourself.

Ride safe!

Cheers!
VJ