I've just got a 21 plate. Downsized from a Honda vfr800, coz I'm getting older, and I was struggling with the weight. Not while I was riding, but it's a bit of a trek to get the bike out and put it away again after a ride. I haven't done many miles on the Duke yet, but I'm loving it so far. It's a little pocket rocket, plenty of acceleration in the lower gears, handles great and it's quite happy at motorway speeds. I don't think I've had so much fun on a bike for years. It's a lot more fun riding something like this at 100% than the bigger capacity/weight bikes I've had that realistically I was probably only capable of using 70% at most. Loving my KTM ❤️
When i drive on freeway, i am getting hit by cross winds and gets scrarier over 60mph even with puig windshield setup. Wondering how you are handling it
@rayj33 to be honest mate i stay off motorways and i normally only ride it if weathers good. I can imagine it getting scary with cross winds but I'd be on my bmw k1200rs if i was on a motorway. You can put a screen on the duke to help with any bufferting but nothing you can do about cross winds mate. Ride safe pal
I made a boo boo. I love the Duke but was wondering why it was sending my backside to the moon if I hit anything the slightest bit pot holio. I checked the rear shock pre load. It was on 4!!!!!!! I might be 110kg but I'm not riding knee down. So I get out the toolkit and drop it back to min preload. Oh the joy! Now I'm flat footed when stopped and it's so plush & comfortable now. Like night and day! But I gotta say the seat is pretty much ZX10-R hardish on me backside. Still I love it and missus says it's the most beautiful bike I've ever owned. Now that's some high praise indeed. lol Cheers mate.
Yes mate the seat is a little on the tough side. You can get a after market one off ebay but be quite expensive. Glad you sorted the rear shock out. One thing missing from duke is the front fork is none adjustable but they're in the sweet spot anyway so well done ktm.
Looks like great bike in the 2-3 grand used bike sector. Why no mainstand or fully enclosed chain? No kick start either so you're knackered on a flat battery. Then tft screens are ok til they go wrong. Its a sealed unit so if one bulb goes you need a complete replacement.
Hi i know what your saying but if battery goes flat the bike is easy to bump off and battery's are cheap and easy to fit. For the tft i don't think they have a bulb ? I could be wrong. Yes it's a great bike for price. Thank you for the comment and ride safe mate
@@Smiles_per_gallon01 Bump starting a bike with fuel injection and a dead battery is impossible because you need power for the electric pump whereas a carb works off the vacuum created by the engine. I'm basing my comments on previous experiences. I had to write off a gpz500 because the starter clutch went. Then the hi beam bulb or whatever it is went phut in my cbr250 and I had to replace the whole unit. No centre stand to save, what? 1 kilogram? is simply stupid. I ride a Jawa 350. I don't even think about the chain, just check when I have wheel off. Modern bikes have gone forwards AND backwards hence why old bikes go for daft money second hand. Sorry to rant. Your duke is the best all round A2, no question.
@tombartram7384 ok you obviously possess more Knowledge than me. Bet thats why it doesn't have a kick start maybe. I also have a bmw k1200rs that doesn't have a kick start too, she truly isn't for the faint-hearted and weights a tonne 😆
Great video thanks for sharing now im getting older i struggle with weight of bikes. I never even looked at the KTM range. I currently have a lexmoto LXS 125 155KG its a cracking little bike. But now ive seen the KTM 390 Duke which weighs little lighter than the LXS and the KTM 390 being 399cc is obviously quicker. Im 5ft 9 wwould that sit well for my hight? Plus what about the fan noise i keep hearing people say?
Thanks mate I'm glad you enjoyed it. Im 5.10 and i can flat foot although it is high you can lower the suspension on the rear, the fan noise i don't really notice it until the bike comes to a stop and it's only in hot weather. I love mine as it's very light and agile. The 2024 model is out and upgraded frame and engine. Thanks for the nice comment mate. Ride safe.
@Smiles_per_gallon01 one other question as I don't know about KTM would considering a used one from a dealer be a good idea or not. Thanks for your quick reply. Ride safe to mate.
@Steve200300 oh yes absolutely from a reputable dealer, i purchased mine from dobles honda 2020 model it was only 2 years old i paid a tad over 4k. Great bike but like any bike look after them they look after you. Ride safe mate
@Smiles_per_gallon01 after watching your video I'm going to have to go to my local dealer and take a look at the KTM 390. I've only just bought the LXS. Your right about looking after your bike they say stuff about china bikes lexmoto have come a long way now 2 years parts and labour warranty that's transferable. Many thanks for your replies and time very much appreciated. Ride safe mate
@Steve200300 oh mate thank you for your comments 👍 i really hope you find one, take one for a test ride and you will have the biggest grin on your face. Ride safe mate and you're welcome anytime.
@@Smiles_per_gallon01 Subscribed from Australia and your videos got me off my 2013 GSXR1000 25th anniversary edition and decades of 1,000cc mentalness and onto something this 64 year old 100kg Australian motorcycle veteran can enjoy in retirement and I have to say it's absolutely flippin brilliant! Brand new rideaway this week in March 2023 for 3,800 pound sterling. I absolutely love it! My Lord it's like a bicycle with an engine compared to my past steeds. Thanks mate! I hope to keep in touch and let you know how I'm going. Cheers. ;-))
@Come fly with me! mate thank you for the comment. I'm over the moon for you and i feel great that you enjoy my vlogs and you love your new bike. Please do stay in touch mate and ride safe. Hope to hear how you get on. Thanks again you've made my day.
@@Smiles_per_gallon01 Oh your commentary is excellent but those roads?? I honestly haven't had to ride on wet public roads in my entire time when not riding MX bikes. You blokes would have far better skills when it's slippy. Where I live in Australia? My road bikes don't even start or move for 3 months when it's winter. We are such wimps here eh? But thanks again. I was looking for a confirmation with REAL video footage from a REAL motorcyclist with experience before I decided to calm down and start just having fun again. I swear mate, this made me feel like I was 9 years old again and just starting out. Me missus is wondering what is going on but she's so happy the brutes have left my life and that she reckons I look so much happier. She reckons you are a top bloke! Crikey!!!??? You take care mate. Talk soon.
Waiting on my 2023 right now, will be my first bike. Super stoked.
You wont be disappointed mate.
Ride safe. Thanks for the comment 👍
I've just got a 21 plate. Downsized from a Honda vfr800, coz I'm getting older, and I was struggling with the weight. Not while I was riding, but it's a bit of a trek to get the bike out and put it away again after a ride. I haven't done many miles on the Duke yet, but I'm loving it so far. It's a little pocket rocket, plenty of acceleration in the lower gears, handles great and it's quite happy at motorway speeds. I don't think I've had so much fun on a bike for years. It's a lot more fun riding something like this at 100% than the bigger capacity/weight bikes I've had that realistically I was probably only capable of using 70% at most. Loving my KTM ❤️
Well said mate i couldn't say it better. Fantastic fun little rocket.
Thank you for the comment and Ride safe mate
When i drive on freeway, i am getting hit by cross winds and gets scrarier over 60mph even with puig windshield setup. Wondering how you are handling it
@rayj33 to be honest mate i stay off motorways and i normally only ride it if weathers good. I can imagine it getting scary with cross winds but I'd be on my bmw k1200rs if i was on a motorway. You can put a screen on the duke to help with any bufferting but nothing you can do about cross winds mate. Ride safe pal
@@Smiles_per_gallon01 i adjust preload today to 50% its much better now
@@rayj33 brilliant mate. New vlog up at 9am uk time
Hey up smiles, it sounds you really like that bike 😁, thanks for sharing, ride safe, Simon B 👍
Hey up Simon. Yes love the Ktm she's a true beaut. Thanks for your comment 👍 ride safe too mate
I made a boo boo. I love the Duke but was wondering why it was sending my backside to the moon if I hit anything the slightest bit pot holio. I checked the rear shock pre load. It was on 4!!!!!!! I might be 110kg but I'm not riding knee down. So I get out the toolkit and drop it back to min preload. Oh the joy! Now I'm flat footed when stopped and it's so plush & comfortable now. Like night and day! But I gotta say the seat is pretty much ZX10-R hardish on me backside. Still I love it and missus says it's the most beautiful bike I've ever owned. Now that's some high praise indeed. lol Cheers mate.
Yes mate the seat is a little on the tough side. You can get a after market one off ebay but be quite expensive. Glad you sorted the rear shock out. One thing missing from duke is the front fork is none adjustable but they're in the sweet spot anyway so well done ktm.
Is there a perfect bike out there? Probably not...
Looks like a great bike.... Lots to like about it!
Got a new 390 on my 60th, been Duked ever since. Hoping to get the 890r or 790 later this year. I love kTm😁.
Yes mate me too love Ktm.
You have a good machine.
Ride safe and please consider subscribing. Thank you for the comment
Sure is good to look at 👌
Sure is mate. Thank you for the comment friend. Ride safe
Looks like great bike in the 2-3 grand used bike sector. Why no mainstand or fully enclosed chain? No kick start either so you're knackered on a flat battery. Then tft screens are ok til they go wrong. Its a sealed unit so if one bulb goes you need a complete replacement.
Hi i know what your saying but if battery goes flat the bike is easy to bump off and battery's are cheap and easy to fit. For the tft i don't think they have a bulb ? I could be wrong. Yes it's a great bike for price. Thank you for the comment and ride safe mate
@@Smiles_per_gallon01 Bump starting a bike with fuel injection and a dead battery is impossible because you need power for the electric pump whereas a carb works off the vacuum created by the engine. I'm basing my comments on previous experiences. I had to write off a gpz500 because the starter clutch went. Then the hi beam bulb or whatever it is went phut in my cbr250 and I had to replace the whole unit. No centre stand to save, what? 1 kilogram? is simply stupid. I ride a Jawa 350. I don't even think about the chain, just check when I have wheel off. Modern bikes have gone forwards AND backwards hence why old bikes go for daft money second hand. Sorry to rant. Your duke is the best all round A2, no question.
@tombartram7384 ok you obviously possess more Knowledge than me.
Bet thats why it doesn't have a kick start maybe.
I also have a bmw k1200rs that doesn't have a kick start too, she truly isn't for the faint-hearted
and weights a tonne 😆
Great video thanks for sharing now im getting older i struggle with weight of bikes. I never even looked at the KTM range. I currently have a lexmoto LXS 125 155KG its a cracking little bike. But now ive seen the KTM 390 Duke which weighs little lighter than the LXS and the KTM 390 being 399cc is obviously quicker. Im 5ft 9 wwould that sit well for my hight? Plus what about the fan noise i keep hearing people say?
Thanks mate I'm glad you enjoyed it. Im 5.10 and i can flat foot although it is high you can lower the suspension on the rear, the fan noise i don't really notice it until the bike comes to a stop and it's only in hot weather. I love mine as it's very light and agile.
The 2024 model is out and upgraded frame and engine.
Thanks for the nice comment mate. Ride safe.
@Smiles_per_gallon01 one other question as I don't know about KTM would considering a used one from a dealer be a good idea or not. Thanks for your quick reply. Ride safe to mate.
@Steve200300 oh yes absolutely from a reputable dealer, i purchased mine from dobles honda 2020 model it was only 2 years old i paid a tad over 4k. Great bike but like any bike look after them they look after you. Ride safe mate
@Smiles_per_gallon01 after watching your video I'm going to have to go to my local dealer and take a look at the KTM 390. I've only just bought the LXS. Your right about looking after your bike they say stuff about china bikes lexmoto have come a long way now 2 years parts and labour warranty that's transferable. Many thanks for your replies and time very much appreciated. Ride safe mate
@Steve200300 oh mate thank you for your comments 👍 i really hope you find one, take one for a test ride and you will have the biggest grin on your face. Ride safe mate and you're welcome anytime.
Thanks for the video, is this the 2022 or 2023 model?
You're welcome mate it's a 2020 model 👍
@@Smiles_per_gallon01 okay thanks 👍, do you still own the bike? And still satisfied with it?
@ritchie1950 yes mate love it, been out today shooting a vlog.
Great LED's
Thank you.
@@Smiles_per_gallon01 Subscribed from Australia and your videos got me off my 2013 GSXR1000 25th anniversary edition and decades of 1,000cc mentalness and onto something this 64 year old 100kg Australian motorcycle veteran can enjoy in retirement and I have to say it's absolutely flippin brilliant! Brand new rideaway this week in March 2023 for 3,800 pound sterling. I absolutely love it! My Lord it's like a bicycle with an engine compared to my past steeds. Thanks mate! I hope to keep in touch and let you know how I'm going. Cheers. ;-))
@Come fly with me! mate thank you for the comment. I'm over the moon for you and i feel great that you enjoy my vlogs and you love your new bike. Please do stay in touch mate and ride safe. Hope to hear how you get on. Thanks again you've made my day.
@@Smiles_per_gallon01 Oh your commentary is excellent but those roads?? I honestly haven't had to ride on wet public roads in my entire time when not riding MX bikes. You blokes would have far better skills when it's slippy. Where I live in Australia? My road bikes don't even start or move for 3 months when it's winter. We are such wimps here eh? But thanks again. I was looking for a confirmation with REAL video footage from a REAL motorcyclist with experience before I decided to calm down and start just having fun again. I swear mate, this made me feel like I was 9 years old again and just starting out. Me missus is wondering what is going on but she's so happy the brutes have left my life and that she reckons I look so much happier. She reckons you are a top bloke! Crikey!!!??? You take care mate. Talk soon.
@Come fly with me! thanks again my friend you've made these vlogs worth while.
Ride safe pal thanks again.