Yammie Noob i love my duke it’s my first bike and my stepstone to the bigger bikes in a few years when i feel more experienced on the road. Besides in Belgium the small roads don’t allow for the major league sportsbikes so this is perfect for now
I got duke 390 recently. 3000 kms on it now. I am 56 kgs and 5.6". It doesn't take me to get to 130 kmph at all. It is faster than 80 percent of the cars, so getting to highway speed is not a problem. Problem is going on straight highways where wind gets you a lot. This bike shakes as single cylinder bikes do. I felt tired after 300kms ride.
My little duke is a blast! It’s much more than a “beginner bike.” Anybody with years experience would enjoy owning this bike. Best part about it is that you can ride this thing to its full potential! Lil duke will put a smile on anyone’s face.... regardless of experience.
it is true!, sometimes it clicks in place soo damn good and sometimes im unsure if im gonna rev in neutral trying to get it on 2, but overall is an amazing bike
Wait waaat, I struggled to do a 100 miles, my butt and groin were really aching and going above 70 mph is a pain How did you manage it can you elaborate
I bought my 2019 390 Duke three weeks ago. I have 15 years of riding experience and a 2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport. I bought the Baby Duke because all the reviews said it was entertaining enough for experienced riders and I got it for $4200. It’s a fantastic machine given the price, and the first 530 miles have been great fun. To me it’s more than just a great beginners bike, it’s a fantastic motorcycle, period.
Pls , am riding 250 km on daily routine 150 inside the city others between tow cities , did this bike will be good for me as I have now Honda cbr600 but am suffering from low back pain , kindly waiting your feedback , thanks in advance
Thanks guys just bought 2019 last month. I’m 6’ 200lbs and I feel great on it. I did get the comfort seat and that’s made a huge difference. Before it, 30 minutes was enough for me but now I last for hours. For $135 it’s worth every penny.
I really appreciate that the display reads battery voltage. The transmission is amazing, it's quick and smooth with great feedback. Made me feel like a pro after only half an hour of riding. I have a 2018 model and my only gripe so far is how frequently the fans turn on to cool the engine. To be fair though I've only been riding in hot weather, so we'll see. It's not a bother while riding, just at a stop. The engine vibration doesn't bother me, I like it as a characteristic of the bike itself and it's very minimal. I have a feeling dirt biking is in my future... Otherwise, I love this bike! And the seat is very comfortable for me, I went two hours on my first ride without issue. The riding position is excellent, and the mirrors though hideous, provide superb visibility. For reference, I'm 5'11, 150lbs
@@baileywills8267 What's the difference with the 2022 model? I heard they've been making small changes to improve engine heat the last few years. The 2022 version is slightly more expensive though so I don't know if it's worth it.
@@stevenz2998 heating wise i think its the same but you can solve that problem just by switching the engine oil and maybe the coolant brand too. I use castrol power 1 ultimate 15w 50 on my 2017 rc no heating issue whatsoever the temp stays in the middle of the heat gauge i live in India so you can guess the climate conditions.
I bought a 2021 390 duke and have almost 4k in it now , I ride it everyday, the transmission is the smoothest between 6000-7000, there is almost no vibration. So I’m 6th gear that is 62 mph to about 69mph. I tend to ride it around 72 on the highway anymore than that you can feel the motor more and more, and also gas goes down substantially above 6500rpm
I've got 630-some miles on my 390 and I was CONVINCED that I had ruined the transmission. So I am actually glad to hear you say it is clunky between 1 & 2.
I own the 2016 KTM Duke 390 and I completely agree with the comments about the transmission. The KTM Dukes from 2017 and newer made massive improvements to the transmission. Also, the seats are the worst feature.
I have this bike and omg it is a very perfect machine. So much better than my Honda cb 650. This little bike is so powerful and great to ride. Reliability is definitely on par with Honda. ❤❤❤
I commute highway daily on my Duke 390 at 80+mph comfortably and rip up some canyons on the weekend with much larger bikes. I've had quite a few people get off their bike at the next pit stop on our group rides and say "man, that thing moves, eh?" I can lose some much more powerful bikes in the canyons like its nothing.
I can safely guarantee than no one has ever stopped and said "man, that thing moves, eh?" If they have its maybe because they thought it was a quick 125. Not inuslting the bike at all, but you bought a small bike, stop telling yourself that you "totally smoked an r6 bro" because you were wide open throttle passed him when he was cruising.
For riders being worried about the seat height: I am 5ft9 (175 cm for normal people) and can still flat foot it. *However* go and sit on one at a dealership if you are considering purchasing one.
@@joeharris825 I did but it really takes some time to get it up to 75mph. I ended up trading the 390 in for a 790 Duke and the. Traded the 790 in for a MT07. I’m loving the MT
'16 Duke owner. Very confidence inspiring, light, maneuverable bike. ABS standard. Upside down forks. Has enough power for highway but it's not meant for maintaining 75+mph despite the 110mph limiter. Great fun in the twisties and parking lot maneuvers. I also ride an '07 R6 and I appreciate the Duke more quite honestly. Sit on one and compare to the ninja and decide which one fits your body more because of the seat height (31-32[.5?] in) and your leg length (tanks can be cramping on knees due to shape) Edit: I highly suggest a '17 on model. They're more reliable and come with a slipper clutch standard, TFT display, and LED lights all the way around (I believe the headlights as well)
@Brown Green The vibration is all too true. The ninja/z400 have a twin cylinder so will be smoother. I just changed grips and pegs so hopefully that fixes some of the duke's vibrations. Torque for days though
IKR, I be trying to keep up with supercars just to keep looking at those beautiful things...might think twice about that if I ever get a bike 😅 will prolly take the test when I get back from vacation.
The vibration is because it only has 1 cylinder. No counter balance. Low rpm shakes, mid is fine (because of crank counter balance), and high rpm shakes.
Thanks, guys & I've been riding one myself for the last 3 years & I'm in Love with it. For me, it is the riding experience that made me fall in love with the bike & I suppose I can add the Value For Money factor into this as well, cause I couldn't find another bike with all the bells & whistles that the Duke 390 has & for this price tag! Agreed that the seat is damn stiff... I'm hoping to get a gel seat sometime soon. Cheers
Really like the format of this video. Also it would be entertaining if you did a “living with” bike series but spite had to live with sports bikes, while Yammie had to live with cruisers.
"I'm sick of people saying small bikes don't do well on the highway." Literally moments later "Yeah It doesn't like to go over 60mph and 6th gear is useless." This dudes face when he realizes the vast majority of highways in the US are 70, 75, and even 80mph.
what 60mph, my wr125x can do 70 with the gearing changed for acceleration and it doesn't sound like it's gonna blow up. edit; 6TH gear isn't meant for pulling away fast, it is for most of the time cruising unless you have the throttle wide open from 1ST. What i think is sad though out of this is that something like an aprilla rs125 would smoke the duke 390 as that bike is able to do 100mph. one last thing i feel that this is probably more of a problem with a duke 390.
Thanks Spite! Awesome video. Great to see the sites of Austin once again. Duke 390 definitely at the top of my short list for new rider purchase (like me!). Appreciate it, from one Texan to another.
Thanks, was thinking my old man back wouldn't be able to hack it on the little Duke, but I am going to check it out at the dealer based on your review.
Completely agree on the freeway topic. My Z400 has plenty enough power to zip around as needed and do the California flow of traffic which typically runs 75-85 pending on where you ride. Rarely does ANYONE in California drive the posted speed limit. Unless your either an elderly person, driving with a load of stuff in the car that obstructs your rear view and tourists. Even semi’s are driving too fast in the slow lane at times. But that’s besides the point. The Duke 390 and my Z400 are perfectly fine getting up to speed and getting around. Mind you that I’m in the light weight side of riders (buck fifty range). So body weight and size will vary your riding experience.
This is great! Awesome video, I love seeing Spite in more and more videos and this was an awesome idea for someone really looking at what living with a bike is like. Yall should make this a series for Spite where he does this with all the giveaway bikes!!!
I’m 6’1” 260. At 53 years old, I’ve spent a lifetime chasing the “biggest bang for my buck”...GS1100, vf1000R, fjr1300 are some of my peak moments...My daily for the last few years has been a C-50 Boulevard and it has taught me that Enough is Plenty. I’m wanting to go smaller and ride the backroads and turn off on the dirt roads, and maybe even get a little OFF road. At my weight, I’m not sure a 400 will lug my big ass around well though so I’m still shopping the 650-800 sort of range. Am I wrong?
I just bought a 2022 model and love it so far, the transmission is great and it accelerates like a beast. Can get a bit uncomfortable after a long ride but otherwise just a fun bike
The 390 Duke is a fantastic bike and appropriate for any skill level. Don't let anybody tell you it's a "beginner bike." It's plenty fast, light, and fun to ride everywhere and every day.
I have been riding for 50 years I have a 2016 390 duke it's all I need in the uk it's a great bike really don't need anything bigger it's got more than enough power for our motorways it gets up to 90 mph no problem with more to come.
My eldest lad is after this bike now all my RUclips history is about this bike if I have to hear about it 1 more time I might do something we both regret 😆 but you did clear up the weight issue so thanks 👍
Sat my daughter on this she’s 5’3 she felt a little uncomfortable for new rider with height, so bought this and z125 for her to start getting comfortable
I have a bad back and the seating position is fantastic . The seat is hard but I have got used to it. But most new bike seat are appalling. I'm 117 kilos in wait and this bike performs like I'm 50 kilos. It's a joy to ride.
Was set to a 390, but none at the dealerships close by. In the meantime, my friend in AZ had a Ducati 821 Hypermotard for sale in pristine condition and 2,700 miles for $5k. Guess which bike I chose as my first street bike? Prego.
Here in Mexico KTM sells the 390 but also Bajaj sells the Dominar that shares the same engine, frame and suspension, and is made in the same factory, and here the Dominar has a really good reputation on reliability, even they made a video driving from Alaska to Argentina, to prove the reliability. You can watch any indian video talking about the Dominar and it's practically the same bike as the 390, the only difference is that the 390 has a little more power in the top end and more electronics, but I don't think that you could go wrong with it
@@ingenieriasdwight9585 my Duke390 has 6000 kms (more or less 3720 miles) and the clutch wire ripped 2 weeks ago, which is not really normal as it is supposed to last at least 15000-20000 kms I think. My mechanic said it was really tight and cheap so he replaced it with another one not specific for KTM (and now the clutch feels much better).
i have 2017 duke 250 (asian market)....it has 31000km clocked...no problem whatsoever...only change the battery (already 3 years)....tires (stock mrf tires is suck)...and regularly changed my air filter...oil filter and engine oil...im still ride it daily 👌
Thank you for coming right out and saying your height and weight. A lot of manufacturers' press photos show models on bikes and you have no idea what your actual riding position would be.
I live in Southern California, if the freeway isn't in parking lot mode then you DO need to be doing 90-100 before you start passing cars... the slow cars
Slight exaggeration sir. I live in San Diego and you are passing everybody at 80. If you are going 90, you will be one of those idiots who is changing lanes every 2 seconds .
Spite. It's the rev range at a nominal 70mph interstate speed that is the consideration for a larger cc bike. Some bikes are just naturally " buzzy" no matter the rev range, MANY are buzzy with a lower cc engine. I would assume that is the "argument" that could be made for a larger cc bike.
It would be nice to see a 390 Duke done as a Project Scrambler . The stock clearance isnt bad at 7.3 inches. There are bikes touted as Adventure bikes that have 6 inches. What do you think ?
I would love that bike. I would only ride one hour at a time to and from work. I’m happy to hear that you know that it shifted and you can really feel it so you don’t upshift too far and skip gears...
My Husky 701 was stolen last week. Since I commute 90% of the time do you think I could love this little guy? Hoping so but my local deal doesn't allow test rides.
This review was so weird… Anyone wondering, the Duke 390 is the best entry level bike in HISTORY. The Superduke 1290R is the best street bike in HISTORY. The end.
What’s the most recommended small (300cc to 500cc) bike for a 64-year old guy that hasn’t owned a bike since his late 20’s? I’m in great physical shape, 5’11” tall, 175lbs, 32” pants inseam. My bike in my late teen’s was a Honda 500-4cylinder. Then in my 20’s, a Honda 750-4cylinder. I’d rather try a smaller naked, and then if I want to upsize, then go to a Yamaha MT-07. For now though, should I get a KTM Duke 390, Yamaha MT-03, Honda cb300r, or a Kawasaki Z400?
Fair play for doing a little maintenance section but that looks a real pain. No centrestand, not much scope for maladjusted chain, no rubber guide on the arm either means chain adjustment is pain. Also Shim valve adjustment which means long downtime to do valves. luggage capacity seems a bit limited. Maybe not such good choice for new rider commuting to college??? Also no riding in adverse weather.
I just bought the 390 adventure, which is for the most part, the same bike. Fantastic place to learn, I was gonna get the Duke but wanted something that can "sort of" off road, without having to live with a dual sport.
Hey Spite, thanks for crushing that small-engine-interstate bit. Also, I love your feedback on ergo and feel since you and I are roughly the same size and that is always on my mind when researching bikes. Thanks brother!
had it for three years, love it, had a 1290sdr on the side for a season, sold the money-pit of doom, kept the little one. i went on weekend trips, 2-up with side panniers and everything. gotta admit that i tried to avoid the highway whenever possible. it can do highway for sure but it's not fun. i'thinking of getting the ugly 790adv because they say it's kind of a jack of all trades.
Im a bigger guy and have a big cruiser but I don’t take it out much for long rides like I planned. Thinking about this bike to whip it around town for quick get arounds.
In my country duke 390 is consider beast and its cost around 9k USD in a country where minimum wage is 150-200USD , it's a dream for kids like me to own one of these
Who out there is rocking the Duke 390? Did Spite get it right? Don't forget to get signed up to win this motorcycle for free over on yammienoob.co
Yammie Noob i love my duke it’s my first bike and my stepstone to the bigger bikes in a few years when i feel more experienced on the road. Besides in Belgium the small roads don’t allow for the major league sportsbikes so this is perfect for now
I have a duke 125 and love it, unfortunately I can’t get a bigger bike till I’m 19
I got duke 390 recently. 3000 kms on it now. I am 56 kgs and 5.6". It doesn't take me to get to 130 kmph at all. It is faster than 80 percent of the cars, so getting to highway speed is not a problem. Problem is going on straight highways where wind gets you a lot. This bike shakes as single cylinder bikes do. I felt tired after 300kms ride.
My little duke is a blast! It’s much more than a “beginner bike.” Anybody with years experience would enjoy owning this bike. Best part about it is that you can ride this thing to its full potential! Lil duke will put a smile on anyone’s face.... regardless of experience.
I have the 390 Adventure and just passed the 1,000km mark so can rev the engine up to redline and it is a BLAST!
Just put my deposit down on a Duke. My first bike at 62! Looking forward to living the dream....
How’s it been going?!
Nice 52 same me 👍
Get mine on Tuesday, I'm 65 and didn't want to ride an Exocet missile anymore. ( or couldn't )
How much was it
@@easye1311 - try google.
So the transmission is clunky, feels great, has a bad 6th gear, shifts smoothly.... wtf are you saying man?
i dont know what to believe lmfao
They are talking about the ktm rc390 i believe
it is true!, sometimes it clicks in place soo damn good and sometimes im unsure if im gonna rev in neutral trying to get it on 2, but overall is an amazing bike
Glad to know I wasn’t the only person who caught that
"This thing is fine on the highway." "This thing hates to be above 60 mph and 6th gear is useless".
I have a Duke 390 and long-distance tour on it regularly. Done near 400 mile days with little issue. The Duke is the most fun bike I have ever ridden.
What about the bumps people say it has?
Wait waaat, I struggled to do a 100 miles, my butt and groin were really aching and going above 70 mph is a pain
How did you manage it can you elaborate
‘You can engage with this awesome transmission’ Next line he said ‘the one downside of this bike is the clunky transmission’ 😂😂😂
Oof
It can still be awesome and be a little clunky I guess but you’re right, sort of contradictory
It's a great bike all around I'm at 1k miles on my 2020 390 and it is clunky but still very good feed back
"I wanna show you one of my fav features" "I could take it or leave it, that's not how I ride"
By clunky he meant that in a good way. In a motorcycle you want that feeling of it “clunking” into gear. Makes you feel the power more
I bought my 2019 390 Duke three weeks ago. I have 15 years of riding experience and a 2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport. I bought the Baby Duke because all the reviews said it was entertaining enough for experienced riders and I got it for $4200. It’s a fantastic machine given the price, and the first 530 miles have been great fun. To me it’s more than just a great beginners bike, it’s a fantastic motorcycle, period.
Pls , am riding 250 km on daily routine 150 inside the city others between tow cities , did this bike will be good for me as I have now Honda cbr600 but am suffering from low back pain , kindly waiting your feedback , thanks in advance
It sure is. I had a Nuda 900 for 4 years and traded it in on a 390. They are great bikes, not just great little beginner bikes.
See now theres someone who gets it.
@@mohamedselim3785 wait for the 490 😁
How is it aging? Any particular maintenance issues or whatnot?
Thanks guys just bought 2019 last month. I’m 6’ 200lbs and I feel great on it. I did get the comfort seat and that’s made a huge difference. Before it, 30 minutes was enough for me but now I last for hours. For $135 it’s worth every penny.
"30 minutes was enough for me but now I last for hours" 🤯😉
“I am completely comfortable on it” 1 minute later(literally lol) “the seat suckksssss”
I really appreciate that the display reads battery voltage.
The transmission is amazing, it's quick and smooth with great feedback. Made me feel like a pro after only half an hour of riding.
I have a 2018 model and my only gripe so far is how frequently the fans turn on to cool the engine. To be fair though I've only been riding in hot weather, so we'll see. It's not a bother while riding, just at a stop. The engine vibration doesn't bother me, I like it as a characteristic of the bike itself and it's very minimal.
I have a feeling dirt biking is in my future...
Otherwise, I love this bike!
And the seat is very comfortable for me, I went two hours on my first ride without issue. The riding position is excellent, and the mirrors though hideous, provide superb visibility.
For reference, I'm 5'11, 150lbs
Is it me or is this guy contradicting EVERYTHING HE SAYS ABOUT THE BIKE??
It's so great it boggles the mind
I think I've decided on this as my first bike. Never too old to get in the game ;)
Did you go through with it?
In getting one in a few months 2021 model
@@baileywills8267 What's the difference with the 2022 model? I heard they've been making small changes to improve engine heat the last few years. The 2022 version is slightly more expensive though so I don't know if it's worth it.
@@stevenz2998 heating wise i think its the same but you can solve that problem just by switching the engine oil and maybe the coolant brand too. I use castrol power 1 ultimate 15w 50 on my 2017 rc no heating issue whatsoever the temp stays in the middle of the heat gauge i live in India so you can guess the climate conditions.
@@CanonBrahma2 same as my 2019…sits in the middle no matter what. South Africa.
"It doesn't like going above 60," and the contention it's fine on the highway contradict each other. Which is it?
It gets viby at 60, but it performs fine otherwise on highways.
Change ya sprocket if you like the highway. But this is a city bike. I bought one to commute at 75 on William Cannon.
I bought a 2021 390 duke and have almost 4k in it now , I ride it everyday, the transmission is the smoothest between 6000-7000, there is almost no vibration. So I’m 6th gear that is 62 mph to about 69mph. I tend to ride it around 72 on the highway anymore than that you can feel the motor more and more, and also gas goes down substantially above 6500rpm
the 390 is good for 110 mph they make all there power at 8500rpm...this guy cant ride ignore everything he says
I own a 390 couldn't e happier. For me the next step would be a supermoto since I just love them. The duke is a great teacher for the next step.
Greeting from Brazil. I’ve been following your channel for the last 3 years and I love it. I’m getting myself a duke390 next month. :)
Já tem concessionária da Ktm no Brasil? Acho a Duke muito legal mas nunca vi uma pessoalmente =/
Poucas. Mas têm sim... :)
Came for the bike content. Stayed for the ripped jeans.
I've got 630-some miles on my 390 and I was CONVINCED that I had ruined the transmission. So I am actually glad to hear you say it is clunky between 1 & 2.
The gear change on my duke 390 is buttery smooth and accurate. Check or adjust your clutch. Nothing is wrong with the gear.
I own the 2016 KTM Duke 390 and I completely agree with the comments about the transmission. The KTM Dukes from 2017 and newer made massive improvements to the transmission.
Also, the seats are the worst feature.
I have this bike and omg it is a very perfect machine. So much better than my Honda cb 650. This little bike is so powerful and great to ride. Reliability is definitely on par with Honda. ❤❤❤
I commute highway daily on my Duke 390 at 80+mph comfortably and rip up some canyons on the weekend with much larger bikes. I've had quite a few people get off their bike at the next pit stop on our group rides and say "man, that thing moves, eh?" I can lose some much more powerful bikes in the canyons like its nothing.
You better have a frequent oil change and other maintenance. Otherwise your duke will suffer worse. 80mph+ is around 8000rpm above.....
I can safely guarantee than no one has ever stopped and said "man, that thing moves, eh?" If they have its maybe because they thought it was a quick 125. Not inuslting the bike at all, but you bought a small bike, stop telling yourself that you "totally smoked an r6 bro" because you were wide open throttle passed him when he was cruising.
I’m 6’3 260 pounds and love my Duke 390. I downsized from a 600.
im a tad smaller than you this is what i needed to hear thank ya!
Could you measure your inseam? Im the same height but i feel that i have longer legs and dont know if this would be comfortable for me
For riders being worried about the seat height:
I am 5ft9 (175 cm for normal people) and can still flat foot it.
*However* go and sit on one at a dealership if you are considering purchasing one.
I just bought the duke390... thanks for the video dude! You really put my mind at ease on many issues, so thanks man!
I just bought the 2019 390 Duke, it’s my first motorcycle and I’m loving it. I’m 6,2 and 240lbs. It fits me perfectly. Great video Spite!
Nice!
Do you ride on hwy.. Is it doing 75-80 easily
@@joeharris825 I did but it really takes some time to get it up to 75mph. I ended up trading the 390 in for a 790 Duke and the. Traded the 790 in for a MT07. I’m loving the MT
Could you do another one of these style for the MT-07, I really enjoyed this format
Justin Thai with the 2021 (which will probably will be redesigned) would be amazing😍
I'm 6 ft 2 and fit the mt07 fine, so picture spite on the xsr700. Same motor pretty much same size 🤷♂️💯
Im getting ready to get my first bike and im stuck between the duke 390 and ninja 400, thanks for the info you guys provide
That depends on what you like more, naked bikes or sportbikes
If new, duke, if used, the one in better condition.
Duke is powerful and torquy little thing
'16 Duke owner. Very confidence inspiring, light, maneuverable bike. ABS standard. Upside down forks. Has enough power for highway but it's not meant for maintaining 75+mph despite the 110mph limiter. Great fun in the twisties and parking lot maneuvers. I also ride an '07 R6 and I appreciate the Duke more quite honestly. Sit on one and compare to the ninja and decide which one fits your body more because of the seat height (31-32[.5?] in) and your leg length (tanks can be cramping on knees due to shape)
Edit: I highly suggest a '17 on model. They're more reliable and come with a slipper clutch standard, TFT display, and LED lights all the way around (I believe the headlights as well)
@Brown Green The vibration is all too true. The ninja/z400 have a twin cylinder so will be smoother. I just changed grips and pegs so hopefully that fixes some of the duke's vibrations. Torque for days though
well, if your idea of a “small bike” is a CB125, then yeah, highways are a challenge.
What about CB300r?
Yeah i got a CB250 it holds its own on the highway... 70 is comfy any higher and its just bitching to slow down
Duke 390 can keep up with a McLaren CONFIRMED!!!
*At red light
@@funkymole1659 in dealership shop 😂😂
My 50cc vespa easily overtakes a super car... If it's parked tho
IKR, I be trying to keep up with supercars just to keep looking at those beautiful things...might think twice about that if I ever get a bike 😅 will prolly take the test when I get back from vacation.
On tight twisty roads yes
Knowing that this is an awesome beginners bike than any else? I love to have this. Thank you for the honest review!
The vibration is because it only has 1 cylinder. No counter balance. Low rpm shakes, mid is fine (because of crank counter balance), and high rpm shakes.
Thanks, guys & I've been riding one myself for the last 3 years & I'm in Love with it. For me, it is the riding experience that made me fall in love with the bike & I suppose I can add the Value For Money factor into this as well, cause I couldn't find another bike with all the bells & whistles that the Duke 390 has & for this price tag! Agreed that the seat is damn stiff... I'm hoping to get a gel seat sometime soon. Cheers
Yammie needs to be the one who will do "Living with the Busa" i'd be down to watch everything he will say about it
Really like the format of this video. Also it would be entertaining if you did a “living with” bike series but spite had to live with sports bikes, while Yammie had to live with cruisers.
"I'm sick of people saying small bikes don't do well on the highway."
Literally moments later
"Yeah It doesn't like to go over 60mph and 6th gear is useless."
This dudes face when he realizes the vast majority of highways in the US are 70, 75, and even 80mph.
Tolls roads top out at 85mph limit in Central TX. Cruising speed would be ~95 naturally.
what 60mph, my wr125x can do 70 with the gearing changed for acceleration and it doesn't sound like it's gonna blow up.
edit; 6TH gear isn't meant for pulling away fast, it is for most of the time cruising unless you have the throttle wide open from 1ST.
What i think is sad though out of this is that something like an aprilla rs125 would smoke the duke 390 as that bike is able to do 100mph. one last thing i feel that this is probably more of a problem with a duke 390.
Ya and that flashing rpm when you go real highway speeds is soooo annoying
Yea, try freeway on a TW200, definitely not enough power and super twitchy chassis at like 60+.
LEVIATHANS i hit over 105 on a duke 390 at cota.
Thanks Spite! Awesome video. Great to see the sites of Austin once again. Duke 390 definitely at the top of my short list for new rider purchase (like me!). Appreciate it, from one Texan to another.
Great review.. by far the most detailed review on RUclips..
Thanks, was thinking my old man back wouldn't be able to hack it on the little Duke, but I am going to check it out at the dealer based on your review.
Just bought this bike, am waiting for the dealer to prepare it so I can pick it up. Glad to see this review
Why?
I like spike. He does a good job at keeping my interest and explains things well. Some days its a nice change to the YAM!!
Luv ya buddy!!
That giggle at 14.25 is exactly why you want a duke 390
Good job on the video! Enjoy getting your perspective! Keep up the cool content!
im confused @4:10 SPITE SAYS "the down side is transmission is clunky"/he says 6th gear is a joke/then he says trans is great! which is it??
This dude ruins the channel
@@MeyerBen27 11 months on, you love his content now right?
Completely agree on the freeway topic. My Z400 has plenty enough power to zip around as needed and do the California flow of traffic which typically runs 75-85 pending on where you ride. Rarely does ANYONE in California drive the posted speed limit. Unless your either an elderly person, driving with a load of stuff in the car that obstructs your rear view and tourists. Even semi’s are driving too fast in the slow lane at times. But that’s besides the point.
The Duke 390 and my Z400 are perfectly fine getting up to speed and getting around. Mind you that I’m in the light weight side of riders (buck fifty range). So body weight and size will vary your riding experience.
New leftover 2023 Dukes 390’s are getting really cheap from the bigger dealers in CA. I think I might grab one for a fun toy and backup bike.
Great video Spite! Detailed and lots of things covered. I hope you do both the other giveaway bikes.
If youre saying this is not enough on the highway its like saying you need atleast a car with 450hp 💞👁️👄👁️💞
This bike comfortable at 80 mph all day long on the freeway. Great commuter bike
?? You know this from experience
This is great! Awesome video, I love seeing Spite in more and more videos and this was an awesome idea for someone really looking at what living with a bike is like. Yall should make this a series for Spite where he does this with all the giveaway bikes!!!
6th gear is great on this bike, tons of passing power. This guy crazy
Could you guys possibly have a vitpilen 401 as a giveaway bike? Would love to see content on it
That would be cool. More of a svartpilen guy myself but vitpilen would be nice
Why would you want that, it's the same as this.
@@schana96 different ergonomics basically. But id love to see someone really outline the ergonomics are all 3.
I like the svarptilen better!
@@ironized same ergos as the RC390 which Yammienoob already gave away
I’m 6’1” 260. At 53 years old, I’ve spent a lifetime chasing the “biggest bang for my buck”...GS1100, vf1000R, fjr1300 are some of my peak moments...My daily for the last few years has been a C-50 Boulevard and it has taught me that Enough is Plenty. I’m wanting to go smaller and ride the backroads and turn off on the dirt roads, and maybe even get a little OFF road. At my weight, I’m not sure a 400 will lug my big ass around well though so I’m still shopping the 650-800 sort of range. Am I wrong?
Spite is absolutely killing it. Any chance we’ll ever get an Isle of Man TT history video?
BK i second this^
theclash181 it’s my dream to race in it one day. have had the buzz since the first time I saw a video of it when I was 5.
Great idea.
Yes please
50 yrs old thinking this would be a great starter bike . better late than never.
I just bought a 2022 model and love it so far, the transmission is great and it accelerates like a beast. Can get a bit uncomfortable after a long ride but otherwise just a fun bike
Getting one next week! Really excited
Find a gel seat pad that fits that's how I ride for hrs at a time
Duke 390 is my dream bike. Hope to ride one of these one day.
Think you should dream a bit higher bro
@@TheJPHarveyIt will come to that once I get one of those. One at a time.
@@TheJPHarvey It costs more than the average gdp per capita of the world, I would say it is high enough of a dream for an average person.
The 390 Duke is a fantastic bike and appropriate for any skill level. Don't let anybody tell you it's a "beginner bike." It's plenty fast, light, and fun to ride everywhere and every day.
*I feel attacked by the thumbnail*
Ohh sure, the harley guy wants analog tack and needles lol.
yooo spite with the destiny 2 triumph shirt! i have the same one. this is a collision of interests i didn’t expect.
papa Yam sighting at 16:49 ?? hmmm... boss man looking over ya shoulder huh Spite??
Keep going with the taller dudes on bikes series. 6'3 is always a bit of a problem for my gangly limbs. Thanks
I have been riding for 50 years I have a 2016 390 duke it's all I need in the uk it's a great bike really don't need anything bigger it's got more than enough power for our motorways it gets up to 90 mph no problem with more to come.
Thanks for the great video. I bought a 2020 390 Duke. Love it!
My eldest lad is after this bike now all my RUclips history is about this bike if I have to hear about it 1 more time I might do something we both regret 😆 but you did clear up the weight issue so thanks 👍
There's a 200 Duke too.
Sat my daughter on this she’s 5’3 she felt a little uncomfortable for new rider with height, so bought this and z125 for her to start getting comfortable
Terrific video, you guys are easy to relate to and do great reviews. You have gained another subscriber.
I have a bad back and the seating position is fantastic . The seat is hard but I have got used to it. But most new bike seat are appalling. I'm 117 kilos in wait and this bike performs like I'm 50 kilos. It's a joy to ride.
Was set to a 390, but none at the dealerships close by. In the meantime, my friend in AZ had a Ducati 821 Hypermotard for sale in pristine condition and 2,700 miles for $5k.
Guess which bike I chose as my first street bike?
Prego.
Did KTM's reliability improved over the years? Reliability is the only thing that makes think twice about buying this little beast
Here in Mexico KTM sells the 390 but also Bajaj sells the Dominar that shares the same engine, frame and suspension, and is made in the same factory, and here the Dominar has a really good reputation on reliability, even they made a video driving from Alaska to Argentina, to prove the reliability.
You can watch any indian video talking about the Dominar and it's practically the same bike as the 390, the only difference is that the 390 has a little more power in the top end and more electronics, but I don't think that you could go wrong with it
@@ingenieriasdwight9585 my Duke390 has 6000 kms (more or less 3720 miles) and the clutch wire ripped 2 weeks ago, which is not really normal as it is supposed to last at least 15000-20000 kms I think. My mechanic said it was really tight and cheap so he replaced it with another one not specific for KTM (and now the clutch feels much better).
@@Fedvec01 wow! sad to hear that, man! But glad that is just a cable. My mechanic always says: iron has no word!
i have 2017 duke 250 (asian market)....it has 31000km clocked...no problem whatsoever...only change the battery (already 3 years)....tires (stock mrf tires is suck)...and regularly changed my air filter...oil filter and engine oil...im still ride it daily 👌
Excellent review! Thanks Spike!
Bought this as a second bike after watching this... Thanks yamminoob!
I love Spite's reviews. Very laid back and very informative. Pay that man!
Thank you for coming right out and saying your height and weight. A lot of manufacturers' press photos show models on bikes and you have no idea what your actual riding position would be.
I live in Southern California, if the freeway isn't in parking lot mode then you DO need to be doing 90-100 before you start passing cars... the slow cars
Slight exaggeration sir. I live in San Diego and you are passing everybody at 80. If you are going 90, you will be one of those idiots who is changing lanes every 2 seconds .
"Would I spend a whole day on this seat?" No I wooden't
Spite. It's the rev range at a nominal 70mph interstate speed that is the consideration for a larger cc bike. Some bikes are just naturally " buzzy" no matter the rev range, MANY are buzzy with a lower cc engine. I would assume that is the "argument" that could be made for a larger cc bike.
In India 400s are considered as biggest bikes and often bullied by cops
It would be nice to see a 390 Duke done as a Project Scrambler . The stock clearance isnt bad at 7.3 inches. There are bikes touted as Adventure bikes that have 6 inches. What do you think ?
Dang that chain looks great!!!
Spite is the man... greetings from Mexico to the entire yammie troop.
I would love that bike. I would only ride one hour at a time to and from work. I’m happy to hear that you know that it shifted and you can really feel it so you don’t upshift too far and skip gears...
Joh😱😱
it’s one of the best commuter bikes, a lot of fun in the city
My Husky 701 was stolen last week. Since I commute 90% of the time do you think I could love this little guy? Hoping so but my local deal doesn't allow test rides.
This review was so weird… Anyone wondering, the Duke 390 is the best entry level bike in HISTORY. The Superduke 1290R is the best street bike in HISTORY. The end.
What’s the most recommended small (300cc to 500cc) bike for a 64-year old guy that hasn’t owned a bike since his late 20’s?
I’m in great physical shape, 5’11” tall, 175lbs, 32” pants inseam.
My bike in my late teen’s was a Honda 500-4cylinder. Then in my 20’s, a Honda 750-4cylinder.
I’d rather try a smaller naked, and then if I want to upsize, then go to a Yamaha MT-07.
For now though, should I get a KTM Duke 390, Yamaha MT-03, Honda cb300r, or a Kawasaki Z400?
Great review guys !!
Fair play for doing a little maintenance section but that looks a real pain. No centrestand, not much scope for maladjusted chain, no rubber guide on the arm either means chain adjustment is pain. Also Shim valve adjustment which means long downtime to do valves. luggage capacity seems a bit limited. Maybe not such good choice for new rider commuting to college??? Also no riding in adverse weather.
I just bought the 390 adventure, which is for the most part, the same bike. Fantastic place to learn, I was gonna get the Duke but wanted something that can "sort of" off road, without having to live with a dual sport.
Hey Spite, thanks for crushing that small-engine-interstate bit. Also, I love your feedback on ergo and feel since you and I are roughly the same size and that is always on my mind when researching bikes. Thanks brother!
had it for three years, love it, had a 1290sdr on the side for a season, sold the money-pit of doom, kept the little one. i went on weekend trips, 2-up with side panniers and everything. gotta admit that i tried to avoid the highway whenever possible. it can do highway for sure but it's not fun. i'thinking of getting the ugly 790adv because they say it's kind of a jack of all trades.
I got a 2017 390 Duke for my first bike and love it. I get "nice bike" comments practically daily.
Drz-400sm and Duke 390 comparison video plssssss
Im getting one of there later this year, im super pumped!
Im a bigger guy and have a big cruiser but I don’t take it out much for long rides like I planned. Thinking about this bike to whip it around town for quick get arounds.
Awesome video guys i like bike reviews and this was great.
Not sure why but motorcycle manufacturers all seem to flatly refuse to make a comfortable seat.
to sell you the comfort seat in their parts catalog
@@flip_moto they succeeded
As a ~225-250lb 6ft+ rider I’d like to know your take on the 2022 RC 390
Hello Nice video.
I am currently in a dilemma between the Duke 390 and the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401.
In my country duke 390 is consider beast and its cost around 9k USD in a country where minimum wage is 150-200USD , it's a dream for kids like me to own one of these
Nice real world opinions of the bike, Spite, nice one!