Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

guys do you think buying a RC 390 when i earn only 24k /month is alright ? or is it living beyond my means. have saved up 1.5 lakhs and was thinking of a new bike on my 26th birthday this october.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

While earning 24 you have already saved this much then you know once you start earning more, you will be able to save more.. I have a duke 390 and if you are not careless, the bike requires minimum expenditure. I think its the same with RC as well.

Go for it and make it an awesome birthday!

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While earning 24 you have already saved this much then you know once you start earning more, you will be able to save more.. I have a duke 390 and if you are not careless, the bike requires minimum expenditure. I think its the same with RC as well.

Go for it and make it an awesome birthday!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

The maintenance costs are decently low. You will easily be able to manage it even if u set aside only 500 a month for the company services. Average free services are approx 1300. Paid may be 700 more approx.

Go for it and have kickass birthday :thumbup:

From my LG-G2 via Tapatalk.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I guess you can try used bike option if you find a good deal on scratchless bike. If you endup getting a good piece which the owner has sold because he wanted to buy something else or moving out of city, then it will be worth it. I bought my Unicorn(1 year OLD) from a guy(from my office) who maintained it very well(it looked almost new to me). And because I knew that no matter if its a old or new bike I will not be able to maintain its looks as I'm not that kind of a guy. It has run strong currently at 43.* k on odometer without any single issues so far. Still has stock front tyre(rare was replaced under warranty due to some defect before handing it over to me), still original chain and everything else. It helps it insurance premium as well.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Assuming you have saved 1.5lakh from your salary only and not from gifts etc I would expect your monthly expenditure should not be much, you can definetly get a RC390 but remember to keep approx. Rs. 2000 each month for maintenance (including tyre(Rs. 1.6/km) + service cost(Rs 0.50/km))assuming you would be running 1000km in a month and tyre life of 10,000 km with next change with Metz tyres

Lastly do remember, nothing else will give so much happiness for so much money


Guys, any of you tried TVS chain lubricant ? I found that it costs Rs 358 for 500ml can. How is it w.r.t. motul chain lube ?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I was going to ask this. But thought ill try personally, and got the tvs spray. Havent used it yet though. But the stuff looks good, its more viscous than oks. Somewhat like motul. Will post a review here after this weekend ride.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Sorry for OT discussion. Interstate vehicle crackdown is a big debate in recent times. It all started with KA crackdown. So you cannot expect a time frame for TN traffic cops to flag your vehicle. Moreover with the water controversy between two states, KA vehicles will be the first target in TN (I personally experienced this in Chennai during Kauvery water controversy, with my KA registered RX) . I would personally suggest you to opt a TN registered pre-owned Duke 200 in TN and upgrade to 390 when you settle here.

Duke 200 is the best bet for tight traffic compared to 390.


On the move from my XSP

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

yeah i have saved it myself . save 16k every month as i stay in my own home .

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Well, here is my opinion on this.
Firstly, no doubt the 390 is one of the most fun bike to ride and gives you a good bang for your buck. Why RC? Why not the Duke 390 (more comfy and practical for city use, less parts as in no fairing, fairly easier to work around the bike, and cheaper than the RC with more usable performance for everyday riding.)

Next, if you have dependents i.e. people who depend on you/your earnings (parents,sibilings,kids,wife, etc.. ) then you should take their opinion & decide if you want to save some money for a rainy day or splurge it on a bike. How many years did it take you to save that 1.5 L ? What is your current monthly expenditure.

If you are going to buy it on emi, then you should include that amount in to your monthly expenses (someone has already replied regarding approx maintenance costs.)

Do not go for impulsive buys, especially if you are someone who lives paycheck to paycheck with nominal savings and dependents. Take a deep breath and wait a few more months till you have more savings to cushion you for a rainy day. A lot more new bikes will be out and the d390 will continue to exist at least for a few more years too.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I earn the same as you and have a duke 390. I dont have to pay any EMIs, I have no dependents and stay with my parents so i don't have to pay rent, neither i need to give money to my parents. So i have almost my whole salary for my personal use.
Talking about bike expenses take into consideration your monthly running. I have crossed 20000 kms in 11 months, so in my case the bike eats up a considerable amount of my salary. Petrol expenses alone cross 5-6k a month. Add to it 2 - 3.5k for servicing(4of them) and 5.5k for new rear tyre( michelin not metz).Adjust the expenses as per your monthly running. Also the service interval has been increased for the new dukes so you will save money there. I am not a fan of eating at restaurents, drinking etc. so I do save money there.

Long story short if you do not have any dependents or any other expenses like rent etc and you are not a shopoholic or a keen drinker or fine diner, go ahead buy a 390 (preferably the duke) without giving it a second thought else take into considerations all the factors and then think about it.

Also think about the fact that in case you meet an accident or some thing, the spares to will cost you more than your avg bike and in case of RC the fairing will add upto the expenses hence suggesting the duke.

Hope this helps.


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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Do you have a rich father in law? If not find one immediately.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hi thanks for the reply.I dont need accessories anyway.But i am worried about the quality of service in mysore as i dont see too many dukes here.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I like how the RC looks. always wanted a full faired one. I dont care for comfort as i wont use it to commute daily. maybe 3 days a week will be used. Performance is same i guess for rc and duke so just as usable as duke. im a single guy ,no dependents. took me 1 year to save this 1.5 lakhs. monthly expenditure is just on commute , eating out, etc which is around 7k. i will not take any loan for it.

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didnt get you , marry and ask rc 390 as a gift ? i know my salary is not much but people here are saying duke is'nt that hard to maintain.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Even i am a big fan of RC390 until i have test driven it.I went to KTM showroom for duke 390 and they don't have it so they have given me RC390 to test ride.The seating position is very aggressive and uncomfortable for most of us.There is no room for heat to dissipate in traffic it will become a huge mess.After 2km of ride i thought RC is not for me ya even i like the looks but comfort is what we need for a long run at least for 2 years.

Good luck.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Engine heat is way way better managed than the duke for sure. I sat on a duke 200 immediately after my bike and even a duke 200's heat seemed felt more on my legs than my rc390


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