Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

I have done the same and also added 1 inch risers from Viaterra. The motorcycle has just transformed and is much much comfortable.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

yes, that is the way the bars are positioned since the 2017 model 390.
you have an option to add handle bar risers, to raise the bars by around 25mm. this is supposed to be fine, without messing with the wires/cables. these cost around 600-900rs. according to viaterragear.com who are one of the sellers of the risers, for the 2017- 390, the pulsar rs200's clutch cable should be used since it is longer and works without hampering the clutch function.
other vendors have the 25mm risers that are made up of 2 blocks of 10mm + 15mm (total of 25 if used together).. like the ones from bikers billet.
but make sure the clutch wire is proper otherwise it could end up causing problems with the clutch mechanism/parts. another known part for clutch cable is to use one from a chetak scooter (info from a reliable ktm mechanic).

you could fabricate a handle bar to whatever ergonomics you want.. but the challenge would be to make sure the stock cables/wiring like the clutch cable, controls, brake hose etc.. would fit in properly or need to source longer cables.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

The current Duke's handlebar is very straight and it makes my shoulder to rotate internally when riding in city. When riding in traffic jams, with a couple of fingers on the brake lever, it hurts at the shoulder, wrists and neck. Its manageable in the outskirts.

So I was checking on ways to adjust the handle bar. One option is to increase the fork height. When I checked the top of the front forks, it's like a 1/4 inch lowered. Is this way Duke 390 2017 is usually setup? Can I make it flat against the top holding part of the fork?



Also, is it possible to get handlebars in a pattern similar to the below? V shaped holding section at the ends while the bar is raised after the fork clamping area. These actually helps to maintain a much better posture for wrists and shoulders.

Have someone changed their handlebars with anything else? I guess even clipons with raised heights will provide much more comfort and control.

Please advice.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

There's one more consideration that i think hasn't been mentioned. When it comes to sprited riding, while i haven't test ridden the Honda 300R but if it's anything like the Honda 250r or the more recent 650r then the Duke is the one to get for skilled riders who love cornering. I ride a RC390 and the bikes i mentioned are simply not at the same level, in fact nothing under 10k lacs is...
(the rear shock is a limitation while the front forks are pretty good. Nitron UK makes very nice rear shocks for both the Duke and RC390. I got one and they are worth the money)

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

I see myself in you when I think of ordering biryani :P. what type of biryani to order. Lol..

Anyway, toss a coin and buy one based on result.

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

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

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 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


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

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

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

Still Duke 390 is better.

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

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.