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Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

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  • #1

    Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

    Hey everyone.
    I am riding since 2015 almost regularly and consider myself as an intermediate level rider, still learning and practicing new techniques almost daily.
    I already have an Activa 125 and a Classic 350. Now, I'm inclined in buying a performance machine that would be my weekend gate away and could also be used for long touring. Since I already have a tourer (Classic 350) but due to its high speed vibrations, am looking for a high speed tourer. Should I go for the track focused RC 390 or would it be too uncomfortable for long hauls and I should opt for the duke 390 (2016 model)? Also, since I have never ridden 25+bhp bikes before, will it be safe for me? I also have an eye for the R15 V3. Kindly share your much needed opinions.
    PS: I love both street naked and full fared motorcycles but am inclined towards the RC 390 due to its looks and track focused riding stance which I love. My only problem is, I would also like to take it for long tours.
    Thank you.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

    Thread approved.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

      Originally posted by Tarmac1997 View Post
      Hey everyone.
      I am riding since 2015 almost regularly and consider myself as an intermediate level rider, still learning and practicing new techniques almost daily.
      I already have an Activa 125 and a Classic 350. Now, I'm inclined in buying a performance machine that would be my weekend gate away and could also be used for long touring. Since I already have a tourer (Classic 350) but due to its high speed vibrations, am looking for a high speed tourer. Should I go for the track focused RC 390 or would it be too uncomfortable for long hauls and I should opt for the duke 390 (2016 model)? Also, since I have never ridden 25+bhp bikes before, will it be safe for me? I also have an eye for the R15 V3. Kindly share your much needed opinions.
      PS: I love both street naked and full fared motorcycles but am inclined towards the RC 390 due to its looks and track focused riding stance which I love. My only problem is, I would also like to take it for long tours.
      Thank you.
      Try the RS 200 and Dominar 400.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

        Originally posted by Tarmac1997 View Post
        Hey everyone.
        I am riding since 2015 almost regularly and consider myself as an intermediate level rider, still learning and practicing new techniques almost daily.
        I already have an Activa 125 and a Classic 350. Now, I'm inclined in buying a performance machine that would be my weekend gate away and could also be used for long touring. Since I already have a tourer (Classic 350) but due to its high speed vibrations, am looking for a high speed tourer. Should I go for the track focused RC 390 or would it be too uncomfortable for long hauls and I should opt for the duke 390 (2016 model)? Also, since I have never ridden 25+bhp bikes before, will it be safe for me? I also have an eye for the R15 V3. Kindly share your much needed opinions.
        PS: I love both street naked and full fared motorcycles but am inclined towards the RC 390 due to its looks and track focused riding stance which I love. My only problem is, I would also like to take it for long tours.
        Thank you.
        Riding from only 2015, first time riding above 25bhp?
        I own an RC390 and I suggest you to stay away from anything RC390/normal Duke 390 atleast for now with your experience, put on some more years of riding, then upgrade to full blown RC390/D390.

        So better to pick something in 250cc-300cc for now just having 25-30bhp and then jump to 400cc segment which will have 40bhp+.
        I'd say best choice would be Duke 250cc, gets dual ABS, has enough power to have fun but not dangerous power like 390cc.
        Mojo ABS is another suitable choice for your needs, has 28bhp, 300cc, good for touring and it is a fun bike too.
        Bajaj SuperFE 150 - Forever in my heart
        Bajaj Discover 135 DTSi Sports - 2009 to Current
        KTM RC390 - 2015 to Curr​ent
        TVS Jupiter - 2016 to Current

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

          Thank you #bpk for the suggestion. Will definitely give it a thought. I'm looking for something with dual channel abs and below 150 kg. The RS has only single channel abs while the Dominar tips the scale at over 170kg. Can you suggest something that has a dual channel abs and is light in weight and has less power than the duke 390 (the 390 could be overpowering for me).
          Originally posted by #bpk View Post
          Try the RS 200 and Dominar 400.
          Last edited by Tarmac1997; 11-17-2019, 04:44 AM.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

            Marvelous suggestions Kiran. The problem is, the duke 250 is a bit tall for my height, while the mojo is a bit on the heavy side. Since I already own a classic 350, I'm looking for something light and fun with dual abs, within 810mm seat height.
            Thank you.
            Originally posted by kiran2508 View Post
            Riding from only 2015, first time riding above 25bhp?
            I own an RC390 and I suggest you to stay away from anything RC390/normal Duke 390 atleast for now with your experience, put on some more years of riding, then upgrade to full blown RC390/D390.

            So better to pick something in 250cc-300cc for now just having 25-30bhp and then jump to 400cc segment which will have 40bhp+.
            I'd say best choice would be Duke 250cc, gets dual ABS, has enough power to have fun but not dangerous power like 390cc.
            Mojo ABS is another suitable choice for your needs, has 28bhp, 300cc, good for touring and it is a fun bike too.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

              Originally posted by Tarmac1997 View Post
              Thank you #bpk for the suggestion. Will definitely give it a thought. I'm looking for something with dual channel abs and below 150 kg. The RS has only single channel abs while the Dominar tips the scale at over 170kg. Can you suggest something that has a dual channel abs and is light in weight and has less power than the duke 390 (the 390 could be overpowering for me).
              Try the gixxer 250 naked buddy. It has jerb weights of only 156 kg, you can also look into fz 25 which is 152kg, but gixxer 250 will be more fun [emoji4]

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

                Originally posted by Tarmac1997 View Post
                Marvelous suggestions Kiran. The problem is, the duke 250 is a bit tall for my height, while the mojo is a bit on the heavy side. Since I already own a classic 350, I'm looking for something light and fun with dual abs, within 810mm seat height.
                Thank you.
                Gixxer 250 has 800mm and fz 25 has 795mm seat height.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

                  Originally posted by Tarmac1997 View Post
                  Thank you #bpk for the suggestion. Will definitely give it a thought. I'm looking for something with dual channel abs and below 150 kg. The RS has only single channel abs while the Dominar tips the scale at over 170kg. Can you suggest something that has a dual channel abs and is light in weight and has less power than the duke 390 (the 390 could be overpowering for me).
                  Ignore what some people have said about the KTM 390 being derived from Elon Musk's Space X rocket designs.

                  If you look at YT, most beginner bike lists suggested in West have always RC390 mentioned. Now, it is powerful but it's not a 600+cc crotch rocket that you can't tame.

                  KTM gives you the best vfm performance. Don't be let down by a few people's comments. Test ride your options, and decide for yourself. If you lust for that adrenaline rush, KTM is a good choice.

                  Apart from this, test ride will enable you to check out the ergonomics for yourself.

                  Cheers

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

                    Take test drives instead of going with opinions, if the showroom don't give you a long test drive get the bike on rent and drive in various conditions, city, highway, rough roads etc. Everyone will give their opinions based on their choices and likes so it's better to check it out yourself and then decide.
                    I went from 17 bhp(pulsar 180) to 47 bhp(continental gt) and faced no issues with the extra power and the weight(5'7 and 62 kg, if that matters) , i took a test drive, liked the bike and bought it.
                    Originally posted by Tarmac1997 View Post
                    Hey everyone.
                    I am riding since 2015 almost regularly and consider myself as an intermediate level rider, still learning and practicing new techniques almost daily.
                    I already have an Activa 125 and a Classic 350. Now, I'm inclined in buying a performance machine that would be my weekend gate away and could also be used for long touring. Since I already have a tourer (Classic 350) but due to its high speed vibrations, am looking for a high speed tourer. Should I go for the track focused RC 390 or would it be too uncomfortable for long hauls and I should opt for the duke 390 (2016 model)? Also, since I have never ridden 25+bhp bikes before, will it be safe for me? I also have an eye for the R15 V3. Kindly share your much needed opinions.
                    PS: I love both street naked and full fared motorcycles but am inclined towards the RC 390 due to its looks and track focused riding stance which I love. My only problem is, I would also like to take it for long tours.
                    Thank you.
                    Peace

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

                      Originally posted by yashasvi View Post
                      Take test drives instead of going with opinions, if the showroom don't give you a long test drive get the bike on rent and drive in various conditions, city, highway, rough roads etc. Everyone will give their opinions based on their choices and likes so it's better to check it out yourself and then decide.
                      I went from 17 bhp(pulsar 180) to 47 bhp(continental gt) and faced no issues with the extra power and the weight(5'7 and 62 kg, if that matters) , i took a test drive, liked the bike and bought it.
                      Nicely put bro, I went from Honda Shine to P220 last diwali. Almost double the power, but the sane riding during running in period helps one build that confidence and get used to the bike. Like some folks, I too feel the run in is for the bike as well as rider.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

                        Originally posted by Tarmac1997 View Post
                        Hey everyone.
                        I am riding since 2015 almost regularly and consider myself as an intermediate level rider, still learning and practicing new techniques almost daily.
                        I already have an Activa 125 and a Classic 350. Now, I'm inclined in buying a performance machine that would be my weekend gate away and could also be used for long touring. Since I already have a tourer (Classic 350) but due to its high speed vibrations, am looking for a high speed tourer. Should I go for the track focused RC 390 or would it be too uncomfortable for long hauls and I should opt for the duke 390 (2016 model)? Also, since I have never ridden 25+bhp bikes before, will it be safe for me? I also have an eye for the R15 V3. Kindly share your much needed opinions.
                        PS: I love both street naked and full fared motorcycles but am inclined towards the RC 390 due to its looks and track focused riding stance which I love. My only problem is, I would also like to take it for long tours.
                        Thank you.
                        I have owned two R15v2's before my current bike RC390. Here's my perspective: I haven't ridden the V3 but the V2 in my opinion lacked power. It's not just the peak power but the fact that it lacked mid range torque. This kind of power-band maybe fine for the track but it sucks for road riding. Riding the bike in it's power-band all the time will severely reduce the engine life. I only got around 20-25k km on both my R15's. I also thought that the ergonomics was made more for style than function.
                        As far as riding enjoyment goes there is absolutely nothing like the RC390 IMO (nothing under 12Lac that is). The engine's got character, the mid range is fantastic and the handling is another level. The only caveat is that this is not a bike for average riders. Riding it fast is not easy and will take skill/training, and there are some reliability issues (not a deal breaker but worth keeping in mind).
                        Last edited by incipient; 11-17-2019, 09:06 PM.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

                          If Duke 390 or RC 390, fits your budget, go for them over R15 V3. As they say no replacement for displacement.
                          You will get adjusted to both these bikes within 2-3 months run-in.
                          Suzuki GS150R(Balck) 2009- 2012
                          Yamaha R15 V2(LE white) 2012 and Honda Dio V2 Matte

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

                            If yuo have budget for RC390 and wont mind stretching a bit further, look at N300 and R3. They will be a lot more refined than the RC390 and would have a better top end as well.
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                            • #15
                              Re: Duke 390 or RC 390 or R15 V3

                              Originally posted by hellgate View Post
                              If yuo have budget for RC390 and wont mind stretching a bit further, look at N300 and R3. They will be a lot more refined than the RC390 and would have a better top end as well.
                              Nice suggestion [emoji108]

                              Comment

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