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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-47.html)

Still no news in Pune. KTM-Bund Garden is till waiting after their 1st 2 lots of 12 bikes.
I completed my 90 days yesterday. This experience of buying with them is turning out to be a real dampener...
Whatever excitement I had when I booked the machine has come down to the minimal level. Am thinking of cancelling the booking if I hear no news in next 1 week.

I wonder whether Bajaj even follows this thread or not. There is so much negativity at this time w.r.t. the 390, that I hardly come across anyone excited about it anymore. A simple communication from their side can change all of this. But I guess they just don't care. After all, its one of a kind offering at this price point. It will sell anyways. Bajaj is doing a Royal Enfield. Not a very smart thing in the long run IMO.

So Bajaj has done a great job launching the Duke 390, a nice bike in all aspects. And Bajaj wants us to book the bike and we did so. Bajaj wants us to wait and we did wait for more than a fair bit of time. Now things are going unfair and Bajaj, seriously its time to hand over the keys.please:

Yesterday atleast 20+ bikes were delivered in NCR. I was one of the recipients. Initial impressions

1. Awesome sticky tyres. The bike keeps telling you to lean. If you do, it says -- "thats it - a little bit more please"

2. Lovely handling and balance and riding position. Power delivery is linear. No jerk/pulled back effect.

3. Gearshift is way too clunky. Finding neutral is an art. Hopefully with usage this will change.

4. One can do triple digit speeds and still be "running in" the engine since 7500 rpm is advised limit.

Going for a short ride now. In love :)

Paid for the bike today. Expected on Friday.

The dealership is asking for 950 for IND plates. 2 Questions:

- should I pay - meaning is it mandatory? Or am my OK with the default plates?
- Or am I better off getting it done outside on my own?

Thanks.

Don't think it is mandatory. You can get it done outside for around Rs.500/-

Called up KTM Bund Garden today to check status. Got the update that my waiting number is now at 96 compared to 113 at time of booking. This is overall effect of the bikes delivered so far and cancellations. I booked the bike on 10th August. 51 days and counting..

The OEM high security variant of the IND plates cost 1000 bucks outside as well. But there are a huge variety of IND plates being made by the sticker shops themselves that cost less. You can choose if you want the OEM plates or get one done by yourself outside.

I created this checklist for taking delivery. Any comments /modifications appreciated

KTM Delivery checklist

Items to take
Helmet
Gloves
Camera

Documents & collectibles
Receipt & breakup For the full amount
Check Engine No:-
Check Chassis No:-
VBK-JGJ-4D6-Dnnnnn
Delivery certificate
Service record
Pdi certificate
HSRP (get old plate blanks)
Receipt for hsrp
Receipt for 3m coating
Owners manual
Spare key & spare key tag
Key fob?
Battery guarantee card
Road tax certificate
Emission certificate
Warranty card & Service booklet
Rc book
Tyre warranty
Business card of Dealer manager

Inspection
Vin & engine #
Check odometer reading
Headlight
Tail lamps
Indicators
Console
Bodywork
Paint work
Check the 3m coating
Walk thru of bike
Fluid levels: oil, petrol
Shocks
Fork Boot
Brakes
Tires
Mirrors
Toolkit
Papers kit
Telltales
Side stand cutout
Crank the engine
Smoke from exhaust

RC Book will be sent to your address 45-60 days after registering the vehicle. So the Road Tax paid receipt and the insurance will hold good for this period of time.

I am not sure if any manufacturer provides a separate Tyre warranty. Have not had any from TVS, Bajaj or Yamaha so far. It will just state in the owners manual for how long and what parts are covered under warranty.

In addition during your inspection of fluid levels, just ensure there are no lose wires hanging around as fellow D390 owner and member Added_Flavor had to face over heating issue since the connection from radiator was left lose.

All the best! :thumbs up

The new ones seems to have the mud flap extension. The 390 comes home.

Got your Bike.
I got a call from KTM Manager and he wanted me to pay the remaining amount and the delivery will be around the Weekend or next week.
They will be receiving almost 30 bikes in the second batch.
what's your booking Number/Date?

Congrats VW2010. So, what do I do with the bike I ordered for you? :-)

I booked as early as the booking started. I dont remember if it was on the same day or the next day. But withing the first 2-3 days. This was a sudden call and i didnt want to jinx it till i took the delivery.

I want to give it to a friend who is waiting for his delivery.

So here is my impression after the first ride. Sriram has covered everything so i am not going to go into detail review. This is just my feedback after the first ride.

5k RPM is probably half way there. But the bike has enough grunt and power even till say 5-6K that you are doing some good speed at each gear.

The biggest difference or biggest grin i had is with the poise of this bike. Its bloody light, bloody brilliant and bloody nimble.

I dont know how to explain this but the bike feels like a two wheel go kart and the tyres are a totally different story. You body or your knees are now asking you to bend farther to see if you can touch the road.

Few things that did bother me in the first ride. The grip is too hard. Its just too hard coming from a 8 year old bull thats more tenured by years i guess.

The seat did give me a sore butt. The seats are hard this new and may be it gets better.
I am 6'1 and the handle bars can slightly be nearer and higher. I may try some options there.

The bike unlike my bull will not like being ridden slow at high gears. The simple rule in this bike is you got to be in the gear which is atleast greater than gear*12/13 speed. 1st gear is must between 0-15, 2nd gear is manageable between 15-30, 3rd manageable between 30-40, and so on.

Remember the ways of riding based on engine noise. Someone coming from a bull may ride by simple engine sound and they know when to shift up. Here you can continue throttling at similar sound and stretch the engine A LOT.

My Grin is back. The bike is terrific. And add to that, wifey loved the bike and felt the suspension was actually better. And the seating position was actually fun if not better.

The first ride was exactly how i expected it to be and the only sad thing about this bike, you will not do a PDI because you want to lay your hands on this beauty.

For the 26km return trip the system says 33kmpl. I am guessing around 22-25. Will confirm post few trips.

A wonderful addition to my 500. Love it

Wow ,congrats vw2010 :) . The seat is hard ,I know , take it to a seat modifier and add a layer of foam . Seeing all these ,I can't bear the waiting period .

A picture with 390 and 500 together please .