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Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

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  • #1

    Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

    I m planning to buy a new bike.my mainly commuting will be home office home that too in peak hours of mumbai.short tours are also be included on weekends.since i m riding pulsar180cc from last 10 years I m looking for +250 cc bikes.
    Well after much of searches I have zeroed down to thunderbird500 and KTM duke 390 but I'm not able decide which one to go for.
    Ktm 390 aggressive power looks and technology tempt me and thunderbirds riding and touring comfortablity.
    I have also heard that thunderbird is coming up with new colours.heard it from one of the showroom guy in Malad West.

    Will you please help me which one will be worth buying for long run?

    (Pardon my grammar and writing skills)
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

    Query Approved
    Biking is not about what you have between your legs, its all about how well you use it!!!!!!!

    Give your details here if you want to help your fellow xBhpian stranded in your city

    Touring Blog: Cycling in Mongolia!

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

      Go for the D390 if you can afford it.
      Everybody has their own version of TRUTH!!!!!!

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

        Two dramatically different motorcycles. If your primary use would be commuting in peak hour traffic, I suggest you look at other options too.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

          RE is not value for money as a owner of RE i can say its a cheap quality product... in the same price you can get better bike...
          sigpic"Let's go!"

          "कौन कहता है की जन्नत मरने के बाद ही देखने को मिलती है, हमसे पूछे हमने तो जन्नत (लदाख) जीते जी ही देख ली"

          "I'm A Pulsar Maniac Bull Rider"

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          • #6
            Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

            Get Dominar400
            Mix of both world.

            Comfy yet offers very good performance.

            Thats the best option for you.

            Best of luck mate.
            Cheers.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

              I have taken the test drive of dominar.i didnt get the feel

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

                I own a first gen Duke 390. For 2 years used it once a week to ho to work. Toured on from weekend to full week tours.

                Cons :
                heats up in traffic in summers to a level you have to experience. Is nice I'm winters though.

                Is expensive to run and maintain.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

                  Pros:

                  Reliable. Never gave up in extreme conditions

                  It has great pickup that you will enjoy

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

                    Last but not the least RE is an acquired taste

                    Last time I toured in an RE was in 2008. With the quality of bikes that they are manufacturing, will not touch one with a pole. My advice is to stay away from it. Having said that it is your money and you have the right to spend it the way you like

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

                      But I have heard that thunderbird is now improved and it has no more problems like of oil spinning and all like they had in 2013 model.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

                        Originally posted by ht511 View Post
                        But I have heard that thunderbird is now improved and it has no more problems like of oil spinning and all like they had in 2013 model.
                        Dear All,

                        I too have the same dilemma. It would be really helpful if the experts could provide some advise on TBH 500 /Duke 390/Duke 250 n D400.
                        Has the TBH 500 2016/17 quality improved or is it still problematic ?

                        Cheers,
                        Rohit

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

                          Originally posted by connoisseur.rohit View Post
                          Dear All,

                          I too have the same dilemma. It would be really helpful if the experts could provide some advise on TBH 500 /Duke 390/Duke 250 n D400.
                          Has the TBH 500 2016/17 quality improved or is it still problematic ?

                          Cheers,
                          Rohit
                          Last week I got thunderbird 500 for three days from the showroom as expalanation ride.did small mumbai pune mumbai trip and when I just started njoy the thunderbird its meter plate got broke due to vibrations and was hanging/attached with few wires to the bike on my way back to mumbai.i wonder if the trip had been longer what parts may had fallen off.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

                            Being a TB500 owner, my humble suggestion is stay away from RE bikes. It's simply overpriced piece of metal and not worth the pain you have to go through after owning it. The after service is pathetic and bike is not reliable. There many much better options for the price.
                            Don't get attached to that bike because it's an RE and everyone buying it and posting it on social media.
                            RC390 isn't a good option either for daily commute and touring. It has aggressive seating posture and is made mainly for track riding.

                            Look for naked, upright riding position bikes.
                            Dominar, Duke 250, Fz25 are other good options.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Ktm duke 390 2017 or thunderbird 500

                              Originally posted by ht511 View Post
                              Last week I got thunderbird 500 for three days from the showroom as expalanation ride.did small mumbai pune mumbai trip and when I just started njoy the thunderbird its meter plate got broke due to vibrations and was hanging/attached with few wires to the bike on my way back to mumbai.i wonder if the trip had been longer what parts may had fallen off.
                              Hmm...sad. I dont understand what is stopping RE to put in more efforts into quality checks and procuring better materials.TBH500 oodles tons of style but such a thing happening in a bike worth around 2.3 Lakhs is saddening and shocking. I waited almost 2 years and RE hasnt improved a bit..


                              Decided to move on hence got myself D400 booked today. Hope this one remains as reliable and faithful as my beloved P200 DTSi (2008 model)..


                              Thanks a ton for the time and advise friends !


                              Cheers,
                              Rohit

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

                              Originally posted by zikzak View Post
                              Being a TB500 owner, my humble suggestion is stay away from RE bikes. It's simply overpriced piece of metal and not worth the pain you have to go through after owning it. The after service is pathetic and bike is not reliable. There many much better options for the price.
                              Don't get attached to that bike because it's an RE and everyone buying it and posting it on social media.
                              RC390 isn't a good option either for daily commute and touring. It has aggressive seating posture and is made mainly for track riding.

                              Look for naked, upright riding position bikes.
                              Dominar, Duke 250, Fz25 are other good options.
                              Noted, decided to move on hence got myself D400 booked today. Hope this one remains as reliable and faithful as my beloved P200 DTSi (2008 model)..

                              Thanks a ton for the time and advise..

                              Cheers,
                              Rohit

                              Comment

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