Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Makes sense, but cruising at 40 is a definite misnomer? Also, the "throwing off" thing was a one off as this was literally the first time on the bike. Didn't mean to say its all the time.


This is not something I would agree with, Duke is definitely a hooligan and a hoot to ride but a lot of other bikes have amazing character too. TNT300 for instance.

well, what's comforting is how KTM has ironed out a lot of issue with the Duke, so wouldn't worry about maintenance.
And trust me, looks are probably the last among my considerations , its just the practicality. Function over form any day.


The pillion seat is not an issue for me as both me and my partner are real slim, the honda had enough room for both of s.
The maintenance and price for the hardware is my main sticking point with the CB right now. I mean duke just gives you so much more man!!

Regarding the 2020 model, what do you think is going to change between now and then? No major updates lined up right?
PS - what was the ex-showroom price in Chennai and final on road price for you?

Hosur is like 30kms for me from where I stay in Bangalore, worth taking the gamble to buy it in Hosur and commute in Bangalore?
Whats the worst case scenario I am looking at here?
I think the price difference is nearly 30-40k between Hosur and Bangalore (WTF right?)

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hope I am not crashing the party here: But RS, I'll help you bite the bullet. The overall upkeep of the KTM isn't as cheap when compared to others. It's al least on par with some of the Japs we have here, and reliability isn't half of what one'd expect when compared to other brands vis a vis Japs. Although a test ride can tell a lot about a bike, if you're looking for pillion comfort and you're okay with the CBR300, I'd strongly recommend you to go for it. Yes, you have imported parts, you have a wee bit more service expense, but on the long run, it's a more reliable machine than a KTM. Barring the fun part, i.e. mad acceleration, the sharpeness and overall "tis is the season to be jolly" feeling that the KTM gives, it also has the "tis is the season to be worried" character to it, and it's not all rosy when that happens.

The Honda has quality components when compared to a KTM, right from its brakes to ABS with IMU, to the overall build quality and those lovely Showa forks and shocks. The little you pay is absolutely for the quality, nothing else. The KTM is the Bone Collector in its class with excellent VFM package, but in the end, horsepower is not always that counts. The CBR can give you, if not justify the fun performance for what it has to offer. You'll just have to ride it to get the maximum, as it's also a high revving single, push it and you will have the same fun factor.


Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences


This was very helpful. I knew that Duke had its issue but I thought they were generally fixed/livable with.
I definitely did not know the service rates are higher. I assumed it would be more like a Dominar with a premium, excuse me !

And I agree, the acceleration on the Duke is Mental! but its not like the CB is a slouch, its pretty fun too I guess.
There were vibes for sure but I believe(or hope rather!) it will get better with time and service.

While I wouldn't debate the quality of parts argument of the CB, doesn't the Duke just have way better hardware?
Just the Slipper Clutch and Ride By Wire for instance, without going into all the bells and whistles of the fantastic Display unit.

And also, I might have to wait a while to get a proper windscreen or even a crash guard for the CB, while it is readily available for the Duke.
And the waiting time for the bike itself, November feels harsh !

But then, for a daily 15km commute in Bangalore, CB feels definitely better.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Well 2020 model will be BS6 ready that's the main change I don't think there will be any major changes in model as usually KTM releases RC390 new model (which due for refresh for long time) then it refreshes the Duke 390 model.
I don't remember exact number in Chennai but it was around Rs.2.45 lakhs ex showroom + Rs.20K for insurance + around Rs.20K for RTO and on road was around 2.94 lakhs.
Here's the thing if this is your first 250cc + bike then you can't go wrong with CB300R either the only thing is the pricing is bit unacceptable but its a CKD unit so you can't blame Honda for that, also I would advise you to take your better half for test ride and see which one she prefers.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

The hardware, all the technological aspects of what a Duke has to offer as a package, as I mentioned earlier, is an excellent VFM option. The iteration was made so, you make an informed choice when you write down the cheque. The finer aspects of it come to play, like how well will one be able to take care of the bike or one wants a fill it shut it type experience. For the most part, most riders have the enthu in the few months of ownership, and when a problem arises, it's not all rosy, and they take it to the boards. In the end, it's what the rider's heart yearns for, which I recommend to follow. The ownership experience differs from person to person for a given automobile, and come what may, it'll be saga after saga of tales and stories. But again, it's up to that little thumper inside you and what it says, follow that.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

LMAO! I am in a super bind now, got a call from a Honda showroom saying they have a red CB300 available immediately if I pay the full amount
Now I really have to decide immediately if I am choosing the Duke390 or CB300 given that one of my major issues, the waiting time, is no more an issue.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

ROFL.. good luck bro..

U can ride the 390 slow but you cannot ride the cb300 like 390[emoji13]

Ps. The jerky at low-end is irritating in traffic or riding sedately but from past week wat I have noticed is I topped up coolant and engine oil and tank is full now the jerky is reduced and bike feels more stable and fan is kicking in way lesser than before.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Still Duke 390 is better.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Take your time and multiple test ride and then decide the right bike for your riding style and usage, you don't want to end up choosing the wrong bike for your style and later regret it for not suiting you.

D390
D390 is always a go.. go.. go.. machine, you'll try to upshift even in 6th gear, only to realize you've run out of gears to shift
It's engine is like a light switch with only two states, either it's always ON or always OFF with no inbetween.

It can munch miles on highway non-stop, you can drive around city with some getting used to if you learn to control your right hand and your temptation, but it'll always be like using a Gun in a Knife fight.

Also, rear seat is good enough to carry a pillion around within the city and highways, CB300R pillion seats looks very uncomfortable to too small to me from photos like the older 2013 D390.

But D390 has its drawbacks, it's flashy, buzzy, heats up fair bit, has some minor niggles with electricals, engine is not so refined and as reliable compared other 250-400cc bikes and if you don't know what you are doing it'll scare you if you are new rider.

CB300R
Where as CB300R is going to be a smooth, buttery no non-sense Honda, it's engine is built on top of current CBR250R engine, it'll be very very reliable, fill it and shut it kind of machine!

Since it's new to the market and due to low sales numbers you'll defiantly stand out from the crowd, you can drive around city like Activa within city and cruise on highways sedately for days on this bike without any problem, but it'll not be hoonigan bike like a D390 but it'll be fast enough to make you happy like the G310R.

Coming to it's fair share of drawbacks, being a CKD it is pricey for what it offers compared to D390 or BMW G310R, Honda service for it's big bikes CBR250R is crap so it might continue, they rather prefer making money on servicing 4-5 Activa's in the time spent on servicing the CBR250R (they might have improved for this bike, only time will tell), you'll be spending time in the same queue and line with Activa, Dio's in service center after spending ₹3L+.

As it's a CKD sourcing even basic routine service parts will be a pain, everything has to come from Thailand, can take weeks to months, till Honda starts manufacturing this bike fully here parts will always be a issue, as it's a brand new bike long term ownership experience is under the dark as many people like me have not even got a chance to see the bike physically.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Well put, I agree with most of your points here.
even speed wise, CB isn't really a slouch, it is just not D390.
The only problem will be the early adoption risk. I might very well be the beta tester batch and that is hardly ever rewarding , economically or emotionally.
The upside is definitely the snob value that comes with having a lesser owned "premium" bike.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences


You will just have 22 centers through out India to service CB unlike Duke 390. Somehow CB300 does not feel like a 300 cc bike when you looks at it where as Duke 390 looks spot on. Duke 390 has higher compression ratio that does not mean it is not reliable it serves you well as long you take care of it. Most of the times people rev D390 too hard that it is always running at its peak rpm which can cause reliability issues. 2017 D390 has issues but most of them were sorted out. Heating is the nature of high compression engines I got used to it.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

That's exactly what I said, the long term ownership experience is still in the dark.

But then 2017 Duke 390 took almost 2 years to solve all issues, RR310 took an year fix all initial issues, even the original CBR250R had brake issues and all first batch was recalled, so was the R3 all bikes were recently recalled, so no bike is perfect from the moment they were launched from Day 1, it took them multiple attempt and fixes.

One positive thing I feel is that the CB300R is not built here in India compared to all other bikes, since it's build in Thailand the quality and reliability will be much better compared to if manufactured here, like they say "Export quality".
Also it's not a fully 100% brand new bike/engine from ground up, just a personified and upgraded CBR250R minus the farings with fancy naked parts, so most drivetrain parts are already tried and tested very well.

So don't worry about the early adopter risk too much, even if there are any minor issues Honda will eventually take care for all owners with a warranty(2 years) fix or recall.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Head over and heart over head eh! I'd recommend you go for the CB300. But, I have a hunch you would go for the 390, or is it. With the Duke or the CB, you're not gonna lose much. They are both very good performers for what they have to offer. Just to put it though, the 300 is a tried and tested one, and it isn't one to be worried as the beta tester. Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

That's indeed the Dilemma but there is no heart vs head here, its basically all in the head between these 2.
Let aside the power difference, I was actually thinking more along the line of part availability next. Windscreens, crash guards are ready available for the Duke.

Anyway, decided to not let the sudden availability affect my decision, will mull over it till I am finally ready to take the plunge.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Take your time, don't yank it out of yourself. Make sure you you do what's right. Let all the noise be aside.

Cheers!
VJ