Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks Tushar. Colour is different, earlier it was Midnight black but now its Ebony Black. I am really bad with colour differentiation so pardon me on that . There is a very slight difference which is not even noticeable.

Thank you Ananthu. Its MT Blade Reflexion Neon. Sharing a picture below.




Many of us here have compared a lot. There is absolutely no visible difference apart from the colour and DRLs. Apart from that if there are any changes that would be internal or it could be only for the Euro Spec models.


Company is not providing number plates anymore. So going forward the buyer is supposed to purchase them if the bike is from Feb 2016 manufactured and onwards. I somehow got it for free, but the quality is very cheap. You have an option to buy HSRP. Apart from that you are not supposed to pay anything extra at all.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I think company doesnt provide number plates since the number plates are now provided by the government.....correct me if i am wrong..☺

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

No, all KTM motorcycles come fitted with the registration plate from the factory itself. But Feb 2016 onwards model are not equipped with plates.

PS : If possible please edit your post and remove the picture. It becomes difficult for mobile users to browse. There are already many pictures shared by me in this page itself. Also, try quoting without the attachments going forward.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences


I own an Axxis Geometric 04☺

Mine is a Nov 15 bike and came with the number plates.

How is the ride by the way? Ride safe.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi friends .
I wanted to fit hand guards for duke 200 so brought Apache bar ends but unable to source 390 hand guards anywhere in Hyderabad.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

A question to guys with experience on long rides: Do the hand gaurds make any difference while touring on long distance rides as in around 1000-1500kms overall ride? I have a long ride due next month so thought of getting some input. I have removed them since day 1 and are in storage since more than two years :P

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

They do help while riding in cold climate... They do help save your hand /fingers in trail riding from bushes n barks

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I got feb2016 with number plates.I think they still come with number plates.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Can you share your chassis number if you do not mind ?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Where can I find it ? I mean on the right side or is it somewhere on the papers

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Finally got my hands on THE BEAST I found some PDI checklist online but it had all the details that has to be checked for DUKE. I forgot about everything as soon as I revved the throttle! Never stops to put a smile on my face. That amazing feeling for revving a Duke! I booked the bike in KTM Banashankari(Bangalore) and got it in a day. The guys up there were a bit lazy and I had to keep asking my questions repeatedly and they would take long time to get anything done. Stopped at the showroom around 5 in the evening. I was asked to wait for a while so that they can finish paperwork and get the bike ready. The previous day, I had been to the service area to speak with the guys up there. So I though of checking things out and entered the server area through their showroom entry. I was amazed to see what they were doing, one guy was sucking petrol out of a new Duke which was there for delivery. When I questioned him, he told that bike was due for service and they were taking out the petrol. I am pretty sure they would have taken out of my bike before delivery as well! Once I came back to the showroom, they locked that door and made sure they would not let any one in the service area. That's a nasty experience. I didn't want to fight and destroy my mood before taking delivery of my bike, so didn't create a scene. I would highly advise anyone NOT to book a bike in KTM Banashankari.

That being said, now about the delivery. Things got not so smooth here as well. I insisted that I needed to see the bike before I signed the delivery documents. So I was taken to my bike. I checked thoroughly and found a damage on the 390 sticker(on right side of the tank). I was promised that they would replace it when I get the bike next time for service. I didn't like the chain setting. It was a bit lose and they heisted to tune it and started giving explanation on how it is correct. Enough was enough and that was the movement I decided that I would never be going to that showroom/service center again. I would HIGHLY advice anyone to do that same!

I got the Feb16 model as I had specifically told them to get the one with 8th digit L and 10th digit G before I made the booking. I check the chassis number and it was alright. As told by many of them here, there is no headlight switch and the light is always on when the engine is started. However, for increasing life of the bulb, it switches on/off after a sec or two once the engine is started/stopped. There was no number plated provided as well and the price for front one alone was 350Rs. As I had not got my vehicle number yet, I didn't buy it and will be getting it done elsewhere. I took the bike, headed home straight. Later got the tank filled full and headed to cousins and friends house. Around 10, started to Bidadi CCD for a drive. Came back home and then headed to BIA for another long drive. So it was a sleepless night I completed 210Kms on day 1. I didn't cross 7K rpm and didn't ride >100KMPH on 6th gear as per the recommendation in manual(However, during the delivery time, the service center guy told me not cross 60, I didn't give any heed to what every they told me)

Things what I liked was:
1. Posture. Comfortable yet sporty position for legs.
2. TORQUE and ACCELERATION! Just amazing. It pulls you no matter what gear you are in.
3. Coming from RTR FI, I didn't feel any vibration at all as the former was pretty high on vibrations.
4. Build quality is pretty good.
5. Seat is comfortable* (more on this part later)
6. Superb control of the bike. You feel very confident.
7. Stock headlights are very good. Even for highways.
8. Braking is excellent.

The not so good part:
1. Seats are comfortable only for short rides as it is really hard. I ordered REdline+ gel seat for rider hoping it will solve this problem.
2. Handle bar is hard as well! Got some rubber grips installed from JC road.
3. Bought a wind shield for 2.3k as I was experiencing wind blast even at 100kmph.
4. The bikes slow downs very quickly after you leave the throttle with no brakes applied. On reaching 100, if I leave the throttle, the bike bike would come to 70's and 60's very quickly compared to other and my old bike. This was a bit annoying.
5. Small fuel tank for touring!

The bike temperature was at last but second bar most of time even during b2b traffic. It reached to last but one bar very rarely. The radiator fan used to kick in few times to cool the bike down. But had no trouble of bike starting nor stopping due to high temperature. Even when wearing shorts, the engine's heat or hot air that was blowing out was not an issue.

Coolant level during delivery.


Vinyl damage

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=16543]Skanda[/MENTION] congrats on the beast bro.
BTW how do you check the manufacturing date?because I got number plate!
Other than that bike is superb

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=72200]xplod566[/MENTION] You can check the year and month of manufacture by following guideline in this post http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcyc...ml#post1011398

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I too was planning to purchase the RC 390 from this showroom, but had a very bad experience before sale itself, so went with the BTM showroom. Check the price they charged you for the bike, they tried to charge Rs. 7000 extra from me by secretly adding it in the insurance.
I'd suggest not to get service done here either, the manager is a complete crook.

Anyways, congrats on the new bike

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hey Guys...

Is coolant harmful for paints? ?
Came back from a ride today. Road were in bad shape. Ktm being hard on suspensions, bike bumps alot. Due to which few drops of coolant spilled out. I feel cap gets loose due to vibrations.

P.S I am using aftermarket bling cap, which does not have a seal ring inside. May be that is the reason coolant come out. Any jugaad to this ? Like applying some mild sealant on the thread and then tight it. This will make sure cap is tight and coolant also wont spill out from the thead gaps.