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**The Monk** · 04-27-2013, 11:36 AM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

Query Approved

**bbsrailfan** · 04-27-2013, 12:30 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

TBTS to a sport/streetbike...Hmmm...

The CBR can make you feel at home with it's relaxed mannerisms, and yet do a speed dash whenever you command it to. It it comfortable for a pillion. The fairings aren't that vulnerable - I too had the same fears before I bought it...and a couple of minor falls later, I am convinced that I don't need a frame slider. But if it is a collision, the fairing will definitely take the brunt and even frame sliders are useless in such a scenario.

The 390 is anything but relaxed. It doesn't know how to relax. It is a missile awaiting launch orders. You may find the upright riding posture of the Duke a bit more comfortable as you have been riding a TB. And it comes with ABS (C-ABS is nothing but Honda's techminology).

Advantages of Duke 390 over CBR:

Much lighter.
Better Metzeler tyres
Better handling and cornering
Taller 6th gear
Top speed greater than CBR.

Advantages of CBR over 390 Duke

Better pillion comfort
Better wind-protection due to presence of fairings
Stability at high speed
Very plush suspension
Higher tank capacity & FE

If you are willing to wait longer, we have quite a few models coming up. We still don't know how the P375 is going to look, but will definitely be VFM and a slightly de-tuned version of the 390.

**princesirohi** · 04-27-2013, 02:34 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

^^ C-ABS is definitely better than normal ABS.

out of the global bikes, you have CBR250, Duke200, Duke390, GT250 & Ninja 300.

but there are some indian bikes as well, like ZMR, P200NS.

test ride all and then decide.

and one more thing, straight line highway stability of CBR will be much better than Duke. not to mention duke's ridiculusly low fuel tank capacity.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

^^ C-ABS is definitely better than normal ABS.

out of the global bikes, you have CBR250, Duke200, Duke390, GT250 & Ninja 300.

but there are some indian bikes as well, like ZMR, P200NS.

test ride all and then decide.

and one more thing, straight line highway stability of CBR will be much better than Duke. not to mention duke's ridiculusly low fuel tank capacity.

**whymail** · 04-27-2013, 02:53 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

First of, I must compliment u for u acknowledging the issues faced on the Bullet.

I have been a not-so-proud owner of one in the past & that machine drove me to my wits end – the only thing I can correlate the Bullet with, is a wife that doesn’t love u anymore or a marriage gone sour – yes sir, it gets just as bad w/ the Bullets.

But kudos to u for speaking out ur mind on the topic. Most bullet owners, despite knowing the issues they face daily w/ the bike, continue to be pompous about it – something I fail to acknowledge. So that’s that… now about ur query…

i.m.h.o. the Duke 390 will be a superficially evolved machine [going by what the Duke 200 is]. it also will be a good fit for someone who is 6ft. tall. [I am 6ft too & the CBR is way too cramped for me]

the riding stance on Duke is rail-straight upright waist-above & heels pushed back + knees tucked low below. This gives the rider extreme confidence on lunging the machine to extremes, on almost all kinda roads. However the seat of Duke is far from comfortable & u may get a true-blue saddle-sore without even attempting it. ;-)

the Honda CBR is a gem of an engine but a nightmare of a ride in city commute. Also the riding stance is way too aggressive for tall folks & I have always had freaking aches in wrists + shoulders + lumbar back after 1hr+ of riding it.

Currently on this spectrum, the to-be-launched pulsar, the duke 390 & the cbr 250 are the most potent options & I would pick the 390, if i were u ;-)

**valkyrieX7** · 04-27-2013, 03:42 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

Originally posted by bbsrailfan View Post

TBTS to a sport/streetbike...Hmmm...

The CBR can make you feel at home with it's relaxed mannerisms, and yet do a speed dash whenever you command it to. It it comfortable for a pillion. The fairings aren't that vulnerable - I too had the same fears before I bought it...and a couple of minor falls later, I am convinced that I don't need a frame slider. But if it is a collision, the fairing will definitely take the brunt and even frame sliders are useless in such a scenario.

The 390 is anything but relaxed. It doesn't know how to relax. It is a missile awaiting launch orders. You may find the upright riding posture of the Duke a bit more comfortable as you have been riding a TB. And it comes with ABS (C-ABS is nothing but Honda's techminology).

Advantages of Duke 390 over CBR:

Much lighter.
Better Metzeler tyres
Better handling and cornering
Taller 6th gear
Top speed greater than CBR.

Advantages of CBR over 390 Duke

Better pillion comfort
Better wind-protection due to presence of fairings
Stability at high speed
Very plush suspension
Higher tank capacity & FE

If you are willing to wait longer, we have quite a few models coming up. We still don't know how the P375 is going to look, but will definitely be VFM and a slightly de-tuned version of the 390.

Originally posted by princesirohi View Post

^^ C-ABS is definitely better than normal ABS.

out of the global bikes, you have CBR250, Duke200, Duke390, GT250 & Ninja 300.

but there are some indian bikes as well, like ZMR, P200NS.

test ride all and then decide.

and one more thing, straight line highway stability of CBR will be much better than Duke. not to mention duke's ridiculusly low fuel tank capacity.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

^^ C-ABS is definitely better than normal ABS.

out of the global bikes, you have CBR250, Duke200, Duke390, GT250 & Ninja 300.

but there are some indian bikes as well, like ZMR, P200NS.

test ride all and then decide.

and one more thing, straight line highway stability of CBR will be much better than Duke. not to mention duke's ridiculusly low fuel tank capacity.

Thank you for your valuable inputs.:thumbup:

I just had a test ride of Duke 200.... man, was I impressed....!!!!!
It's like a sassy girl, tempting you to cross the limits. She felt just right with the pull in gear 1.... the sound was also not near silence.... but then CBR was also impressive.

The showroom guys denied any ABS availability????
They said it 'may' come in 390.
Also, when I Alec them how it will be on longer rides, they said that it's not a tourer, but a Street fighter.... not for long rides but in India People take took it to leh!!!!!
And the expected price will be around 2.5lac..
I mean on website is written ABS??? Why are they denying that....
@bbsrailfan
Thanks bro. ..you give me confidence in choosing CBR.
@whymail
yup buddy u just said wot I feel about RE.
@princesirohi
Bro, did you get CBR or Hyosung?

About the ABS n C-ABS
C-ABS is way more advanced over normal ABS as it controls the breaking of both front and rear tyres even when only one is pulled. Its definately a level above ABS.

I am not sure about Duke but it feels good. ABS is a problem, I definitely want it but showroom his deny that :what:...
Hmm.... confusing.

:what:

**whymail** · 04-27-2013, 04:00 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

Originally posted by valkyrieX7 View Post

I am not sure about Duke but it feels good. ABS is a problem, I definitely want it but showroom his deny that :what:...
Hmm.... confusing.

:what:

ha ha ha! take 10 deep breaths & exhale ;-)
u will find dozens of threads on the duke 390 all over the internet - however barring the bajaj family, nobody knows if it will be with abs or without it.
my hunch is, it will be with abs for sure.
and i still feel it will be a far better value-for-money package than any other bike in that segment.
so just hold ur horses till end of may & u shall soon find out ;-)
till then... deep inhale & exhale ;-) :-)

**MidnightEvil Parth** · 04-27-2013, 04:14 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

Wait for Duke390.....or pulsar 375 maybe.............what about hyosung GT250r.......or ninja 250r and 300.....take a look at those too.....Ninja is definitely much more powerful than a cbr...but afterall its meant for sports....but people say touring experience is great too......and in city it has excellent low and mid range torque (the newer model)....i remember riding my friends ninja in 6th cog @32kmph......no knockings.....

**valkyrieX7** · 04-27-2013, 04:22 PM

Originally posted by whymail View Post

ha ha ha! take 10 deep breaths & exhale ;-)
u will find dozens of threads on the duke 390 all over the internet - however barring the bajaj family, nobody knows if it will be with abs or without it.
my hunch is, it will be with abs for sure.
and i still feel it will be a far better value-for-money package than any other bike in that segment.
so just hold ur horses till end of may & u shall soon find out ;-)
till then... deep inhale & exhale ;-) :-)

Ya... I guess I will have to wait....
Inhale-exhale.

Originally posted by MidnightEvil Parth View Post

Wait for Duke390.....or pulsar 375 maybe.............what about hyosung GT250r.......or ninja 250r and 300.....take a look at those too.....Ninja is definitely much more powerful than a cbr...but afterall its meant for sports....but people say touring experience is great too......and in city it has excellent low and mid range torque (the newer model)....i remember riding my friends ninja in 6th cog @32kmph......no knockings.....

Thanks for the top bro!
My upper limit is 2lac only.

All other go out of question...
Also, a funny fave is that the ktm his had Ninja in their showroom but denied any ABS in any Ninja models...upto 650.... :what:
Do they even know what ABS is???
In India we are getting beautiful machines now, but education and respect for them is lacking.
We need to work on it.

Sorry but the auto correct of my mobile makes mistakes

.... i am not that dumb, I know a little english..

**DeVille** · 04-27-2013, 05:11 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

Bookings for D390 are open in Mumbai. It's virtually confirmed that ABS is std. OTR 2.5L and booking amount- 20K.
Now go to your nearest KTM dealer and harass him!

I 'll still recommend CBR though. The ergos of the 390 are same as 200. IMO way too cramped for a 6 footer.

@whymail- Is the CBR350 really that uncomfortable for you? The position is not soo aggressive....I'm atleast 6'1" and I've ridden the old R15 ( it was manageable, felt more like a compact toy, not achingly uncomfy)which is more supersports than CBR, although I've never tried the CBR. If that's the case the Duke should be a torture for you!!

EDIT- I meant 6 footer

**valkyrieX7** · 04-27-2013, 05:22 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

[QUOTE=DeVille;940175]Bookings for D390 are open in Mumbai. It's virtually confirmed that ABS is std. OTR 2.5L and booking amount- 20K.
Now go to your nearest KTM dealer and harass him!

I 'll still recommend CBR though. The ergos of the 390 are same as 200. IMO way too cramped for a 4 footer.

Thanks a lot bro!!!!
So 390 goes out of question for me on the price grounds.

Now left with CBR250R C-ABS and maybe Duke 200, if it has ABS.

DeVille, can you tell me if the 200 will also get ABS?
If yes, then I will especially go to the showroom to harass them..

Also, about CBR 250R, are the new 2013 colours coming to India???

Thank you for your help!!!! :thumbup:

**punarvasu** · 04-28-2013, 04:28 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

Originally posted by princesirohi View Post

straight line highway stability of CBR will be much better than Duke.

**valkyrieX7** · 04-28-2013, 05:00 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

Probably because it has full fairings that is especially engineered with air pockets that stabilize the bike on high speeds while Duke lacks any reasonable fairings.

Can anybody confirm me about the ABS variant of Duke 200 in India??

I would buy it, if it is available because one ride on this bike has impressed me, it's so natural and light weight!

**DeVille** · 04-28-2013, 06:15 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

[QUOTE=valkyrieX7;940179]

Originally posted by DeVille View Post

Bookings for D390 are open in Mumbai. It's virtually confirmed that ABS is std. OTR 2.5L and booking amount- 20K.
Now go to your nearest KTM dealer and harass him!

I 'll still recommend CBR though. The ergos of the 390 are same as 200. IMO way too cramped for a 4 footer.

Thanks a lot bro!!!!
So 390 goes out of question for me on the price grounds.

Now left with CBR250R C-ABS and maybe Duke 200, if it has ABS.

DeVille, can you tell me if the 200 will also get ABS?
If yes, then I will especially go to the showroom to harass them..

Also, about CBR 250R, are the new 2013 colours coming to India???

Thank you for your help!!!! :thumbup:

While all industry pundits have been predicting that the 200 will get ABS too when the 390 comes, Bajaj and its dealers are tight-lipped. I've asked the dealer a few times- he initially said "dunno....maybe" but lately he's said a firm NO

**valkyrieX7** · 04-28-2013, 08:25 PM

Re: Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

[QUOTE=DeVille;940400]

Originally posted by valkyrieX7 View Post

While all industry pundits have been predicting that the 200 will get ABS too when the 390 comes, Bajaj and its dealers are tight-lipped. I've asked the dealer a few times- he initially said "dunno....maybe" but lately he's said a firm NO

Yup... I called the Delhi dealer as my local Chandigarh dealer knows nothing. That Delhi guy told me that the ABS variant will NEVER come to INDIA. :thumbdown: :banghead:

Online, some forms report about KTM Duke 200 being tested on the road.....

Dunno what to do.

Should I wait for sometime (how much time) or grab the current model???

I would hate it if the ABS model launches just after I purchase the current model. :banghead:

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Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

Not happy with ThunderBird, Please Suggest: CBR250R or KTM Duke 390 or other

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