390 Duke

[Cyril Watson]

Thought I'd post and say hello.

My wife just returned to motorcycling, after a 7 year gap, and we went and picked up a new 390 Duke yesterday.
I had a ride on a demo bike a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm really impressed with the character and punch from the engine, the power and feel from the brakes, and the general design and finish.

It's really easy to ride and it's great fun.

I'll be keeping my R1150GS but I think I'll be borrowing the keys to the Duke frequently

 

[Cyril Watson]

Well, it looks like I'm talking to myself, but I went out on my wife's 390 today. It only had 125 miles showing so it's limited to 7k rpm. It gets to about 6500-6700 rpm and starts to kick into a power band so I recon it'll be lots of fun after the first service.
The handling is great, so precise you can put it exactly where you want it. That said it isn't so keen if there's an unavoidable pot hole on the corner. It gets knocked a touch off line and kicks you out of the seat.

If I was going a long way on it I'd get the Power Parts comfort seat too. Then again at 6'3" tall and 15 stone I don't imagine I was what the designers had in mind

 

[Packer]

..............Then again at 6'3" tall and 15 stone I don't imagine I was what the designers had in mind

You will though quickly "run in" the suspension for your wife

What does the build quality look like, these are made in India aren't they?

 

[corsicandreamer]

My wife is currently riding a ER6n you have just given me an Idea, exactly how did you talk your mrs into buying that and would it work with the newer and bigger version ?, H'mmm.
Welcome to the site.

 

[Davy F]

KTM 390.....the modern 350LC, ie hooligan tool.

 

[Cyril Watson]

Apparently they're made in Pune, in India, before being shipped to KTM in Austria for quality control and dyno testing. The build quality looks spot on to me. It doesn't look built down to a price and has a quality feel to all the controls. The engine is smooth and great fun in such a light bike.

My wife has asked for the throttle kit KTM do which makes it less instant. I don't mind it as is but then I'm used to motorbike fuel injection.
She's also having the tall screen and the large hand guards fitted. These were all ordered with the bike but, disappointingly, the salesman didn't get them ordered and fitted ready for when we collected the bike.

The 'Power Parts' range KTM sell for the bike are extensive, well made and really cheap compared with prices I'm used to paying at Honda or BMW dealerships.

corsicandreamer, thanks for the welcome. I didn't have to talk her into it, I took her to look at the bike in the flesh, as she liked the pictures, and she found she liked it even better in the flesh.
KTM are doing 2 years interest free.
We took the 390 and 690 Dukes out on a test ride for a couple of hours and both preferred the 390.

That was it, she was hooked. Even better, this is the first bike she's owned that she's taken out without me being there. It's really given her confidence

 

[Packer]

................ Even better, this is the first bike she's owned that she's taken out without me being there. It's really given her confidence

Perfect, good result.

 

[fatbob99]

After the GS I should imagine it feels like you are riding a pedal bike
I had a 690 recently for a week and it shows you don't have to go crazy speeds to have a great ride out

 

[jonnie comet]

I was at Oulton Park for BSB last weekend and KTM had a big display there.

I had a good look at the 390. It looked like any other KTM that I have ever seen....Good quality components, very well made and stylish.

The KTM bod’ told me that the 390 uses the same chassis as the 125, with the 390 bolted in.....sounded like a great idea to me.....

Overall, a lovely bike......

 

[Cyril Watson]

After the GS I should imagine it feels like you are riding a pedal bike
I had a 690 recently for a week and it shows you don't have to go crazy speeds to have a great ride out

Spot on.

When I rode the 690 and 390 back to back I found the 690 had a more comfortable seat and the footpegs were further forward. It had more wallop but was much more snatchy at lower revs than the 390. The 390 could be left in a higher gear, with lower revs, and smoothly accelerate, it had nicer clocks and a gear position indicator. It felt better developed, if anything, and the components were equally as good as the 690.

When I rode the 390 I felt like I was going really fast, riding the bike hard, but when I checked the speed I was doing 60-70. hilarious