'bout time

[peterz85]

Looks like we finally may be getting some interesting new sub 500cc bikes very soon.

Hopefully these bikes will succeed here in the States and will lead to more half liter, high performance bikes in the near future.

What do you think? A hit or miss?

Pete

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news...013-confirmed/

[RocketPunch]

They confirmed it for a while. I talked to the rep at the NYIMS, and he confirmed that the DUKE390 will be in show room Q4 this year, which should be my next bike, with the faired version for NA market to follow in 14'.

[golden chicken]

The Ninja 300 felt like a toy to me at the bike show. Made my SV feel heavy. Seemed like it will be a fun bike.

[soofle616]

Honestly I have no personal interest in sub 500's but I'm a big dude. Yes I have an RS50 and an RS250 and love them both but that's as much because of the brand and relative rarity of the models. That said, I do think it's exciting to see manufacturer's coming out with this stuff. It should be an exciting time for new riders who will finally (again) have some real choice in buying a bike instead of a ninja 250 or a ninja 250. Hopefully the market will respond positively to the new options and the oem's will keep pumping r&d money into them.

[csmutty]

I better start saving up because that is going to be my next bike. That is perfect in every respect!

Now to get the duke..or the faired version...

[Chippertheripper]

This is getting released in the us?
Preteen, don't you remember you said those ktm singles make horrible streetbikes?

[Kurlon]

This is getting released in the us?
Preteen, don't you remember you said those ktm singles make horrible streetbikes?

The MX derived ones do, these are numbed down to go billions of miles running on compressed goat farts in India just like the CBR250R's lil thumper mill.

[Manik]

Why are so many people riding the sub500 train? Wasn't the 500 size light enough? If I'm buying a bike for the street, I don't want something this small.
I don't see this thing taking off and doing well.. I'd prefer they just work on making a up to date and current 500..

[Kurlon]

Why are so many people riding the sub500 train? Wasn't the 500 size light enough? If I'm buying a bike for the street, I don't want something this small.
I don't see this thing taking off and doing well.. I'd prefer they just work on making a up to date and current 500..

These machines are offering similar power to weight ratios of the classic 500, while weighing 100lbs less so as a result, even with spindly forks and flex-y frames they handle / rail much better. Hopefully they'll get to the point that we've got multi-cylinder 400cc or so wars again like the early 90s.

[Chippertheripper]

these are numbed down to go billions of miles running on compressed goat farts in India just like the CBR250R's lil thumper mill.

I know, dude. I'm just throwing a jab at preteen...cuz he needs it.

[csmutty]

Why are so many people riding the sub500 train? Wasn't the 500 size light enough? If I'm buying a bike for the street, I don't want something this small.
I don't see this thing taking off and doing well.. I'd prefer they just work on making a up to date and current 500..

There isn't a need for a bigger bike for me. I do almost no highway riding and smaller bikes get great fuel economy, don't have enough power tp get me in big trouble, handle great, look great, and have a cheaper price point. Id rather rail back road twisties on a bike like this compared to a 1k.

[B440]

I like it. This will keep me from wanting old CB200-350's on cl.

[peterz85]

I'm in as well, if the sales are successful, maybe the manufactures will take note that there is a demand for lesser cc bikes and will develop them to higher spec.

Definitely wouldn't mind a 400 triple with killer chassis, brakes, and suspension. Perfect for New England backroads

Pete

[Chippertheripper]

There isn't a need for a bigger bike for me. I do almost no highway riding and smaller bikes get great fuel economy, don't have enough power tp get me in big trouble, handle great, look great, and have a cheaper price point. Id rather rail back road twisties on a bike like this compared to a 1k.

This, actually. Except I'd like it to pull 70 for a half hour or so without coughing and weezing.

[SVRACER01]

im pretty sure KTM also announced the return of the 690 smc-r to the states

[fineout]

I would love a little 300 for a mess around town bike, not that my regular bike has much more power than these do in all reality but a super light 300 looks like it would be tons of fun