[kpzen]

Congrats added_flavor !
I'm not much of a rider, more into mile munching on four wheels since last 5 years.
Although, this is one bike which has got me thinking about riding again.

One video that got me hooked even more. Hope you have seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMvuESX6YFw

[Psycho]

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

The suspension is softer than D200 although I have not noticed the setting/level till now. Also I am not sure if the other owners have noticed, the rider seat is definitely softer than that on D200. Can anyone else confirm this?

I got mine hardened prior to delivery itself, it was way softer than the 200. I like the rear suspension a bit stiffer personally.

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

The biggest problem for me is the intermittent starting issue. Sometimes the bike starts normally and sometimes it doesn't start even after two long cranks. Although people have reported this predominantly with hot starts and attributed it to the decompressor, I have faced this even during cold starts and I don't seem to find any sort of pattern of recurrence.

Figured a way around this, switch the engine cutoff on the handlebar for about 10 secs and then crank without using the accelerator. Using the accelerator floods the engine causing the starting problems.

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

Due to this I am not confident enough to switch off the bike in signals until I'm in the left most corner and this in turn heats the engine further. It might be bike specific and I'm planning to visit the service centre over the weekend.

I tend to switch off, but yes it will be a good idea to visit a service center

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

The clutch is very tight. My fingers ache after riding in normal traffic.

I second that, but am hoping some setting is required before it softens up have done 250 km till now, will wait and see till 500.

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

There seems to be some vibration from the front of the bike. It's irritating and it can be heard during deceleration in every gear. Need to get this checked too.

Hard braking it will be the ABS, else please have this checked as it is not normal

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

The foot pegs (especially LHS) are always buzzing above about 4k RPM.

I haven't had this complaint.

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

25-30 Kmpl (apparently) is an added bonus IMHO. On the whole, this truly is what they call - A Pocket Rocket.

The pocket rocket hasn't crossed 18-20 in city with avg speeds at 20-21kmph thanks to crawling traffic and my riding style

[Added_flavor]

Originally Posted by Sedate

That could be the reason why you had that dangling wiring/connector!

Congrats on your new ride! It is looks awesomely naked!

Thank you Sedate. Yes, that's one of the probable theories even I thought of. One more fact I got to know from one of the guys in the showroom is that the bikes were in their Peenya stockyard for a full 2 weeks before we got them. This clearly means that the deliveries were held back for this and the moment radiator fan was changed (rather haphazardly in my case) we were given the bikes.

Originally Posted by invincible7

Many Congratulations to you !!! Wow its raining D390 here at team-bhp, I am sure in next couple of months there will be many more threads dedicated to D390 - way to go.

During my test ride I felt the suspension to be stiffer than the D200, infact you are the only one I have heard who feels the suspension is softer - please check what setting are the mono's set on and change it as per your riding comfort and style.

Ride Safe Man - any plans to do some custom work on the bike.

Thank you invincible. The suspension indeed feels softer and I am quite happy. I will get it hardened in case I am riding on a track or we get better roads, both of which won't happen in the near future. For our roads right now, I love the suspension.

Originally Posted by imp!

Sending you a PM as well.

I have replied to your PM.

Originally Posted by kpzen

Congrats added_flavor !
I'm not much of a rider, more into mile munching on four wheels since last 5 years.
Although, this is one bike which has got me thinking about riding again.

One video that got me hooked even more. Hope you have seen it.

Thank you kpzen. That's a very well made video and they do not hesitate to say things as is. Please take a test ride to fall in love with this beast!

Originally Posted by Psycho

The pocket rocket hasn't crossed 18-20 in city with avg speeds at 20-21kmph thanks to crawling traffic and my riding style

Same with me. I have checked for one full tank to full tank iteration till now and I have got 21 kmpl (The display showed 19kmpl). I have been riding the bike the way I love to ride and the way it loves to be ridden

EDIT: I visited AutoService to get a 3M PPF on my bike. I had a chat with Venkat Shyam Sir who says they haven't got any intimation from Bajaj/KTM regarding any radiator/fan change/recall. In fact he wasn't aware of any such changes until I told him about the change on Sriram's bike. Mind you, AutoService is an authorized Bajaj/KTM service centre.

Interestingly, he also says there can't be a way to push the hot air in a different direction only when the vehicle is in crawling traffic.

Now, has there been an official word on what has been changed in the Radiator assembly. I haven't heard of anyone talk about a recall apart from Sriram's case. What do you guys think?

[90BHP]

This is the same story with Mumbai ktm when asked they said nothing as such is planned!

[Added_flavor]

Originally Posted by 90BHP

This is the same story with Mumbai ktm when asked they said nothing as such is planned!

I think either Bajaj wants to keep things under wraps and not make an official recall (Shouldn't be too tough considering the number of bikes on the roads are very less and almost all of them already have the "fix") or they just want to create a placebo effect

[mh09ad5578]

One question i wanted to ask was , whats the rated mileage of these Metzeler tyres considering that they cost a bomb need to figure these out for ownership costs too!
...by the way congrats, kool bike, superkool review!

[Added_flavor]

Originally Posted by mh09ad5578

One question i wanted to ask was , whats the rated mileage of these Metzeler tyres considering that they cost a bomb need to figure these out for ownership costs too!
...by the way congrats, kool bike, superkool review!

Thank you buddy.

The metz are very soft compound tyres. So I guess we're looking at about 10k to 12k km depending on how aggressive your right wrist is.

[Added_flavor]

UPDATE:

Went on a mini-ride from Bangalore to Mysore to Masinagudi and back to Bangalore. The odo reading when I started the ride was 450 km. ALL of them were done in the city. I was particular about doing the running-in in the city as it's always better to ride in varying RPMs and gears. Also, decided Bangalore-Mysore road would be the best place to continue the engine run-in thanks to the traffic and the innumerable road humps which invariably result in varying speeds and gear changes. So the first ride on the highway was a welcome change for both me and the duke.

Hit the highway at about 5 in the morning with a couple of friends - one riding a RE Classic 500 and another a KTM Duke 200.

The first thing I realized when I started riding on the highway is that I just don't need to rev the bike beyond 6000 RPM. All the power I need to accelerate fast from a speed breaker, to achieve and sustain the cruising speed that's appropriate for most of our highways is available under 6000 RPM. The bike cruises at 100 KMPH at ~ 5.3K RPM and the engine is so relaxed that it makes you feel you are doing only 60! Only when you need to brake you'll know how fast you are going!

The low-end and mid-range are awesome. The bike can pick up from 60 Kmph all the way up in 6th gear with ease. I could easily maintain the usual cruising speeds and still keep it under the limit of 7500 RPM. Did a couple of short bursts up to 8K RPM and boy what a lovely growl the engine makes! Now, the running in is done and the first service is due. Had lubed the chain at about 500 Km and there's no noise/slack. The play seems fine. The average fuel consumption was about 31 Kmpl.

Some pics from the ride!



Authentic Masala Dosa at Mylari Hotel - Mysore



Your's truly and Mahishasura!



The alloys get dirty due to the open chain.



Say cheese

[ebonho]

I love the carrier and side brackets on the Duke 200. Very very neatly done. Probably the best I have seen so far. What would have really completed it would be a cage on each side to hold 5 liter jerry cans.

[the VTEC guy]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I love the carrier and side brackets on the Duke 200. Very very neatly done. Probably the best I have seen so far. What would have really completed it would be a cage on each side to hold 5 liter jerry cans.

Doc . Looks very well executed carrier and neatly color matched. @Added_Flavor can you post close up detailed snaps of the 200's carrier. Also nice pictures of the 390.

[sriramv.iyer]

You finished 1000 kms already! ???? AWESOME! You are giving me a complex!

I have given my bike for registration - so no ride tomorrow (had to wait for a month for my special number)

Amazing pics! Keep us posted of your rides!

[imp!]

Nice ride matey! What were the road and traffic conditions like? When didja get back? What were your cruising and high speeds? Ride safe man :-)

[Added_flavor]

Originally Posted by the VTEC guy

Doc . Looks very well executed carrier and neatly color matched. @Added_Flavor can you post close up detailed snaps of the 200's carrier. Also nice pictures of the 390.

Thank you. You can see more pictures of the customization here

Originally Posted by sriramv.iyer

You finished 1000 kms already! ???? AWESOME! You are giving me a complex!

I have given my bike for registration - so no ride tomorrow (had to wait for a month for my special number)

Amazing pics! Keep us posted of your rides!

Thank you Sriram! I plan to keep the thread updated as much as possible. We (and a few more Bangalore 390 owners and fellow members) can plan and ride together on a weekend as soon as they get their bikes and you get the special number. Btw, what's the number?

Originally Posted by imp!

Nice ride matey! What were the road and traffic conditions like? When didja get back? What were your cruising and high speeds? Ride safe man :-)

It was a Saturday and Mysore road was buzzing with traffic even at 4.30 in the morning as expected. But I must say in spite of the speed breakers, chaotic unruly traffic, traffic signals (in some towns like Ramanagara, Bidadi and Mandya), this road is very well made. There are no undulations (unlike NICE road which IMO is of pathetic quality) and the cant is perfectly made in almost all curves.

I initially started crusing at around 90Kmph which increased to around 100kmph later with short bursts up to 130kmph where visibility is good. At this point I was stupidly wondering why the shift light isn't blinking even though I'm over 5K RPM until it struck me that I'm in 6th gear and I can't upshift any further.

As I stated earlier, the bike is very calm and predictable at these speeds. I noticed a speed breaker a little late and could feel the ABS kicking in, first on the rear and then on the front. The bike did not flinch at all. The best part is, you just accelerate and shift back to top gear normally and the bike has crossed 100kmph before you know it. No wonder one can keep very good average speeds because the time taken to decelerate for any hurdle and accelerate back is very less.

EDIT: Forgot to add this. After the weekend ride, I've been riding to work since the past two days. I've noticed, the engine feels a lot more composed now even in the city. Also, the heating seems to have reduced marginally, in the sense that the bike does not heat up to the 10th bar as easily/quickly even in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I see it remains in the 8th/9th bar most of the times. Also, the exhaust note seems more refined and not as restless as before. All this before the service and oil change. I'm sure it'll get even better after service. As of now, I'm lovin' it!

[90BHP]

That is fantastic news my friend ! Keep us informed on the post service performance of the bike, the duke 200 pictures were very helpful. Thanks

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

Thank you. You can see more pictures of the customization here

Some help for the Facebook-ly challenged

As a side note, one of the things I never managed to do was trigger the ABS on the front on the test 390 even once over 3000 kms.

Also your chain has been obviously overlubed, without any time for the bike to stand and the lube to soak in. Both are key to not having a messed up rear wheel.