Duke 390 opinions wanted plz

augustiron

augustiron

2fast 2live 2young 2die
So I am considering a Duke 390 as a buddy bike, loaner and around town scoot.

They seem about the right size in weight, displacement and physical size for what i want.
I'm looking for any real-world feedback or anecdotes anyone has regarding their reliability, strengths, weaknesses and anything else worth sharing.

your input is greatly valued as always, thanks barf.
Also, other cheap, cool, upright scoots to consider? but mostly info for the 390.

I know the rc390 had some head gasket issues?
 
295566

295566

Numbers McGee
Everything I've read online makes them out to be not very reliable. For your purposes I think you really want a stress-free bike. If it were my money, I'd go for a Ninja 400, or pick up a sweet deal on an old stock Ninja 300.
 
mrzuzzo

mrzuzzo

Well-known member
Just don't.

There was a thread about another BARFer earlier with one... his 390 was in the shop for months, and KTM would only buy it back after lawyers got involved.
 
augustiron

augustiron

2fast 2live 2young 2die
Junkie said:
Given all the head gasket problems, I'd consider a Ninja 400
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295566 said:
Everything I've read online makes them out to be not very reliable. For your purposes I think you really want a stress-free bike. If it were my money, I'd go for a Ninja 400, or pick up a sweet deal on an old stock Ninja 300.
Click to expand...

I don't want a.plastic wrapped fake roadracer, the naked plasticlessness of the Duke is a large.part of its appeal

stan23 said:
That said, I've bought 2 brand new KTMs and never had an issue. I love KTM bikes!
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Yeah, but they are bothonly 2.weeks old :lol
 
UDRider

UDRider

FLCL?
Owned Duke 690, at no point did I think "I wish I had the bike that weights the same, but with less HP".
 
byke

byke

Well-known member
stan23 said:
Nope, decided to keep both of them. I love 'em!
Click to expand...

Yeah, but that comes with a really big asterisk. "Keeping" both of them just means they sell two months from now with 1100 miles, which is the same as not keeping them.
 
Rumbo Sur

Rumbo Sur

learning everyday
I just sold off my PERFECT 2017 KTM 690 Duke. A great bike and only sold due to wanting something more touring oriented.

During my shopping for KTM a salesman put me on a slightly used Duke 390 for a short test ride. I liked it OK ... but getting onto the 690 was like going to another planet. A serious motorcycle. The 390 did not give a lot of confidence. YMMV.

For me, the 690 was better in every way, not just power and torque.

Now consider the 3 or 4 posts above and all the negatives on this engine. As mentioned, it's an India bike and the FIRST attempt for KTM and Bajaj, (who own 51% of KTM) India to build bikes together. They will get better ... but the first one may not be perfect.

The 690 Duke is the lightest bike I ever owned. 72 HP. Awesome.
Used 690 Dukes a year or 3 old are priced very well, IMO.
As always, YMMV. Good luck! :ride
 
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augustiron

augustiron

2fast 2live 2young 2die
I should.mention this will be for.me.teaching beginners to ride, like my 70 year old.mother in law who I have had riding my ttr125 and ktm 200xcw.
I need the next step in size, with a plate, and something fun for.me.on the side.
 
BiG Chris

BiG Chris

I RIDE RUCKUS
my buddy was having issues with his recently, its a new duke with about 2k miles on it now but sometimes when you clutch in when your coming to a stop the engine would shut off.
 
F

fubar929

Well-known member
augustiron said:
I should.mention this will be for.me.teaching beginners to ride, like my 70 year old.mother in law who I have had riding my ttr125 and ktm 200xcw.
I need the next step in size, with a plate, and something fun for.me.on the side.
Click to expand...

I was talking to a KTM salesman who told me that the secret to keeping a 390 running is adhering to the maintenance schedule religiously. His contention was that people are skipping the 600-mile service which includes a required valve clearance check and living to regret it later...

I dunno about that, but if I was looking for a "buddy bike" I'd pass on the KTM and buy a used Yamaha FZ-07, Honda CB500F/CB650F, Suzuki SV650, or Kawasaki Ninja 650.
 
augustiron

augustiron

2fast 2live 2young 2die
fubar929 said:
Yamaha FZ-07, Honda CB500F/CB650F, Suzuki SV650, or Kawasaki Ninja 650.
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See: 70 year old.mother in law stepping up from ttr125/ktm.200... need small and light, not.too much power. This is not really for.me,.I have a quiver of bikes.

I have been looking for a 250 nighthawk also.
NO plastic wrapped mini sportbikes.
 
moto-rama

moto-rama

Well-known member
UDRider said:
Owned Duke 690, at no point did I think "I wish I had the bike that weights the same, but with less HP".
Click to expand...

After demoing a Duke 690, I agreed to also demo a 390 ... the contrast was remarkable.

But if its going to be a Buddy Loaner, the fact that it's not a 690 might be a good thing. They'll be happy to get off it and get their own bike.
Then again, it might be the kind of thing that grows on you. Ive been on a few bikes that did that, they just take time to appreciate.

Oh, and you might not want your mother in law riding around on the back wheel, splitting lanes and stunnin'
 
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