Second Hand Bike Buyers

Buying Used: KTM Duke 390

KTM Duke 390

Absolute value is what the KTM Duke 390 brought to the table upon introduction in 2013. It excelled in outright displacement per rupee, bhp per rupee and of course the thrill of riding one, which can't be quantified unless the currency is adrenaline. Two years and a model refresh later, the Duke 390 offers even more phenomenal value as a used buy. Prices are
reasonable and there seems to be no dearth of choices in the second hand market - bikes that have run less than 10,000km are more common than you would think. This is not a cause for worry if you're a prospective buyer as it doesn't come down to a problem with the motorcycle itself.

Front Sprocket: First batch came with faulty lock nuts, need to replace

It seems that the 390 is the kind of bike that's like a springboard - sometimes catapulting riders onto higher capacity bikes and sometimes onto motorcycles that are more relaxed. Onto actually choosing one, an abused motorcycle will make itself heard. So, stay away from engines that sound rough - a well-kept one will settle into an idle at 1,800rpm without any clatter from the engine. There are a few known problems with the early models, most which can be solved quickly and in most cases, cheaply, right at the service station.

Rims: Inspect both rims for bends or cracks as they are prone to failure

The first batch of Dukes had an overheating problem that was rectified immediately. A lot of motorcycles seem to suffer a minor leak from the head gasket, usually fixed at service. This can be identified by a layer of grey gasket sealant around the mating surfaces of the head and block. Again, nothing to worry about here, my personal bike has been running fine for 10,000+km without any subsequent leaks. Keep in mind, though, this is an entry into high-performance motorcycling and tyres are accordingly expensive - a set of Metzeler M5s costs Rs 16,000. Less expensive options do exist, and you can shop around for Michelins (at a little over half the price) and still have peace of mind. Another point to be noted is that this motorcycle uses fully-synthetic oil. Expect to pay around Rs 2,000 for consumables at each (free) service.