[bluenicotine]

Is it Diwali? Definitely feels like the festival because it took me 14 years to get back on the saddle again and return to this forum! Also, feeling joyous because I got a new bike.

Hello dearest members! I am finally back to what we all enjoy – Biking! Life happened and I got busy sorting it out!

Here is an excerpt of the conversation of how it all came to be and how a good friend (JV) of mine convinced me to get the next bike. It’s all about 46 PS!

Me: Dude, I think I am done fighting life and want to get back to doing what I used to love. I want to get a superbike and hit the road like we used to.

JV: Whoa! Take it easy. It’s good you want to ride again but why a superbike?

Me: Why not? I always wanted a V-twin or an inline 4.

JV: Have you considered your age? You are damn over 40 and with a family! You are not in your 20’s for all that power and excitement. And remember you told me why Aditya got a Himalayan 450. You don’t want to get into an expensive TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) with a superbike.

Me: So, are you suggesting I get a Himalayan?

JV: No, I am saying get something which is powerful enough to keep you excited, doesn’t cost a bomb and easy to maintain. Simply put - get a Duke 390 or Adventure 390. Knowing you, you will not like how the new Adventure looks, so get a Duke 390. Upgraded chassis and everything. Himalayan is good but it has 40 PS! Duke 390 has 46 PS!

Me: That was a quick suggestion. There are so many other motorcycles in this segment. For eg, the RE Interceptor 650 / Continental GT 650 have 47 PS.

JV: You never liked RE! And they are not in the 400CC segment. You will get 46 PS only from Duke 390 in this segment.

Me: Ok. What about Bajaj Dominar 400? People say it’s good for touring and the likes.

JV: Sure, but its heavy and its power to weight ratio is not the same as Duke 390. Dominar has 40 PS and Duke has 46 PS!

Me: What about Triumph Speed 400 or Scrambler 400 X? Their reviews are good and they come from a renowned brand!

JV: No doubt both are good options but Speed 400 doesn’t give the big bike feel and you are not into off-roading to get a Scrambler. Both have 40 PS and Duke has 46 PS!

ME: There is Husqvarna 401! I liked it way back when they were launched in the 250cc segment. Simply good-looking bikes.

JV: Trust me, Husqvarna is not for you.

Me: I think let’s wait for the Tuono 457 then. The bike looks stunning with a twin cylinder churning out 47 PS!

JV: We don’t know when it will be launched and even if they do it, I am sure the launching price will be 4 lakhs ex-showroom. Also, KTM has dropped their 2025 prices and Duke 390 is now 2.94 ex-showroom! Now, that’s a steal deal. And it has 46 PS!

Me: You know I always hated KTM! It’s a “chapri” brand!

JV: Bro! It takes one to recognize one! No brand is ******! KTM as a brand has come a long way in terms of its quality, refinement, power and VFM. Let’s say the ****** gang decided to raid Honda tomorrow. Do you think the Japanese brand will become chapri? And off late how many ******* have you seen riding a Duke 390? KTM has made it a tad expensive! They have upped their game and are giving the competition a run for their money.

Me: KTMs have a lot of vibrations. What about that?

JV: With great power comes great vibrations! Do you want a butter smooth engine which glides? What’s the fun in that if you don’t feel the engine rumbling under you? Have you read on the internet on how the Superduke 1290 vibrates? This one is aka baby Superduke, delivering 46 PS from a single cylinder, it’s bound to vibrate. And vibrations are good sometimes, they keep you awake!

Me: Why are you stuck on the 46 PS?

JV: Because no other bike in this segment at present is as powerful. All right you want to know more – it has front and rear adjustable suspension, customizable ABS, traction control, launch control, 3 ride modes, Bluetooth connectivity for navigation, calls and music. KTM has also increased the ground clearance in case you want to go a little off-roading. Not to mention it has a new chassis and looks good too!

Me: I have seen it and the side fairings look like a Dracula’s collar. hehe!

JV: Good, let’s go get one and you can name it Drac!

Me: Then what about the V-twin or an inline 4?

JV: Have you considered your age? You are just 40, still young and have many years ahead of you. Get one later!

And there we go to get a new bike. Booked one in Kachiguda KTM (Hyderabad) and delivery was promised the next day. Settled on Atlantic Blue color as the Electronic Orange is too loud for my taste and they don’t have the black option like the new Duke 250. Sigh! Life completed a full cycle from Green to Orange! From my Ninja to the new Duke.



On Feb 15th, I reached the showroom with the wife, the twins, brother-in-law, his kid and his camera. Documentation was completed, PDI done and bike delivered.






Next day post delivery, I took the bike out for a spin on the ORR to get the real feel of the bike. And here's what I found out once it was in the open:

TFT display - Provides all the necessary information, with customizable fields. You can choose what you want to see. Easily legible with good font size and under bright light.

Power - Its a rev happy happy engine and wants to be revved high. Power delivery is smooth and easily pulls away without a fuss. Also, being torquey its easy to ride in 3rd gear on lower speeds, unless it really needs to come down to 2nd. All this with the RPM locked at 6k before first servicing.

Handling - Easy to navigate and flip around. Fun to ride in the city too.

Heat - I felt the heat in the city riding conditions (stop go traffic). Once in the open and high speed the heat literally disappears.

Quickshifter - Worked like a charm and I was pleasantly surprised 'cause online reviews mentioned that it was a hit or miss!

Brakes - Adequate with good bite.

Tyres - The Metzeler tyres are good, but I felt the need for more sticky tyres. I had to think twice before leaning into a corner!

Seat - I felt it a bit hard and will definitely need a softer saddle for touring.

Vibrations - Are there! Quite vibey at lower rpms which seems to fade away at higher rpms and guess that's where the bike wants to stay. Hoping to see a difference here post first servicing oil change and rpm unlocked.

Looks - To each their own. I am kinda loving the sharp lines and the unconventional looks. The design definitely stands out. The side fairings stand out even more!

Waiting to unlock more pleasant experience post the first servicing. For now, it's time to complete the run-in! Cheers!

[aston_martyr]

Originally Posted by bluenicotine

It’s all about 46 PS!

Congrats on the purchase. Also the thread title says 26PS

[bluenicotine]

Originally Posted by aston_martyr

Congrats on the purchase. Also the thread title says 26PS

Thanks much! Title rectified.

[gops619]

Congratulations, happy riding! How was the experience at Kacheguda outlet? Could you please share final onroad price?

[bluenicotine]

Originally Posted by gops619

Congratulations, happy riding! How was the experience at Kacheguda outlet? Could you please share final onroad price?

Thanks Gops. Ask for Ali if you are going to the Kachiguda outlet. My experience there was a good, right from walking in to riding out. Since KTM dropped the prices, they did not offer any discount on the price. The final on-road price was Rs.3,57,413/- (2024 on-road price was Rs.3,78,107)

[saikishor]

Originally Posted by bluenicotine

Is it Diwali? Definitely feels like the festival because it took me 14 years to get back on the saddle again and return to this forum! Also, feeling joyous because I got a new bike.

Congrats and welcome to the KTM family! That full circle of life picture feels amazing, to take delivery from the exact same staff after years is truly a different feeling.

Those are some sick photos that you have posted. Eagerly waiting for more pics

[VijayAnand1]

Congratulations. The Duke's design might be polarizing to some, but it's subtly suave and beautiful. Those sharp creases, lines and design flow factor is still something that grows on one eventually.

Ride safe and ride long.

Cheers!
VJ

[vijay_jambu]

Many congratulations! This colour of Duke looks dope and I love the sharp styling.
Why do I have a feeling that you will upgrade pretty soon ?

Now time to buy some good riding gear. Happy riding!

-Vijay

[bluenicotine]

Originally Posted by saikishor

Congrats and welcome to the KTM family! That full circle of life picture feels amazing, to take delivery from the exact same staff after years is truly a different feeling.

Those are some sick photos that you have posted. Eagerly waiting for more pics

Thanks Saikishor. Never thought or imagined that I would purchase a KTM! It was never in my consideration list. But here I am, proud and happy! The people at the showroom happen to be old friends, so it only made sense giving them some business. Felt nostalgic and memories re-created

Originally Posted by VijayAnand1

Congratulations. The Duke's design might be polarizing to some, but it's subtly suave and beautiful. Those sharp creases, lines and design flow factor is still something that grows on one eventually.

Ride safe and ride long.

Cheers!
VJ

Thanks Vijay. Couldn't agree more on the looks. For me the Electronic Orange was too loud and felt the orange wasn't highlighting the lines.

Till yesterday evening I would walk to and take an occasional glace at the bike until the folks at the KTM sent a complimentary bike cover and its hid now.

[bluenicotine]

Originally Posted by vijay_jambu

Many congratulations! This colour of Duke looks dope and I love the sharp styling.
Why do I have a feeling that you will upgrade pretty soon ?

Now time to buy some good riding gear. Happy riding!

-Vijay

Thanks Vijay. I would have appreciated an all black but am absolutely in love with this color. Maybe will get it wrapped in black in future.

Why do you have a feeling that I will upgrade pretty soon ?

Well, I am not looking to upgrade anytime soon. I didn't inform my family about getting a new bike because I knew they would derail the entire idea. It was like getting married first and then introduce the girl. My wife didn't have the slightest idea until she walked inside the showroom and it was too late for her to say anything cause the celebrations and the hungama had already started. By the time she could get to terms with it, the bike was already home. Took her and my mom a day to realize what transpired but felt happy eventually (you could have told us earlier na and I was like yeah right!). At this time if I even discuss or pull a similar stunt for an upgrade, I will be done for

I need to take time and look for a good riding gear. I would appreciate suggestions on a good mesh jacket with a removable inner liner and riding shoes (like a regular ankle height shoe and not tall boots).

[vijay_jambu]

Originally Posted by bluenicotine

Why do you have a feeling that I will upgrade pretty soon ?

I felt that way because you previously had a high revving twin whose feel cannot be matched by a single cylinder, no matter if it puts out similar BHP. I also had a baby Ninja and it spoilt me to the core so much that when I was planning on an upgrade I was never able to connect with any single cylinder 400cc motorcycles ultimately I had to go for a triple and having fun with it.
Also motorcycle is an addiction and it really drag’s you in a pit hole (in a good way for we enthusiasts).

Originally Posted by bluenicotine

I need to take time and look for a good riding gear. I would appreciate suggestions on a good mesh jacket with a removable inner liner and riding shoes (like a regular ankle height shoe and not tall boots).

It’s a very subjective topic and as you know it involves a lot of variables (purpose, budget, availability, etc.) so I would request you to please go through Riding Gear Thread (The Riding Gear thread) and pick something that suits you.
Happy and safe riding!

- Vijay