Aprilia Tuono 457 Vs KTM Duke 390 Comparo | Sagar Sheldekar Official

Summary

In this exciting comparison between the Aprilia Tuono 457 and the KTM Duke 390, both bikes battle for supremacy in the sub-500cc naked bike segment. While the Tuono 457 shines with a powerful engine, characterful delivery, and impressive cornering ability, the Duke 390 offers better value with advanced electronics, superior brakes, and a more adaptable suspension. The Duke edges ahead with its complete package, including better overall refinement, suspension, and a more comfortable ride, making it the safer choice for most riders despite the Tuono’s appeal in specific scenarios.

Takeaways

• 😀 The KTM Duke 390 is significantly more affordable than the Aprilia Tuono 457, offering better value for money.
• 😀 The Duke 390 comes equipped with advanced electronic aids, including an IMU, cornering ABS, traction control, cruise control, and a bi-directional quick shifter, which the Tuono lacks.
• 😀 The Aprilia Tuono 457 is praised for its engine, with a powerful and characterful parallel twin that delivers excellent torque and a race-bike-like experience.
• 😀 While the Tuono's engine is more enjoyable in terms of power delivery, the Duke 390 can often close the gap in real-world scenarios, thanks to superior braking performance.
• 😀 The Duke 390 boasts some of the best braking performance in its category, offering phenomenal stopping power and feel, which is a notable advantage over the Tuono.
• 😀 The Tuono 457 excels in long, open road stretches, where its power and torque give it an edge, despite the Duke's lighter weight.
• 😀 The Tuono shines in corners, thanks to its highly communicative chassis and sticky Eurogrip tires, giving it a distinct advantage over the Duke 390, which struggles with edge grip due to its tires.
• 😀 In the urban environment, the Tuono 457 is more tractable, able to pull smoothly even at low RPMs, while the Duke 390 requires higher revs for smooth acceleration.
• 😀 The Duke 390's adjustable suspension offers superior adaptability, allowing riders to fine-tune it for different riding scenarios, while the Tuono's suspension feels firmer and less forgiving.
• 😀 Despite both bikes being compact and light, the Duke 390 offers better suspension quality for city riding and better overall ride comfort.
• 😀 The KTM Duke 390 proves to be more fuel-efficient, with better mileage both in the city and on highways compared to the Aprilia Tuono 457.
• 😀 Both motorcycles are cramped for taller riders (5'11 and above), though the Duke 390 offers an accessory taller seat for better fitment, whereas the Tuono lacks such an option.
• 😀 Despite its high performance, the Aprilia Tuono 457 suffers from braking issues, which have been ongoing since the RS457 model and pose a safety concern for potential buyers.
• 😀 The KTM Duke 390 offers a more complete package with better refinement, a safer bet for everyday use, and fewer concerns regarding reliability and after-sales service than the Tuono.

Q & A

Which bike offers better value for money?

The KTM Duke 390 offers better value for money, being 1 lakh rupees cheaper than the Aprilia Tuono 457 and providing additional features like cornering ABS, cruise control, and a bi-directional quick shifter.

Which bike has the superior engine performance?

The Aprilia Tuono 457 has superior engine performance, with its parallel twin engine offering more character, torque, and a race bike-like power delivery compared to the Duke 390.

What are the key advantages of the KTM Duke 390’s braking system?

The KTM Duke 390 excels with phenomenal braking power, great feel, and the ability to brake later than the Tuono, making it one of the best in the segment despite the Tuono’s better engine performance.

How does the Aprilia Tuono 457 perform in corners compared to the Duke 390?

The Aprilia Tuono 457 performs better in corners due to its superior chassis, front-end feel, and sticky EuroGrip tires, allowing it to carry more speed into corners compared to the Duke 390.

Which bike is better suited for urban riding?

The Aprilia Tuono 457 is better suited for urban riding due to its highly tractable engine, which offers smooth power delivery at low RPMs, making city commuting easier. The Duke 390, while improved, requires more revs to achieve optimal performance.

How does the suspension compare between the two bikes?

The KTM Duke 390 has an advantage with its adjustable suspension, which allows customization for different riding conditions, both on city streets and mountain roads. The Tuono 457’s suspension is less forgiving, especially on poor road conditions.

Which bike offers better fuel economy?

The KTM Duke 390 offers better fuel economy, achieving around 25 km/l in the city and 32-33 km/l on the highway, compared to the Aprilia Tuono 457's 20 km/l in the city and 28-29 km/l on the highway.

How do the comfort levels of the two bikes compare for taller riders?

Both bikes are cramped for taller riders. However, the KTM Duke 390 can be improved with an optional taller seat, while the Tuono 457 does not offer such an option, making it less comfortable for tall riders.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Aprilia Tuono 457's braking system?

The Aprilia Tuono 457's braking system has the disadvantage of intrusive ABS and brake fade, which detracts from its overall performance, making it less reliable for aggressive riding compared to the Duke 390.

What is the reliability and after-sales service like for both bikes?

The KTM Duke 390 offers better reliability and after-sales service, with fewer reported issues. The Aprilia Tuono 457 has experienced recurring braking problems and inconsistencies with after-sales service, leading to potential concerns for long-term ownership.