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

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


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

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

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

I was in similar dilemma couple of months back , so many options in the price range. The reason I ruled out CB300R is because I was already having a CBR250R and when I took test ride on a single day all the bikes CB300R , BMW G310R and Ninja 300 (in low end) feel under-powered (except RE 650 twins). The power in D390 is addicting and it makes up for all the negatives in the bike atleast for me.
Also for CB300R had very small pillion seat and honestly doesn't make much sense compared to Honda's CBR250R for pricing point and also maintenance point of view. If you decide to go for D390 then wait for 2020 model its just 5 months left in this year.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Apparently this is not a made in India bike from what i read in an online review. Parts availability and the waiting time is then going to be an important factor. KTM has some reliability issues depending on your luck, the way you ride and quality of maintenance. The engine is rough and not best suited for commuting or relaxed riding. However, the engine has got character and the parts are cheap and more readily available. I like the looks of the Honda. It's a hard choice.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

KTM is fun machine, other brands feel lifeless [emoji23][emoji23]

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Duke is not for regular commutes with wife. Hit a proper express way it shows you how different it is from the rest of the pack. You will scream with love and happiness for what it offers on proper expressway or highway. Whenever I hit highway on my Duke 390 I feel like I am not aging at all and I did not get that kind of feel on any other big bike.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Whenever I feel like crusing at 40 I just hate 390s jerky response but whenevers I want to ride it like it's meant to be then there's no better bike than 390. So it mainly depends on Ur usage. If Ur commute includes small roads galli roads then Ur better with CBR or even diminar I guess but if it includes open roads like ring roads or something then Duke is the bike to go. Btw Whenever I go with my wife I don't ride like I do when solo, I accelerate gradually so that she don't feel thrown off.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

So, I got a really good test ride of some 2kms in a CB300R.


The ride feels good, had a bit of vibes given its a test bike maybe.
The power delivery is very smooth, was able to move in stand still traffic without jerky movements in 1st gear.
I mean, i was travelling at like 5-15 intentionally to see how the throttle response is.
Extremely measured is what I would say, none of the jerky "LET ME LOOSE YOU PEASANT" attitude of the 390 (Personally love it :P ).


But it does feel underpowered if you are considering it against the Duke. The Duke was an absolute maniac when I had ridden it this week.
But my wife feels the CB300 is better, as its smoother in power delivery. I was still able to hit 60 in like <4s and she didnt even realize it was at 60.
In the duke, she almost fell off* the first time I went from 1st to 2nd gear.


I am majorly confused now because -
1) at the same price point, KTM duke offers way better hardware like a Slipper Clutch, better console , and ride by wire (what big tech this is!)
2) the delivery time promised if I book today is November, I am not sure I want to wait so long for my bike.

The reason I loved the duke was its character and attitude, while I prefer a laid back style, the Duke is just too much fun to say no too.
You can be a seasoned drinker of Speyside Single malts but sometimes a couple of shots of Tequila is just what life needs.


The CB300 is very nimble and agile, pretty apt for Bangalore traffic.
But apparently even the service parts are imported, so service cost will be higher than the Duke.
Maybe its best to consider this bike once they start localization of parts.

PS - I have still not decided if I am going with the Duke or the CB300 !

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Yep, the only saving grace is my office time, I make sure I leave at a time when the traffic is lighter, say 5kmph moving speed as opposed to stop-start traffic!



I know, and I have mentioned this earlier, it's commendable how KTM has been hearing (stalking this forum?) our issues and working on it .
The model I had rented was supposedly a 2018 model, it had 45k on the odo. It felt like the bike was in a bad state of service. The guy admitted that the front tires were worn out on one side. I was actually getting resistance like hitting a rock when I was trying to steer the bike right at speed.

The clutch, while not super light, doesn't feel very heavy either, this is comforting for traffic rides. And again, the vibrations will be the least of my issues right now. I would not really mind minor vibes.

Do keep us posted about your observations from the new model

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Your observations are right but they have improved now in 2019 model, the accelerator is still jerky in lower rpm below 3000-4000 rpm but beyond that its not that much. Second the heating seems to be less in my bike I live in Chennai and travel around 10 kms one way daily to office and the heating is lower compared to 2017 test ride bikes which I have ridden. Vibrations are there in my bike but at only lower rpms which is normal for big single but beyond 4000 rpm and higher gears it becomes smoother.

Finally I'm not sure which year model you have ridden but 2019 model feels much more like a finished product compared 2017 model, every issue that's been discussed in this forum is yet to be found on my bike. I'm waiting for couple of more months before giving my full "verdict" for 2019 model so that I can get a clear picture.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

example: 20w50 - is a multi grade oil
oil is thicker at lower temperatures. if you live in a place say that goes below 0 C then at start up (cold cranking, When the engine is cold, so is oil) a 20W oil will be too thick to flow thru the engine, hence engine wear/damage.
a 5W will flow better at lower temperatures than a 20W.. hence it they advice you to choose oil based on the ambient atmospheric temperatures as one of the factors.
the other factors are usually the engine design,performance and tolerance parameters that the manufacturer looks into before suggesting an oil.

here is an example of oil grades recommended: (honda used to provide a similar chart in their manuals)






It is not 5 deg C and 40 C, pl hit up some decent material on sae viscosity grades. it is usually a measure of viscosity at 0C and 100C.
5w40 - doesn't mean 5C or 40C .. the values 5 and 40 are sae viscosity grades not temperature values.

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you will get used to it. it is much better than the first gen 390's now.
unfortunately stop go traffic in a city like bangalore is not the place for this bike, but is usable and many get used to it. but yeh bangalore traffic

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Got a one day rental of the Duke 390 via Wicked Ride in Bangalore last night.
Rode through some 10km in rain and 10kms in moderate traffic today morning.

The main takeaways are -

1) The mind blowing acceleration, its a hoot!
2) The riding position is amazing and the seat height is perfect for me (5'10 with shoes).

However, there were a couple of drawbacks -

1) It feels like the throttle response is extremely jerky in stop go traffic, 1st gear under 15kmph is a major pain
2) The engine heats up almost immediately and the fan pushes all the air onto my legs.
3) There are definite vibrations but it somehow feels almost muted given that I am moving in from an Apache RTR.

The main question I have here is about the 1st gear jerky throttle response a common thing among high powered bikes? this seems to be my only issue so far.

All said and done, I understand why this bike is called a hooligan, massive fun to ride and the smiles per KM is through the roof!