Thanks for posting that up Laurie, most of the members on here will be happy with the outcome!
Latest Comparo..
Interesting...
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Come on..was there ever really any doubt? LOL
And thank you for the kind words
And thank you for the kind words
I guess there was an air of inevitability about it :grin:Come on..was there ever really any doubt? LOL
And thank you for the kind words
The KTM is a strong performer for a single cylinder bike but perhaps a bit narrow focus to appeal to a large proportion of the sector like the Kawasaki does. I tossed up initially between the KTM Duke 390 and the Ninja 400. It's hard when you cant test ride either of them though. I'm happy with my decision at this stage but will finally get to sample the goods next week!
For whatever reason I've always associated KTM with off road performance vehicles, and I often forget about their street bike models. I know in recent years they have made significant improvements upon their reliability, which I know was an issue on older models.
Yeah they have had a few issues unfortunately and did you notice Ari made a quip to his mate on the RC "watch that thing doesn't break down on you".For whatever reason I've always associated KTM with off road performance vehicles, and I often forget about their street bike models. I know in recent years they have made significant improvements upon their reliability, which I know was an issue on older models.
It appears the biggest issue with the 390 motor has been blown head gaskets. Which as far as engine failures go is not a major as long as you dont lose your coolant and overheat it. Not a quick/cheap job to repair though if you are outside of the warranty period.
They are far from being coined a 'hand grenade' though or even a lemon.
I would rather have a engine blow at 30,000km than have to change the head gasket every 5000km since in the end the time spent doing it will be close to the same..also just look at ktm 390 first rides...I already seen a few first rides where it had problems just on LITERALLY THE FIRST RIDE, for me durability is ahead of everything including performanceYeah they have had a few issues unfortunately and did you notice Ari made a quip to his mate on the RC "watch that thing doesn't break down on you".
It appears the biggest issue with the 390 motor has been blown head gaskets. Which as far as engine failures go is not a major as long as you dont lose your coolant and overheat it. Not a quick/cheap job to repair though if you are outside of the warranty period.
They are far from being coined a 'hand grenade' though or even a lemon.
(humorous intention)for me durability is ahead of everything including performance
Ninja 300 - > low rate of con rod failures
R3 -> low rate of idle stall issues
KTM -> head gasket
Honda 300 -> low rate of stall on deceleration / clutch pull
Ninja 400 -> brand new
G 310 R -> brand new
GSX250R -> brand new
rip reliability purchasers, lol [pats my Ninja 650]. I have high hopes the N400 has no major issues for the first year though.
r3 is more like "low rate of death from front brake"
ninja 300 "low rate of bearings getting f#$ked"
ktm "high rate of destroying itself"
honda "works well though get boring"
ninja 400 "so far so good, at 1k already and engine just gets smoother though i hope no bearing problems like the previous gen"
ninja 300 "low rate of bearings getting f#$ked"
ktm "high rate of destroying itself"
honda "works well though get boring"
ninja 400 "so far so good, at 1k already and engine just gets smoother though i hope no bearing problems like the previous gen"
Ahem...Honda.. more like...thousands of cranks replaced...lol:devil:r3 is more like "low rate of death from front brake"
ninja 300 "low rate of bearings getting f#$ked"
ktm "high rate of destroying itself"
honda "works well though get boring"
ninja 400 "so far so good, at 1k already and engine just gets smoother though i hope no bearing problems like the previous gen"
But for me not boring ..so far
Yes it seems the crank recall hasn't made the wider circulation in bike circles. Funny cos I remember at the time some of the owners squealing like their throats had been cut about how their resale value was plummeting through the floor and Honda was this, that and the next thing even though they had fessed up and were replacing their cranks for free.Ahem...Honda.. more like...thousands of cranks replaced...lol:devil:
But for me not boring ..so far
Most buyers of a second hand CBR300 wouldn't have a clue and there's no real reason why they should need to, as was pointed out at the time.
As per usual..Honda incentives have plummeted any resale value... just like they did with the CBR 250 R..and the CBR 125 R:devil:Yes it seems the crank recall hasn't made the wider circulation in bike circles. Funny cos I remember at the time some of the owners squealing like their throats had been cut about how their resale value was plummeting through the floor and Honda was this, that and the next thing even though they had fessed up and were replacing their cranks for free.
Most buyers of a second hand CBR300 wouldn't have a clue and there's no real reason why they should need to, as was pointed out at the time.
Ah I do love the look of the rc390 though. There’s just something about it. Sexy as ****.
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