Re: 2017 Duke 250


@abhiiceman : Let's go today evening with my GoPro

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Yours is sj7000 right? They only prefer GoPro😝

Re: 2017 Duke 250

I just complained to the customer care, number is - 18002332453, I think all of us should register a complaint.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Yeah may be they check for that too I guess...



Well done bro...

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Just go by that PDI thread by blackthorn. That should cover all the points.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Thanks Vicky [emoji4] [emoji4]

Re: 2017 Duke 250

[emoji106] [emoji106]

Re: 2017 Duke 250

How are the vibes on the handlebars and foot pegs? I still haven't found a test ride, was only able to rev it in the showroom and felt smoother than dominar and 390.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Initial Experience

Got mine (duke 250 - orange) delivered on April 25th (From hyderabad - jublee hills showroom). This is just my initial impressions and findings which are prone to change over more usage of the vehicle. I have driven the bike for 150kms over the past two days (thanks to a sudden escalation in my wife's office).


I upgraded from R15 v2.0 and my experience with bikes is limited to daily commutes to office.


Choice of color :
I took orange but I personally feel the bike looks better in white. White differentiates it from the 390. But orange also looks good.


Things I instantly loved :


1. Very very smooth engine and very positive gearbox - you get that clunk sound each time you slot a gear. Love that.
Probably gear shifts will get smoother over time.
2. Linear and manageable acceleration resulting in breeze of use in stop and go traffic.
Even with this I am finding it hard to resist ripping the bike hard. Always makes me wonder how the 390 riders manage to keep it sane.
3. Superb handling. Light weight front end contributes a lot. Easy and tempting to filter through traffic.
4. Feather touch start - you just have to push the starter once and leave the bike to start on its own. Comes handy when you restart the bike at traffic signals.
5. Ergonomics - slightly sporty I would say not complete upright (as per online reviews 390 seems to have more upright position), but to me coming from a R15 this feels very comfortable. I feel like I can ride this all day long.
6. Exhaust note is pretty good esp while revving hard.
7. Slipper clutch. Makes the clutch so light and gear downshifts so delightful.
8. It feels like a very light bike. Its 158 kgs dry weight is shown no where. You can park it easily, drag it and its turning radius is also short.
Not that is engineering.
9. No vibes in handle bars at any RPM so far. But foot pegs do get few massaging vibes at around 5k RPM.
10. Higher seating posture. You get a good view of the road ahead.
11. Unlike my R15 / FZ, even with a pillion the dynamics of the bike does not change much. Breaking and handling both.


Things not so positive :

1. Heats up in heavy traffic. Once radiator fan starts, the heat is deflected away from the rider but until then you will feel the heat.
2. Very noisy radiator fan. Its the only irritating aspect to me so far. I probably would get used to it soon.
3. Brakes work well at least in city - but if they were sharper would have made the rides faster and more enjoyable.
But they do their work. Only thing you cannot brake as late as you would have thought of in such a class of motorcycle. Wish they had given the bigger discs of the 390.
4. Weak headlight. Low beam is ok. But high beam does not illuminate much. Would be useless on a highway. The 390 LED headlight is so good.
5. Vibes in foot pegs at certain RPMs (I guess somewher close to 5k). No where else i felt the vibes. Definitely not a deal breaker.
R15 too had vibes but at higher RPMs and those vibes are something you wont mind having. These vibes get distracting but with proper gear
changes you can get over them. Re-iterating that this is not something to worry at all.
6. I had no previous experience with any other duke but as per my limited experience I felt it needs a lot of gear changes in traffic.
7. My wife was an involuntary pillion for few kms in the city. She did not like it much. Her complaint was each time bike is revved (even as gently as it allows) in the 1st gear she has this falling behind feeling. And compared to R15 pillion seat, even though the seat is comfier, it being flat and not slanted towards the front is giving the pillion slight scares when revved. But the driver will enjoy it since none of the weight of the pillion is transferred to the front.


BOTTOMLINE : Love the bike. It is making me enjoy each ride and be the hooligan I do not want to be.


One more thing I am 5'6" and initially before taking the test drive I felt its too tall. But it is not. I was able to drive it easily.
Even taking u-turns does not seem like a chore. Its not heavy either.


I was almost sold on the RE craze and almost booked one of their bikes, but thank god I got out of it and got this bike. This might be the best city commuter.


Delivery experience :
It went pretty well. No complaints. Took the road side assistance package too. I bought the bike from the Jublee hills showroom in Hyderabad. I requested for a PDI with me present which they did. The bike was transported to the showroom on road so had around 15kms on ODO. But that was the only bike being delivered that day so could not complain much.


Though process of taking this bike :
Wanted a fun bike primarily for city commuting and occasional longer weekend drives. I am a sucker for handling, agility and quick acceleration. Only considerations were KTMs since Dominar is like a crossover with much more emphasis on touring. FZ25 seems like a good deal but I do not like Yamaha servicing as per my previous experience with R15. Mojo too was a good option but again it is a tourer.


Almost went into the RE camp, even loved driving Thunderbird in traffic. But my interaction with few owners of Enfield swayed me in the opposite direction. Lets not get into this and get bashed. Lets just say I am kind of a guy who would appreciate latest engineering over the older pure machines. Its reverse in case of cars for me though.


Went to book duke 200, they offered me test drive of 250 since they did not have 200 test ride vehicle. Immediately could feel the improved refinement, better handling and most importantly slipper very light clutch. Booked it then and there.


I will update once again after clocking a considerable mileage on this bike. I am very happy to answer any question any one has regarding this bike.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Congrats. I'm a sedate rider as well. i Fully understand what you mean by this.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Hi guys, What's the cost of first service? Is there anything I should take a note after the service?

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Service is free. You'll be charged for consumables though. Engine oil, oil filter etc

Re: 2017 Duke 250

I paid around 1600, check your oil levels, make sure they have cleaned the chain and set the rev limiter to 10500 rpm.

Re: 2017 Duke 250

Thanks Guys! Service done and had a small issue with the 'O' ring oil leakage. All fixed.