KTM 390 Duke Long-Term Review

It's time for a 2018 KTM 390 Duke long-term review and to have a look at some of its quirkier attributes after owning it for enough months to be considered long term in my opinion.

📺 OTHER VIDEOS TO WATCH

📙 CHAPTERS
00:00 INTRO
01:11 FEATURES
03:35 LIVING WITH IT
05:22 THE RIDE
07:03 CONCLUSION

📷 SOCIAL

🛒 MERCH

📽 REDUCED CHAOS (My second channel)

⚙ MY KIT

#ktm390duke

[robi]

Quick Tipp for you at 2:30 . just try to turn on the ignition while you put on the gloves and helmet. Then you don’t have to wait on the bike. 😉💪🏼

[matthijsvanemous]

No bike is perfect, so taste desides a lot of things concerning them. For me this bike would be amazing

[johndichiera]

Hi there, I like your video's so keep up the good work.

You mention the highway speed and overtaking "issue". I have the 2017 390 and changed the final gearing to 1 up at the front (to a 16) and 3 down at the rear (to a 42), yes I know, a big change. The result at typical Australian speed limits are 60 kmph in 3rd at 6K rpm, 80 kmph in 4th at 5.8K rpm, 100 kmph in 5th at 6K rpm and finally, 110 kmph in 6th at 5.8K rpm.

As you can see, with this gearing, I am always living around the 6K rpm mark which is the start of the "power" band with the 2017 engine.

I tour on this bike and overtaking at 110 is no more difficult as dropping into 5th and going. Many riders of this bike don't like the lack of grunt at highway speeds but very few ever lengthen the gears, they always think shortening them is the answer which only makes the issue worse (trading top end for low end power).


I have a gsx r600 k4 track bike and a Ducati 999s "road" bike, but can honestly say that my 390 can track, tour and town, it does it all where the others don't. Too many people mention the 390 Duke as a "beginner" bike, but honestly, as someone who's owned many bikes from my 250 bandit through to 999s (and various cc's in between), if you are getting into bikes and aren't old enough to have earned the dosh for all your desired toys and specific tools for specific jobs, buy the 390 and do it all for the (low) price of one!

I have owned mine for 2.5 years now and con honestly say that of the three, it's the most fun to ride, easiest to maintain and cheapest to live with!

As for the short reach to the bars, raise the foot pegs up and back 25 mm (with those rotating pegs from ebay) and get bars with a lesser pull-back! Does the trick for me at 175 cm tall and average in-seem and arms. Sounds counter-intuitive as it pitches you more forward but it enables you to grab the tank panels with your knees to support your back to relax your arms (it does work).

Cheers from Aus :)

[nathanfenech]

A booster plug is a cheap way to fix the choppy idle. It makes an insane difference for the price if it's something that bothers you a lot. Makes it run much richer also so it will be less likely to toast your left leg.

[damianmarais]

It seems as if chaos wants to play video games on his duke, but we all know he doesn't have time since Valentino wont stop calling him.

[jeweltr]

Made in India. Proud of it! Own it for 4 years now. I still look back at it everytime i park it. xD

[Truth_Spoken]

I agree. The TFT was a selling feature when I bought my 2019 but grew to hate it pretty quickly.

[thethearlofgurney]

I've done 11k miles on my '17. I've owned a CCM Cafe Racer and new model Suzuki Katana since then. Both are now gone. This is a keeper. I still love it to bits after 5 years.

[vess]

It's the first bike I took on the road after the MSF course and it set the bar so high for a beginner bike. I think that it is probably THE best beginner bike.

[rahulghosh]

You can find Bajaj written inside few parts in the engine bay....now it's on you to find out where it comes from

[Crosas]

Not sure if the people commenting about the “made in India” comment understood it’s context. He said “the people commenting made in India” are saying that as it’s an insult. He then references that it is not as it has KTM’s seal of approval. He isn’t making the insult, he is debunking it. Please don’t be so sensitive without actually understanding what is being said.

[markburnett]

I have the 2021 KTM 390 Duke, They changed a few things as far from the last video that you posted about the fuel low gage covering the whole display but I noticed when I use an airpod and turn on the KTM it tries to play through the bike instead of my airpod. I either end up turning off Bluetooth or have to change the output every time I start her up. I would fully agree with it excelling on backroads. Its definitely worth considering getting if you want a bike that is fun to ride.

[metalmetal]

I'm predicting you will own an adventure bike within 4 months from now.

[C.A.MARSUPIAL-ystl]

I have the 21 model and it's better than i could ever have imagined for a 373 cc engine. It's designed in Austria built in India and the build quality is great. I recently put a 14 tooth sprocket on the front which gives the bike and better pick up like extra torque. It's just a fun bike to ride and i think it handles Queensland Australia freeways easily. It's a great cheap motorcycle 👍

[darkchi]

4:42

I felt SO vindicated right here!
I've been saying that since I got mine last year. How is TIME a PREFERENCE???
Also, thanks for teaching me that the handlebars lock in EITHER direction. I'd only ever locked mine to the left out of habit.

Phenomenal bike though, highly recommend.

[ciaoitalo]

"People are happy to comment that it's made in India like its an insult, " THANK YOU!

[RaulNigli]

Here are my thoughts on my 390 Duke:
Notifications:
1. Notifications will only pop up whilst stationary (limit of 3)
2. Select the apps that you want notifcations from

Better use of the screen - turn by turn navigation built in

Fuel range is inaccurate till about the last 40kms - I find it starts to be more accurate then

They need to take guidelines from Android 12 to build their menus

At low speed, I find that the engine knocks too much. Even in 2nd gear, no throttle, instead of it just moving along, it threatens to shut off.

No option for my quick shifter on the menu, so not sure if its working or not

Are you able to wait for the Low Fuel Indicator to flash red then run the bike till it stops? Would be great to find out how much range we have after the red flashing starts. I've only managed to reach 14kms.

[swlvzpo]

I have had one for 10 months, and I have never messed with the dash. I'd rather have a basic LCD. Good tip about the steering lock. I didn't know you could lock it in the right position, too.

[mohitbalani]

Made in India is not a compromise, in fact, India make top Quality products at a very Cost effective price.

[xblazex]

Here in the states we say “my two cents.” Do you guys say “my ten cents” because of the exchange rate?