KTM 390 Duke vs BMW G310R

[@RarefiedRoad]

Amendment: I mention turning off the traction control on the KTM at 5:17 and definitely meant to say ABS. Neither bike has traction control but the KTM does have switchable ABS on the rear wheel. Apologies one and all.

[@Sai_on_youtube]

Rarefied Road Superb review brother. Beautiful shots.....nice info....do u hv any idea abt its servicing in india??

[@kooler999ify]

Duke 390 has heating issues because of its engine compression. It roasts your leg in traffic if you are not wearing the right gear

[@flip_moto]

two things - load the ktm with engine ice - fan runs a lot less. Upgrade the fan to a Spal, when the fan does run, it kills heat a lot faster. for less $100 the duke runs a ton better.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Useful tip. Thanks for the update, I actually wasn't aware of the overheating issue.

[@Tanke83]

This is another point (aside from the 34ps) where you can see that the G310 is not produced for the European market. While riding the Beemer in typical German weather conditions (10-25°C), I realized that the temp. does not exceed 70-75°C ! :O Even on a hot summer day with 30°C, and a very sporty ride with high revs... or while going full throttle up a mountain road, ... I reached only 85°C.... I think that's why they hand over your bike with the cooling water hitting the min marker ^^ Built not only IN India, also for Indian weather conditions :D

[@OrangeSunshine15]

The heating issue is if you're stuck in traffic in stupid traffic and hot weather which is common in India or if you're below 40 kmph in 1st or 2nd gear.

[@uknowmotdy]

it's bearable compared to previous generation even in Indian summer and in British weather wouldn't be that big a factor, it's a new bike ground up, design is a game changer too

[@motoscribe4111]

Pretty honest review.

[@guyedwards6696]

I have a KTM Duke 125 and it doesn't like neutral either. Must be 'ready to race'! Not idle.;-)

[@miguelguerrero680]

In Lima (Peru), the 310 R goes for US 7900 and the Duke 390 for US 6200. I think the jerks at the concessionaire are inflating the price just cause of the brand. That being said I'll be closing the deal on the Duke pretty soon

[@RarefiedRoad]

That is a big price jump. It would be a shame if they're doing that just to spite them. It's good that it hasn't put you off though. I think you'll like it.

[@ronaldthomas9396]

In the USA a new rider can buy and ride any bike they choose to! The only exception is that if you take your bike test on a scooter you may only ride scooters, no matter how old you are!

[@HarmanLearns]

Whatever camera you guys are using...wow. The bikes look so good.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you, I'm embarrassed to say that the shots of the bike were actually recorded on my Samsung Galxy S7 which has a wicked camera. Just added a bit of image stabilisation.

[@MonDean]

Fantastic comparison. Thank you! I'd like to ask, which one do you prefer / like better? And from the stand point of fit and finish, which one has better build quality overall ?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you. Well In all honesty I preferred the BMW. I couldn't really tell you why other than the fact that I felt more connected to it, obviously it's a little slower but it definitely suited me more. As for build quality they felt about the same, I know KTM have had some quality issues with some of their bikes in the past but both felt solidly built, the only issue I found was the neutral issue on both gearboxes. I'd possibly say that because the BMW has less technology on it then it has less to go wrong. Hope that helps.

[@unkindguy88]

Love to get the ktm duke but I can't put both of my leg down. Not too beginner user friendly.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Sorry to hear that. It is quite a tall bike, I think you'd get used to it but if you want a shorter ride then go for the Beemer.

[@unkindguy88]

Rarefied Road yes I will go check it out. Thanks!

[@_GrumpyBear_]

Any idea how much does the paid serviceing costs for both the bikes?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Difficult one to answer. Servicing costs will likely depend on which region your in and which garage you go to but I do know the KTM needs servicing every 15000KM and the BMW every 10000KM, both alternating major and minor services. Hope that helps.

[@FawadBilgrami]

I rode both back to back and I can say KTM is the one you'll feel more connected and will come back too. BMW felt very ordinary and had was having issues putting it in the first gear without moving it a little. I was very close to get a BMW before someone on KZbin recommended to test ride KTM. I suggest give it a go and see it for yourself.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah I'd suggest the same thing, It's great to check out as many opinions as you can so you go in looking for the problems as you say but you can't beat trying it for yourself. Thanks for the comment.

[@HairCareTruth]

Expected to launch this year I am eagerly waiting for the G310R. Looks good on paper and i am not a racer, but how would it perform for longer rides and tours?

[@RarefiedRoad]

It should work fine, about as well as any other naked motorcycle. The seat and riding position are very comfortable, there isn't a lot of weight on your wrists and you're quite upright. Engine will comfortably do 70mph so other than the obvious lack of luggage and wind resistance I'd be happy enough to take it on a short tour.

[@HairCareTruth]

Thanks mate!

[@ivanyakin13]

In your opinion, which would be better to take to a track day?

[@RarefiedRoad]

KTM hands down.

[@leyangyu9160]

Great video! You mentioned basically everything that beginners are looking for, handling, appearance, sitting position...etc. I wanna have a bike recently. Just a lil bit worrying about G310R’s rear seat, it’s molded like there is not much room for the pillion. How does it feel actually? Is it capable of taking two passengers? I guess in inner-city travels it goes fine, what about travels for town to town and, say long- time traveling?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you. As far as pillion use goes I didn't get chance to use it with a passenger but the seat is big enough, and the bike is stable enough for that to work. Obviously it won't be the most comfortable place for a passenger to sit for a long ride and you'll reduce your power but I wouldn't have any issue taking someone on it. As for long distance traveling as the rider it's as good as any other naked sports bike, wind resistance will be strong without any fairing but it handles 70 mph easily and is relatively comfortable, as good as any other mid sized engine like the honda cb500 or ktm for example.

[@NomyNomyNomNom]

Ahhh I can't decide between these 2, the 310gs and the cbr300r. Any experience with the other 2 at all?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Can't say I have. The 310GS is essentially the same engine though so the response would be similar. And the CB300 would be a little slow compared to both of these as far as I understand it. I'd probably consider either the Honda CB/CBR/CMX 500 (which i have ridden) over the 300 because it's much closer to the power output of these two so if you want a mini Honda that'd be the route I'd take. Hope that helps.

[@kishorethakare4038]

Then which bike should i buy Ktm or bmw?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Difficult one, it really is down to your preferences. If you're asking which I would buy then it would be the BMW, but your tastes might be different to mine. Honestly they're both very good I just preferred the adaptability of the BMW.

[@SamboSmash88]

Kishore D Thakare buy yamaha MT 07 or the triumph str 🔥❤️

[@rrvillareal2011]

duke 390 all the way!

[@CarefreeRambler]

Neutral comes easy after 200km on my G310GS.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Useful note, thank you.

[@CarefreeRambler]

Rarefied Road yw. Great review btw. I was so torn between the two... I've ended up going for the GS because of the light off-roading. One more thing. You may turn off the front and rear ABS on the G310GS while on the move.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Ahh I see. That probably explains the price difference between the R and the GS then. Thanks for the comment. I'm very tempted to make this my next bike.

[@kooler999ify]

I was actually waiting for this video as the BMW g310r isn't released in my country(although my country makes the g310r and Gs) . I have to decide after waiting for g310r review as soon as it launches here.

[@RarefiedRoad]

I think if it was my money I would wait for the G310. Just because I'd be using it to commute so it would be easier to get on with day to day. Thanks for your comment.

[@अहम.ब्रह्मास्मी]

VIVEK MADHUGIRI JAYAKUMAR 12BME0612 I'm faced with the same dilemma: Duke 390 (latest model) or the G310R (expected to be launched domestically by June)

[@c.a.marsupial.1282]

I have the KTM. Its awesome. A joy machine. I've heard here in Australia off a BMW owner after service on the BMW is atrocious. Its turned me right off BMW. BMW has a spares cut off point at 12 year's. They have a dreadful attitude to their customers. I've had not a ounce of trouble with neutral and then throttle is perfect. I have the 2021 model.

[@BlackjackLover]

Great video. Thanks

[@chhattarsingh9155]

Blackjack Lover

[@biamarkthepwong1486]

Ktm any day of the week

[@KMK77]

Good one mate.... Loved it... Just few heads up needed for me... Like you said bybre breaks on the bikes were cheap... So I wanted to like is it cheap from British standard point of view or it is a local company in 🇬🇧 UK... In India... I have seen many people say that its too good n does its job.... It's always good to have a English opinion.... Lol..

[@RarefiedRoad]

Good question mate, I basically just meant that they are a budget restriction to bring the manufacturing costs down but they feel perfectly adequate for the size of bike, both of them stop just fine. As far as I'm aware Bybre are an arm of the Brembo company so theyre much the same but you typically find them more on scooters and smaller capacity bikes. Hope that answers the question.

[@miguel90744]

Ktm for the Win

[@theoneandonlyslickrick4132]

Can you get the 310 with a DCT automatic transmission?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Not that I'm aware, certainly not direct from the dealership. Sorry.

[@markanthony6128]

Ktm looks good but their reliability is questionable, people that buy these 300-400cc bikes normally buy them second hand and if I was to buy one I would go with BMW due to build quality after age will hold better

[@dustinlynch235]

Rarefield Road, How tall are you?

[@RarefiedRoad]

5' 11''

[@dustinlynch235]

Do you think me at 6'1" would be comfortable on the KTM?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Well I was very comfortable but I'm a little smaller than you. I would say that nearly all the bikes in this class will feel a little small for you but the KTM is one of the tallest of the bunch and being a supermoto it has more leg room than a sports bike set up so it should be fine for you.

[@dustinlynch235]

Thanks for the quick responses! Keep up the videos and thank you for reviews like this!

[@JasonGoodHeart]

Duke 390 win..!!

[@chrome9455]

people bitch about ktm heating issue well it never happened to me and i am in india and ktm is way more powerful so saying bmw is better is just being fanboy and if you want ride quality and comfort over power dont buy sport bike buy a cruiser.

[@eliaskhalil562]

G310 R better fit and finish and build quality. KTM fit and finish very bad

[@RarefiedRoad]

I'd probably want to go with the BMW too