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

It IS by design.Just fyi, theres a "dent" on duke 200's exhaust header too.

brake lines are steelbraided,covered in plastic,plastics are same, and taping of wires is similar in duke 200.

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

I really can't understand this, come on guys just look at the price and the package offered, we couldn't have asked for more.
To cut cost they have used the d200's frame. Just imagine they could have given us a so called a 'dent' free bike at 2.5L plus would that had been better??

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

Why the hell would they do that? And how do you know, did you tear off the plastic to see the steel braided lines in the 390?

ps. What is "taoing" of wires?

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

It was in specifications and interviews with KTM engineers from launch in Austria, they are steel braided.
Don't know the reason for covering them though, it just adds to the whole cable mess thing...

True, many things could have been made better in this bike, at least visually.
Add the taller gears for reduced fun factor, and the whole package looks less desirable than when we didn't know anything about it...

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

Read in overdrive, and spec sheet mentions same.taoing is taping,error due to mobile keyboard.

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

My cents...

With all due respect for everyone's opinions here, but I must say that some of us are on a nit-picking spree on Duke 390. We have always wanted a motorcycle with the best performance for our money. More importantly, we have always guessed that an Indian company shall do it since it may not be possible for foreign manufacturers to please us on the price factor. But comes the Duke 200 and now the Duke 390, we are getting a European motorcycle with specs that will demolish anything upto 400cc on the road in most riding conditions. And now we have that, we are on to finding issues with it that may not actually be bad enough to be called one.

I for one, didn't find anything wrong with the way the wiring has been done and managed. It could have been more aesthetically pleasing but I wouldn't definitely not call it an eye sore. And Probably they will take care of it soon enough. I believe Duke 200 and 390 are made out of same material so I don't understand how the plastic on 390 could feel more flimsy! Personally, I just didn't like the hand guards (visually). The 390, naturally, looks as finely built as the 200 and overall better than most motorcycles upto that price range.

Regarding engine heating, even I took a test ride in CP just couple of days back and I didn't notice any alarming engine heating even though the environment was a bit moist. So I would like to conclude that the guys who took the test ride on the first day of the launch experienced more heating probably because the motorcycle was new. However, it this was not the case with Duke 200 (when it's new) then it could be a point of concern.

Honestly, yes, I would have been more critical if it was more expensive (in the league of Ninja's price) but it's not. A motorcycle like Duke 390 is the answer to many of our prayers. Thanks to Bajaj/KTM partnership.

Please understand that I am not expecting or asking people to not look out for quality issues, if any. I am just trying to say that we might have been nit-picking in the name of quality in this case.

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

When I'm riding my bike, do i think about the *ugly* wire only visible from one particular angle, do i think that the bike may not be built out of the same high density plastic as the previous bike i've ridden. Maybe some of us should also weigh the rims while we're at it, maybe the rims are lighter because KTM is scrimping on money.
Oh wait, KTM is the number one bike manufacturer in Europe, where the Quality Control guys are mad as hatters about everything. The so called ugly wires are rolled up in heat resistant fabric to make sure engine heat does not get to them.
Watching this forum transform from a biking forum to a Six Sigma / Material Management forum.
Rode the bike again today, after riding my brother's P220 over a longish Delhi-Gurgaon commute for a few days, since my duke200 is now owned by Bagga Link enterprises. There is nothing like it that i've ever ridden, even test ridden. There is so much power in reserve, at times i was scared to wring the throttle completely.
The real metric that makes it THE bike for me is [Rs per (Bhp per Tonne)]. Even with the clumpy saree guard and tyre hugger combo, the figure we arrive at is 289 bhp / tonne. This figure is currently unmatchable in any bike costing less than a premium sedan. And then we have the Rs 2 lakh Duke. I will take that deal, along with the brilliant cornering, killer tyres, confidence inspiring ABS and the promise of a long involving relationship.
Wanted to end this with my favourite Howard Roark line, "The Defence Rests", but this is not a defence. It is an attempt to try and recapture the 'Feel' of the bike over and above the mechanicals/electricals/chemicals.
Hope its not considered OT.
An Avid Duker.

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

no offense please, but any performance bike "eat" the tires, and since they were apparently not able to source the right tires locally they needed to import them. so that is the price you have to be ready to pay for now, to get the power also on the road. i could imagine that after some time KTM/bajaj will try to source similar tires from india, would only be logical to try to localize them as well. and then the price will drop substantially.

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

Nice Explanation Bro. That's what I am trying to explain, but some of us are not ready to agree it 's a dent("DESIGN" lol).Bajaj is saving additional cost on pipes and Frame.

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Which ever is possible to look it flaw less. Being a fan of Duke, I don't wan't any layman point at the dent. It ruins the reputation.

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

My fellow dukers (ok..i am not a duker as of now but would soon become one) please calm down. As many guys have out its a pure VFM as per Indian context where we want our hard earned money to provide as much value as possible. I think KTM/BAL has done there best as of now to provide european quality in India at a mouth-watering price. Also one of the reasons for all this Quality Analysis on Duke 390 is the lack of official review in the market which might have calmed us down and the anticipation is growing.

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

1. For the braided hoses -
Other than this, the brakes remain substantially the same as on the 200, sporting radially-mounted calipers and braided hoses. Despite what they look like, those hoses are indeed braided items, just covered in black plastic, unlike the ‘naked’ hoses of the 200.
Source :
Top 5 Things You Should Know About The KTM 390 Duke

2. For the dent/bend/design flaw etc. Can anyone confirm if its there on the export (Europe) versions too???

3. Wires,plastic quality - Manageable

4. Heat,starting problem etc - Need to check myself in test-rides and confirm. Heating is understood probably because of higher compression with inferior fuel quality & higher cc. I guess Bajaj is qualified enough to handle starting problems so would leave it to them.

I am currently in a situation where i have booked the duke 390 and have sold my bike. I am returning to Bajaj after a long time so just praying for the best.
Have heard many good things about Duke 200 so anticipating the same for 390 as well - this current thread makes me a bit skeptical but I would test the concerns myself before making a decision. At the worst I will loose 4k from my advance -whatsay guys?

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

I don't see why 390 is considered more VFM than 200, if we look at UK price of 200(4200 GBP) and 390 (4500 GBP) so basically there is a difference of 7% only so if we apply same increase to indian price 390 should be 1.42 lakh. I agree 390 have better tyres and ABS still I'll not consider 1.80 lakh as very less or cheaply made. My point is I don't see why bajaj will compromise with 390 quality if they have not done it with 200.

Also just to point out ninja 300 is being sold at 4800GBP in UK, which is around 14% more than 200 price there, so if bajaj start assembling ninja in pune just like 200 and 390 it could come for about 1.52 lakh or maximum 2 lakh

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

Hi people, Im a newbie to this forum, have been a sincere follower for a long time but just got registered and accepted. KTM Duke 390 has brought me to this site. The bikes I have owned so far starts with a RX135 (last production version), TVS apache 150, HH karizma, RE Classic 500, and the last RX100 (1993 model). I sold my RX100 in Jan 2013 in high hopes on KTM Duke 390. I waited for 6 long months for the launch and finally booked it a few days before launch in Coimbatore KTM. I was the first customer to book the 390 in Coimbatore. Just to mention, Coimbatore KTM has provided the best customer service so far I have experienced with any automobile company/showroom. On the privilege of first customer, they called me for a test ride and this was an extensive one. I was allowed to test ride it both in city traffic and highway. It was around some 15 km test ride. I was given an independent test ride without any pillion or KTM reps. My findings are, as said the bike heated up after the city ride, not too much or unbearable, but was surely noticeable and needs to be fixed; the temp gauge was just 1 point less than the highest point; the cable near the keyhole was taped with a black tape; the hand-guard plastic had uneven finishing inside; the dent in the exhaust pipe is really an eyesore, but only can be noticed if observed deeply. Coming to the performance, the bike reaches 100 kmph in such an ease and moved forward without any hesitation. City drive supports only the first 4 gears. The 5th and 6th gears can be used only in higher speeds. Riding slower in lower gears caused immense knocking from the gear box. The excellent features I noted during my test ride were the quick acceleration, which I have never experienced with any of the previous motorcycles I owned, the deeper 2-stroke like exhaust note (I like it), accurate braking effect (tested it in speeds around 80-100 and it was very much confidence inspiring and stable), and the tire grip levels (felt very much planted). These were just excellent and a never before experience. Stoppies seem to be an easy one with this machine and we did try this. All said, I am just madly expecting the delivery of my 390, which will be done in the first week of August hopefully. The same delivery period was promised since and before my booking, so I guess it should be pretty true. Hoping to have great fun with my 390. For sure, I am really a little worried about the holding of the review reports in all the major forums and eagerly awaiting it every day. This is the only happening job I do every day (checking for 390 updates). Have a great day. Thanks.

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

Apparently the *design feature* exists on exported bikes too.

Here is a picture of a Duke 390 exported to Salzburg, Austria for the initial press event, published by www.mcnews.co.au



Full size photo here: http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/KTM...uke390_204.jpg

Source: http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/KTM...ml#prettyPhoto

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

took test drive finally of the beast.
otr cochin:2,39557 inr.most probably wrong.insurance is 41573 acco to the dealer.dont think so.plus for handling-3000 and polimer?-1500 inr.another guy said it'll be close to 2.05 lakhs.

owing to the great weather down south(overcast rainy plus traffic) the ride was short.its a forgiving bike.i now get what the 200 owners were talking about pulling.yes the feel of "pull' is definitely lacking.there is no other way to put this.however one need only take a glance at the speedo to rectify this.hell,even the fz and cbr250(much less so) feels "faster" but we know this is not the case.the ride is firm but pliant.not soft but definitely not uncomfortable.where the lack of 'pull' in first gear is felt is more than made up for in the rest of gears.in gear acceleration is the one to look out for.close to brutal this is.grip and handling as usual is spot on.brakes are good(maybe the sticky tires has a lot to do with this)couldn't test abs.did i say about the sound?its awesome!this with a k/n filter and who needs aftermarket exhausts?!the engine felt rough surprisingly,maybe cause its a demo but could bajaj be working on this??.i for one did not feel engine heat;well not enough to get through my jeans that is(i was expecting to get fried being a demo bike and all).summing it up with the excellent roll-on,in gear acceleration and upright posture the tuning if definitely towards touring.plenty enough for the city.actually it felt like the first gear has been restricted wrt power delivery.I'm sure ecu tuning could fix this to some extent.for those who want the jerk/pull that is.mirrors are small and close to useless at this size and shape.

sadly only 35 some bikes have been booked so far while ninja 300 bookings are not bad here!i dont get it,they are able to sell the 300 in respectable amounts!close to 4.5 otr here and only 35 so far for the duke 390.having seen the ninja though it does have lots of poser value(nri's buying it up).

metzeler tyres one pair:23k.yikes.rather not discuss the price of other powerparts.