Why Do So Many People Resell the KTM 390?
3 Answers
There are several reasons why many people resell the KTM 390: High maintenance costs: First, as a motorcycle, the KTM RC 390 Duke has relatively high maintenance costs. Additionally, this bike is imported for domestic sales, making its parts harder to find and relatively expensive. Many buyers only realize after purchase how costly it is to maintain a motorcycle, eventually leading them to sell it due to unaffordability. Difficult to handle: Since KTM bikes emphasize off-road performance, the KTM RC 390 Duke's engine is quite aggressive. Riders often find it challenging to control the throttle, and the frequent gear shifts make it more suitable for experienced riders. Beginners may feel uncomfortable or unable to adapt to this rather 'wild' motorcycle.
I was really excited when I first bought the KTM 390. As my first motorcycle, I found it stylish, lightweight, and convenient for navigating through the city, making it ideal for beginners to practice basic skills. However, after riding it for a few months, I started noticing its vibration issues: especially during long rides, the engine vibrations transmitted to my hands and seat became quite noticeable. The aggressive riding posture also led to back and waist pain over time. In terms of power, it was decent at low speeds, but felt underpowered when overtaking at high speeds, making me feel the need to upgrade to a larger displacement bike. Additionally, maintenance was more troublesome than I expected, with frequent and expensive oil changes, and parts were hard to find. These factors combined led me to decide to sell it and switch to a more comfortable model, which has significantly improved my riding experience. Anyway, many beginners like me treat this bike as a stepping stone, riding it for a while before moving on, making it a great transitional choice.
I commute daily on my KTM 390. At first, I found it agile and easy to handle in the city, saving time while looking cool. But over time, issues emerged: the seat is too hard, causing leg fatigue in traffic jams; the engine gets unbearably hot in summer, making red lights a leg-roasting ordeal. Fuel efficiency is acceptable, but frequent starts and stops in the city seem to drain the battery faster, requiring regular circuit checks. Plus, with my frequent medium-short trips, the frame design isn't cargo-friendly—even installing a top case was challenging. Eventually, I considered reselling it and switched to a smoother bike, making daily rides much more comfortable. Ultimately, the KTM 390 suits short-distance thrill-seekers better—for commuting professionals constantly on the road, its practicality and comfort fall short.
