[Car_Freak_911]

Hey guys! I'm planning to get a baby duke 200 soon but I'm a bit confused. My question is should I buy the Baby now or next month.

If I buy it now, I'll be getting the 2014 manufactured model but the store manager told me that if I want the 2015 manufactured model then I'll have to wait till February.

Any there going to be any changes in the newer model? Is it worth waiting?
Or should I buy from the ones that are in stock?

[Car_Freak_911]

Got my baby Duke delivered today! But there seems to be one problem I'm worried about.
I just noticed this after coming home-->




In the tread pattern, this(ply) can be seen. Please confirm if it is normal or it is a defect. I'll go to the service centre soon if it is a defect.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by Car_Freak_911

Got my baby Duke delivered today! But there seems to be one problem I'm worried about.
I just noticed this after coming home-->

In the tread pattern, this(ply) can be seen. Please confirm if it is normal or it is a defect. I'll go to the service centre soon if it is a defect.

Is it something metal?

I thought it was the thread wear indicator.

Is it found only in this place it found obv the whole tyres threads?

[Car_Freak_911]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Is it something metal?

I thought it was the thread wear indicator.

Is it found only in this place it found obv the whole tyres threads?

I don't think it was metal. Didn't check it properly as it was dark when I got home.

I guess its only at that place and not everywhere. Will check thoroughly tomorrow morning and let you know.

EDIT: The above pic was captured near the showroom when the bike was delivered.

[Car_Freak_911]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Is it something metal?

I thought it was the thread wear indicator.

Is it found only in this place it found obv the whole tyres threads?

Checked it today. Its there in alternate treads of the tyre. Its not metal.

EDIT: I guess you were right about it being the thread wear indicator. Thanks buddy!

Ownership thread soon to come

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by Car_Freak_911

Checked it today. Its there in alternate treads of the tyre. Its not metal.

Then nothing to worry, it is tyre wear indicator on the threads which you are seeing.

[Car_Freak_911]

There's this problem about my duke that's kept me worried.
When I Rev the bike hard with a pillion at the back, and when I reach 5th or 6th gear(not quite sure) there's some kind of sound and vibration. It felt as if chain was slipping or something. I'm not quite sure. It has happened to me thrice till now. (In a span of 2months). It had happened even when the bike was 4 days old.
It happens only when theres a pillion. When I ride solo and revv hard, it doesn't happen. Any idea what's going on?

[man_of_steel]

Originally Posted by Car_Freak_911

There's this problem about my duke that's kept me worried.
When I Rev the bike hard with a pillion at the back, and when I reach 5th or 6th gear(not quite sure) there's some kind of sound and vibration. It felt as if chain was slipping or something. I'm not quite sure. It has happened to me thrice till now. (In a span of 2months). It had happened even when the bike was 4 days old.
It happens only when theres a pillion. When I ride solo and revv hard, it doesn't happen. Any idea what's going on?

Sounds like an over tightened chain to me. The chain becomes more taught with a pillion on board and even more with addition of a pillion. The boffins at SVC adjusts the chain with no one sitting on the bike where as the right practice is to make the adjustment with the rider on board the bike.

Just imagine how taut the chain would be if adjusted without the rider on board and then add the rider and pillion weight to it.

Also, clean and lube the chain thoroughly.

[barcalad]

Originally Posted by Car_Freak_911

There's this problem about my duke that's kept me worried.
When I Rev the bike hard with a pillion at the back, and when I reach 5th or 6th gear(not quite sure) there's some kind of sound and vibration. It felt as if chain was slipping or something. I'm not quite sure. It has happened to me thrice till now. (In a span of 2months). It had happened even when the bike was 4 days old.
It happens only when theres a pillion. When I ride solo and revv hard, it doesn't happen. Any idea what's going on?

Try adjusting your suspension (making it a bit hard) and see if it persists. Have you tightened/lubed the chain of late? Also, does your bike have the hugger on?



EDIT : man_of_steel, just saw your reply. Great minds think alike.

[Car_Freak_911]

Originally Posted by man_of_steel

Sounds like an over tightened chain to me. The chain becomes more taught with a pillion on board and even more with addition of a pillion. The boffins at SVC adjusts the chain with no one sitting on the bike where as the right practice is to make the adjustment with the rider on board the bike.

Just imagine how taut the chain would be if adjusted without the rider on board and then add the rider and pillion weight to it.

Also, clean and lube the chain thoroughly.

So it happens if the chain is overtight? I didn't know that the chain gets tighter when a pillion is onboard. I'd always asked the pillion if their shoes were touching the chain when the sounds came.
I get the chain cleaned and lubed regularly at 500kms.

Originally Posted by barcalad

Try adjusting your suspension (making it a bit hard) and see if it persists. Have you tightened/lubed the chain of late? Also, does your bike have the hugger on?



EDIT : man_of_steel, just saw your reply. Great minds think alike.

The suspension setting is on the harder side. I haven't touched the settings since I got the bike. I haven't tightened the chain but it was lubed twice, once at 600 kms and once during first service 996 kms. Yeah, the hugger is on. What role could it have in this problem?

[barcalad]

Originally Posted by Car_Freak_911

The suspension setting is on the harder side. I haven't touched the settings since I got the bike. I haven't tightened the chain but it was lubed twice, once at 600 kms and once during first service 996 kms. Yeah, the hugger is on. What role could it have in this problem?

A friend has some issues after re-fitting his hugger. A screw on the chain cover mysteriously disappeared, due to which the edge of the chain cover started deforming due to the heat. The hugger, if loose or not installed properly can make some noise.
If you haven't touched the settings yet, how do you know it's on the harder side? Get it checked once, I'd suggest.
Also, get the play of your chain checked, along with a thorough inspection of the rear sprocket.

[VCheng]

@ebonho How many miles do you have on the Duke by now? Are you satisfied with its long term reliability and performance? Pluses and Minuses in your view? Any updates would be appreciated, thanks.

[abhinav.s]

Originally Posted by VCheng

@ebonho How many miles do you have on the Duke by now? Are you satisfied with its long term reliability and performance? Pluses and Minuses in your view? Any updates would be appreciated, thanks.

If you are asking about his D200, then he has sold it in June 2014 buddy. He has now got himself a D390 and enjoying the ride on it.

[VCheng]

Originally Posted by abhinav.s

If you are asking about his D200, then he has sold it in June 2014 buddy. He has now got himself a D390 and enjoying the ride on it.

My bad, I should have specified: It was the 390 that I am interested in. The KTMs are nice bikes and it would not be a bad choice if reliable in the long term. Did he make a new thread about the 390? If so, can you please guide me towards that? Thanks!

[abhinav.s]

Originally Posted by VCheng

My bad, I should have specified: It was the 390 that I am interested in. The KTMs are nice bikes and it would not be a bad choice if reliable in the long term. Did he make a new thread about the 390? If so, can you please guide me towards that? Thanks!

No new thread as far as I am aware of. He has penned down his experience in the Duke 390 ownership experience thread itself.