MyBB Motorcycle Owners Thread

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So I've been looking at getting a new bike (read slightly second hand) and have been looking at the smaller bikes as I'm a small, lightweight dude and don't really require a 1000cc.

I'm not planning any breakfast runs, this is really just traffic-defeating transport and a bit of fun.

Been looking at the KTM RC390 / Duke 390, as I love the look and sound and it's got a bit more balls than say an R3, Ninja 300 or CBR 300.

Any thoughts?
 
Sauron! Still got the Buell, or is that long gone?

I'm in Jozi, do the Fourways to Midrand trek in the morning, so a bike is key for me :D
 
UrBaN963 said:
So I've been looking at getting a new bike (read slightly second hand) and have been looking at the smaller bikes as I'm a small, lightweight dude and don't really require a 1000cc.

I'm not planning any breakfast runs, this is really just traffic-defeating transport and a bit of fun.

Been looking at the KTM RC390 / Duke 390, as I love the look and sound and it's got a bit more balls than say an R3, Ninja 300 or CBR 300.

Any thoughts?
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My opinion is that the duke 390 is an awesome commuter for urban roads. Up right riding position. Small enough that lane splitting is a breeze. Got some punch to get ahead of cars. Fun. My experience was that it was reliable for the 2 years I had one, although there is a guy in think bike forum who is having endless troubles with one. I wouldn't really commute at highway speeds with it though. Although it's capable of exceeding 120, at highway speeds it's working hard and does not have the punch to overtake cars going 120/130 quickly.

I wouldn't go for the rc390. Test drove it and a few kms into the ride my wrists were sore. Maybe you will get used to it but I prefer the upright duke.
 
kfc4unme said:
My opinion is that the duke 390 is an awesome commuter for urban roads. Up right riding position. Small enough that lane splitting is a breeze. Got some punch to get ahead of cars. Fun. My experience was that it was reliable for the 2 years I had one, although there is a guy in think bike forum who is having endless troubles with one. I wouldn't really commute at highway speeds with it though. Although it's capable of exceeding 120, at highway speeds it's working hard and does not have the punch to overtake cars going 120/130 quickly.

I wouldn't go for the rc390. Test drove it and a few kms into the ride my wrists were sore. Maybe you will get used to it but I prefer the upright duke.
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That's not the first complaint I've read regarding sore wrists actually. Is that just due to the riding position?

Look I wouldn't be doing much heavy riding with it, as I said it's mostly to avoid the traffic to and from work.
 
UrBaN963 said:
That's not the first complaint I've read regarding sore wrists actually. Is that just due to the riding position?

Look I wouldn't be doing much heavy riding with it, as I said it's mostly to avoid the traffic to and from work.
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I bought a Honda nc700xd for that exact purpose... go try one.
 
Guy at my previous job had one. I rode it a few times and was happy with the simplicity of the thing. To be fair, he'd crashed it (not too badly but the handlebars weren't fully straight) so steering and riding in general were a little uncomfy, but that was the skewness more than the bike.

Not a bad idea, I'll check it out. How is your fuel economy?
 
kfc4unme said:
Yup, from what I hear, when it comes to commuters the Honda nc750 is hard to beat.
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Have to agree, haven't ridden one but all the reviews say its a stupidly-good commuter.

But...I'll stick with my perfectly sensible 1340cc commuter :D
 
UrBaN963 said:
Guy at my previous job had one. I rode it a few times and was happy with the simplicity of the thing. To be fair, he'd crashed it (not too badly but the handlebars weren't fully straight) so steering and riding in general were a little uncomfy, but that was the skewness more than the bike.

Not a bad idea, I'll check it out. How is your fuel economy?
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I'm still a noob, I've only filled up twice ...4.3l per 100.

The storage locker where the tank should be is awesome too.
 
UrBaN963 said:
Guy at my previous job had one. I rode it a few times and was happy with the simplicity of the thing. To be fair, he'd crashed it (not too badly but the handlebars weren't fully straight) so steering and riding in general were a little uncomfy, but that was the skewness more than the bike.

Not a bad idea, I'll check it out. How is your fuel economy?
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this is what my 390 was getting:

80b41c592932bb9d88189040dcec5f58.jpg
 
Hmmm that's about what I'm getting on my current bike. Awesome, current one is a POS 125

EDIT: This was referencing the NC - not bad though kfc.
 
UrBaN963 said:
Hmmm that's about what I'm getting on my current bike. Awesome, current one is a POS 125

EDIT: This was referencing the NC - not bad though kfc.
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I've done a 1000km on my NC750XD, and get about 4.2 constantly.... even if I gooi mielies it still get's stuck at about 4.3 :D
 
I don't know what my consumption is, but i do know it gets worse in direct proportion to right-wrist angle. Been very lucky with work in that i got a company car, with company garage card, so I haven't been watching fuel usage at all. Also its an older bike and doesn't have fuel consumption on the dash.

Need to do a comparison: puttering to work and back a few times vs not-puttering up the west coast to folks' house.
 
faniedry said:
I've done a 1000km on my NC750XD, and get about 4.2 constantly.... even if I gooi mielies it still get's stuck at about 4.3 :D
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What's the rev-limit on that thing? Bikes only start using a lot of fuel when you really get the revs up.
 
Pox said:
I don't know what my consumption is, but i do know it gets worse in direct proportion to right-wrist angle. Been very lucky with work in that i got a company car, with company garage card, so I haven't been watching fuel usage at all. Also its an older bike and doesn't have fuel consumption on the dash.

Need to do a comparison: puttering to work and back a few times vs not-puttering up the west coast to folks' house.
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Agreed on the right-wrist - I think it's an aerodynamic factor or something. Never made sense to me really.
 
UrBaN963 said:
Agreed on the right-wrist - I think it's an aerodynamic factor or something. Never made sense to me really.
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Higher revs means more fuel used for same distance travelled, and bikes can rev a lot, which means the difference between puttering along and spanking it is...lots.
 
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