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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-17.html)

I test rode the 390 a few days back, it is a beautiful motorcycle.

From the commuter point of view it might not really suit your purpose in bumper to bumper traffic.It definitely makes a fair bit of power for a small single.Idles at around 1500rpm if I remember correctly and starts to generate most of its power and torque higher up in the rev range, even though the gearbox is close ratio it does hate to be ridden at low revs and as other riders have mentioned tends to run a little hot in traffic

IMO would not buy this if 75% of my ride was in Mumbai traffic.

Took a test ride at the KTM Vashi yesterday. The ride was with a 80 kg..ish pillion on board. It is quick, very quick and has very good brakes. Due to the traffic, uneven roads and rain i could not go all out. I could feel the bike heat up after the test ride, i guess thats normal. You can feel the engine clutter at low rpms but it smoothens out once you revv higher. I wish it had a analog tacho atleast ( i hit the revv limiter once :D ), will take some time getting used to the all digital console. Wish they had more color options.

Few observations :-

* This is a proper naked street bike so don't expect comfort like a Karizma.
* With the speeds this beast can do, Bajaj / KTM needs to offer the windscreen as a standard.
* Since there is no center stand, one will need a paddock style stand which is available as an accessory. Rs 3000 approx.

Have paid the full amount.
Waiting for a confirmed delivery date from the Dealer. The waiting is rather infuriating.
I believe this is because Bajaj have not planned too high a capacity for this bike, hence the initial "wait".
What do you guys think will the D390 per month figures will be like in terms of Sales??

Rode the Test bike in Delhi today around the CP inner circle a few times. Even with the Bajaj attendant sitting behind me, it brought a huge grin to my life. In this world of diet alternatives, its like suddenly being served full cream punjabi lassi, with a generous dollop of malai on top. The only time i experienced such automotive nirvana was when i first rode my newly bought Pulsar 180 after years of riding the Bajaj Legend.
Whatever God of autodom you pray to, whether its torque, speed, balance, agility or just that plain feeling of your pants being on fire, the Duke 390 will not leave you unrewarded.
I've ridden the Ninja 250 over long distances and it just felt like a faster version of my pulsar with more onlooker-attention than i care for. I also owned the first gen 200 Duke (february 2012 deliveries) and that was a bike that made me forget everything else (office, traffic, heat, the impending recession, the price of petrol) in its mad pursuit of gears and revs. That bike has now been sacrificed in the pursuit of a few (a lot) more bhp.
To anybody in love with the idea of biking, with the holy trinity of the man, the machine and the tarmac, i would suggest, nay request, to take a test ride.
This bike is a spiritual thing. It doesn't give the hooligan a bad name, just that the street fighter has now grown up and wearing a pin striped italian suit and smoking a cigar.
For once, the sequel is better than the original. Cheers

That's my only grouse. I am waiting for this weekend to ride the 390 properly on the open road. My heart is riding it in my dreams & my heads going crazy trying to make it stop !!! Only a ride would tell...

For me its all about connecting with the motorcycle, if you ride a bike and feel that connection (and you can afford it :)) go for it!

Motorcycles aren't for practically minded people anyway!

What little bit information I got was that the test ride bikes have/had Thermostat issues .They are in the process of fine tuning it .

@kushagra bhat ,did you notice excessive heat from the radiator ?

i didn't particularly notice any heating issues in about 15 odd minutes of spirited riding. But it may have been that i rode it on an overcast morning and reasonably empty inner circle roads which allowed for lots of cool air for the radiator to play around with.
Or maybe my thighs have already been fried by the 15 month love affair that i've had with the 200 Duke.:D

What tentative dates did they give you?

I have been told that Delivery in the next 10 days in case i want to take the display bike that the Dealer will get over this weekend after 5 days of display.
Contemplating whether its a good idea or should i wait another 10 (10 + 10) for a new unit.

But the patience is killing me had booked the bike in end-April with 40k on the table.

Will call up the guy today and update.

40k? Is'nt the booking amount 30k, i paid 30k for mine.

In 5 days don't know who all will fiddle and ruin it,maybe the showroom guys themselves will take it for a spin and rip it every now and then before it is kept for display.Its equivalent to buying a used piece.Its better to wait for a new one.My 10 cents.

You know Doc, I hope Bajaj realizes the great job you're doing for the Duke here. Your very detailed matter-of-fact reviews and not over-the-top appreciation for the 200 and 390 is the only reason I'm still seriously considering what is IMHO one of the most garish looking bikes around (too much orange! :)) Thanks for the effort.

Hmmm... Point Valid. yes i guess 10 more days wont hurt but and i would at least have the piece of mind of not getting the older / used unit.

I don't think they ride the Display bikes as they would have a Demo for running in the first lot. Opinion ?

Display bikes are generally not given for test rides but yes - the owner/employee could easily have taken a spin in it. Rest assured they will wring the throttle like anything. Also, the display bike could be fired up by prospective customers for wringing the throttle and what not. Stay away!