Team-BHP - The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread

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Rode down with wife to Munnar from Neyveli. Started at around 5 am and reached Munnar by 3 pm. Overall ride was smooth and bit frequent breaks for wifey to be comfortable. Climate here is unpredictable but really a nice time to visit. Mornings are hot and by afternoon it rains for a few hours.

Riding gear:

Sol helmet (Metalman s68II)
Spartan Helios jacket
Rrynox gloves
Aspida riding pants
TBG riding shoes

For luggage, Veterra was used which, was borrowed from my friend. It started raining about 5 kms from Munnar and we rode in rain. Luggage did not get wet even when rain cover was not used.

I used Redline Plus gel seat and it showed it's difference in this ride. I did not have sore butt after the ride. Overall the Duke 390 is a capable tourer, except for the small tank.

The bike has superb handling. It was evident in the curves and the fun to ride factor makes sure that those long journey in 4 lane roads are not boring. Cruising at 100 kmph wind-blast is not that tiresome but more 110 kmph it feels difficult. This bike has enough power reserve for everything you would want!

Coming from R15, Duke 200, CBR 250R,RC 390 this bike would stay with me for long :).

The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread-image.jpeg

Right I did a bit of digging and querying in other forums too. Found the reason for the right side heat.

Due to very high ambient temperatures and over heating due to traffic issues during the ride my head gasket has disintegrated and I need a new one. Luckily no coolant leak just a small oil spillage, but that is enough to release a compression jet stream straight under the right side frame which heats up and literally burnt me.

Will be getting the head gasket replaced as soon as possible, till then Les will rest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitninja (Post 3968972)

I used redline plus gel seat and it showed its diference in this ride.i did not have sore butt after the ride.

Please do give more info on this Gel seat and redline thing. I don't have any problem with the stock seat, but I would like to raise the height and pad it as I find the seating position a bit low.

I have an MRA windshield and I was able to maintain 120-130 very easily without any windblast, so have a look at that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitc7 (Post 3969096)

Redline plus is a brand and they sell the gel seat.Gel seat is basically softer and thus provides good cushoning for the rider,makes you cover longer distances without any discomfort.It sits above the stock seat and increases the seat height to approximately 1 inch or a bit more.Im almost 6.1 feet and hence needed the seat height to be increased.Now it is perfect for me.Gel seat is made from advanced padding pand thus does not create any pressure points.Cost is around 4000 rs and if ordered it will take 2 weeks to reach your place.

MRA windshield is what i have in my mind.The only fly in the ointment is the price.Need to save up and buy it as my current one is rattling :Frustrati
A picture for reference

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitninja (Post 3968972)

Rode down with wife to munnar from neyveli.Started at around 5 am and reached munnar by 3 pm.Overall ride was smooth and bit frequent breaks for wifey to be comfortable.Climate here is unpredictable but really a nice time to visit.Mornings are hot and by afternoon it rains for a few hours.

That's the fantastic drive nitninja. Hill roads + Duke 390 + Metzelers = amazing combo :D And lucky you're to have a wife who enjoys the ride as much as you do :) Wish we plan for a ride very soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CGB (Post 3969330)

That's the fantastic drive nitninja. Hill roads + Duke 390 + Metzelers = amazing combo :D And lucky you're to have a wife who enjoys the ride as much as you do :) Wish we plan for a ride very soon.

thank you gautham.Pillion seat is a pain i added some extra foam as you didclap: Metzelers was totally awesome on the hills though it slipped for a moment once when i downshifted.Plan one soon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by unk9ja (Post 3941710)

Update on the Ceat Vertigo Sport on my D390

So, finally after 21k kms on the knobbies, I faced the first slow puncture a couple of days before. Rode for the bike with air top ups. Finally decided to go back to the Metz which I had preserved in my home. With these, the beast now feels more flickable and planted compared to the Vertigo which incidentally was on its last breath.

Request an update on differences felt between Metz and Vertigo, now that you hopefully would have put some more kms on the former

Some specific bits of info I am looking for:

- Grip in general. If Metz is a 10/10, how would you rate Vertigo?
- How far were you able to lean the bike with the Ceat? I don't want exact lean angle numbers but was it like you are doing just (for example) 30 degrees and the rear is ready to give up on the vertigo?
- Hard braking on VS, any issues observed? Is difference compared to Metz that of day and night?
- Would you recommend someone to go for VS for regular commuting and some mild off roading, say 80:20 ratio?

The reason I am asking this is because I am tired of punctures on my tires. First, the Michelin's sidewall got impaled with a bolt. Now, the IRCs have picked up a nasty puncture too, and the tyre looks like its deformed from where the "fix" has been applied

Tired of spending money on tires. Cannot ........ anymore. Looking for a tyre that is not deathly bad on the road, offers decent life and puncture resistance. Should not rob the bike entirely of its fun to ride factor. I love the flickability the Duke has and like to lean her around corners. Will the Vertigo perform poorly? I am OK with limiting the top speed to 120 or thereabouts, but if I have to corner like a granny; I don't want it. I'll live with the punctures

Your comments based on your experience would be much appreciated

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad (Post 3969672)

Your best bet is the Michelin pilot street radial. Bolt getting into sidewall is pure bad luck. Can happen with any tire. Give Michelin one more try.

Quote:

Another good product for seat ride comfort is ride on air - air cushion.

http://www.rideonair.in/

Have heard a lot of good things about it and people who have used it have praised a lot. I am also planning to get one and try.

Duke is being targeted by cops here in Thiruvananthapuram. Already stopped atleast 10 times in the 6 months of ownership experience.

Last month was checked twice in my ride to office. And during the second time I told the cop that I was checked once, 10 mins before. This hurt the cop's ego and he booked me for dangerous driving. Made me wait at the police station for 1 hour. Registered a petty case and now I have to pay the fine in court.:Frustrati

Barring this everything else is just perfect. I also have a Bullet Machismo. But off late all the touring is done only with this machine. clap:

The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread-img_2458.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by sps (Post 3970380)

Duke is being targeted by cops here in Thiruvananthapuram. Already stopped atleast 10 times in the 6 months of ownership experience.

Sps, you'll get used to it ! :uncontrol , She is definitely a COP MAGNET. Once, I was stopped on the way to office and cop reply was, "Why you educated and office goers buy such bikes?" :eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad (Post 3969672)

Request an update on differences felt between Metz and Vertigo, now that you hopefully would have put some more kms on the former

Some specific bits of info I am looking for:

- Grip in general. If Metz is a 10/10, how would you rate Vertigo?
The Vertigo scores a 7 on tarmac but 9 on wet and 10 on off road. The grip on the tarmac is okish if you are doing sane speeds read as double digit Once it crosses 120kmph, there is a vibe felt on the handlebars as this is a heavy tyre and starts to bounce on undulations on the roads. This may be due to the reason that this was rated to 150 or 180 kmph max. You can come out of any pothole without worrying about your rim getting damaged.
- How far were you able to lean the bike with the Ceat? I don't want exact lean angle numbers but was it like you are doing just (for example) 30 degrees and the rear is ready to give up on the vertigo?
Depends on your comfort. I used to do almost 80% of the Metz when new. Once it crossed 18k, the rear was not very generous on those leans. Used to fishtail out on corners.
- Hard braking on VS, any issues observed? Is difference compared to Metz that of day and night?
The stopping distance is increased, say around 15-20% on hard braking. But no surprises. You will get used to that.
- Would you recommend someone to go for VS for regular commuting and some mild off roading, say 80:20 ratio?
Sadly the tyre is out of production now. The front ones are still available but the rear ones simply do not exist in market anymore. If I get another set, I am gong to go blindly for these. My rides are always on the country roads trying out for something new and these were a blessing in disguise for that reason.

I have updated against your queries.

Quote:

Originally Posted by b16h22 (Post 3970617)

I don't think they specifically target Duke. I have used my 390 for over 12 months in Trivandrum and i was not even stopped once. This includes daily commutes and weekend rides

Duke targeting is my experience here in Pune too. On my previous Classic 500 I would usually be waved on at police check spots but on my Duke I am always stopped. Though the Police behavior is usually more appreciative :D
However this has significantly reduced over the last year and half. I guess Duke is quiet common and known bike now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CGB (Post 3970414)

Sps, you'll get used to it !

, She is definitely a COP MAGNET. Once, I was stopped on the way to office and cop reply was, "Why you educated and office goers buy such bikes?" :eek:

Similar questions for me too.
And on inquiring the price, the next question is: "Why didn't you buy a car instead?" :D