• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

KTM 390's

PunkRockMonkey said:
With the RC390 weighing in at only 2-3 kg less than the 690 Duke, this bike could be a lot more fun once the power/weight ratio is increased even further.
Click to expand...

As someone who rides an RVF400 to work almost everyday and on the weekends I would not want a bike that weighed the same as my current bike, but put out almost 20hp less. I'd much rather go for the 690.
 
There were a handful at the track this weekend. I did not hear much positivity from those involved in riding or maintaining the machines.

The 10mm bolt that holds the front axle on is not very confidence inspiring, and one racer referred to it as their "paper motorcycle".

The R3's on the other hand...
 
Josh just told me "it's interesting." and his dad said the bike's sprung for an 8 year old. Cup spec suspension mind you. That's not stopping the local kids from winning on them.
 
Last edited:
frozenuts said:
There were a handful at the track this weekend. I did not hear much positivity from those involved in riding or maintaining the machines.

The 10mm bolt that holds the front axle on is not very confidence inspiring, and one racer referred to it as their "paper motorcycle".

The R3's on the other hand...
Click to expand...

10mm axle bolt on the 390 sm?
 
Krooklyn said:
As someone who rides an RVF400 to work almost everyday and on the weekends I would not want a bike that weighed the same as my current bike, but put out almost 20hp less. I'd much rather go for the 690.
Click to expand...

That's what I am wondering. It makes sense for countries with restricted license, or where there is no 70-90mph freeways to navigate. Here might as well get 690. It's light, small, although on a tall side,, and super fun in the mountains. Swap exhaust and cat with mid pipe and slip on, and it looses additional 20 pounds or so.
 
frozenuts said:
There were a handful at the track this weekend. I did not hear much positivity from those involved in riding or maintaining the machines.

The 10mm bolt that holds the front axle on is not very confidence inspiring, and one racer referred to it as their "paper motorcycle".

The R3's on the other hand...
Click to expand...

There are some pics on another forum of the wheels falling apart.

I wouldn't buy anything substantial produced in India.
 
Donelop said:
Josh just told me "it's interesting." and his dad said the bike's sprung for an 8 year old. Cup spec suspension mind you. That's not stopping the local kids from winning on them.
Click to expand...

Josh is like 90 pounds of youthful exuberance, so he will win on anything you put him on.
 
moto-rama said:
10mm axle bolt on the 390 sm?
Click to expand...

Each bike that I saw had the front wheel on so I was not able to look at the bolt itself, but it has a 10mm head on it. I guess that explains why the sliders are extra beefcake up front.
 
frozenuts said:
There were a handful at the track this weekend. I did not hear much positivity from those involved in riding or maintaining the machines.

The 10mm bolt that holds the front axle on is not very confidence inspiring, and one racer referred to it as their "paper motorcycle".

The R3's on the other hand...
Click to expand...

Well that's disappointing to hear. I was considering one as a recebike for 2016. Looks like I might go with the Ninjette.
 
UDRider said:
That's what I am wondering. It makes sense for countries with restricted license, or where there is no 70-90mph freeways to navigate. Here might as well get 690. It's light, small, although on a tall side,, and super fun in the mountains. Swap exhaust and cat with mid pipe and slip on, and it looses additional 20 pounds or so.
Click to expand...

And you can get an '08 or '09 Duke 690 for about the same cost as new 390. I can understand if you just want a beginner bike for the city, but not for much else. My RVF isn't exactly fun when travelling above 75, so cannot imagine what that 390 is like on the highway.
 
Wanted one to replace my SV on the track .. with all the hype its getting .. but might end up keeping my SV now ... thanks to CARB for the delay.
 
moto-rama said:
10mm axle bolt on the 390 sm?
Click to expand...
I haven't seen news about an SM version. I'd expect it to be significantly different - probably same engine but not much else. Or they could do something like with the 690, making an "SM" that isn't really a supermoto.
 
Krooklyn said:
My RVF isn't exactly fun when travelling above 75, so cannot imagine what that 390 is like on the highway.
Click to expand...
Could be smoother than the 690. I'm curious to find out...

Also not sure I ever see unmolested used 690s on the market. If you don't mind previous owner's mods used 690 might be a better deal.
 
Last edited:
I see on CL that dealers are getting them in. I want to hear a thorough review from someone who has ridden it on the track.
 
northbay motorsport has 1 on the showroom

me and my buddy saw it, and wondered why its a 390 when it only has like a 375cc or something short of 390......
 
The 1290 stole 11 of its ccs. That bike is just the schoolyard jerk.
 
The R3 in most shootouts I've seen is being given the nod over the second place KTM.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top