Honda CBR250R v/s KTM Duke 390; Which used bike for 1.20 lakh?

I have ridden multiple other bikes as well, including the Triumph 400, Gixxer SF, Dominar 400 and the Ninja 300.

BHPian ridealongkirtan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Background

I started my motorcycling journey in 2021 after getting my license. Learned to ride on a really bad Unicorn. At first, I thought I really didn’t know how to ride but turns out the unicorn was really in bad condition and it took me longer than usual to learn but learned how to ride a badly maintained bike too. After my horrible experience with Unicorn, I was hell-bent on finding the right bike for me in 2021. Even after having zero knowledge about bikes, I did my best to compare based on videos as I couldn’t get my hands on any of these bikes to ride on as a beginner. Started Looking for FZ15, moved to NS200 & RS200 and then came across CBR250R, it was basically love at first sight. Having no knowledge didn’t exactly know what a good example CBR was and had to face a few issues but learned a lot about bikes in under a year. Having tools at my home was a blessing as Dad used to work on his own bike. By now I have ridden Cbr250r, Dominar 400, Duke 390, Triumph 400s, Cb350, Aprilia RS456, Street Triple 675, Benelli 600i, Suzuki Gixxer, Ninja 300, every single RE bike, a few other advice and lesser known brands too.

Dilemma

Got into a really bad accident with the CBR and couldn’t fully rebuild it so had to sell it off. Bought a Gixxer SF 250 on the other hand as I thought it would be the closest feeling bike to CBR (I was so wrong, more on this on another thread later in a few days). So after lots of back and forth, I am done with the Gixxer and have already put it up on OLX and Facebook marketplace. Now I want to buy another bike. Have a budget restriction of 1.20L as I have just started working and this is all that I have saved for. As it’s my first job so dont wanna get into EMI right now. I love nimble fast bikes with power in the upper RPM range and good braking. I usually ride in the city and go on Sunday rides (300+km). I think the viable choices for me are going for an old but well-maintained cbr250r (ABS) again and riding it till I can afford a new bike or use my money limit and buy a 2017-2018 Duke 390 which will have more power compared to whatever I have owned, easily available parts and upgraded tech compared to cbr.

Where I need your help

I have ridden the CBR a lot and know all the problems, where to find parts, and how to fix stuff on CBR. On the other hand, I have ridden Duke 390 for hardly some time and don’t know how it is to live with it. I want to know points from current CBR and Duke owners about why I should consider one over the other or why I should avoid one. Other than this if there’s any separate bike that I should consider in my range please mention it and let me know the reasons too. I am 5’10 in height and almost 90kg. My legs are longer than my torso so a sports bike with rear-set footpegs feels more comfortable to me. Please recommend accordingly. Thank you so much for your time, everyone.

Here's what BHPian Ratan Prabhu had to say on the matter:

A used Duke 390 will be a proper upgrade but I don't think you will get a well-maintained 2017-18 model in 1.20L in Mumbai. From what I know, well-maintained Duke 390 BS4 from 2017-18 cost ~2L.

You will find poorly maintained ones below 1.50L but it will only add to your headache.

Since you own a Gixxer SF250 currently, I wouldn't advise you to sell it and go for a used CBR250. As you said, both the bikes are indeed close to each other in almost all departments. I do not know what issues you are facing with your Gixxer but I suggest you use some bit of your savings to fix those issues than sell it and buy a similar bike. Fix it, ride it for a year, save a little more for the down payment and once you are set with your new job, get a brand new bike ~3L.

As a CBR owner myself for 12+ years, I still wouldn't recommend it now as it was discontinued in April 2020. It is an old model and although there are sources to obtain parts, you never know when the part production stops for the CBR.

If you are still adamant, you can go for the CBR as you will find a well-maintained CBR250R ABS 2017 model in your budget, unlike a well-maintained Duke 390 2017 model which will cost ~1.8-2L.

PS - on a separate note - I don't see rear-view mirrors on your Gixxer. Don't ride without them. Good Luck.

Here's what BHPian saitvsk23 had to say on the matter:

I can answer this as I've ridden both. I'll try answering from 3 different points of view:

1. Riding Posture: The Gen 1 Duke has your upper half almost upright but the lower half is in a very awkward position. It's almost like your legs make a '>' sign from your hip to the footpeg. The CBR has a much more balanced position. Once your body gets used to the equally distributed position, it becomes a breeze to handle it. It's almost like you and the machine are one. Let's say you had to brake all of a sudden. Slamming the front brakes on the duke will result in your crotch slamming against the fuel tank. The CBR keeps you in place in case of a sudden braking emergency.
2. Power Delivery: It's definitely not a secret that the Duke is more Powerful than the CBR. In my experience, the CBR has a more linear power delivery, so you can control it much easier. I feel that the Duke is more like a slippery squid. No offence to current owners, but it is what I felt. Open a little bit of throttle and the bike just leaps! Again, this varies from person to person but it's not my thing. And especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic in a city like Mumbai, good luck controlling the throttle! I don't know if the Duke has this, but the CBR has a somewhat unique feature. What TVS now calls GTT (Glide Through Traffic), the CBR had it almost a decade ago! Slot it in 1st gear, just open the clutch slowly like you would do when you're learning how to drive a car, and the bike goes forward at 5kmph. In the 2nd gear, it goes to 12-13 kmph, which is best used for lane filtering in choc-a-bloc traffic. The 3rd does it till 25kmph, but again, that's too tall for making small manoeuvres in tight traffic. Also, you benefit from the comparatively higher mileage from the CBR. 35kmpl is the standard you'll get from a decently maintained model, be it 2011 or 2018. The engine is the same, at the max you'll have a 0.1HP power drop for the latter model as it is BS4 compliant.
3. Reliability and Spares: It's a Honda. Reliable as a rock. Take care of the consumables, get a nice pair of tyres installed and it'll transform into a whole other bike! On a side note, avoid those lousy MRF Nylogrip Zappers. They just don't compliment the bike at all. Get Apollo Alpha H1's, and you'll thank yourself. I got the Michelin Pilot Street 2s before the Tyre import ban in India, and I'm very much impressed with them! The bike handles like a train on rails in a corner and straight lines!

Coming to the availability of spares, there are always sources if you know to search right! I myself know a person who supplies spares all over India with minimal delivery charges. Hard to find Body panels, such as the black trim parts inside the side body panels, the black panel behind the speedometer, sticker kits, light assemblies, you name it, he's got it. At the max, he could ship it to your door within 10 days. Again that's the worst case. He's got consumables too such as oil filters, chain kits (rolon), air filters, fuel filter kit, brake pads (both C-ABS and Non-ABS), you name it he's got it. PM me if you want the contact.

In Pune, I personally know of a garage which specializes in CBRs. It is Shree Byke Point, operated by Mr Prasad Bapat. They even do full-on restorations for CBRs. You can see the rest for yourself. Please feel free to talk to him in case of any questions.

On a final note, it's nearly impossible to find a clean gen 1 Duke. The CBRs are somewhat comparatively easier to find in good conditions. Get a CBR (if you decide so), your stars, body and wallet will thank you!

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