Re: 2017 Duke 250

Hey guys,
Any news on the abs version of duke 250?
When i went to ktm showroom they mentioned end of march or later. Hoping thats wrong

Re: 2017 Duke 250

In all probability, to keep prices in check, the D250 would get the same treatment as the Duke 200 that's the single channel ABS on offer. Rumor mills are churning out that the ABS equipped version would be launched next month. Eventually, it will and have to be launched with ABS. Single or Dual is anyone's guess. My bets are with the single-channel to keep prices in check.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 250

With the price of CB300R out at 2.41L, KTM-Bajaj has plenty of scope to add Dual Channel ABS and some more to D250 to still market it as a bargain compared to the Honda.
With a bigger tank, very wide coverage and lower spare parts cost, D250/D390 still come out as more VFM bike in Indian market only beaten by cousin Dominar.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

With Duke 390 sales going down for the past three quarter consecutively, it's not looking good for the upper end of the spectrum for KTM. With 125, 200, 250, 390 their entire gamut for the Indian Masala is almost perfectly concocted. Is the CB300 expensive compared to the Duke? Definite yes. But do we get quality equipment in return? That's another double definite yes. The biggest mistake people do is look at a motorcycle for top speed, almost instantaneously. Only to regret it later.

The Indian scene is opening the gamut slowly yet steadily, it's only time you can see a slew of parallel twins. All it takes one odd-ball move and the entire shift focuses from single to parallel twin. Top it up with affordability like our REI 650, things are definitely getting squeezed for Indian manufacturers.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 250

A 100% agree.
KTM lineup for India doesn't leave anything in the void.
KTM really needs to put their bikes alongside Yamaha/Suzuki/Honda and see the difference in quality.
Longevity of KTM is another grey area since we do tend to hear a lot of tiny but irritating niggles.
650 twins is a massive bomb drop on Bajaj-KTM, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Triumph and Harley.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Talking about quality, is the quality of KTM's really that bad? I have no first hand experience with KTM. Currently I ride a 2012 model 200NS and it's quite reliable(Engine not opened till now) with ODO around 81,000 km. I just think that, when a 200NS is this much reliable, why a KTM can't have the same reliability and quality, which is supposed to be more premium than Bajaj. As you can see, usually I hold on to my vehicles much longer and don't change them often. I love 2017 Duke 390, but so many posts about quality and reliability is holding me back. Please post your experience's friends.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

First things first, KTM is tuned for a very high compression ratio, which essentially puts more pressure on the parts. But then, KTM also uses some of the best parts in it's category.
So, this argument of high compression ratio is basically not my cup of tea.

Secondly, KTM machines are a lot popular among the population with barely the knowledge of anything apart from riding it. Now, here mechanics play a crucial role. These machines are built to the spec and built with precision. You know what's bad with that ? Give that machine for repairs in the hands of a rookie and there goes the reliability down the drain. Over-torquing or under torquing bolts is 99.9% common in India. Yes, surprisingly no one thinks it useful, not even the high tech popular repair shops. :facepalm:

Then comes the question of poor training, for example, fork repair mechanics wash the insides of fork with petrol, which messes up the job later. They use AP3 grease on wheel bearings, any grease on brake calipers, and the list goes on and on. There is no end to such dubious work.

Precision made machines need good or atleast average mechanics with good knowledge of mechanicals. What we have is mechanics who can tear down engines by opening a few bolts, hammering it with a sledge hammer, but they can't even do basic service properly or precisely.

That's my rant for today. Goodluck with your purchase and future study.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Absolutely true.
In order to open more SVCs, the dealers go on a rampage and hire anyone and give no training.
You can always see how clueless some of these mechanics are when you bring to them a problem.
Either you have a very competent SVC nearby or settle for a humbler and simpler bike.
I moved from Duke 200 to P220 because of this reason.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Or either you come and visit me every service. [emoji23]
Cheers mate !
I am on a pulsar 150 and looking for a simpler on and off road motorcycle for myself despite knowing the know how, sometimes the schedule doesn't allow much free time for sitting down and repairing things.

And you rightly said it all.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Haha. ^ this. About the bolts though, Seems like all manufacturers are on a mission to save costs here.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Suggestions & solutions if any of my problems below relating to my D250.
* The throttle kept idle at mid-high rev range when riding, i am sure it doesn't relate to engine temperature.
* I check the accelerator cable but it's not the problem, somehow it stuck on the mid-high rev range when suddenly building up speed in traffic. If it happens, i just rev very hard 4-5 times then it comes back to normal.
Pls help guys

Re: 2017 Duke 250

From the description looks to a faulty Throttle position sensor(TPS) issue and/or throttle cable getting stuck near the throttle body area. Check for the resistance variation from the TPS by varying throttle to start with.

Also, does the revs vary when you turn the handle bar from left side to right side? If the cable is getting dragged in anyway?

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Your idle stepper motor is getting jammed or faulty. A faulty idle stepper motor would mean, the motor works intermittently which in turn would cause erratic RPMs. Get it checked.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Honda is much lighter, has higher displacement so likely will offer much more usable power over d250. I think honda is priced expensive but not much. I got a 390 but would ve been confused if honda was launched earlier. A lot of reasons for that would be simplicity.

I do wish ktm launched a simpler version of d390, keep everything from d250, just add single channel abs. Price it 20k lower than top spec model with colour tft. That would be killer. I might trade in my 390 for that few years down the line.

Duke 200 is said to be quite reliable and also fuel efficient.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Surprise surprise Now launched with Dual-channel ABS which is switchable!
For only a nominal price hike of ₹14,000 ex-showroom price of ₹1.94L! I'd say that's a steal deal