2018 KTM 390 Duke Review | MC Commute
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 พ.ค. 2018
- It’s another commute with Zack! As usual, please feel free to suggest a bike you want to see featured here. If we get enough comments, we’ll do our best to send him home on that one next.
To learn more about the Momentum helmet, go to: www.sena.com/product/momentum...
Notes on this video:
- Zack meant to point out that the fuel tank gained 0.6 gallons (2.25 liters) from the previous model.
- He also misquoted the displacement of the 690 Duke, which is actually 690cc.
This bike by the numbers:
Base Price: $5299
Displacement: 373cc
Measured Weight: 358 lbs. (162.4 kg)
Fuel Capacity: 3.5 gal. (13.2 L)
Seat Height: 32.7 in. (830mm)
Measured Horsepower: 41.2 @ 8640 rpm
Measured Torque: 26.9 lb.-ft. @ 6860 rpm
Subscribe: th-cam.com/users/Motorcyclist...
Motorcyclist Shirts: teespring.com/stores/motorcyc...
Shop Products We Use: www.amazon.com/shop/motorcycl...
See more from us: www.motorcyclistonline.com/ - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
As an owner of a 2016 390 Duke with just over 5,000 miles on it I can report that I have had zero problems with the engine in any way. I think most of the problems with the 390's engine are with RC owners, I think the RC's body work restricts airflow, and being a sport bike I feel that people rev it out to the redline more than on the Duke.
I can also report that the 2016 390 Duke doesn't mind touring on the interstate and fast highways for an extended period of time. I took a three day road trip with my Duke from Spokane, WA via Portland to the Pacific Ocean and back (you can watch the raw and mind numbingly boring footage on my channel) and it didn't complain once, even climbing a few thousand feet in altitude around the base of Mt. Hood didn't bother the little Duke.
Overall I have to say it's a fantastic little bike.
I got it 6 monts now, 4000 km, unfortunately 1st time at 2000 the thermostat got stuck and the bike overheated on traffic light (fan didnt open,had to shut down the bike and call road assistant) now at 4000 km there was a weird noise in idle while the bike was cold ,i called the store and they told me to take it there with ktm road assistance...ill update what the problem was as iam waiting for them to check it. Its unfortunate because the bike is awesome in every aspect in the road.
Edit update: the bike stayed 1 month in the store as he changed almost everything until he found that the problem was one of the belts.
Thanks for that detailed little review!
I think what's wrong here is, is that it seems (more like asserting) that you're experience = everyone else's experience.
Fact of the matter is, KTM 390 (+ other models tbh) reliability is just garbage. That's just based on statistics and user reports.
If you've got a pleasant experience, then more power to you, but let me just remind your position with an analogy.
It's like a lottery winner saying "I've only bet once, and I can say that the lottery has a 100% win rate".
I use to live in Oregon and I really appreciate your comment.picking mine up tomorrow 😍
still not buying it as our climate is not cold like yours
the first edition of the duke was and is my dream bike. I bought it 2 seasons ago, never had any issues with it reliability wise. the fans do come on often at red lights on summer days, but my akra muffler covers the sound pretty efficiently. I am literally in love with it, recommend it to anyone, who has an a2 license, or is a beginner.
This is better and more informative than other other review I've found, especially because this is how the majority of us are interested in using this machine. Thank you!
Love these MC commutes. This is real world info from guys that can ride. Really useful, thanks!
MC Commute and On Two Wheels are the best productions on youtube, keep up the great work!
Keep in mind the Duke is a world bike and Europe is its biggest market, engine sizes for the duke start at 125cc, 200cc, 250cc, 390cc then upwards as you have in the US. Europe has the 125cc and 390cc upwards,Latin America has the 200cc, 250cc and 390cc upwards as does India I believe.
daniel thompson correct
daniel thompson in india duke 200 is common squid bike
Nazgul Witchking right even i did the same i went for fz instead
Nazgul Witchking yes i would be great but its still fine for the price
daniel thompson and here in europe we have even better features! LED blinkers stock for exemple
My 2018 Duke 390 has been geared up. It has had an airbox mod which gives in more low-down shove. It sets off fast, has a powerful mid-range and feels relaxed at highway speed. It is very comfortable. My last bike was a Suzuki B-King.
I own a 2017 KTM 390. I ride it all over town, some high-way. It's incredibly comfortable and fun to ride. It's a light-weight bike and not intimidating at all, even for a beginner. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a smaller machine. It's all-around fantastic.
Agree. I've got myself a 2018 recently and I cannot stop loving if for the value it offers. Comfy and very fun, easy to chase bigger machines on a enough twisty road, heh.
but what anout the maitmence, my only concern.
Bought this for our son as his first bike. Perfect to start on and he loves it; I've ridden it a few times and it's a blast.
@@salami99 services are every 7500 Km(4600 Miles) or 1 year(whichever comes first) and chain cleaning and lubing every 1000 km(600 miles) or sooner...depends how much you ride and on what type of terrain...service cost for me is from 80€ to 150€ but keep in mind i've only done 2 services on my bike because I don't ride that often...hope that helped a bit
@@salami99 maintenance is as cheap as a single cylinder could be but the realiability is not. Check the forums if you dont trust what I say, the bike is a cheap made machine, with zip ties holding wires and cables to the chasis. Quality control is even worse, KTM did a recall for the front light turning off suddenly, tft screen getting wet or foggy and a bunch of more things, so is expensive for such a lack of quality.
I love this channel. been riding for nearly 30 yrs, ex-CCS/Wera racer and yet I can relate to your commentary, that says a lot. Good job.. Keep um coming.
One request: can you guys do a video on RnineT standard or cafe racer? I see one video on the scrambler but thats it. Thank you
This has to be the most chilled "rush-hour" anywhere in the world.
I just bought a 2017 left over at a steal yesterday! I’m in love 😍
Best bike for your money with all the tech it has!
Absolutely!! Enjoy! I've had mine since last August and it is phenomenal.
What about now? Is it reliable?
for how much
@@yousefdeeb01 ive had one for half a year now. Never had any problems with it
"At a steal" i doubt it
Zach, the MC Commute series is great. The only thing it would nice to learn about is the factory warranty for the bikes you ride. Especially when the bike has known reliability issues. Thanks for the great reviews.
Ktm is a big red flag 🚩
@@Sinister_fartbox why’s that I’m looking to buy one next month. For day to day first time rider too
@@ap7625 I’m seriously saying that you are far better of with another manufacturer. Ktm can be a gamble. And they are very pricey for what you are getting
I love getting compliments on how great my Duke looks! People often get surprise at how affordable it is
I'm patiently waiting for the day Zack is 10/10 stoked on some mirrors.
The people have demanded and Zack has provided. Thank you for this video.
I'm happy you like it too, I got mine about two weeks ago, and thus far, I'm really enjoying going to work and then some 😊
15:55 - 16:22 I'd be fine just watching you ride it like this for a few minutes. Raw.
Love you guys for doing this bike
Thx a lot zack!!!
I bought a 2nd hand 2020 Duke 390 in white with only 1,230km on it a month ago. I've done 1,000km on it since then and I am absolutely loving it. It's such an eager little bike. It loves flicking left and right between corners and the little engine with short gearing means you can thrash it and have fun shifting through the gears without going ridiculous speeds. My last bike was a 2019 MT07 LAMS. For those that don't know, in New Zealand and Australia we have learner approved bikes AKA LAMS approved and there is a CC limit of 660cc and a power to weight ratio limit so the learner approved version of the MT07 is 655cc and has restrictions in the airbox and throttle so that its power is limited to 52Hp and 57Nm. The Duke is so much more fun than the MT07 LAMS because the suspension and chassis is way more sporty and nimble and the engine is unleashing its full potential. The MT07 LA has lots of torque but it feels strangled when you try to rev it out because of the restrictions and when you start pushing in corners it starts to bounce around on its cheap suspension. The Duke is way more fun and composed if you want to ride hard. The MT07 is smoother and has more torque so its a better cruiser that can still get a bit sporty. Also I am 6'4" (194cm) tall and I fit comfortably on the Duke. It's easy to ride, nice adjustable levers and it just feels premium for such a cheap bike. It really is an awesome little ripper. There's a reason why they call it the corner rocket.
Between the cb500f and the 390 Duke, which one would you choose for freeway and city drive?
It's MC Commute with Zack, therefore I like.
I wonder how much petrol gets wasted on the constant stop/starting at stop signs... You people need more roundabouts.
6Twisted Death circles
Efficient, yes. But this is Irvine, California. Drivers barely tolerate merging onto the 405, let alone at a roundabout. Zack would never make it to the office... 😅
Roundabouts cause 39% less collisions than T/X junctions (Wikipedia) while also being faster. Mainly because the traffic all goes the same way on a roundabout instead of crossing paths so you only have to look one way for traffic. As a biker I feel safer using a roundabout than I do passing a car waiting to pull out of a T junction.
Never saw a roundabout in SoCal. Working now in the midwest where they are more common in smaller cities
I guess you've never seen a U.S. driver try to negotiate a roundabout. We can screw up anything.
This is awesome...i just was watching Ari reviewing Duke 390 a year ago for the 100th time this video just poped up....LOL
Aby Mathew can u please link me that video
Nice review, great riding skills. Good man 👌
401 vs 390 duke.
With the 401 you'll have to stop at every fuel station 9.5l tank vs 13.7. Makes it an easy choice to make
Just got over the 1000km mark on my 2017 Duke today(got it with 0km on April 21st). Loved every minute so far. Absolutely perfect little commuter bike. Seems to get a lot more attention than small displacement Japanese bikes too. At no point does it feel or look cheap either, which is great considering it was only $7000CAD out the door. Hopefully the reliability issues don't come into play for me, at least not for another two seasons when I replace it with an ADV.
Thanks for doing this!!! Love your input.
Glad to see my bike here :D
I loved the fact that you cracked up 2 or 3 times, I found I do the same , great fun bike
Hey Zack! Could you pl suggest between Kawasaki versys 300 & BMW 310 GS. Also is it advisable to get into adventure tourer catagory on these small displacement bikes. Mi ride will be mostly commute, weekend ride on highway around 150 km, occasionally long tour 500km, and some fun on trails. Am I looking at correct bikes if not pl suggest. Thank you
MV agusta F4 is that possible guys?
I had one of these for a year. At 6’1, it was an easy fit, after riding for more than 45 mins, my knees did start to hurt though. I would’ve liked lower pegs. Also the painted black hardware on the bike (gas cap, switchgear housing, various bolts) needed good rustproofing. In that respect you can see that it’s a budget friendly bike. Highway riding is pretty bad as well, the bike is too nervous and leaves little power to do confident overtakes. Keep it off the highway and you’re fine. Fun bike though.
Finally a no bs american review. And someone that actually knows how to accelerate
Would you in any point do a MC commute on the triumph bobber??I think it's a great bike and needs an mc commute 😉
Its not just me! I "cancel" the turn signals sooooooo many times in a ride. Just because... 2:03 after the stop sign (didn't even turn) the signals were cancelled and then again at 2:37, 2:39, 2:41 and 2:46. Turned ON at 2:57 and then Off 3:08 and 3:10. 3:49, 3:50, 3:51, 3:53. Love it!
What gear you were in, when you were on the highway and going about 78 mph, and what rpm did the bike have at that time? ( Do you think it is easy for the bike to handle a 2-hour highway cruising ? )
Great review. Love mine. Test rode 790. Wouldn't swap. Work of art and practical
I have a 390 and was thinking of shifting to 790. Unfortunately I have no option of test driving the 790. Curious about what made you come to that conclusion. I’m bothered by vibrations I get from foot pegs and handlebars otherwise its a great bike.
Have you had any problems with the screen showing signs of moisture/condensation under the display? I have a 2019 KTM 390 Duke, use it to commute and enjoy riding it. Just been having issues with the display. Even on a sunny day, theres condensation build up!
12:32: "Oh man, freaking motorcycle didn't trigger the light"
That happens way too often at way too many intersections, and it's incredibly annoying.
Please answer a question.. if you have the option to buy honda cb500f or ktm duke 390 .. which on would you buy.. ??
Yay for a small bike commute!!
Always like your videos. Also thanks for spelling your name right Zack👍
Good review. I'd love to see a review of the new Tuono!
Was this clutchless shift at 5:5ish or there is a quick shifter on this?
Nice video,
Which s/w you use for editing ?
Your videos are so entertaining man ty
seeing you split traffic at 20mph is wild. I can kinda see why that's not legal everywhere lol. great review!
I love these commute vids
Honda CB300r or Duke 390?. Which would you suggest for light touring and urban rides. Will duke be reliable enough?
Hi, just wondering.... Does ktm duke 390 have bad reliability? Thanks in advance
So I plan on getting this bike for my first bike how serious is the elephant in the room situation? Should I be worried? Thanks.
Does the U.S. version have the DRL's that surrounds the headlights ?
Thank you for addressing the reliability. I got rid of mine, due to it having so many issues. KTM only covers the engine,swingarm, and frame under warranty. This is straight from their site: PARTS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY
This warranty covers only the engine, frame and swingarm. No other components of the motorcycle are covered by any
warranty, expressed or implied and are sold “as is”.
I got sick of dealing with it constantly being down, and things not being under warranty and hoping for "good will" I will never own another KTM
i dont understand the bad reliability thing people keep getting in the US, here in europe you see plenty of "kottar" (what we call them in sweden "pinecones") and here there is very little complaining about reliability, also in asia, more specifically india people keep comparing the reliability to that of honda, we simply dont get what the US market gets
Sarah Dell honestly here in India we don't have a reliability problem....
It cannot be compared to h
Japanese but there aren't any reliability issues
The first year they came out, radiator fans were failing and head gaskets were going. I know a few street ridden bikes that have had head gasket failures, and a gearbox failure. People who have been racing these, have had endless issues. Take a look at all the issues Ari from this publication has had when he owned his. His issues are not isolated, many others have all had these issues. If you're just riding slowing in traffic, and have a shorter commute these might not have any issues? But here our highway speeds are 70+ MPH.
well here in europe and in india we really dont get that... even longer commutes, you guys in the US seem to get the short end of the stick, or its the climate you guys have
Sarah Dell in India 390 duke is touring delight....
Here they take it Offroading, long long highway touring and my god commuting in OUR TRAFFIC( 700 % more traffic than the video you watched) and eventually race track too...
But still it is pretty good...
Does it have a gear indicator??? And can the dash change to mph if wanted
Good all around assessment. I've ridden the rc390 on a KTM demo while actually wanting to try the Duke. I missed out on the Duke 390 because the event host cracked part of the exposed cases on a concrete drop off mishap. The reputation for head gaskets would leave me a bit spooked and unsure with the nearest dealer 100 miles away.
had it since last year December. Cept for the fugly stock mirrors and the noisy radiator fan, this bike is so much fun. petrol consumption is quite reasonable . 28km/l .
When can we expect a ride with the Yamaha R3...?
How often do you want to trigger the blinker-reset button, buddy? ...
At what RPM are you clutchless shifting?
Solid review, thank you!
Got my Duke 390 last summer, love it. She's my daily commuter. I do agree Zack they could have
Added a tooth on the counter sprocket, might remedy some of the buzzing in the
footpegs at highway speeds.
Love your reviews, great job!
Hey man, do you still have the 390? any problems with it?
I'm looking into buying a 300 cc bike in near future and the 390 Duke is my favorite. A proper motorcycle that doesn't look "small" at all. But with all the reports of reliability issues I don't think I can risk it, especially where I live. Which is a shame because the other 300cc bikes all have low seats which is something I hate.
What gloves were you wearing in this video?
I got one, super pleased!
Are the newer duke 390 more reliable?
I’m going to get my first bike soon should I get the 390 or the 790?
Will you do a review on the new 2018 MT 07? I am very interested in that bike and would love to see a review from ya.
Second this
i've got one 😎
Review it for us
I think they already did the XRS700 which is retroish version of MT-07 with more tech. And looks better than that spacebug :D.
@Matti - The 2018 MT07 has tweaked suspension and some other changes.
What's the difference between duke 390 and rc390?
2018 KTM 390 Duke or Benelli TNT 300 ABS?
Instead of Sena Bluetooth my brain heard Son of Bluetooth and thought, wow must be a new tech oriented MC.
is it reliable? im about to buy it
Why was the headlight 'ON' at 1:33 while the ignition key was at OFF position?😱...
Another good MC Commute episode, thank you. I have a question that arises from living in different market, Japan. How does the duke 390 ride contrast with a Kawasaki Z650, as the new on road cost is the same in Japan. I’m looking for a smaller machine for the wide open throttle grin factor. I’m unable to test either and wonder if the Z650 has too much power. My general riding would be similar to Zack’s commute. I’m more drawn to the Z650, but my experience is on 30hp trail bikes. I’m 5’11and 220 pounds ride weight and fit both bikes ergonomics.
Zack Courts, thank you for your advice and experience. I feel encouraged and I will plan a visit to my local dealer and see if I can organise a Z650.
Does KTMs warranty cover any possible damage from the overheating /reliability issues?
Robb Ramirez 2 year/24k miles warranty
Engine, swing arm, frame.
Nice little Husktmarna 390 Dukepilen. 👍
Dear sir,
It will be really appreciated of you made a video on MC Commute RC 390.
Thank you.
Good video, and I wonder if it is comfortable to have a back seat person
Would like to see a 2018 SV650 (ABS) commute
This ^^
I guess SV650X (the cafe racer'd version) would be okay too if they don't want to rehash the SV650 given that they covered it on an On Two Wheels episode.
Saaaaaame here. I want to know his thoughts
I rode the new sv650 today, the seat is like sitting on a brick wall but apart from that it's great
Don't think the SV650 has changed since their prior review/comparo. And yes the seat is very narrow and extremely hard. They scalloped it out to reduce the reach to the ground, and it lost all comfort in the process. Compared to the 2003-2009 model, the seat is a joke.
Can you please tell me which bike is very enjoyable to ride duke 390 or rc 390... ???
Duke has more of an upright sitting position, good for street and commuting use. The RC is a more angled, leaned forward seating position, which is why track guys like it.
Cant wait until you do the husky svartpilen 401. Sick bike.
Hello Sir! Is it good for long-term, commuting to work and town etc? I usually do about 400km per week.
Riding mine on the freeway at about 130 kph for extended periods wears me out, I wouldn't want to do it regularly. Below 100 kph, it's not a bad ride and 40km one way wouldn't be too bad. Just bear in mind that there's no storage and luggage options are limited for it, so you'll be carrying most everything in a backpack.
What gloves are you wearing?
That bike is surprisingly stable on highways with little vibration. Too bad it faces some issues about reliability. It's made in India not Austria so could be the reason?
Didnt the updated duke come to the US in 2017? Or was that only in Europe and Asia?
Yes, it did. Mine arrived August 4, 2017.... was supposed to arrive in May 2017. But thanks to all the asinine emissions BS, was delayed ... and delayed... and delayed. I ordered it / put deposit in March 2017, and didn't see it till August. It was WORTH the wait, and WORTH the price.
And for all those with warranty concerns? Just buy the extended warranty.
Hey man, can you do a MC Commute review on the Kawasaki H2 ?
An excellent video as always Zach. I still think it's a little vibey, I noticed your breath cuts.I rode one , my hands felt immediately some vibrations.If you ride sthing smoother everyday, you will need to adapt.If not , then , well, no problem :D
Finally, had presumed you guys are skipping the 2018 Duke 390. Been waiting for this since RC 390 you guys did earlier. Also, not sure about the height, I'm 6'2" it seems perfect, my roommates 5'4",he can barely put both his foot down.
Bharathesh Acharya I have 30 inch inseam and I can only get the balls of my feet with both legs. But with one foot on the side it’ll flatten out.
790 is lower seat height than 390 (!) so maybe go for that. Am 6' 2" and feel a bit oversize on my 390. Knees slightly bent, feet planted. There is a lower seat option if I remember. Would love to be 3 stone lighter so look on the bright side you short bikers😂
Would you buy it because of the reliability question mark?
dry509 mine has 4,000 miles on it and it runs buttery smooth. No problems. I’ve even dropped the bike three times due to unfortunate accidents and the bike is a frickin champ. Just remember to do the first service which includes valve adjustment.
Solid review 👍🏻
What do you thing about duke 250
You could have talked about how the display changes from day mode to night mode how it blinks and changes color at redline. You could have mentioned how is it goes back to road mode when it is shut off and started....how the blinker indicator looks like a hazard light indicator.
Mirrors vibrate more or less depending on the fastener torque. Night and day on the Versys by loosening or snugging up the nuts.
How tall are you and do you consider this a small or Littel bike like many others suggest?
I'm 6'2" with a 32" inseam and I don't think it's small when I'm on it.
Is that Miles per hour or Kilometers per hour?
Hello great video could you perhaps do a video on the ktm 690 duke or is it hard to get in the us
I was considering this and the Honda CB500F. Ended up going with the Honda, because of reliability, and proximity of dealers/shops for service if needed. But if a bump in power too and was given a good deal on the Honda.
Can u upgrade the stock tyre size of the duke 390 to 120/70-17 front and 160/60-17 without affecting its handling and performance? A million thanks..
Well yes i did that on a aprilia rs 125 and it affected the handling a bit but not by alot
You *can* go through controlled left turn; just be prudent about it. It's in the vehicle code.
Do you mind sharing how much you weight?
KTM 390 Duke or Honda CB500f?