Re: 2017 Duke 250

GROLLER is a great addition to one's arsenal in cleaning the chain and basically makes life easier. Youtube has great content with G roller, especially with KTM on how to use it, I'd suggest you look into that for more in depth info.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Many owners seem to be complaining about the low ground clearance issue with the skid plate scraping even for small humps. Saw one video of it going over a small flatter hump and it barely passed over it without scraping. The place I stay is filled with big humps and I guess my daily commute to office will be a bummer if I keep scraping it.

I am kinda confused as well, considering KTMs official spec maintains the old 185 mm ground clearance. Can existing BS6 owners shed some light on how their experience has been so far?

It pains me a lot anytime my bike scrapes its belly, especially with a pillion onboard and this factor alone is kind of a deal breaker for me currently .

Re: 2017 Duke 250

With the BS6 update, there is a slight decrease in GC. But it won't scrape the underbelly in the city of Speedbreakers . Plus this is not an ADV, so you should be slightly careful.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

There's a whatsapp group mentioned in the first post, link seems to have reset or expired, can anyone post the updated link to that 250 Duke Ownership group here again?

I've been scraping by 250 ever since i bought, you are right to hear that...even minor speed breaker need to be crossed with utmost caution, and if you're with a pillion, then for sure you're gonna scrape the bottom pan. This is the only down side in my opinion, other mechanical glitches can sorted with service, this was an engineering design choice which i don't how how to come about...

I have my 250 Duke's 1st service in 3 days, already done 1009kms. My questions are 1) How many more kms can I travel before I void any kind of free service or warranty? 2) What are the checks I need to keep an eye out for during my first service?


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Also, can anybody recommend me good crash guards? are KTM powerparts available in Kolkata?

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Just a thought- How can you scrape the underbelly if the KTM site is claiming the GC to be of 185mm. I ride a TB500 which has 135mm GC, I have never scrapped TB's underbelly. I am planning to purchase a Duke250 that's why I want to understand this things.

Thanks.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

BS6 units have reduced clearance apparently. One canister has been moved to the bottom of the bike which seems to be the issue.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Surely it will be more than TB500, right??!! Since commute through pot hole and huge bumper filled roads.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Yes, Ground clearance is slightly more on the 250 (151mm) than on the TB (135mm). Lesser weight on the 250 should help with this too.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Hi Guys. New here & my first ever query. I currently ride a TB350. Have clocked 70k on it. I need a faster bike to cruise on. TB350 is best at 90-95, with 110 being too tiring due to vibrations. Over the years had started to ride the cruiser as if it was a naked bike! 😂 🤡
Currently unable to decide between Gixxer 250 and Duke 250. Requirement is a cruising speed of 120-125, can duke 250 riders suggest if this is possible? I understand the bike can do 145-150 top end, but what about the cruising speed? The friend I often ride with, owns a 390 adv.; wanted to buy one as well but was recently hit with budget constraints. Additionally, the friend mentioned that it's not that easy to maneuver in bumper to bumper traffic given the size. So the adv is a no go.

The Gixxer is around 40k cheaper, is it a worthy substitute? I don't like the riding position on it as compared to the Duke but that should be modifiable and managed accordingly. The speeds are almost the same on both bikes. Off-road will mostly be rough roading only, hence the GC on Duke bs6 is a concern, or should it be?

Usage: office ride daily (20kms to and fro), rough roading on weekends on trails around mumbai, long rides Highway cruising once a quarter 700-800 kms+ range.

Appreciate your views in clearing my confusion! Need to make a buying decision soon.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Not sure about the suzuki, but the D250 with the DOHC setup feels at home at high speeds. It can be done, but those speeds are near the factory top speed of the bike. would recommend a 390 to do those speeds comfortably.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Drop all your plans, get a Himalayan BS6 eyes closed. If you already ride a TB350, going to a 250cc is downgrade in the first place and you'll get bored of the 250cc soon. Trust me TB350 >> D250 >> Gix250

Once you experience a RE 350cc engine, sometimes even my 373cc KTM feels less exciting and less refined. Until 100-120kpmh RE350/TB350 can easily keep up with my RC390 and even beat the same in initial pickup as a power cruiser, but a D250 cannot do the same, Gix250 will be dead midway. I mean going above 130kpmh anything in India is like risking your life, I mean you can if you want to if are unmarried, no kids and dont care about throwing away your life.

I am not being a fanboy insipte of being a owner KTM RC390 so no favoritism here, but the even new 250ADV cannot hold a candle against the Himalayan. Trust me 390Adv is not worth the extra 1-2L over the normal Himalayan/D390/RC390. Heck if I had choice and had parking space I'd go and buy 2 extar bikes right now I'd buy one xPulse 200 for beater(getting milk, groceries etc), another Himalayan for rough city riding and my RC390 for fast weekend thrills.

If you dont want to regret in the long run and going by your requirements you want to have only one bike (good ground clearance, good faster speed) Himalayan will be the perfect choice.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Sigh! I was hoping nobody will point this out. Been testing bikes to replace the current one. Rode the 390 adv, gix 250, 390 duke, honda cb300 and there was a Himalayan test ride in between all this.
Off all the bikes tested, it was only Himalayan that made me say "I think this would be my next bike". There is something about it, you just can't put it in words. It's not the refinement, not the posture, reliability issues exist (trust me I've had a really bad experience with RE service centers and I've tried all of them in my city, I now go to the least pathetic of the lot); but the entire package somehow felt amazing!
Top speed is a consideration for overtaking only. Intend to ride at 120 odd. But I get your point, will consider it as well. The service experience and parts reliability is a big big big headache!

Re: 2017 Duke 250

I don't want to rob the Duke 250 thread, but on a closing note:
Very true, the way Himalayan delivers power and its gear ratios tuning, the motor is always stress free and smooth even in triple digits, until you look down on the Speedo you wont know you are already doing 80-90kmph. Its a true all rounder for city traffic, heavy off roading in bumpy roads, long distance highway cursing.

Though the Original Himalayan one had bad reliability with broken frames, engine casing, crankshaft etc etc. The BS4 was good fixing most issues but the new BS6 is the best one yet and pretty much sorted and fuss free. Until 30-40K km there is nothing major part ideally that would break on the bike for no reason, so parts is not a major concern for 1st 3-4 years because nothing will break apart from regular wear and tear.

For service, once warranty is over switch to some good bike garage who deal with big bikes, there are so many mechanics who expertise in RE and REH like say "Art of Motorcycles" or "Lakshmi's" here in Bangalore. They can pretty much do everything and anything for your RE bike better than any official RE service center. You just have to find similar garage in your city.

If you can afford it, pick the REH over D250/Gixxer250. If you are not a young blood and not looking for some lethal weapon with crazy insane power then stay away from all 390 KTM's. Himalayan gives you same torque of a 390 KTM, is 20ps less but its a saner and controllable bike ride.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

If you really loved a particular bike, go for it!

Although Duke 250 is costly and not a ride-anywhere bike(ADV) like Himalayan, here are some pros:

1. Weight
2. Power
3. Refinement
4. Reliability
5. Better Service experience

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Well, if you've already had your share of an experience with an RE, then don't do it! Try the xpulse and see how that goes too.