80? When I had a Honda Dominator (650 single) it would touch 100 indicated, with a mate's Transalp (600 V-Twin) doing a noticeably higher 105... A 400 single is going to struggle with headwinds and uphills...

Edit: thinking of the off-road 390, a road one might get to 100?

 

Thanks Nord. I am struggling to hit 85 (indicated). Most of the reviews I have read say about 100. Maybe it needs more miles for the engine to loosen up.

 

Is it just running out of puff, or hitting the limiter? Gearing can help.
I don't want to know the details, but your weight and size will be a massive factor. Put a 40kg person on the bike and it may make 100 for the KTM spec sheet... Also your riding kit - baggy clothing can slow it down, how you sit (upright or melted into the tank?) and then you are into the little things like humidity of the day, altitude, temp....
My Honda Dominator would do 85 if I rung its neck, and ideally a back wind to help... Just shows - it'd have never ever done 100 like Nords so I suspect I ate more pies...

 

Hi bigkuri. The bike runs out of puff. I am about 65kg, I haven't tucked in on the tank and I presume the gearing is stock.
Both wheels are turning freely so brakes aren't binding.
I had a Honda 400 twin in 1980 that would do 100mph+ (indicated). Surely with such a highly tuned up to date bike I should expect at least the same?

 

Hi bigkuri. The bike runs out of puff. I am about 65kg, I haven't tucked in on the tank and I presume the gearing is stock.
Both wheels are turning freely so brakes aren't binding.
I had a Honda 400 twin in 1980 that would do 100mph+ (indicated). Surely with such a highly tuned up to date bike I should expect at least the same?

Yep, so the problem is worse than you think
There is always a 1290 out there with your name on it, that'll fix it...

I wish😍. I have checked the sprockets and they are std (15/45). Not sure where to go. I have read that the tappet clearances can change before the 4000 mile service - maybe that's part of the problem??

 

Maybe you'd get 7mph more hunkered down? Gearing.. Plus remember that (all I think) modern KTM speedos under-read by 10%+. My 1190 even stated the % of under-read in the manual (12%?)

 

I thought they had to overread if anything. So you are less likely to be caught speeding. I'll try counting the teeth on the sprockets to check they are stock.

 

I'd have a look at the air filter. My 2016 Duke 200 will eventually hit an indicated 84 mph and I'm 100kg. I've had 2 390s demos that will easily hit 90 and probably would have made 100 if I'd persevered.

 

I've looked at the air filter, it looks like new. I can't believe it would be useless after 1500 miles. It is 4 years old though maybe internal collapse?

 

Yep, so the problem is worse than you think
There is always a 1290 out there with your name on it, that'll fix it...

 

our stock duke 390 2016 did 160 (100mph for you lot) without much effort, sitting upright, fully dressed 100kg.
upto say 100kmph it was fairly "quick" after that it needed time to reach 160 from what I can recall.

it doesn't matter how heavy you are, it will reach the same speed with the same gearing just take a bit longer.
the bigger you are (or make) the more air resistance and then it has difficulty, true.

our 390 was on the dyno had 47hp and not so much torque, but all in the low end. the 390 (and 125 and 20 fro that matter) are short stoke engines an need to have their tits revved off for it actually do something. as the duke isn't really ment for top end speed, its a more a playful thing: quick acceleration and all that.

leads me to suspect the actual used cam timing is made as such; compare it with the 400LC4 for example, the older LC4 less hp but more torque and can also hit the 100mph if you are patient enough with the correct gearing.

 

Thank


Thanks for the feedback All the tests say about 100. This morning I leant it over on the side stand and found that the front brake is binding significantly. Not sure how to rectify this