28th October 2014, 11:59 | #3076 | |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
Sorry for sounding too dismissive. What I was trying to say was, when compared to regular tourers and cruisers, 390 in it's stock condition is not the first choice for touring. Of course you can go for touring in a 390, especially with its taller sixth gear. But then don't you think that there are limitations also?. What with the, hard suspension, hard seats, low tank capacity, low bottom torque short stroke engine, soft compound costly tyres which can be easily worn out while off roading etc etc. And those who are in a habit of going for long tours ( more than 500kms) which will include slight off roading also, do modify their bikes for all these limitations. I also mentioned in my earlier posts about carrying fuel in a bottle. But isn't it an additional chore, when compared to a guy who has a tourer/ cruiser? And most of the cruisers are tuned for low power/high torque in a larger capacity engine. I think duke 390 is a best compromise bike for between a sports/track bike and a tourer. But people who buy 390 for touring purpose only will find the bike a little short of their expectations. | |
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28th October 2014, 12:16 | #3077 | |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
So that is why I am querying on how others manage to use D390 for touring (especially on the fuelpart). Thanks to ashkamath for sharing his thoughts on that and I hope other guys too will share their thoughts as well. | |
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28th October 2014, 12:23 | #3078 | |||||||||||
Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pune
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread I still do not get what you are saying. Quote:
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The 390 outpulls any other bike remotely close in class to it in terms of either engine specs or price bands here in India. Fact. And so does the 200, lower down the speed band. I've ridden both, the 390 is a no brainer, but I will tell you that the 200 outclimbs extensively modded (pipes, filters, carbs, cams, the works) 500 cc Bullets, which in STOCK form, ON PAPER, have oodles more TORQUE. Check the specs. And it outclimbs these modded Bullets pretty easily. Which is why lets leave the theory and the like for the books (and the forums). Lets talk what happens on the road. Quote:
Its not a limitation. Its something you need to say a THANK YOU for. Quote:
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There are other bikes. But none can do most of what the 390 does, near as well as it does it. I look at bikes as bikes. Just bikes. A 2 wheeled motorized form of locomotion. And see what one can do for me versus the other. The terminology, category, class, etc. pigeon holing I really have no time for, nor does it mean anything to me. Because a bike will do what you can make it do, within the envelope of what it can or cannot do. In my mind, in no particular order, these are the only things the 390 does not do well, in terms of being a machine you ride out of your city for long to very long distances on: 1) It is not a bike you can ride two up on in any degree of human comfort 2) It does not have a very good light - for the kind of speeds it can do 3) It has a very limited tank range 4) There is always the rim issue at the back of your mind which keeps you from REALLY (!) enjoying your ride Incidentaly, the Bullet does ALL of the above 4 much better than the 390. Last edited by ebonho : 28th October 2014 at 12:41. | |||||||||||
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28th October 2014, 12:49 | #3079 | ||
Senior - BHPian | Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
Read about Dennis Matson(AntiHero) who rode a 1199 Panigale S from one coast of US of A to another. Its an inspiring read. And he is currently doing a Round the World trip on the Panigale! He has given the answer for the question (of why the Panigale instead of an adventure bike) from bottom of his heart in one of his posts. Quote:
Sorry for the OT. | ||
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28th October 2014, 12:59 | #3080 | ||||
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
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And You should remember that I also have a 390. My butt starts to complain after a ride of 100kms. And I have seen many in this forum mention about butt pain during long rides. Quote:
I agree that I have been using a lot of technical terms and arguments in the previous posts. But have strained to reduce it over the time. And I am not surprised that it is an irritant But I hope atleast a few among us should discuss the technical aspects also. Not that I am the best qualified among us. Quote:
Oh I have been quite thankful. Thats why I have bought one. But the question is if the 390 is built for cruiser purposes. I think it is not. But you can modify it to any extent. That's my opinion. | ||||
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28th October 2014, 13:00 | #3081 | |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
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28th October 2014, 13:10 | #3082 | |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
As you can see in my earlier post I was just trying to say that 390 is not built for extensive touring. But I didn't say that you cant go anywhere in any vehicle if your heart is set for it. And why should I have bought a CBR 250??? I had owned Mahindra Major 4x4. I had traveled in it to many places along with my family (16000 kms to be precise). Even with its leaf spring suspension, and many other shortfalls. If I was a guy who was particular about comfort then I wouldn't have done it. | |
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28th October 2014, 13:14 | #3083 |
Senior - BHPian | Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread
Because, going by your earlier posts, it seemed that you wanted the 390 to be more comfortable! Sorry if I misunderstood or missed out anything! Last edited by man_of_steel : 28th October 2014 at 13:17. |
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28th October 2014, 13:18 | #3084 | |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
Any ways my first service is due next week. Hope that the stalling issue will be sorted out. | |
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28th October 2014, 13:21 | #3085 |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread On the topic of touring , I personally find the thunderbird in this budget most adequate for the job given one is purchasing a bike mainly for weekend trips . Of course any bike can be used for touring , even a unicorn is a nice calm bike to ride within 1L . There are limitations and advantages to every bike , I purchased the duke because I rarely ride for more than 100km , mostly within city or small joy rides . Even then I find the tank to be a limitation but that is something I was aware of and accept , the tires which are very good are another because as nice as they are , UP road dictates one be cautious because nothing ruins a ride like a puncture . Pillion comfort is another factor , touring for me will be with a single partner and I doubt any girl will be willing to endure the torture for more than 30mins , the intimate 2 up ergonomics is anyways better enjoyed with constant speed modulation as is the case in cities or hills . I do plan to take my bike to nainital when weather permits , about 150km from here and I have a feeling this bike will be massive fun on the curves . And while it is true that people have toured on this bike and in the process filled up from potentially bad petrol pumps in the habit of adulteration , I myself take fuel quality very seriously . It may not have any immediate implication but given the number of 390's which after dredging through 400+ xbhp and t-bhp pages I have seen facing issues , I would prefer to take every possible precaution on my part and no.1 is not filling up the bike with adulterated petrol . Again a relatively simple and low compression engine like the thunderbird should be more tolerant to this . |
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28th October 2014, 13:35 | #3086 | ||||||||||
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
I asked you "what is a tourer?" Can you answer that for me? Quote:
When I was comparing the 390's seat to that of Bullets, I was speaking about the proper stepped saddles that have been duty on Bullets for decades now, and which have always been considered to be the most Indian bum-friendly saddles traditionally. The seat of the Dukes is better. I have no doubt about it. Quote:
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Case in point being the torque discussion. The holy grail of Harley and Bullet boys. Till they get outpulled and outclimbed that is ...... Quote:
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By definition to "cruise" is to "travel smoothly at a moderate or economical speed." That's around 130 or thereabouts for a 390. You can do that all day. | ||||||||||
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28th October 2014, 14:11 | #3087 |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Hi Doc, I like to get few questions answered by you. Others also can send their answers. - For me, the only limitation with D390 for touring is the tank capacity. I would be very much concerned for touring especially in routes which have either fewer petrol pumps or pumps with unknown fuel quality. I think few owners have enough confidence in the way D390 handles fuel of different quality. At the same time, the rest are concerned about long term impact. You being an experienced rider on the Dukes, what is your say about the concern people have ? Any good practice followed to overcome this limitation ? My heart says to go with D390 even though it has the fuel tank capacity limitation, but I am ready to live with it and see if something can be done to minimize the impact. |
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28th October 2014, 14:19 | #3088 |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread
I have used my 390 for a 30km round trip everyday for 3 months, while I was interning and my office used to be around the central part of Bangalore. I never experienced any issue with it for daily commuting, except that the engine heat did get to my nerves at times, and not forget the stares it attracted. However, if you're mileage conscious, then it's safer to put your money on the 200. |
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28th October 2014, 14:39 | #3089 | |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
I guess it all depends on personal preference which varies greatly with each individual depending on his expectation from the motorcycle, age, riding style, immediate geography, fitness, endurance, stamina, etc etc. Take my example: I have done a few single day's ride (morning to evening, approx 400-600 kms) around Bangalore on my 390. Now a days, i prefer to do these kind of rides on my C5 over the 390. and Issues like low tank capacity, cracking rims, etc are not even there in my thoughts. Most of these rides are around Bangalore, and 75% of the roads are typical country roads with broken patches, pot holes, mud roads, no roads etc. So the speeds are usually between 20-60 kmph. 390 is edgy and jerky at lower speeds, and those massive engine breaking adds to the fatigue. By the end of the day, i am tired of shifting gears, tired of the cramps resulting from the foot rest position, tired of feeling every undulation on the road on to my body through those shocks. 390 does not give me enough scope to move around the seat, and even i find the seat lacking on cushioning. ALso, the high frequency vibrations resulting from various parts + some more sounds like chain-slap etc, keeps buggin me. i am not at ease. The C5 in these situations fairs much much better. slot it in 3rd, and it glides over patchy roads. comfortable posture, no irritating sounds/ vibes (@ speeds less than 90kmph), and in spite the extra weight, i feel less fatigue by the end of the day. Now, if i was to ride from Bangalore to chitradurg, which is about 200 kms one way, and comprises of super excellent 3X3 lane highway, i would enjoy the 390 much more over C5. same holds true for ghats, depending on the terrain. I would love the 390 riding from bandipur to wayanad (good ghat roads) , but would dread doing chickamangalur to bababudangiri (non existant ghat roads). Would prefer the C5 on these roads. If i was asked to choose one bike for TOURING between these two within India, i would go with the C5. Disclaimer: the above are purely my thoughts, and i also think i am getting old Last edited by nasirkaka : 28th October 2014 at 14:50. | |
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28th October 2014, 14:44 | #3090 | |
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| Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quote:
Alternatively, you can get custom made fuel cells (metal) that you can carry on your pillion seat if you are not touring 2 up. Would keep the weight more centralized and not too high up either. Here are two 10 liter ones a dear friend sent me from Dubai. (waiting for dear friend to call me ..... ) | |
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