re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

Took a small test ride on duke 390 at Connaught Place, Delhi. It was a small ride, just one round of the inner circle. The circle has speed breakers at regular intervals so can't ride very fast either. I didn't go beyond the second gear. However, compared with duke 200, the on-paper-heavier 390 felt equally light and maneuverable to me. A friend of mine has a 200 so I have ridden it quite occasionally. In my opinion, the longer gearing of 390 felt more street friendly since I didn't have to upshift too quickly (something which 200 forces the rider to do). On the same stretches, I could ride the 390 in a lower gear compared to 200 without lugging or over-revving the engine. In short, the gearing felt better to me. During this small ride, I didn't feel any lack of torque compared to 200. I think this is enough for me to conclude that 390 has enough torque low down because I took the test ride of duke 200 for the first time on the same stretch in exactly similar traffic conditions.

Other than this, can't comment anymore. Can't comment on ABS either since there wasn't any opportunity to check it. And oh yes, the orange frame and wheels look good but the 200 with black frame and wheels still holds its own alongside the 390.

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

I fear that this is probably pointing to an issue with production of the bikes themselves, what if KTM found a QC issue and asked Bajaj to hold any further production? This strike may just be blurring the cause.

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News


If it were only xbhp it would have been something minor. But reviews everywhere have been put on hold. Check team-bhp. ebonho on teambhp has also been asked to put his review on hold.

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

If the reason for holding up the Xbhp review is minor niggles found in the test bike, then frankly I do not understand the logic. Since MG would have already spend lot of effort in reviewing the test bike given to him, he is not going to do another comprehensive review after the so-called minor niggles are sorted out. So the Xbhp review should be published now, and when the issues are sorted out, a further update can be published about that.

Nobody is expecting a flawless bike. The major features about the bike are already known. Those who really want to get the bike would have already booked/will book in the near future. Fence-sitters/speculators/market-watchers/critics will always be there!

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

@ MG

Any indicative on when can we approximately expect the curfew to be lifted from the detailed review.
Its getting hard to kill time as there is no real info on delivery schedule, no more new reviews online to read, no test bikes (at-least in bangalore), and even the discussion/gossip posts on this thread aswell are drying up.

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

[QUOTE=chinmayakar;965909]Reasons I could think of are:

1. Strike at Chakan: No matter what Bajaj says, KTM production is not affected, I dont buy that......]


I am thinking the same here. According to Dilip Pawar President of the Union
whose members are on strike

"of the 1600 workers employed at the plant,
925 are permanent and belong to the union. Less than 500 are reporting to
work, most of them being contract labourers and trainees"


[Source: The Hindu dated 11-07-2013, page 13]


I don't know how capable the contract labourers and trainees are.

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

I paid in cash myself, as dealer said he'll count my booking only after realization. As I said paying in cheque will be useful only if you lose your booking copy. No big deal.

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

well,she does seem to post the overall mileage figure:38kmpl.

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

I am gonna pay in cash.Willl thr b any problem if i pay in cash?

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

Nothing specific. Needless to say you need to carry your ID for their records. Pay by cheque/DD if possible, just because that'll act as secondary proof in case you loose your copy of booking.

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News


Reasons I could think of are:

1. Strike at Chakan: No matter what Bajaj says, KTM production is not affected, I dont buy that.

2. Some issues with the D390, which is big enough to be called as niggles. But this can be validated, if anyone has seen D390's stored at any of the dealers apart from the Display pieces.

3. Sorting out the fueling issue if any with the D390, as some of us who tested could feel bike knock at lower rpm's.

The above reasons could be way off the mark, at the moment any thing we think of will be like shooting in the dark.

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

Hey guys.
I am goona book my 390 tomorrow or day aftr so just wanted to ask whether I need to take anything else or jst the booking amount?

Sent from my GT-P3100 using xBhp Connect mobile app

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

Apologies for asking again. Can anyone think of a sensible reason for no major reviews coming out on the Indian version of the 390?

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

Brembo brakes?? I'll pass this one... It's By Brembo...babe..

re: KTM Duke 390 Launched in India at Rs 1.8 Lakhs: xBhp News

The very first review I found for the Indian Duke 390.

Looks like this chick didn't get the memo from KTM

Source: KTM DUKE 390 | Duke 390 | KTM Bikes | KTM Motorcycles