Latest update on my pre-owned 2017 KTM 390 Duke; It's a keeper!

Been 3 months and something since the last update on my 2017 KTM 390 Duke and the odo is currently at 7,150 km, 34,000 km done overall

BHPian 100Kmphormore recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Had a quick weekend run to a village called Kampli, 50 km from Ballari town for a function and the bike was as stellar as ever, being on a longish ride after nearly 6 months. Took the Nelamangala - Chitradurga - Kudligi - Hosapete (NH50) - Kamalanagara route. Initially thought of taking the NH150A - Hiriyur - Challakere - Rampura - Ballari route, but seeing the single lane, patchy unregulated roads with sudden potholes (Salaga didnt like the idea atleast and promptly showed her feelings with aplomb), turned back after 2 km, had breakfast at Vanishree Hotel (must try hot thatte idly vade, and the pulao rice bath - dont expect parking, luxury seating or toilets! Its in a metal roofed hut house of sorts on the side of the road) and turned back to the former.

The night return through the same route was another testing experience of skills, awareness and endurance ( I left at 5 pm the next day and returned home at 1 am) due to lousy visibility on most of the stretches between Kudligi and Chitradurga, and continuous drizzling, then being caught in a sudden downpour near Tumkur, and challenging visibility even after it reduced to a drizzle, resuming my journey an hour later. God bless those sudden deviations, it is so dark at some places that even sleeper buses with aux lights cant make out if its a bend in the road or a deviation. We desperately need the entirety of the highway to be well lit, considering the average speeds of even transport multi axle lorries are above 80 kmph.

730 km of relaxing cruising at 100, pushing to 120 kmph on the Chitradurga - Hosapete highway, the only downer being those killer rumbler strips, 4-5 sets of them post the Nelamangala toll, which can be best described as ball busters quite literally. Induces chattering from wrists to teeth - those sorts.

I feel I may have to get the nuts and bolts tightened at the service as I observed some strange harmonics upon accelerating towards the end of the ride, and indicators randomly blinking by itself. Lack of suspension travel and an inherently stiff suspension means every bit of the road/movement is transferred to you - the stretch upto Hiriyur is not level at all, continuous movement/headnod like a body-on-frame. This and the riding triangle is not for touring for the faint hearted, requires to be very fit, and of a lean build, or at best an iron/small butt. The seat is hard, but have gotten adjusted to it. Terribly missed my Himalayan as the conditions for this ride matched its character to the T - smooth cruise, bash the uneven roads if any, and comfort oriented seating!

Overall economy was around 25 kmpl, despite a smooth cruise. The bike is a keeper for sure despite its flaws - theres nothin like it!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.