I don't know man how come so many issues in a new bike, but as I maintain my bikes as good as one can, I have got a keen eye for details. I check everything as thoroughly as can be done.
That bike could have been easily sold to a non suspecting rider. Hope ktm ups its ante when it comes to quality checks and pdi at their side.

Sent from my GT-I9100

I was keenly following the 200 threads when that bike was launched, and i dont recollect reading so many issues then. with 390, there seems to be more issues, mostly related to negligence at final check at the factory and PDI at showrooms.

Got my bike on 12th, updated on fb, started riding and it turned out to be a lemon. Returned it, waiting for a new bike that'll be delivered on 25th.

Between all this there is a huge story of struggle. I would share it once I have time.

Sent from my GT-I9100

I got my bike on 12th of November after waiting for more than 4 months. I was initially being told that you'll have to wait till 25th nov but I mailed ktm India with all the details and proof that something is wrong with the deliveries and booking number somehow have not been respected. I got my bike the very next day.

Went for a pdi, pointed out a few issues like missing mud guard extension, loose chain, and a peculiar problem where the gear lever was not coming back to its original position by itself when engaging the gear. It needed a very slight nudge.
I was promised everything would be sorted and during the delivery all seemed fine.

The moment I rode the bike out of the showroom I noticed the handlebar alignment was messed up and was not in the center. Called the manager out and told him about the issue. He was helpful enough and called the svc to tend to me immediately even though it was 6 in the evening. Rode straight to svc and while riding I realised the gear shift problem still persists. I got this to the service managers notice and he tried changing the gear lever and oiling the shaft but after a lot of efforts and trying to convince me that its fine when I was still not satisfied we figured out that the gear selector shaft that runs into the gearbox is bent. I was like wtf? He said he'll rectify it in the first service.

I said pack the bike up the way it was and rode back to the showroom, there the manager told me and some senior fellow xbhpians who were with me throughout, that the bike has been temporarily registered and nothing can be done about this. After a lot of discussion with ktm officials and being at the showroom till 10.30 I finally did not take the bike. The manager at the showroom was really helpful but the ktm officials were a different story altogether.

Got the bike from Trivandrum showroom.
Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

Sent from my GT-I9100

I don't know man how come so many issues in a new bike, but as I maintain my bikes as good as one can, I have got a keen eye for details. I check everything as thoroughly as can be done.
That bike could have been easily sold to a non suspecting rider. Hope ktm ups its ante when it comes to quality checks and pdi at their side.

Sent from my GT-I9100

Btw, i dont know if i didnt notice before or if svc guys missed something , but my front brake oil reservoir appears to be empty. I am not sure if the oil is so transparent or if it really is empty. Front brake and lever play appears to be absolutely fine though....

Great!! You handled the situation pretty well. And I suspect bajaj is following India's tradition. I guess you all know this.. From tea, spices and even soaps all the top quality products are exported. We get the low quality product for a higher price. If you don't believe go and taste the tea at tea factory in ooty..you'll never get that taste in any premium branded tea. All those are exported. Bitter truth
Is bajaj doing the same thing?? Manufacturing here and giving us dud piece is not at all fair. Companies are using us. This is not the first case to tell its one in hundred bikes. One guy had a broken valve and many getting noise from engine.

True. Its a very sad fact that our own manufacturers are considering us inferior and exporting all the best of their products to all over the world in fetch of more profit. Bajaj is well known for pathetic quality of build, using cheap and third quality stuff in making their products. Bajaj still haven't learned making a proper motorcycle. All of the products they manufactured till date had various quality issues and now they are on the way to hamper the reputation build by KTM in manufacturing tough and rugged motorcycles. The Duke 390 is completely build by Bajaj using inputs from local and cheap vendors and this thoroughly reflects in the durability of their bikes. The fuel pump sounds like its about to die. The paint from the engine has started to chip off. The chain sprockets are wearing out freaking fast. The engine has already started making noises as if it is 30k kms old. The gearbox is way too clunky. There are issues popping up from almost all crucial parts. Even the customers abroad are complaining of various issues as they are seeing a new face of KTM from what they have experienced. The Kawasaki knows Bajaj well and never went to manufacture the ninja here. And the result; we are getting a world class product. All the Japanese manufacturers maintains some quality standards while making their products and they are peoples favorite all over the world just because they get a proper no nonsense machine
that could serve them well for years. On the other hand, we Indians go for the cheapest alternative and gets rewarded by such inferior products.

Why don't you open Honda CBR 250 R intial ownership report and see all the trouble they went through....so much for japanese manufaturers

I saw one 390 there waiting for delivery. May be it was the lemon in disguise. BTW, when you get your new bike?

Yes, I am well aware of the issues faced by CBR 250R owners but those issues only made the bike better. Honda swung into action almost immediately and replaced the affected parts without any hassles. Honda even sued their vendors for supplying them defective parts. CBR 250R even have a five year warranty as an option for a nominal amount . The Duke's warranty is just 30000 kms or 2 years. Bajaj knows their products well and are not ready to go beyond that.The Duke is by no means a new product to the market. The duke 200 faced an alarming number of issues but still Bajaj haven't improved anything on the bike, but opted for quick fixes or some 'jugaad'. Now the 390 is also going the same way.
There is no need for a debate here. You have two options for two lakh rupees. One is a well built and engineered 250cc 25 bhp motorcycle and the other is a well engineered but pathetically built 375cc 44 bhp motorcycle. Its just like making a Bugatti Veyron in a farmhouse. Quality always comes at a price. And I am pretty sure that 2 years later, a 2013 CBR250R would easily overtake a 2013 Duke 390 because CBR still makes 25 bhp while the duke makes a humble 22.

Well, cbr didn't have as many problems/glitches/quality check problems I believe.aargee had his engine troubles thou initially.but then 390 is a new product, a, premium one at that.the issues are down to quality control.which leads me to the next question. @all owners could u please post a detailed pdi list. I'm selecting my bike tomorrow @DukeDey could you please post the same for the community's benefit.

Bajaj is well known for pathetic quality of build, using cheap and third quality stuff in making their products.

CBR still makes 25 bhp while the duke makes a humble 22.

That lemon was mine, parked next to the pillar by me the day before. I took the delivery around 5 in the evening.
@senotrius there is no checklist as such, I checked everything you mentioned like, oil, coolant, brake fluid, whether the mudguard extender was there or not, fork boots installed or not, throttle, brake and gear lever play, if the radiator is switching on or not, scratches, chain slack, headlight beam focus, any unusual noise while riding, clutch setting, handlebar alignment, all indicators and light working, fender and all other parts screwed properly, the toolkit etc. I just took my time to inspect the bike, rode the bike for a good 10kms and this was my Pdi