• 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

390 or 690? Apples and oranges really. If your riding preferences work with the smaller 390, you'll be golden with that choice but if you need the power of a big bore single, well...that's what you need.
 
phocup said:
Finally got a call from MotoCafe to come pick up my bike .. gonna need to go check it out this weekend. :)
Click to expand...

Eagerly awaiting to hear from this guy. He said he was going to pick up the 390 today. Not sure if it is the duke or RC though
 
ToraTora said:
It's not just a number, they are completely different bikes. The 690 steers like a truck. :p So it really isn't a question of having more power.
Click to expand...

If you need big bore power, it doesn't mater if it steers like a truck or not, you need the power. It will still turn, you just have to muscle it more.
 
Anytime someone bitches about a bike under 450 pounds turning like a truck, I just think they must be the very last T-Rex trying desperately to ride a motorcycle.
 
I was there a few hours ago and didn't get a test ride. So very disappointed. The only way I could maybe get a test ride for about 5 miles was if I bought the bike, did all the paperwork, then if I changed my mind after the test ride, I would get my money back. A bit too much of a hassle for me. Apparently all the cool kids with deposits down have been buying it untested but ended up loving it anyways.

After a little bit of a chat, the dealer mentioned a KTM demo day coming up soon ( Jun 20th ) where RC390 will be available for test rides so I gave up my place in line to wait for that day. The sales guy left to get on the phone and within a few minutes, lined up someone else coming in about an hour for the bike I just gave up.

No Dukes 390 available to even look at. There's been more of them arriving than RC but all sold immediately also.

I knew these bikes was hot but wow .. still kinda surprised considering the markup.

$5500 + $600 ( freight ) + $345.05 ( setup / prep ) + taxes. Probably $7k OTD.

I was only able to sit on the bike and look at it ( it looks GREAT in person ). The position is sporty but isn't as bad and overly aggressive as most mag would have you believe. The tank, which is covered by plastic, is really narrow. I had to make considerably more effort to close my legs squeeze my knee against it. Overall build quality wasn't low but seemed only for light duty. Slight subtle difference there. Throwing the bike over from the stand, it already felt light and nimble, but not much else I noticed without a test ride.

Also next to it was a cup bike. I was chit chatting with another customer about it. He asked about buying it, I mentioned the race license I thought you needed to show to buy one. The sales man claimed that it isn't a requirement anymore since they made a bunch of extra ones.
 
Last edited:
Z3n said:
Anytime someone bitches about a bike under 450 pounds turning like a truck, I just think they must be the very last T-Rex trying desperately to ride a motorcycle.
Click to expand...

Yup.

In addition to that, when one spends all their time riding mini bikes, their perspective might become a bit clouded...
 
slydrite said:
Yup.

In addition to that, when one spends all their time riding mini bikes, their perspective might become a bit clouded...
Click to expand...

Dunno, after I jumped back on Duke for short spin after riding the other bike, that weights 90lbs more, the steering wasn't as responsive. Not at a level of "like a truck", thought. Still nimble.

Lowering forks a bit probably should fix it. I think you did that with yours right?
 
Z3n said:
Anytime someone bitches about a bike under 450 pounds turning like a truck, I just think they must be the very last T-Rex trying desperately to ride a motorcycle.
Click to expand...

Ahhh. Yes well... That would be me but I'm Asian you see and my wrists are like that of a small girl child and I am of meager talent.
 
Z3n said:
Anytime someone bitches about a bike under 450 pounds turning like a truck, I just think they must be the very last T-Rex trying desperately to ride a motorcycle.
Click to expand...

imo, steerings more affected by tire profile than anything.
 
UDRider said:
Lowering forks a bit probably should fix it. I think you did that with yours right?
Click to expand...

Dave suggested I raise the forks by ~7mm from stock. More to stabilize the front in the esses than to make turn-in better. The 690 turns in beautifully, even on the budget stock suspension. That bike is a hoot and a half on the track.
 
Roadstergal said:
Dave suggested I raise the forks by ~7mm from stock. More to stabilize the front in the esses than to make turn-in better. The 690 turns in beautifully, even on the budget stock suspension. That bike is a hoot and a half on the track.
Click to expand...

:thumbup
 
phocup said:
After a little bit of a chat, the dealer mentioned a KTM demo day coming up soon ( Jun 20th ) where RC390 will be available for test rides so I gave up my place in line to wait for that day. The sales guy left to get on the phone and within a few minutes, lined up someone else coming in about an hour for the bike I just gave up.

No Dukes 390 available to even look at. There's been more of them arriving than RC but all sold immediately also.

I knew these bikes was hot but wow .. still kinda surprised considering the markup.

$5500 + $600 ( freight ) + $345.05 ( setup / prep ) + taxes. Probably $7k OTD.
Click to expand...

$7k is good used 690 (SMC, Duke) money. I cannot fathom skipping one those to get a 390.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top