[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by NitinMakhija

Yes i would always prefer Xena over this one. My friend is coming back from US but after a couple of months!

So I met up with the guy who bought the Kabrus and here is some feedback for you.

The Kabrus is made of Stainless Steel and has a shiny look. IMHO, looks a bit cheap and locally made. No offense meant to Kabrus and its customers

The Kabrus lock is rated at 140dB while my Xena XX-6 is rated at 120dB (some models of Xena are rated at 110dB). The Xena is wider than the Kabrus and here is the best part.

Both locks were placed on the disc rotors one at a time and the alarms were triggered. The Xena was distinctively and significantly louder than the Kabrus and this was not just my opinion, but of the others present on our sunday morning ride as well.

So in short, if you can source the Xena go ahead.

Just to mention, the xena has a nice finish to it, mine is the brushed aluminum finish. It is also available in yellow, stainless steel and orange too (shubz, the KTM owner has one in orange).

P.S. ebonho - apologies for hijacking your thread

[contact.nitin7]

I have been closely watching this thread, and now that my membership is approved, I would also like to share something here, my Bike is around like 43days old now, close 4100kms Old.


leaning has to be done on this as per more on the weight by the rider not steering the bike.
Anyways, you guys are already master's, I'll just post a pic I have with less than a mm on the front and rear also less than a CM left unscrubbed.

[ebonho]

No issues Aditya - its very helpful for all of us bro!

Nitin, nice of you to drop by. I've seen some of your photos elsewhere as well. You've got skills!

Would love to see a closeup of both your tyres if possible.

[contact.nitin7]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Nitin, nice of you to drop by. I've seen some of your photos elsewhere as well. You've got skills!

Elsewhere??? LOL, Am I that popular, but where?

As requested - Close Ups

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by contact.nitin7

Elsewhere??? LOL, Am I that popular, but where?

Motoroids.

Most KTM guys are following the main KTM related threads on different forums as its early days for the bike and we want to keep abreast with info on issues, fixes, parts, service, etc.

And so are Bajaj guys pretty methodically for feedback.

Your rear tyre is nice. Definitely more than what I've managed so far.

[n_aditya]

So here are the quintessential questions.

Now that many KTMs have run in and clocked decent amount of miles, what mileage (FE) can one expect in the city and on the highways? ()

What would it cost to maintain this bike - service costs, consumables, parts if any that require replacement due to regular wear n tear or repairs due to falls, breakdowns, etc.?

I'm constantly telling myself i dont need the KTM just to commute to work and back. I will occasionally do a highway run just to make my ninja jealous. But before i plonk my money on this would like to know answers to the above.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by n_aditya

So here are the quintessential questions.

Now that many KTMs have run in and clocked decent amount of miles, what mileage (FE) can one expect in the city and on the highways? ()

Safe to say around 30 in the city and around 35 on the highway.

If you ride with a very gentle and contolled right wrist (basically let the bike build up speed over a longer distance - which I cannot), and still maintain around 90-100 on the highway for largish sections without too much braking, shifting, acceleration, then around 40 is also possible.

On very spirited ghat runs, the mileage may dip sub 30 to around 28-29 sometimes, but that's seen over shortish 50 odd km distances.

While on tour, I currently calculate around 30 kmpl for the basis of my petrol fill/range calculations. I have a feeling within a few more longish rides, and especially post the second service, it may even change to 35.

What would it cost to maintain this bike - service costs, consumables, parts if any that require replacement due to regular wear n tear or repairs due to falls, breakdowns, etc.?

The parts (Indian made running parts - not the imported Powerparts) are pretty cheap.

Oil is cheap and you only need 1.4 liters. The oild filter is some 150 bucks. The air filter is around the same. So is the spark plug. These are all the consumables in a normal service.

The first service cost me around 600 odd total. I have always been riding Bullets - just my oil costs more, and a normal service is easily 1.5K + - not to mention the service intervals are also shorter.

The plastics are cheap. A headlight mask (black) costs around 350 bucks. The huge orange tank panles cost around 700 odd each. Don't know about the rear cowls, but they should be less.

The tyres would have a life of 10-12K max. The rear is 4K+ and the front is 3K+ from MRF. I would like to reserve judgment till the rains, but on current evidence, I would not mind that kind of money for the way they hold.

The only other regular use consumable would be chain sprocket set and maybe clutch plates (again that is the Bulleteer in me talking - the Duke's plates may go 50K kms for all we know ....).

No idea yet of the prices there, but I'm sure the chain sprocket kit will need replacing early looking at the number of times it needs adjusting and the acceleration it is subjected to (no one rides this bike cool).

I'm constantly telling myself i dont need the KTM just to commute to work and back. I will occasionally do a highway run just to make my ninja jealous. But before i plonk my money on this would like to know answers to the above.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

Why not wait for the 350 early next year? Which Ninja do you have - 250 or 650?

[Sheel]

Aditya, I knew this was coming

Had KTM been launched a bit earlier, I might have gone for one as well. Though need to ride one to form an opinion.

@LP - Welcome

[black12rr]

Originally Posted by Sheel

Aditya, I knew this was coming

Had KTM been launched a bit earlier, I might have gone for one as well. Though need to ride one to form an opinion.

@LP - Welcome

Please don't ride the KTM ,you might get depressed with your current bike . You can always have two bikes at home .
Do have a ride on KTM and please report back .But you have been cautioned.

[n_aditya]

Thanks for the inputs ebonho.

Originally Posted by ebonho

Why not wait for the 350 early next year? Which Ninja do you have - 250 or 650?

Actually its the 350 that i am eagerly waiting for. Was for the nth time thinking of replacing the Fiero with the KTM 200.

I have the ninja 250 so i guess the KTM 200 wont make much difference since both are almost similar in terms of performance.

Originally Posted by Sheel

Aditya, I knew this was coming . Had KTM been launched a bit earlier, I might have gone for one as well. Though need to ride one to form an opinion.

Originally Posted by black12rr

Please don't ride the KTM ,you might get depressed with your current bike . You can always have two bikes at home.

Sheel, I was one of the first guys to ride the KTM in Bangalore even before they were officially available for test rides. The bike is brilliant to ride in the city and last weekend i rode with Shubz and a couple of more KTMs and they did pretty well on the highway. So if you ask me, go for it unless you want to wait for the 350 which makes more power and you'll want to keep it longer. You might tire out (get bored) of the KTM 200 since its almost on par with the acceleration compared to the cbr.

But of course, two-up riding on this will be a squeeze so retain the cbr if you plan to tour with your future wife.

Oh yeah, like black12rr mentioned, do take a test ride soon and let us know how long it took for you to wipe that silly grin off your face.

[Sheel]

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Sheel, I was one of the first guys to ride the KTM in Bangalore even before they were officially available for test rides. The bike is brilliant to ride in the city and last weekend i rode with Shubz and a couple of more KTMs and they did pretty well on the highway. So if you ask me, go for it unless you want to wait for the 350 which makes more power and you'll want to keep it longer. You might tire out (get bored) of the KTM 200 since its almost on par with the acceleration compared to the cbr.

But of course, two-up riding on this will be a squeeze so retain the cbr if you plan to tour with your future wife.

Precisely the reason I am sticking with the CBR. Touring two up.

And frankly, I don't think I need a faster bike. I as of now need time to ride around. And I don't think I am getting any for the next 3 months.

I can think of touring only after I have procured a good helmet/jacket and knee guards for my wife and luggage carrier. Even after all this, the CBR would be good to do 110-120 all day. Above that, I don't think my pillion would approve and the dynamics change too much to enjoy riding faster.

Oh yeah, like black12rr mentioned, do take a test ride soon and let us know how long it took for you to wipe that silly grin off your face.

Let me see as to when I get my hands on one.

I am not upgrading till I figure time to ride.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Thanks for the inputs ebonho.

Anytime.

Actually its the 350 that i am eagerly waiting for.

Aren't we all - that too sub 2 Lacs PLEASE Bajaj!

Was for the nth time thinking of replacing the Fiero with the KTM 200.

Apples and potatoes really bro. Flog it off only if you feel you want into the KTM scene right now and don't want to wait for the 350.

I have the ninja 250 so i guess the KTM 200 wont make much difference since both are almost similar in terms of performance.

I don't think they are anywhere similar in terms of performance. One can top a true ton. The other loses breath upward of 130-135 kmph depending on how big you are. That is HUGE in terms of difference in performance.

The Duke is well matched to the CBR - the Ninja is in a different class.

Though functionally, class wise, there is not much one would do which the other cannot.

Personally, if I was riding a Ninja, I would save up and wait before flogging my Fiero for a proper upgrade - i.e. the 350. Its already May - look at it as just one riding season away.

You might tire out (get bored) of the KTM 200 since its almost on par with the acceleration compared to the cbr.

Originally Posted by Sheel

And frankly, I don't think I need a faster bike.

I am not upgrading till I figure time to ride.

I am surprised at these comments. Do you guys consider the Duke to be an upgrade over the CBR?

Personally, from what I have read (never ridden the CBR), they seem to be well matched, with the Duke accelerating harder, and the CBR having a 10 odd kmph edge on the top end.

That said, the Duke does give 50 cc to the CBR, takes a lot of that back in 30 kilos less is weight, and is geared much shorter.

More like horses for courses really.

The way this bike hits the limiter, even in 6th, I am sure within 6 months there will be guys figuring out an after-market sprocket swap for the NH4/5/8/1 riding days!

Interesting Note: KTM themselves seem to have anticipated it. On the page talking about chain settings in the owner's manual, there is sentence that says the mechanism has enough play to adjust for a stock chain with a different sprocket! Which means no cutting.

Having seen how easy it is to remove the front sprocket though, it might make more sense to go that route - though even a tooth in front sometimes is too big a jump, compared to 2-3 behind.

[lohithrao]

Aditya, Any idea on when the "350" Duke is expected? and what it maybe costing?

Originally Posted by n_aditya

want to wait for the 350... .

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I don't think they are anywhere similar in terms of performance. One can top a true ton. The other loses breath upward of 130-135 kmph depending on how big you are. That is HUGE in terms of difference in performance.

Oops, i meant in terms of acceleration both bikes will be running almost neck to neck for at least a few seconds if not to the ton.

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Aditya, Any idea on when the "350" Duke is expected? and what it maybe costing?

No clue Lohith. I guess they will launch it sometime next year and pricing will be competitive as usual

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Oops, i meant in terms of acceleration both bikes will be running almost neck to neck for at least a few seconds if not to the ton.

I think the Duke should be hold on to the baby Ninja for longer bro, seeing as the Ninja develops real power much higher up and is pretty lifeless early on (brief impressions from my cousin's Ninjette some time ago so please correct me if I'm wrong).

The Duke is pretty strong till 120, definitely very strong to 110-115. And its geared short too. So I definitely think it can hold on to the Ninjette till 100-110 at least, which means at least the first 10 odd seconds. In the city that basically means these two are evenly matched.

Would be great if we could find out.