[Asif 6959]

Originally Posted by black12rr

I used ZMA grips on 200 ,they are super soft . I was thining what to do on 390 . Could you post some pics of RTR grips , are they softer than ZMA ( if you have felt those ) ? . I will be changing grips and making the seat softer this week. The grab rail remains .

The ZMA grips suck. They become hard and painful to grip very quickly and are just not usable on a long run. I have changed them on my ZMA.
Suggest you try the R15 grips incase you use bar-end weights or the RX-135 grips if you don't have the bar-end weights.

[james]

Originally Posted by black12rr

I used ZMA grips on 200 ,they are super soft . I was thining what to do on 390 . Could you post some pics of RTR grips , are they softer than ZMA ( if you have felt those ) ? . I will be changing grips and making the seat softer this week.
The grab rail remains .

ZMA grips get very hard in no time. I would strongly recommend the RTR grips. They are softer and a tad bit thicker. They cost some 150-200 bucks a pair. Im using them on my RX, RD's, 900 and ZMA. Only gripe is the cheap looking flame design on them.

[FlyingSpur]

Originally Posted by james

Since everyone is posting up pics of the bike, here is my contribution. Not the best pic but possibly a very interesting one!
Attachment 1159269

Interesting indeed. What are we looking at? An M1800R and, I don't know, a CBR900RR maybe?

[VW2010]

RTR actually does not look bad. Will post a picture later. It actually works fine with the bike personally to me.

I am just waiting to sticker or paint the body as per a design i have in mind to bring out more orange and contrast it with White.

[MavericK46]

The vibes at idle are quite pronounced. Hence, I added a fairly squishy grip-cover which I picked up for 40 bucks.
The extra cushioning is very welcome but does make the grip considerably thicker which might not be to everyone's liking.

Quick sit-rep:
Kms covered: 750
Fuel average (Per RTMI): 24-25 kpl in town and a decent 33-34kpl when maintaining 100-110 Kay's.
Additions/Changes: KTM windscreen, Removed knuckle guards and rear hugger.

'Issues' to report:
- License plate LED lamp wasn't working.
- The shift lights hadn't been setup despite me asking if they had been.
- Bike heats up at the slightest hint of traffic.
- Motor sounds like a Diesel generator till 6k on the tach. Especially bad at idle.
- Rear wheel does lock in a panic brake scenario.
- Having to visit a pump oh so often thanks to the miniscule fuel tank.
- The chain slaps the swingarm each time there is an undulation.

Stuff I'm in love with:
- The acceleration, braking.. EVERYTHING !
- The engine braking when you close the throttle in any gear, is just incredible. Compared to the Zma, the Duke slows down like you're riding the brakes.
- The way the bike feels like its on rails even when the taps in the heavens open up.

More once I clock a grand on the odo and look to rectify the loose chain and possibly an improvement in engine refinement once the first service is done.

Cheers !

[Freewheelin_KD]

Originally Posted by MavericK46

Additions/Changes: KTM windscreen, Removed knuckle guards and rear hugger.
Cheers !

Hey MavericK46, good to hear about your 390. Just wanted to know whether that taller windscreen is making any difference? For me, anything above 115 kmph is becoming a real chore and was contemplating getting that windscreen if it provided any tangible benefits. 2.5 k is some money for a bit of plastic

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Freewheelin_KD

2.5 k is some money for a bit of plastic

2.5 K is cheap. The MRA windscreen for the Duke is being sold in India for 8 K.

The Fazer windscreen on the other hand costs 216 rupees.

[Freewheelin_KD]

Originally Posted by ebonho

The Fazer windscreen on the other hand costs 216 rupees.

The reason for my lament considering the quality and size not being too different . And of course the VFM performance thingy established by the 390.

The KTM one is definitely a bit thicker though.

Is the MRA one supposed to be better and bigger than the KTM one? Now 8K is some more money.

[man_of_steel]

Originally Posted by MavericK46

- Rear wheel does lock in a panic brake scenario.

This happened after you switched off the ABS?

[aks_karthik]

Originally Posted by MavericK46

Additions/Changes: KTM windscreen,

Where did you buy this and model No if you bought it from KTM (Powerparts) Store
possible post a photo of the windscreen.
I need it very badly as i feel a very strong air drag after 120 kmph.

[nasirkaka]

Just got the bike delivered sometime back from indiranagar probiking. 4 months and 3 days after booking. Wonder why they choose evening (peak hour traffic) time for delivery (has happened with all 4 of my previous purchases).

In bangalore, the registration process seems to have shifted to online. So will receive the reg number, and other docs the day after. just received the bike with the insurance paper. Even the tool dox and the owners Manuel will be given along with the other docs the day-after. wonder why?

rode it back to office in peak-hour bangalore traffic, a distance of 7 odd kms.
first impression-
* Its difficult to find neutral. keeps shifting to either 1 or 2. is it normal? will it improve after some kms.

* lots of heat. the bars just shoot up. had to take a precautionary break in the 7kms ride. will it lessen with time?

* stalled the bike twice, my fault i guess. no starting issues however. bike starts in one single press.

* the riding posture is so different from my C5. esp the footpeg position. will have to get used to it.

* the clutch felt similar to my C5, neither soft nor hard.

* the gears and overall engine felt a bit harsh and clunky compared to the test ride bike. hoping it will improve with time.

* no vibration felt, as i am used to riding bullets.

ok, time to get back to the bike and take her home to showoff

[man_of_steel]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Just got the bike delivered sometime back from indiranagar probiking. 4 months and 3 days after booking....

* Its difficult to find neutral. keeps shifting to either 1 or 2. is it normal? will it improve after some kms.

Congrats on the 390 nasirkaka.. Is your C5 staying?

My 2 cents on the difficulty in finding neutral. I have experienced (still do..) this on my friend's D200 every time I ride it (mostly back to back after riding my TBTS). I always looks like an absolute idiot trying to slot it into neutral! I suspect it is due to the fact that REs have lot more play or throw in the gear lever compared to THE d200. Iam sure you will be able to find the neutral quickly when you spend more time on it.

Please do post the pics.

[MavericK46]

Originally Posted by Freewheelin_KD

Hey MavericK46, good to hear about your 390. Just wanted to know whether that taller windscreen is making any difference? For me, anything above 115 kmph is becoming a real chore and was contemplating getting that windscreen if it provided any tangible benefits. 2.5 k is some money for a bit of plastic

The difference (if any) is minimal man.
Provides enough real estate to get rid of the number plate and sticker a decent-sized replacement though

Originally Posted by ebonho

2.5 K is cheap. The MRA windscreen for the Duke is being sold in India for 8 K.
The Fazer windscreen on the other hand costs 216 rupees.

The real laugh is the 'Made in Italy' tag on the powerparts screen

Originally Posted by man_of_steel

This happened after you switched off the ABS?

Nope..
ABS was very much enabled. Haven't had the cojones to switch it off.

Originally Posted by aks_karthik

Where did you buy this and model No if you bought it from KTM (Powerparts) Store
possible post a photo of the windscreen.
I need it very badly as i feel a very strong air drag after 120 kmph.

Erm.. Don't really have a model number or a photo. But here is the part from the site:
http://shop.ktm.com/com_en/powerpart...indshield.html

[man_of_steel]

Originally Posted by MavericK46

Nope..
ABS was very much enabled...



Erm.. Don't really have a model number or a photo. But here is the part from the site:
http://shop.ktm.com/com_en/powerpart...indshield.html

That is not supposed to happen with the ABS on right??

Another friend of mine has the same windscreen on his 200. He also confirmed that it doesnt make much of a difference. He said it provides only a bit more blast protection till mid torso or so. Nothing beyond that. A fazer's windshield provides a better protection.

[Rollin' Thunda]

Do you really use the rear brake on the Duke 390? It seems somewhat weak (and inaccessible, requiring a foot movement --- but perhaps I'm just used to the Thunderbird, where you can actually stomp on the rear-brake) compared to the front-brake that can stop you on the proverbial dime.

However, a word of caution on over-reliance on the front-brake: I braked on a turn where there was gravel, and the bike kept moving as if the brake had failed. I later realized that the gravel probably activated the ABS (do you hear a particular sound when this happens? I don't remember hearing one). I should have been using the rear-brake as well, but I did not, for reasons mentioned above. It was a scary moment. So use both brakes; even if the rear-brake seems relatively useless.