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-   -   The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/138082-ktm-duke-390-ownership-experience-thread-328.html)

Have you guys, or other who have gone in for their tyre changes already, never considered the new MRFs which were supposed to have been developed specifically for the 390?

I ask because (1) they would be even cheaper than the Michelins; and (2) the MRFs on my 200 rocked. The bike was nimble and planted and aside from the skittish back-end on braking or under power (esp on concrete roads), I never had low confidence on them.

Being harder compound than the Metzelers (and possibly even the Michelins) they would even be ideal for long distance touring where you do large distances on flat-tish straight-ish roads and hence just land up suaring away your tyres in the center before you hit the good twisty bits where you really need the edges.

And then when you nee the edges, instead of having a nice seamless round profile cross-section, you now have a flat center and a proper edge left and right.

I looked up the MRF site and could not find anything separate for the 390. They only show the MRF Revz FC and C (same as on the 200s).

Could someone please help with a link or a number. I'd really like to take a look at these tyres.

I know good riders who use the Duke 200 Revz as the rear tyre on their 390s for touring. The specially made one should therefore be better.

Thanks, and Cheers, Doc

Doc, a detailed review of the aforementioned tyres are here.

I belive Bhpian b16h22 had the same tyres on the bike when he purchased it. Perhaps he can shed some light on these tyres as well. :)

They are c1 and fc1. One of my friends said mrf is doing the final testing of this rubber. I'm using normal revZ C for the rear. It slides around a bit and the wet grip is not there.

Doc, i was not really confident with the MRF on my Duke 200. The bike would feel nervous in turns and under hard braking even if slight gravel was present, whereas Michelins fare much better. I also didn't find much reviews on these special MRFs, when I was about to change the tires, so switched to Michelins.
After almost 1000 kms on Michelins, I can safely say that the bike feels more stable and planted at high speeds, as I do frequent highway runs. The only gripe is the slight heavy front end, which my friend also confirmed just now.


Note from Support: Post Edited for grammar & spell-check. Please take time to properly type & space your posts for better readability. Thanks!

The article is from January 2015. The tyres are still not in the market?

Well it was the regular revz c mate. I had thought they were revz c1s before i checked out the bike for purchase.





I was quite surprised to hear that they are still not in the market. My friend had a talk with a guy who works for mrf while doing a track day. They were testing the tires on track

I am on rear brembos and no go. Still feels as mushy as ever.

What about the front's, I hardly ever use the rear brake on my NS. Infact I rely almost entirely on the front brakes to haul me down from speeds.

I am almost decided on getting the Duke 390, and the first set of upgrade will be to HEL braided brake lines and some after market brake pads.

Regards

Not sure what difference it will make since the 390s already have steel braided lines.

Aah!! Wasn't aware about this, thanks mate! so there's one thing less to worry about.

Regards

I too had a D200 before swapping for a 390 but I didnt quite like the feel of the MRFs, felt a bit twitchy and yes, the rear lost grip easily. Besides, dont the MRFs have a lower speed rating with resp. to 390?

I guess if all probable solutions have been tried and failed then I think the ABS system definitely looks to be the culprit. My 200 had much better brake feel and feedback compared to the 390 although the stopping distance of the 390 may be smaller. Could it be the ABS kicking in too soon ?

I guess its a personal thing and depends greatly on what you have predominantly grown up riding. In my case its Bullets and MRF Nylogrips or Dunlop JAPs.

I found the Revs a revelation. And enjoyed them greatly.

The ones for the 390 being discussed here will be speed rated for the 390.

Same feeling here. Loved the brakes on my 200. The ones on the 390 are nowhere close. The front has developed way too much pull distance till bite point. The rear activates the ABS way too early and spoils the entire trail braking feel for me personally (I'm old school - I still use a lot of the rear brake to stabilize the bike and scrub speed smoothly/continuously rather in a hurry).

I found the 390 brakes pretty adequate but probably i didnt cross the mileage (i did around 7K). Today in my FZ6R had the scare of my life. On a wet road, i almost lost the front end while braking. On stock bridgestone battlax i have done around 4K miles. These last around 7-8K miles.


THe difference between ABS, Good brakes and good wet tyres makes a huge difference. On same conditions i never worried about safety(in KTM) but today had the best scare on one of the best road bikes. The Fz6R. I am already thinking of upgrading to something with ABS and Traction and better sized brakes bike.

There seems to be an availability issue with the Metzeler Sportec M5 tyres. Bajaj offer them at a subsidised rate through the service centres, but now they're all saying that there's no stock left, and that I'll have to source the tyres on my own, which is a much more expensive proposition. When I ask the managers WHY there isn't any stock left, they invariably say "company issue", and tell me to use Michelins instead. I'm disappointed at how poorly this has been handled. When they offer a discount, obviously there's going to be a higher demand. It's their responsibility to ensure that they have adequate stock. Instead, they're twiddling their thumbs and refusing to accept their mistake.

This is most surprising.

Here, in Delhi, they're organising a Track Day for 390 owners at the Buddh International Circuit, sometime at the end of this month. Apparently, they're refusing to register customers who use ANY TYRE BRAND except the Metzeler. To add to it, they're not even giving receipts/acknowledgements after taking the registration fees from the customer! :Shockked:

So much for not being able to digest the fact that a tyre that costs half as much as their dear Metz is giving it tough competition. KTM will never learn, will it?

Our fellow member mehuel, an avid and skilled track guy, went with the rear Metz on his RC390 because he was left with no other option!