OK, compare the chassis that the KTM 200 has with what the RD 350 had. Which is more superior??

Now take the answer from the above question, consider the RD350, It is a twin cylinder 2 stroke engine compared to a single cylinder 4 Stroke engine.

Again consider the dynamics the KTM200 has, compared to the RD 350.

That ancient RD 350 chassis could handle so much abuse. couldn't the KTM with all its DOHC, anti friction what not modern technology handle that much? .

People still consider the RD 350 to be a legend and is a must have. even you would consider it and would love to own it if not for its ridiculous asking price right now.

For me, its the fun factor. I'd love to have an engine with good enough reliability screaming and pumping my adrenalin. I dont mind spending on replacing the piston or the bore every 30k kms if they are priced like how bajaj has priced most of their components.

I always felt that apart from the engine and the gear box, the rest of KTM200 was engineered to take on more. To erase any any ambiguity KTM has also used chrome molybdenum to strengthen the chassis. PLUS they have the ABS now to take care of stopping the maniac.

All I ask for from KTM is to get the engine dynamics right from the word go, rather than test it on the initial scape goats who bought the bike from the first lot cuz of its mind blowing specs. Its frustrating to go to a Authorized Service Center and deal with the level of incompetence.

I would have been the first person, cash in hand, to book the Duke390. But wisdom says, WAIT, Wait before KTM irons out the intial niggles before placing your money.

Edit: If you are saying that the 200 mill in itself is pretty maxed out and extracting a 390 from the same mill is curious enough for you.. then i have to agree with you on this.

killer bike,killer engine,hopefully killer pricing too= =killer sales.

Disagree!

Read this discussion for more details.

why do you think its on the edge? I myself have taken a test ride but it was not a very long one. Does it gets unstable or floaty at high speeds? For cornering it was decent and had a lot more potential.

though I feel it will require stickier tires, if it has to handling extra power especially while powering out of corners. otherwise it will get dangerous for someone with not so much experience like me.

Nope, its not if the bike is technically ready to take on the extra power. Can't say that unless I really get to ride one.

Been riding a friends 200 for the past 2 days, and its almost bordering on brutal, of course in a very 'fun' way. Still, for a bike with same sized tyres, brakes, and a similar frame the 390 will be shit-in-your pants scary. The 200 itself is quite a handful in within the city, I can't imagine how crazy the 390 will be.

But one observation much to my surprise, I find the straight line stability of the P220 to be better than the nervous and twitchy, D200. Its definitely sure footed but will take a while to inspire confidence.

Even with stickier tires, the 390 still makes almost 90% more power.

The 200 accelerates pretty quickly and stops pretty quickly too, I'm just wondering with faster acceleration how will the brakes and tyres (even if stickier Metzeler rubber) keep up with the crazy torque the 390 would be belting out!

+1..................

Duke 390 has lower seat height, longer wheelbase and higher ground clearance. Looks like Bajaj/KTM has changed more than just engine and brakes.

Compared to which bike? Duke 200 and 390 have the bits in bold Identical! See for yourself here

KTM 200 Duke ABS 2013 - Technical Details

KTM 390 Duke ABS 2013 - KTM 390 Duke ABS 2013 - Technical Details

KTM website's Indian version displays slight variations in seat height and ground clearance between 200 and 390

See: KTM 390 Duke ABS 2013 - KTM 390 Duke ABS 2013 - Technical Details

hi, no offence here please, but i beg to differ. i don't think that the duke 200 is nervous at all. i am riding it since march and in my observation it is very responsive and flickable, yes. but i am always amazed how easy it is to cut neat lines in each turn and bend you are taking. the bike for me feels very planted it is just very responsive to all inputs you are giving. but that for me this is not nervous. you can ride it fast but if your inputs are calm the bike is very stable in my experience.

but of course, no idea how the 390 will handle with that extra amount of power in the similar/same chassis, tyres etc.
but i am itching to ride it. will for sure not be the perfect bike for a person with less or no experience......

Reading the above post, I get the feeling that the new Pulsar 375 is the only bike which will be able to satisfy a satisfied 220er (like us ). Can't say about the Honda but definitely not the Duke.

Anyways, the highest capacity bikes I have ever ridden are the Hyosungs (GT650R and ST7). And interestingly, the GT650R comes with both tyres just 10mm fatter than the Duke(s), i.e. 120 section Front and 160 section Rear tyres. The exact same size is also used by the Ninja 650 and the Duke 690.

With all due respect, the GT650R / Ninja 650R / Duke 690 (69-73 Ps) are substantially more powerful than the Duke 390 (44 Ps). I have ridden the GT650R at speeds that my 220 isn't even capable of, on a narrow, winding, single-lane road but even that wasn't 'shit-my-pants' scary (or maybe I just have a respectable 'shit-my-pants' threshold ).

You could argue that the Honda 500s use the same tyre size as the 650s (120 Front and 160 Rear) but then the 650s and the 500s are substantially heavier than the Duke 390 and would need all the extra contact patch they can get when coming to a halt. The Duke, being much much lighter (44kg less than the Honda, 65kg less than the GT650R), would carry much less momentum which would mean that a set of sticky 110 section Front and 150 section Rear tyres might well be just enough.

But once again, all this is speculation. Can't wait to get my hands on one of these *evil grin*.

The ones mentioned on EU websites are the 2013 editions. What we have mentioned on ours is the 2012 edition. Obviously they won't be making 2 different Duke 200s for India and EU for too long.

So its coming to India.. :-)

i don't think tyre size will be a problem in duke390, what actually matters is the compound used in tyres and their shape/profile. a set of sticky soft compound tyres will work wonders ....

yiiippiiieeeeeee!!

been waiting for this for eternity.
Now the dilemma is to book it ASAL, or wait for the initial lot to clear.
Had not so pleasant experience with my forst lot C5.

hopefully they have worked out the niggles with 200 so 390 may be much more reliable(wrt fork seal and all)