Apr 13, 2017 09:47 AM
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(via Android App)
(Updated Apr 13, 2017 12:17 PM)
Hello guys, I am Debjit from Kolkata. I am a marketing professional and have been a fan of bikes and cars since childhood. Enough of me, let's go to the real deal. The KTM duke 390 is my 3rd bike. The first two being the legendary Yamaha RX-100 and the second one being the hero glamour, the no fuss bike.
Anyway coming to my third and most loved bike, the Duke 390. I had been saving for the Duke for more than a year before I could lay my hands on this beautiful beast.
The day I took delivery of the bike I didn't realize the real power of the bike and ended up with an unintentional power wheelie. Now you must be wondering, I should have gone for a test drive before actually purchasing the bike, so I should not be surprised by the performance of the bike. Yes I did go for a test ride, though due to some lame excuse about some accident happening during a test ride Park Street Osl Ktm didn't allow me to take the bike on the roads for a test ride. Instead I was only allowed to take the bike for a spin on there compound premises, which was a 100 metres strech at most.
Anyways lets get to the review part. Let me promise you one thing, no other bike in India comes to matching, let alone surpassing the Duke 390's sheer performance. Period. Though you must realize there cant be only one aspect to a vehicle being suited for all. Lets go to the cons of the bike and get over them as quickly as possible so we can go to the good part, the pros
Cons:
Excessive heating in traffic. Forget wearing shorts for a in city trot.
Tank range is very low for a bike with such great potential for touring. While on the highway it can be a task on hand to find a petrol station when needed. Needs to be filled every 200 kms.
Service quality is not up to the mark for a bike of such caliber. At least thats the case for Kolkata Service centres. I have tried the Vip road and Topsia service centres and given up.
Lack of wind protection while on the highway is eminent. I don't expect wind protection like a fully faired bike though a little semi fairing would have been a nice touch.
Seat is really hard and needs some after market touches to suit long distance touring. Though this problem is addressed to some extent on the 2017 Duke 390.
The exhaust note is not particularly something I like. A few of my friends say it to be more like an auto-rickshaw. Though I have come to peace with it after a year of ownership.
The rear view mirrors have a joke of a rear view. I have tried seating everyway possible on the bike but have not been able to get a good view of the road behind. Needs aftermarket fixing. Though I personally have not done anything with them. But if you are medium or tall heighted with broad shoulders, Good luck!
Pillion comfort is a joke on this bike like most other bikes in this catogory. Though I don't complain as I ride it solo most of the times.
Let's go to the Pros then
The power, the pick up is unparalleled. Get ready to own the roads, atleast untill a Hayabusa or R 1 comes along! Lol! ?
The handling is so spot on, you can literally turn the bike on a dime.
The digital meter is very informative and you wonder is there anything this meter doesn't show.
The tyres are designed by your thought, thought expensive, anything stickier and you would not move at all, as you would be glued to the street.
Build quality is spot on. World class is the correct word.
Reliability is great. I went to Delhi and back on this bike, 3400 kms and not even a hick up.
This came with BS-4 certification before other manufacturers so double thumbs up to KTM for caring for the environment.
Service intervals and oil change intervals are after 6000 kms.
Doesn't require high octane petrol like many expect from such high performance bike. Normal petrol works just fine.
Brakes are spot on. Can't ask for anything more.
Sorry for such a long review. But I can go on and on about this bike.
Thanks for reading and bye.
