Alright, let’s talk about my little project with the KTM 2017 Duke 390. I’ve always been a hands-on kind of guy, and when I got my hands on this bike, I knew I had some work to do. First off, I grabbed the bike and just took it for a spin to get a feel for it. This thing’s got some kick, with a 44 horsepower engine—that’s about 32.1 kW for those who think in metric, and weighs just 149 kg, so around 328.5 pounds. Light and powerful, just how I like it. I’ve had my bike for a while now and have had time to learn about it and add some custom touches.
Getting Started
I started by checking out everything under the hood, or well, under the seat in this case. It’s a 4-stroke single-cylinder engine we’re talking about, and this bad boy puts out 32 kW of power and about 27 ft-lb of torque. I didn’t have fancy equipment to measure this, but I felt it alright.
Taking It Apart
- Engine Check: First, I popped open the engine to see what was what. I’m no mechanic, but I know my way around. Just wanted to see if everything was clean and tight.
- Electrical: Then came the electrical system. I traced some wires, checked the battery, and made sure all the lights were working. I even added some LEDs because, why not?
- Suspension and Brakes: I bounced the bike a few times to check the suspension and took a close look at the brakes. Everything seemed in order, but I tightened a few bolts here and there.
Putting It Back Together
After I was satisfied with my tinkering, I started putting everything back. It was like a big, 3D jigsaw puzzle. I made sure every screw was back in its place, every wire connected, and every part accounted for. It’s a bit of a pain, but it’s gotta be done if you wanna do things right.
Test Ride
Once everything was back together, it was time for the best part—the test ride. I geared up, hopped on, and fired up the engine. It purred like a kitten, a really angry, 390cc kitten. I took it around the block a few times, testing the acceleration, braking, and handling. It felt good, really good. I could feel the power under me, and the bike handled like a dream. I even pushed it a bit, hitting speeds around 105 mph, or about 168 km/h. Not on public roads, of course! Safety first, folks.
Final Thoughts
In the end, working on the KTM 2017 Duke 390 was a blast. I learned a lot, got my hands dirty, and ended up with a bike that felt even more like my own. There’s just something satisfying about knowing a machine inside and out. If you’re thinking about getting one of these, I’d say go for it. Just be ready to get to know it really well, both on the road and in the garage.
