While perusing some other motorcycle info, I came across the specs for the 1988-1993 Yamaha TDR-250. This was one of the first cross-over motorcycles, a TZR-250 2T street/sport bike engine in a standard street / DS frame, half fairing, and long(er) travel suspension (6.3/5.9" f/r). I loved the TDR-250 concept, but very few ever made it to the USA. Does anyone in Canada or OZ have experience with them? The specs are almost identical to those of the Duke 390 4T being offered today. Perhaps a reflection on the TDR will shed some light on the new small Duke?
Wishful thinking I think (the 6500 figure) . When you come to realise how over-inflated most our prices are for cars and bikes are in AUS then 7000-7500 actually is pretty good.
I sat on the 390 at the NEC bike show on Thursday - it's very small. I'm 5'10" and felt that I'd be too cramped for anything other than short trips. The 690 is significantly more roomy and is a better fit for me. I used to own a Superduke R so a 690 might be on the cards in the future as a second runabout.
Ooh I'm about 6ft3 so that leaves me a little worried. I'll have to check it out when it gets here... Might be roomier than a vtr250? Did your legs feel cramped? Maybe Hondas new 500s will be around in Aus around the same time to do a comparison.
I have one!! Just bought it yesterday, it has been in storage for 17 years, but is in lovely original condition and low mileage....quick! ...grab your sunglasses before you see the picture
Funnily enough.....my bike has less cc (250), more power (50hp), and weighs the same as the new Duke 390 oh...and it is 22 years old....and built in Japan, not India Here's one in the more boring colour scheme
As I said above, love these TDR's. Their peak HP is about the same: TDR=46 HP (North America & OZ trim if my specs are right, maybe tuned to 50 HP in Japan?) Duke 390=44 HP. However, I believe the TDR makes its peak power up higher. I'm no two-stroke expert, so maybe you can tell us how the pipe is tuned? Otherwise, very close to the same wet weight and suspension travel, although the TDR has a more relaxed steering geometry (27-degrees vs. 25 for the Duke) so it may be a little better on rougher roads. TDR has a wheel base almost one inch longer at 54.5" - the Duke is VERY short at 53.8". Fuel economy is probably a bit better on the 4-stroke Duke 390. There were a whole bunch of bikes made between 1988 and 1993 that were way ahead of their time: NT650 Hawk GT, CB-1 (CB400F or NC-27), GB-500 Clubman, VTR-250, TDR-250 (and parent TZR-250), RVF-400 (NC-35), FZR-400 Bandit, to name a very few in the small-to-mid-sized range. Perhaps we are entering another creative phase in smaller motorcycles. Maybe one of the very few benefits of a poor world economy?
Or just the spread of uber cheapo bikes? Hopefully it leads to great small displacement bikes that fully exploit their superior qualities. So far it is advanced mopedery chassies and bargain bin components that those low gyroscopic force engines can't destroy.
It has been standing for 17 years, so it needs a strip down, I haven't ridden one before, but they are still rated as the best "hooligan bike".....power band starts at 6000rpm to 10000........
I've been waiting for that for years. Had several Ninja 250's just for fun, along w/the big stuff. Fun but just not enough...of anything: power, quality, fit and finish, brakes, etc. I'm hoping the Katooms will open the door. I'm actually leaning to the 690 SMC-R, though. If I could lay hands on one, that is.
Ok, I get the KTM quality- that's why I'm looking at the 390 Duke. But 690 SMC-R? or even 690 Duke if they brought it to the USA? Now you're talking $11,000 or the price of a Street Triple-R. I get that, too - power and quality, but it's NOT the same discussion. The new Honda 500's and the revised 2012 EX-650R fall in the middle for price, and to the bottom for mid-to-low spec components - just like Navin's description of the new EX-300R. It still leaves the Duke 390 potentially alone in the middle for power and hopefully, for quality of components, at a middle-ground price.
It's interesting to dismount the 650R and hop on a Duke 690 (the 654cc non R version, couple years ago) and be absolutely SHOCKED at just how much everything feels better, other then comfort. Unfortunately most bikes I hopped on from my 650R made my 650R feel like a cheap bike that shouldn't be as powerful as it is, or as expensive as it is.
Stopped at local Honda dealer and asked about the new CB500. They expect them in showrooms sometimes in March. Price hasn't been set as yet but it will be in $9000 region. Which is not surprising when they sell CB400 in line four for 10,000 and the guy said he will not drop a cent from 10k. :huh. For less than 8K I can get naked 2010 Suzuki SV650, drop gixxer front fork in and still have some spare change, and my search for a commuter/tourer will be over. I'll wait for 390 Duke and try at least to sit on it to feel the ergos. Although at 5'11" I'm not sure when reading about 5'10" inmate feeling cramped on the bike.
I'm glad to hear that you're keeping an open mind. I'm 5'11 and 180 lbs. I liked the feel of the 2009 Ninja 250 for overall size and fit, except that the tank flairs hit my knees (31" inseam). Lots of 6'2" guys with 33" inseams loved it, so the tank apparently didn't bother them. Everyone is different. I'm hoping that I like the "snug" ergos on the Duke 390, since I like the Ninjette and the short-wheel based 1991 CB-1 (CB400F / NC-27). I'm jealous that you get the current CB400/4 in OZ. I'd love that bike here in the States, even if it cost 85% of a CBR600RR. Unfortunately, I'm a minority of one. Everyone else would buy the 600.
Thanks, but you're out of the market for awhile with your 300, and noone else will admit to NOT being a testosterone-charged knuckle dragger with more money than sense!
And I'm not trying to talk anyone out of the 390 or trying to compare the 390 to the 690. Just passing on my thoughts and experience. You are free to take it or leave it. After many, many bikes and miles, I have my particular take on things. "Categorizing" has its limitations. Pressing on.
