Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I guess the 390 are like that. Not the 200 tho... I found the Duke 200 to be extremely well mannered at low speeds. I found you can go as low as 35 on 6th gear on the 200 and slowly putter about.

Not that I don't like riding the 390 the way it likes to be ridden but I would have preferred an easier low speed ride on my 390 especially on the return journey.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

RC390 already reached dealer yard.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Any info about the 2017 Duke 390?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Nope. They are tight lipped about it.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I feel they might launch all 4 bikes and delivery of the Dukes will be delayed for some time.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

What may be a reasonable life to expect out of the engine before it requires a re-bore/bore replacement?

Anybody here who have replaced there cylinder kit, if yes then at what mileage?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

It depends on how the motorcycle was ridden and maintained. You could get a compression test done to start off the diagnosis.
But a regularly maintained and less abused 390 should be able to pull at-least around 70k km.

btw, recently when i was at the svc, i saw them rebuilding a 390 engine and casually inquired about the cost of the bore+piston kit. the mech & parts guy told me that the rc bore piston kit costs 10k (or was it 12k!) while the duke one costs 3-4k ! I was stunned and kept asking them again if that was true, and they said yes. not sure if they were high on something, but this is something i will verify once again. Meanwhile if anyone is able to get the approx prices for the bore+piston kit of the rc's and the dukes, please post it here.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

A high revving engine lasting 70k without needing an engine rebuild? Isn't it expecting too much? Asked that out of curiosity as I have no experience owning a four stroke bike before.

3-4k is peanuts (labour maybe high) when an RX bore can cost 10k

There is a big difference in labour rates between Duke & RC series but I didn't know the parts also had this difference.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

If maintained well, engine could last 100k before rebuilding.

Rebuilding is not a bomb and will cost less than 20-25k, Yes that's the beauty of made in India

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

i know of atleast 4 people whose bikes have crossed 50k kms without much issues. There are many 390's which have crossed 30k too. 390 is a very reliable bike and the issues that it faces are blown out of proportion in the forums, atleast thats what i see.


my experience with the duke till date:

My duke has done 23000 kms in a span of 11 months and still roars like new. Duke has been very reliable till date and im totally satisfied with it. It is one of those versatile bikes that you can find in the market now, urban commute or touring, it just excels. I will split my experience into two parts, urban commute and touring. Im mainly concentrating on the negatives as positives have already been discussed to death in the thread.

Urban commute:
Duke 390 is made for open roads where it stays calm and cool. In first two gears at lower RPMs the bike jerks which makes it difficult to ride slowly. The only way is to ride fast or be above 5000 RPM. The bike does heats up and riding with sandals is a strict no. Once i was stuck in heavy traffic, bike's heat was burning my feet and i just couldn't turn off the engine as the radiator fan was running. From then on i never ride with my sandals, lesson learnt.
Now coming to the ergonomics, you are actually at an advantage,wrist doesn't pain anymore, pillion doesn't lean on you and morover you can reach the office without any cramps.Rider seat has a bit of an area to move around whereas pillion seat is a pure torture device designed by KTM, seems like pillion seat was an afterthought.
Bike lacks low end torque and with a pillion bit of a throttle is needed to get going, though this isn't a negative, some may find it irritating. Duke is sprung stiff and it shows up when you hit potholes. A terrible jolt is felt on shoulders and back when hitting bad potholes, with a pillion. Coming to ground clearence, one needs to be careful over the speed humps with pillion. But all the negatives vanish when you twist the throttle and hold on to the handlebar for your dear life.

Touring:
390 is a cracker on the highways.Period. In my bike atleast i feel vibrations around 80 kmph and anything more than that vibrations are very less. It is not as smooth as my CBR 250r but its manageable. I have added a windshield and dont face much windblast now. I can now comfortably cruise at 110 kmph where the engine sounds sweet. Engine braking is too much on the 390, that does take the pleasure out while touring. Tank range is pretty low, 180 kms and i reach the reserve. It is kind of frustating to stop every now and then to fill up and morover finding petrol bunks in night is such a task.
Suspension could have been softer which would have aided in the highway runs, taking less toll on the body too. Bike is tuned for handling which i understand, but it's not like we ride everyday on track. I wish KTM brings in softer suspension in the new 390. Coming to ergonomics, it is comfortable sitting upright but bent knees are a discomfort in an otherwise brilliant seating position.

Bike has been reliable throughout and had never left me stranded on highways but mine had its share of issues.

warranty replacements:

1.Waterpump seals
2.exhaust replacement

Will i buy another 390 ? Definitely yes. Duke 390 has character and i love it. But i wish they improve their plastic quality in the next iterations.I wish!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

When it comes to vibration, I feel it on the foot pegs and some noise due to vibration around speedometer at 4000Rpm and completely vanishes post 5000rpm. I didn't feel this initially, but I feel it started after my Ladahk ride and specially after transporting the bike from Leh to Bangalore. Does any one have the same issue around 4000Rpm? Is this normal or do I need to check anything?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Now that's pretty awesome. Even 15k for an engine rebuild at 50,000 kms, that's great value. KTM ki jai!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Footpeg vibration is mostly due to dry chain or tight chain links, but i do face vibrations around 5k rpm in my footpegs albeit less when the chain is lubed. So i think 4k-5k rpm is the vibration range for this motor and anything above 5k rpm, its pretty smooth.

Check your visor rubber mounts. They could have been damaged while transit or maybe the screws are too tight. My aftermarket windscreen rattles at around the same rpm as i have tightened the screws too much. If it doesnt solve your problem, remove the headlight mask and tape loose sockets and wires. Check for any screws that might have fallen inside. Check your petrol cap too.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Usually it's the 200 that is relatively higher revving/ridden at higher rpm's. Example, the 200 does 100kmph at 7500rpm while the 390 does it at a much lower and relaxed rpm.
And mind you the 390 uses a better bore+piston, i.e. the bore is nikasil coated and the piston is a forged unit with it's skirts also have a special coating. Plus other bits and pieces that are better than a 200.
So if maintained well, and ridden properly it should easily be able to do 70k km.

My 200, is at 28k km now and going strong with no major issues/engine parts replacement.
Yes, parts are relatively inexpensive (and i hope they stay so..) and labor these days at any asc is 'expensive'. So a full rebuild might indeed cost around 25k , but the quality of work is important to get the rebuild right.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I lube the chain regularly without fail and make sure the chain isn't too tight. I usually adjust such that the slack is bit looser than recommended. Thanks for the tip though, I will check the bolts on the windscreen and check the rubber mounts. I remember tightening the windscreen bolts a lot which might be the issue.