Beg to slightly differ here on the point of harshness when compared to Enfields. As both the bikes functions on drastically different RPMs, its not really comparable, but if we have to, personally Enfileds are smoother for me. The vibrations on both the bikes are so different, while its of very high frequency nature on the 390, resulting in irritating resonance and buzzes from various plastic parts, the vibes on the enfields are gentler (unless ofcourse someone is trying to wrong the gut out of the throttle, which enfields in stock condition are not meant to). Guess material / weight etc would have a part to play. Any RE platform, be it Ci, AVL or UCE can me made to run very smooth, like a well oiled sewing machine, ofcourse with-in their limitations. The difference is very stark if one rides a RE and a 390 back to back on our typical country roads. ON smooth tarmac, not much.

Both the bikes have their own character, and the appeal would differ from person to person. I use to like the comfortableness of my C5 better then my 390, but still sold my C5 last month, as the 390 scored much higher in other areas.

You are right, character needs differ. RE bikes are of a different league. Well I personally own 200ns, but I've wished for Duke390 for simply the raw power, ABS and the king of road feeling. No duke200, Because I don't find the handling or performance difference that huge between a D200\P200 but 390(Duke\RC) is a lot and lot quicker. It'll make one stand ahead of the crowd, I like that feeling. But my thirst of getting a 390 depreciated after riding a duke200 for about 60kms, the seats are harder than my ns, suspensions are even stiffer, hard clutch (Felt at a showroom, D390 clutches were even harder). In Duke , I had to rev ~7500+ rpm to cruise @100Kmph, where as in my ns, I just need to ~6500+ to get to 100kmph, Less RPM, more comfortable, less engine heat, and stress for longer distance rides(200+ or above). Well short gearing is a short coming for a long trips\touring, I now find my ns more comfortable and good for touring, except >110kmph where simply the wind blast prevents all comfort. I believe the same for D390 as well, but hope an RC390 can handle even better. I'm talking about cruising, not racing. Cruising at say 120+ for hours. High frequency engines make one tired and irritating, compared to low spinning engines like REs.

So sadly I had to remove 390 from my mind (mind you I have a big butt and weigh 90+KGs) simply for the seat comfort (though I've heard it's got long gearing) even though it can cruise at less RPM compared to D200 or so. As for as RE bikes, a friend of mine has CL350, the seats are so so comfortable, I never felt a bit of pain on my butt and that you can do hours and hours of ride before you end up with sore saddle. I felt like floating on air @ 80+ speeds (with a heavy pillion), absolutely ZERO vibes. But going beyond 90+, I could feel the vibes reaching all around our body, where as my ns doesn't generate vibes even @120+. REs imo are not good at very high speeds say 110+ or more, but they are the best, unbeatable for cruising\comfortable long rides below that mark, no more words. No idea about 500Cc model REs.

But I finally feel CBR250 a very good bike for touring (though nowhere near a KTM in terms of power, pity thing is even a D200 can put CBR250 to shame) without hurting your bud, shoulders (though it puts a little pressure over hands, but i could manage that). Since it's design and performance are not that good and getting old, I'm looking for a newer model.

Sorry for hijacking and taking diversions in this thread

Hence I have said it's subjective. I had RE Electra previously, the buzz at 90+ speeds and the feel of the pistons trying really hard to match the revs is what I meant. Below that speed it is butter smooth with lovely thump to match. Also at high speeds you cannot make out what your front end is up to. But nevertheless CGT is drool stuff. I loved it's styling and quality parts. Someday.



I have ridden RE for hours and days on end and I weigh 90+ kgs, initially it's comfortable but on long hauls u don't feel your butt n also the tail bone pains like hell. D390 keeps you busy. On long hauls except for the wind blast it is more comfier. U sit upright with rear set footpegs the weight is not solely concentrated on the tail bone rather it is distributed to your core. But then, opinions and experiences differ. And I agree with your observation about clutch and with D390 there is just no floating around



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I agree on that! I'm pretty slim but I find that the slightly hard seat has it's benefits on drives over 30-50 kms. I think it's because the seat keeps its shape quite well and when I shift my rear to get comfortable I actually find a new seat profile (I hope you guys know what I mean, though any long distance riders have felt that irritating ache in the butt bones. :P). On the other hand, softer seats are great for short runs but on longer rides, you'll find shifting in your seat doesn't really help cuz your butt finds exactly the same shape wherever it goes.
After about 6000 kms on my Duke 390 I find that I don't even notice that my seat is hard on short rides.
Another thing I've noticed is that my clutch has gotten a bit softer, or I've just gotten stronger (probably not. ). But I hardly notice the stiffness anymore.

In fact, if I could make any one change to the Duke 390, I would actually want better brakes! The initial bite is kinda underwhelming. I seem to remember some chap talking about grafting the Hero Karizma oil cylinder onto his Duke or something. Anyone got any idea?

Maybe I have not tried any longer rides on RE, because my friend doesn't share his bike much(So do I ), also my KTM experience is only 5-6KMs (only testdrive, i felt the seats are harder than mine and I concluded myself, how foolish, well). Anyway my another question is, What will be the comfortable cruising speeds in your D390 guys?. Recently on a pillion ride in a cbr250, i didn't feel the wind blast much upto 130 (But it was scary at such speeds, and the bike took a long time with pillion to reach. So I asked him to drop to 90 ). In my ns, I couldn't even do any better than 100-110 kmph because of cruel wind blast. I just want to know how you D390 guys can manage and push further till you lose the comfortable cruising limit (as this is naked version). Thanks

Maybe I have not tried any longer rides on RE, because my friend doesn't share his bike much(So do I ), also my KTM experience is only 5-6KMs (only testdrive, i felt the seats are harder than mine and I concluded myself, how foolish, well). Anyway my another question is, What will be the comfortable cruising speeds in your D390 guys?. Recently on a pillion ride in a cbr250, i didn't feel the wind blast much upto 130 (But it was scary at such speeds, and the bike took a long time with pillion to reach. So I asked him to drop to 90 ). In my ns, I couldn't even do any better than 100-110 kmph because of cruel wind blast. I just want to know how you D390 guys can manage and push further till you lose the comfortable cruising limit (as this is naked version). Thanks

Whenever I am crossing 80kmph at say 6th gear, i am feeling a harshness kind of thing on the footpegs.

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Yeah that's the single cylinder vibration and missing refinement everyone keeps referring. However, for me initially it was quite noticeable but now after 3rd service over, I can hardly notice this.

One noob question from a non-KTM guy , Does the RPM limiter limit only the RPM range and LED or it really limit the throttle control as well?.