![]() 05/13/2020 at 19:56 • Filed to: A man of no focus | ![]() | ![]() |
“Hey motorcycles are cool and everyone is saying this 2019 KTM 390 Duke would be an awesome first bike! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! When do motorcycle lessons start up again?”
![]() 05/13/2020 at 20:12 |
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Looks like the rider pictured needs the rider class too.
![]() 05/13/2020 at 20:18 |
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and it’s his/her 4th take
![]() 05/13/2020 at 20:20 |
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I had that on my very short list for first bikes late 2017
but opted for something different after taking the course and evaluating my situation and riding requirements.
They’re the hoon bikes of the small cc naked and you can keep them a little longer than the 250-300cc . A Kawa Z400 is another really good option for a small naked.
![]() 05/13/2020 at 20:24 |
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I just need to know if it’s good enough for highway speeds and is decently comfortable.
![]() 05/13/2020 at 20:32 |
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![]() 05/13/2020 at 20:55 |
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It’ll easily do highway speeds. Fact is most of my R3 friends have more highway
speeding tickets than I do even though I ride with
3X their power
.
Comfort depends on your build. I’m 182cm , 90kg and flatfoot 830mm seat height so the small bikes feel a bit too
small, even the mid weights
cramp me up
at sessions over 3h. I want to jump up to 150-200bhp
soon but other priorities to sort out for now.
Part of the reason I went bigger was because I do most of my riding at 90-130kph (I spend 95% of my riding time on highways). When you go bigger you don’t have to throttle as much and the engine doesn’t feel as taxed and spun up to do higher speeds. It was simply more suitable.
I’d say take the course and figure out what’s comfortable and wha
t’s
appropriate for you.
![]() 05/13/2020 at 21:23 |
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My 1994 Nighthawk 250, which is an air cooled, carbureted 234cc twin that is rated somewhere between 15 and 20 HP (depending on who you ask) would do highway speeds. I mean, it took a bit of time to get there, but it would do it.
I had a friend buy a CBR250R in Baltimore (over an hour away) a few years ago and he didn’t feel comfortable riding it home since he was a new rider. I rode it home for him and it was night and day compared to my old Nighthawk at the same displacement. A 300-400 should be plenty adequate.
If you really want an interesting beginner-ish bike, I’ll make you a hell of a deal on a Honda CB-1, it’s a 400cc inline 4 that revs to 13,500 rpms! Just gotta come to Washington DC to get it...
![]() 05/13/2020 at 21:30 |
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I know the feeling
![]() 05/13/2020 at 21:41 |
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Motorcycling is a fun as hell hobby - I love it, and do think a 400cc bike is a good size for a beginner (assuming they get training) as it’s not big enough for you to get into serious trouble but can do highway no problem.
I actually love smaller bikes, my regular is a 2015 CB500x and it weighs something like 430# wet and is a great bike.
![]() 05/13/2020 at 22:30 |
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:D
dank wheelies yo
![]() 05/13/2020 at 22:47 |
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JUST DO IT
![]() 05/13/2020 at 23:02 |
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I wish i could only have one project at a time. But i have a powerstroke in driveway with a
leak needs fixed, a miata that needs front end work done, and Ls RX7 that needs a motor pulled, and a bike that i need to figure out why it dies after highway rides. Oh yea and home ownership stuff haha
![]() 05/14/2020 at 08:19 |
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Feel you to the fullest. I’m in the middle of an interior strip and revamp on my Silverado while parting out my E34 and needing to refresh the bushings on my Gran Sport. I need to replace the LS1 in my Z28 since I spun a rod bearing and have to drag an Impala SS roller home once I free up some space. Also trying to talk pops out of his non-running CR500.
Let’s not forget I got trim to paint in the house and some mean weed killing to once I get a nice, hot, sunny day.
![]() 05/14/2020 at 12:39 |
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I know i just finished fixing rotting wood on the house now its time for the garage.
![]() 05/14/2020 at 14:28 |
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How well does it handle gravel?
![]() 05/14/2020 at 14:30 |
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Judging by the stock tires, poorly!
![]() 05/14/2020 at 14:31 |
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Something to consider.
![]() 05/14/2020 at 14:32 |
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Considered. Adventure bikes and dual sports are usually a bit more money.
![]() 05/14/2020 at 14:34 |
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I see that same dealer has a CB500X for 7500. So not a small amount of money.
![]() 05/14/2020 at 14:38 |
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It’s all relative.
![]() 05/14/2020 at 14:42 |
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Indeed.
![]() 05/15/2020 at 08:45 |
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Have you considered the KTM 390 Adventure? Basically an ADV Duke.
https://www.cycleworld.com/story/bikes/2020-ktm-390-adventure-first-ride/