Announcement

**Satellite.kid** · 07-01-2013, 11:44 PM

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

Originally posted by splus View Post

...
Why do you think all D200 riders always have a big grin on their face? All the time.

But seriously, that's why we're all different, and I think more people will like the more relaxed D390 than aggressive D200 character. But have no doubt that most D200 owners LOVE that crazy character, and that's why they were ready to blindly upgrade to D390 expecting it to have that same character.
With all this story - I'll probably end up getting D390 just because I'm not sure I'll be able to resist it. It's too much of a good buy. Even with that reduced torque in low end...

Well I hope you will have a wider grin when/if you get the Duke 390. It's more of a same motorcycle in a way

And I hope the same for myself too

**DeVille** · 07-02-2013, 12:38 AM

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

Originally posted by muztariq View Post

KTM 390 does 0-100 km/h in 7 secs and KTM 200 does in 9.5 sec and R15 does the same in 11.5 secs. So we have a clear winner here.

7 seconds? Yes, if it's a 140 kgs rider!

Sent from my iPhone

**sparky** · 07-02-2013, 09:34 AM

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

I think the opinion that 390 can't accelerate like the 200 is pure BS and won't match the facts. The 390 will run exactly (or more if one wants) as a 200 provided one understands that gear shifts here are slightly different due to the different gear ratios in 390 and so shift them accordingly. It can match the 200 and also beat it with lot of breath to spare, but one thing noticeable might be that it probably would not be as rev happy in city as the 200 because of taller ratios.

Now to rest all these speculations what we need is the much missing xbhp review.. what happened, are they all on vacation or something?

**Cyrus_the_virus** · 07-02-2013, 09:51 AM

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

Originally posted by DeVille View Post

7 seconds? Yes, if it's a 140 kgs rider!

xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/first-impressions/25882-ktm-390-duke-review-first-impression-xbhp-exclusive-58.html#post962537

**nasirkaka** · 07-02-2013, 11:53 AM

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

Gaining from some of the initial test rides and its comparison to 200, would it be wise to say that 200 is on the lines of RD LT while the 390 is more towards HT?
Would it also be valid that same rider will ride the 200 in city conditions at a slightly higher RPM compared to the 390, cos of slightly tall gearing? would it also mean that riding in such a way will be positive for FE, give the hike in gas price thrice in last one month? If yes, then i for one will not be complaining.

**chinmayakar** · 07-02-2013, 11:56 AM

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

Originally posted by Satellite.kid View Post

I agree with you completely on the character of 200 (you own it ofcourse). The 390 will not have that hurried feeling of a 200 because it's not as short geared. Theory or real life, the 390 is ofcourse a stronger version of 200 in any which way you would want to look at it. I believe we all can agree that 390 accelerates quicker than 200 to any speed above 20kph, but the only thing is it's not as short geared hence the difference in feeling acceleration. In my opinion, the 390 shall appeal to more riders (including tourers) not because it lacks that hurried feeling of duke 200, but because it has much better ability to sustain high speed riding, again ofcourse due to the bigger engine. For me, "average kind of people" are the ones who will find either 200 or 390 too extreme just by looking at it

As far as reviews are concerned, I haven't come across any review complaining about low end torque. All reviews I have read say that it has a *wide powerband*.

I understand the difference between theory and real life experience and I am not trying to put my opinion as a fact (I didn't do it with my previous post either). I believe that the major difference is that Duke 200 will tell you almost everything about itself even with a decent single ride. But with Duke 390, a little more time needs to be spent to see how much fun it can be compared to 200 in the urban setting. What I am seeing here is, one or few more guys have taken one test ride on 390 and they say that it doesn't have that hurried feeling of a 200 (in their own words), and suddenly all Duke 200 owners are worried about, *wrongly put*, lack of low end torque in 390!

Originally posted by Satellite.kid View Post

I am not sure if applying the same analogy of comparing a 600 supersport and a 600 streetfighter is appropriate to the case of duke 390 and duke 200. If we go by this example, then it is proving inherently that the short geared duke 200 is more city friendly, which might not be the right way to compare and conclude. Ofcourse, riding is the best way to check.

However, I will rest my case on this discussion by saying that the only thing *missing* in Duke 390 is the feeling of an *initial jump* that is provided in abundance by the Duke 200. Without relating the 390's city friendliness to its much quicker acceleration in any way, I will highlight the fact that the 390's gearing is more spaced-out and hence *relaxed* compared to Duke 200's. And being on the slightly relaxing side is always better-feeling for sane city riding (though in no way less menacing, if you want it to). Even one of the Duke 200 owners above mentioned that "D200 isn't relaxed, it's almost as if it's constantly pumping adrenaline in your blood, pushing you to ride it faster...". Honestly, who wants to ride like that all the time? May be some, but all the time like that? Even I would like to have a nice relaxed ride on a motorcycle like Duke and this is where the Duke 390 does the job brilliantly. However ofcourse, you can be even more menacing on it than 200 if you want to! It's like the 390 has split personality! Now that is truly insane!

Over and Out.

Dude, as you keep yourself aware about whats happening in the biking world, so do we. Hence, if you have gone through numerous online reviews about D390, so have we. It is these reviews that had raised the expectations high.

And when we say Duke 390 suffers from low bottom end torque, we are neither making it up nor were we high on weed before taking a test ride. We understand what a low bottom end torque means.

If you want to be under the impression that D200 and D390 feel the same, you are wrong my friend. Apart from looking simialr they are quite different from each other in the way they make power.

At the end of the day, D390 is more powerful than the D200, and usual mentality is more the power better it is. While we do agree to it, however people like us (who love and enjoy the menacing ride of Duke 200) also care about the way power is being made.

While someone said Duke 200 fans will miss Duke 200 once D390 crosses 120, the point is on D200 we dont have to wait till 120 to have fun. We have fun all the way up.

Now understand, we are not saying D390 is not a fun bike or it is in anyway less powerful than what the specs mention. All, we are trying to say is the basic traits of D200 is not there in the D390.

And yes, there is a market for people who want to ride a bike like 200, that always forces you to ride aggressively. With a D200 you either ride it aggressively or you dont ride, because the moment you are seated on it, it is the bike that compels you to ride hard, and we like it that way. For others who dont like it, you have other options.

Having said that at 2.04 lacs on-road in Mumbai, Duke 390 is VFM. Nothing comes in comparison.

**sparky** · 07-02-2013, 12:00 PM

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

Hmm.. KTM 390 and asking for mileage, not that anything is wrong with that question, but maybe they should rethink on going for KTM.

**chinmayakar** · 07-02-2013, 12:07 PM

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

Originally posted by sparky View Post

I think the opinion that 390 can't accelerate like the 200 is pure BS and won't match the facts. The 390 will run exactly (or more if one wants) as a 200 provided one understands that gear shifts here are slightly different due to the different gear ratios in 390 and so shift them accordingly. It can match the 200 and also beat it with lot of breath to spare, but one thing noticeable might be that it probably would not be as rev happy in city as the 200 because of taller ratios.

Now to rest all these speculations what we need is the much missing xbhp review.. what happened, are they all on vacation or something?

Who said D390 has acceleration issues. For people who havent owned D200 or havent ridden a D200 for substantial time and distance need to hold on to their horses. D390 does accelerate beautifully. However, if you are aware how D200 accelerates, D390 does't make it that way.

That doesnt mean D200 will leave D390 wanting, now thats BS. D390 will leave a D200 biting the dust. However, D390 is more relaxed, it allows you to use each gear for a longer time. But the only place where you feel wanting is bottom end torque.

Even Ninja 250 has low bottom end torque, that doesnt mean it is a slow couch. The analogy is on those lines.

**chaosaddict** · 07-02-2013, 12:20 PM

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

I am all eyes

PS - ref. to discussions/reviews

**nasirkaka** · 07-02-2013, 12:29 PM

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

Hmm.. KTM 390 and asking for mileage, not that anything is wrong with that question, but maybe they should rethink on going for KTM.

mileage is not really a prime factor, but the more the merrier.

on another note, i went to KTM indiranagar last evening to see the bike in flesh. Hard 200 and 390 one after the other. the 390 does sound a bit louder, however the guy there did not let the engine rev high. Did ask about the probable delivery and was told that first batch may be expected towards starting of august. Hoping its sooner.
I liked the orange trellis and alloys, but the overall appeal (specially the decals) did not impress me much. Infact, i like the orange tank and simpler stickering on the 200 better. Was wondering how the 390 would look without those decals with photoshop. still not sure!

Attached Files

**chaosaddict** · 07-02-2013, 12:50 PM

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

Originally posted by nasirkaka View Post

Was wondering how the 390 would look without those decals with photoshop. still not sure!

Great

- will keep this for future ref.

**lathiwala_99** · 07-02-2013, 01:09 PM

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

Hello brothers in arms..!! There is no need to be so aggressive while discussing the different characteristics of both 200 & 390 I believe both are good quality bikes and impress their riders.
Anyways I have been following the launch and have researched for all the information regarding the 390 and believe this would be a worthy upgrade from my 2009 Pulsar 200 DTSi. Earlier I was awaiting the Pulsar 375 but Duke 390 has forced me to change my mind and go for it. Now time has come to straighten up my finances..

**chaosaddict** · 07-02-2013, 01:37 PM

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

Originally posted by lathiwala_99 View Post

Hello brothers in arms..!! There is no need to be so aggressive while discussing the different characteristics of both 200 & 390 I believe both are good quality bikes and impress their riders.
Anyways I have been following the launch and have researched for all the information regarding the 390 and believe this would be a worthy upgrade from my 2009 Pulsar 200 DTSi. Earlier I was awaiting the Pulsar 375 but Duke 390 has forced me to change my mind and go for it. Now time has come to straighten up my finances..

Welcome to xBhp,,

Do post a review after your buy. I would suggest KTM above the Pulsar for the tech.!!!

**rx100.7050** · 07-02-2013, 01:56 PM

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

MG: You were suppose to present the XBHP review of D390. Where it is, dude??

**sasnoopy22** · 07-02-2013, 02:37 PM

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

Duke 390 on display at KTM Lajpat Nagar, Delhi!!

Awesome!!

Rushing to the showroom now!!

Announcement

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

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment