[ebonho]

Those look like ordinary rubber square blocks with a hole in the center. Why buy a new seat for that? Cant we fashion the same at home?

Cheers, Doc

[b16h22]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Those look like ordinary rubber square blocks with a hole in the center. Why buy a new seat for that? Cant we fashion the same at home?

Cheers, Doc

The taller seat comes with that orange plastic spacer to fill in the gap between the seat and frame/fairing. That is not there on the stock bike.


stock Indian spec seat


taller seat height option

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by b16h22

The taller seat comes with that orange plastic spacer to fill in the gap between the seat and frame/fairing. That is not there on the stock bike.

Attachment 2621170
stock Indian spec seat

Attachment 2621171
taller seat height option

So cant they just sell that spacer with the rubbers instead? Its basically a fiber skirt.

Cheers, Doc

[b16h22]

Originally Posted by ebonho

So cant they just sell that spacer with the rubbers instead? Its basically a fiber skirt.

Cheers, Doc

Not sure if they sell it as a separate part or if it is a direct fit with the stock India spec seat. The taller seat+spacer comes as standard on export market models.

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by b16h22

Not sure if they sell it as a separate part or if it is a direct fit with the stock India spec seat. The taller seat+spacer comes as standard on export market models.

I believe they do sell it separately. From what I recall, the sales head told us that we could place an order for it any time. Costing was probably some 900 odd but I am not sure of that anymore.

If you meant the rubbers, then no, I think we'll have to do some experimentation around that bit. Small rubber spacers or anti vibration rubbers from Amazon should help here.

[amyntor]

Originally Posted by ebonho

So cant they just sell that spacer with the rubbers instead? Its basically a fiber skirt.

Cheers, Doc

That's what they do I think. They sell the seat + spacer combo. At first I thought why wouldn't they sell just the spacer and then I realized the 820mm seat is not the same as the 800mm seat. The former has a slight elevation/bump at the back.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by amyntor

That's what they do I think. They sell the seat + spacer combo. At first I thought why wouldn't they sell just the spacer and then I realized the 820mm seat is not the same as the 800mm seat. The former has a slight elevation/bump at the back.

I realized this when you said that the taller seat was harder. I dont understand why the seats are different for a barely 2 cm difference in height. Its not a very elegant solution. And cost and parts bin sharing wise its not very Bajaj at all.

Cheers, Doc

[amyntor]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I realized this when you said that the taller seat was harder.

Cheers, Doc

Well, AFAIK both the stock 800mm and 820mm seats are equally hard.

The 800mm seat I have was modded by the previous owner to make it softer and foamier.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by amyntor

The 800mm seat I have was modded by the previous owner to make it softer and foamier.

Obvious question. Cant the 800 mm seat be directly made into a 820 mm seat by aftermarket foam alone? A thicker layer of higher density foam, sculpted with a knife into the desired shape, overlaid by the thinner layer of comfort softer foam. Its just 2 cm. In the old days, we used to make Bullet scooped saddles nearly flat by adding a lot more than just 2 cm for motocross / dirtrodding / rallying.

Cheers, Doc

[amyntor]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Obvious question. Cant the 800 mm seat be directly made into a 820 mm seat by aftermarket foam alone? A thicker layer of higher density foam, sculpted with a knife into the desired shape, overlaid by the thinner layer of comfort softer foam. Its just 2 cm. In the old days, we used to make Bullet scooped saddles nearly flat by adding a lot more than just 2 cm for motocross / dirtrodding / rallying.

Cheers, Doc

Yep, that's my plan. I don't see why that won't be possible.

The previous owner's a short guy so he got the seat modified without making it taller.

[b16h22]

Originally Posted by amyntor

Well, AFAIK both the stock 800mm and 820mm seats are equally hard.

The 800mm seat I have was modded by the previous owner to make it softer and foamier.

Softer seats have their disadvantages especially when you are riding longer distances and you are on the heavier side. I personally prefer a harder but not a rock hard seat. The first gen Dukes had really hard seats but I preferred it to the the soft seats on some bikes I've owned, over longer distances. With soft seats, you tend to sink onto the seat frame after a while and your butt goes numb

[amyntor]

Originally Posted by b16h22

Softer seats have their disadvantages especially when you are riding longer distances and you are on the heavier side. I personally prefer a harder but not a rock hard seat. The first gen Dukes had really hard seats but I preferred it to the the soft seats on some bikes I've owned, over longer distances. With soft seats, you tend to sink onto the seat frame after a while and your butt goes numb

Fortunately, I'm not that heavy (178 cm, 67 kilos)

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by b16h22

The first gen Dukes had really hard seats but I preferred it to the the soft seats on some bikes I've owned, over longer distances.

I LOVE the Gen 1's seat. Even the rexine. The Bullet seat in spite of being a sofa, was/is a bit softer and the outer curved edge on top bites into your inner thighs and buttocks after a few 100 kilometres. The Gen 1 Duke you can comfortable do back to back to back 1000+ days. Partly also admittedly because those 1000+ kilometres go by faster with less stress on the motor and chassis in terms of sound and feedback through your bottom and hands and feet.

Cheers, Doc

[amyntor]

A group of my friends planned a trip to Maredumilli this weekend and I decided to join them. If you aren't aware of the place, it's a small village surrounded by beautiful forests and waterfalls. Great place to visit during the monsoons.

The group of five went in a car and I followed them on my new toy, the 390 Duke. 200 kilometres of riding in the twisties, I finally understand why KTM calls it a corner rocket.

I also got a chance to take it to some trails in the area. Now, by no means I'm an expert off-roader but I can carry myself without looking like an idiot. So, take the following observations with a pinch of salt.

The bike handled them beautifully. Its generous 183mm of ground clearance proved useful and practical on a terrain that consisted loose gravel, rocks, large puddles, and some water crossings. It never once bottomed out like the previous gen often did and surprisingly, never stalled either. During the whole ride, it was on the "Comfort" suspension settings recommended by the manufacturer.

If the Duke can be this versatile and a capable machine off the tarmac, I have high hopes for what the next gen 390 Adventure and Enduro have in store.





The below two pics were near Papikonda National Park.









Relaxed in these farm areas belonging to the family of a friend




I removed the crash guards from Zana and put the stock ones back.

[ebonho]

With just a change of tyres, and maybe a bit of lift clearance to the front mudguard for this sort of sticky clayey mud, with or with bar risers (I'm agnostic on those ... the Duke feels more natural without than with) the Duke can comfortably tackle any terrain in India. I'll take it over the heavier bigger taller Adventure any day of the week, and twice on Sunday. The Duke is better off road than the Adventure is on road ... just. I think the Adventure comes into its own for two up riding and a much bigger tank range. I cannot think of another reason to pick it over the Duke.

Cheers, Doc