[b16h22]

Originally Posted by 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.

Cheers, Doc

You've perfectly described the current Svartpilen 401 there

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by b16h22

You've perfectly described the current Svartpilen 401 there

Different look and tune notwithstanding, here is the home built build and ride of mine!



























































Cheers, Doc

[shyamg28]

Interesting conversations above

Ever since wife got her own Duke 390, she was interested in upskilling and becoming more familiar with her motorcycle. Afterall, she does intend very much to tour with this motorcycle.
And I think Doc more or less nailed it with the differences between a Duke and the Adv.

We attended a private class for just the 2 of us at Tribal Adventure Cafe, Bengaluru. Yogesh was our trainer, a national champion himself. I must say it was one of the best experiences for both of us.
While the 1-1 attention was great, what we both enjoyed the most was how Yogesh wasn't pushing a 1-size-fits-all solution. He worked with my wife on some of her issues around better braking, tight turns and body posture. He worked with me on clutch control and body posture when sitting and standing, while maximizing efficiency.

He also took us out on a lovely trail. Highly recommend!

Overall for me, the confidence levels just go up after such a session. Consciously practicing the learnings all the time is crucial to ultimately improving though.



















The Duke 390 is a great bike

[hikozaru]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

We attended a private class for just the 2 of us at Tribal Adventure Cafe, Bengaluru. Yogesh was our trainer, a national champion himself. I must say it was one of the best experiences for both of us.
While the 1-1 attention was great, what we both enjoyed the most was how Yogesh wasn't pushing a 1-size-fits-all solution. He worked with my wife on some of her issues around better braking, tight turns and body posture. He worked with me on clutch control and body posture when sitting and standing, while maximizing efficiency.

Any plans on sticking some tank grips on the side panels near the seat? I am monitoring the state of wear on my trousers before deciding to commit to it.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

The Duke 390 is a great bike

Stunned to see the bend in her knees. Its like height does not matter to the rider triangle.

Cheers, Doc

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by hikozaru

Any plans on sticking some tank grips on the side panels near the seat? I am monitoring the state of wear on my trousers before deciding to commit to it.

It's there. Bike is at about 4000kms. No issues to either of our pants so far.
I have the same company's tank grips on my V Strom as well which has seen far more. No damage to mesh or jeans. However, my Klim pants have leather patch on the inside. There's very very slight scuffing on it. Not enough for me to be concerned.

Originally Posted by ebonho

Stunned to see the bend in her knees. Its like height does not matter to the rider triangle.

Cheers, Doc

Isn't it? I felt the same way. She's 5.4 or 5.5 probably. But the triangle looks similar to if I was sitting on it. I'm 5.10.

[7000plusrpm]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Isn't it? I felt the same way. She's 5.4 or 5.5 probably. But the triangle looks similar to if I was sitting on it. I'm 5.10.

From the photos, it seems, you are right at the edge of the rider seat while she is sitting much closer to the tank. And there is a lot of space still available on the rider seat. If she sits back a bit, the bend in the knees will be less. But then, her riding position is probably to grip the tank better.

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by 7000plusrpm

From the photos, it seems, you are right at the edge of the rider seat while she is sitting much closer to the tank. And there is a lot of space still available on the rider seat. If she sits back a bit, the bend in the knees will be less. But then, her riding position is probably to grip the tank better.

You're actually correct. The problem (yes, it is a problem for us), is that the Duke's seat is forward sloping. So the rider invariably gets pushed to the front.
Although there isn't too much space to begin with.

We're trying to see if we can modify the front part of the rider seat a little bit to make it flatter. That will support a more neutral touring use case according to me.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by 7000plusrpm

From the photos, it seems, you are right at the edge of the rider seat while she is sitting much closer to the tank. And there is a lot of space still available on the rider seat. If she sits back a bit, the bend in the knees will be less. But then, her riding position is probably to grip the tank better.

That's why its called the rider "triangle" because it has 3 points. She cannot sit back because every rider automatically unconsciously settles on the part of the saddle which gives him or her maximum control of the bike while riding. Unless your proportions are really different, shorter legs also usually come with a shorter torso and shorter arms, which reduce the reach to the handlebar ... the third point on the triangle. Even if she consciously pushes herself back, whole riding she will subconsciously slide back forward without realising it.

Originally Posted by shyamg28

You're actually correct. The problem (yes, it is a problem for us), is that the Duke's seat is forward sloping. So the rider invariably gets pushed to the front.
Although there isn't too much space to begin with.

We're trying to see if we can modify the front part of the rider seat a little bit to make it flatter. That will support a more neutral touring use case according to me.

Don't do that if the bike is to remain a 2 rider bike, shared between both of you. The knee angle is not the only thing. Look at her photo and yours. While the tops of her legs fit comfortably in the tank recess and is way below the sharp tank ledge, your legs are currently completely using up that whole area. If you flatten the saddle, it will slightly tilt your pelvis. Not only will it not feel natural, it will probably cause the top of your legs and knees to then foul with the top and/or front of that tank recess ledge. This is also common in Gen 1's for really tall guys.

Cheers, Doc

[amyntor]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Interesting conversations above

Ever since wife got her own Duke 390, she was interested in upskilling and becoming more familiar with her motorcycle. Afterall, she does intend very much to tour with this motorcycle.

...

The Duke 390 is a great bike

Hello @shyamg28, may I know where you got those knuckle guards on the Duke from?

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by ebonho

...Don't do that if the bike is to remain a 2 rider bike, shared between both of you. The knee angle is not the only thing. Look at her photo and yours. While the tops of her legs fit comfortably in the tank recess and is way below the sharp tank ledge, your legs are currently completely using up that whole area. If you flatten the saddle, it will slightly tilt your pelvis. Not only will it not feel natural, it will probably cause the top of your legs and knees to then foul with the top and/or front of that tank recess ledge. This is also common in Gen 1's for really tall guys.

Cheers, Doc

Shared? Hahahaha...That I take it out now, is being tolerated. It's not a willful act of sharing :P

I do get your point though Doc. The intention is not to raise height.
What we're trying to get to is something similar to Adv seats, where the seat almost slopes up to the tank. A bit of cushioning for for the crotch. This hasn't been uncomfortable for me. And acts a slight cushion when you brake hard and get pushed forward slightly.

Originally Posted by amyntor

Hello @shyamg28, may I know where you got those knuckle guards on the Duke from?

Hey @amyntor! They're KTM knuckle guards. Useful for standstill falls is all. Not too much else.

I've gone back & forth with enough people that there was no need for Barkhbusters and that these would suffice the use case

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Shared? Hahahaha...That I take it out now, is being tolerated. It's not a willful act of sharing :P

I do get your point though Doc. The intention is not to raise height.
What we're trying to get to is something similar to Adv seats, where the seat almost slopes up to the tank. A bit of cushioning for for the crotch. This hasn't been uncomfortable for me. And acts a slight cushion when you brake hard and get pushed forward slightly.

Got it now Shyam. Sounds perfectly reasonable, if done aesthetically and following the shape and contour of the stock seat. Do keep us update with how the bike is doing and future mods.

Cheers, Doc

[BullettuPaandi]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

the triangle looks similar to if I was sitting on it.

I think it's more of an arm length issue. You are sitting noticeably further back, and it looks like the seat is designed to be sat on in this position. But, I think, she has to sit a bit forward to reach the handlebar (with enough slack in the elbows & not having to lean forward to turn).

The difference in knee angle may not be noticeable, but she might find it easier on her knees - as less bending would be required - if a riser puts the handlebar a bit towards her.

[VijayAnand1]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

It's there. Bike is at about 4000kms. No issues to either of our pants so far.
I have the same company's tank grips on my V Strom as well which has seen far more. No damage to mesh or jeans. However, my Klim pants have leather patch on the inside. There's very very slight scuffing on it. Not enough for me to be concerned

Isn't it? I felt the same way. She's 5.4 or 5.5 probably. But the triangle looks similar to if I was sitting on it. I'm 5.10.

Originally Posted by ebonho

Stunned to see the bend in her knees. Its like height does not matter to the rider triangle.

Cheers, Doc

Actually, there's nothing wrong at all both with the wifey nor the motorcycle. The actual riders triangle that Doc's confused himself and in turn confused Shyam is simply heuristics aggravated by the design of the bike. Why? Look at the tank shrouds and look at the person in question's -- let's say kneecap end point, it's basically ditto for both a comparatively tall and a comparatively shorter person.

Why? The tank's shroud's protrusion coupled with the tank's inward indent and the riding gear, which usually has knee guards which adds to the length makes it so acute an angle coupled with the forward lean -- notice she is full forward her hips anterior one with the tank, in contact with the tank which makes the rider's knee push further and the triangle look tight.

To keep it more simple. Put on a short with a chappal, sit on the bike then notice the "rider's triangle" and then there shall be absolve.

Cheers!
VJ

[ebonho]

Vijay, respectfully, no one is confused. Rider triangle and knee tri-angle are two different things. Do follow the whole discussion. Its pretty clear what everyone is saying. No one is confused, nor should you be.

Cheers, Doc