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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-373.html)

I think the design is such that. I said this long time back in 2013. The front end feels very light for bigger folks. The front end which i want to be slightly heavier and planted felt a little light. And this feeling is subjective. Many coming from 200cc bikes felt the bike planted. Riding style also matters.

Start from 10 and work your way down and stick to sanity when riding pillion in this motorcycle.

Pillion suffer a lot.

I had a Bullet Electra 350 for 8 years. Sold it to buy a Harley Street 750 end of 2014 and sold it in 6 months. 750 was not OK for my height (5 feet 11) and was no good considering the wind blast on the highways. And the continuous cramps due to bad ergonomics for the leg.

Sold it last year to buy a Celerio automatic for spouse/kids' urgency.

FINALLY, got myself a KTM 390 yesterday - Black colour.
Enjoying it thoroughly. I didn't know It was this good, until I bought it and rode it myself.

Cheers - VFM perspective - WOWWW

Can someone shed any light on this?

Congrats pramod! :) the Duke 390 sure is value for money. Question, did you get any updates apart from the known ones.. lighter clutch, bigger radiator, no headlight switch?
Looking forward for pictures and experience. BTW, I've the black one myself..:thumbup:

A high front fender and a different sub frame. Is this the elusive Adv 390???

Couldn't be a adv version! Look at the footpegs. It seems to have the same ground clearance as the present one. Also the shocks are the same. Doesn't seem to have much travel.

700 kms done in 10 days! Been great so far, no issues. Just one complaint regarding the mirrors, I cant see anything behind me.

Anyone here tried mirror extenders? I checked online, but the options available are expensive (50$ + shipping). That's too much for a small piece of metal and a few screws. Any good options available in India?
TIA.

Mirrors are an issue, either they are point too far or they show you hands! :Frustrati

Try bar-end mirrors seems to work a bit better or a bit or trial and error with mirrors from other bikes/after-market you might get one that clicks.

Saw this modded 390 from Moto Miu on a ride. Uses the WP front end from one of the KTM 450 enduros. Still work in progress on the mods is what the guys said.

Try the Apache mirrors. It's of a very similar shape, only taller, wider and better!

Thanks for the inputs guys, i'll check the Apache mirrors, don't like the bar end ones.
Another query was regarding the first service which is coming up. I heard from a lot of dukers that valve adjustment is needed during the first service, is this true? Would it make the engine less noisy at low rpms?:D

That is a normal routine service check. It becomes a tad difficult if it requires replacement of the shims. Adjustment hardly takes any time. The manual requires check and adjustment at 1k and 10k kms of odo reading for the valve clearance.

Check the manual for more information. You have tons in it and also you can learn some DIY from it.

Many Congrats mate!!
I must say I was waiting for a 2016 update for quite sometime now. clap:

So additionally, what is your take on the heat dissipation from the cooling fans. Has it bothered you yet?

Morever, are the seats any better or comfortable than the 2015 models if you have ridden one?

Thanks, and have fun!!:thumbs up

-Akshat

Thanks Akshat!

Heat dissipation is not an issue!
I feel hot air on my left leg only if I am wearing shorts, that too if the fan comes ON.

Additionally, the fan starts only during bumper to bumper traffic. The temperature gauge is always 1 or 2 bars below the last triangle whatever the condition.

Regarding the seats, I compared mine with my buddies seat(2015 model) and there is almost half an inch more cushion available. I am still getting used to the seat because I am used to RE seats:D 200+kms and my behind goes numb.

The way the bike corners and accelerates, the lightness and the ergonomics push the rider to get fit, lose weight! I'm taking steps to change myself now. :)

You have said a lot between those two lines! 'Stay fit to ride light'! :thumbs up fan of that!

Thanks for all the useful insights.. I think I want my own pocket-rocket now! 🤓

Cheers!!