$8000 for a 400cc DUC doesn't seem all that pricey considering, ya know, it's a DUC
Still, if it's really just $500 more for it's big brother, I'd take that instead
man I REALLY like this bike

I wonder why they didn't leave that top cylinder off and use the bottom one as a 400cc single ?      Like a 400cc Honda 90 .   That would have gotten me Excited !          They could have lost some weight in the process too .

But it is still "Chain Drive" so what does that tell ya about their mentality ?  

My personal opinion, if I was getting another small bike it would be the KTM 390 Duke. The good thing is that it would be a lot less than a Ducati too.

I believe the 400 twin is capable of more power and would be smoother than a single.  It would be a bike that would be able to commute on most urban environments better than a 400cc single.


I saw one of the KTM 390 Sport bikes come into a parking lot a couple weeks ago.  It was all stock and I would love to have one - but as it idled in the darn thing sounded kinda pathetic.  It reminded me of one of those 4 cycle weed wackers idling....the muffler took all the motorcycle sound out of the engine.  I am not a fan of loud motorcycles - but they should still sound a bit like a motorcycle.

 

Dave wrote on 11/19/15 at 12:04:20:

yes! If I want quiet, I'll get a scooter
In fact I almost did

It's a GREAT around town machine, if you don't mind kick start only
The electrical system is 6 volt, which can be a bit problematic, as the turn signals don't work if the battery is low / charging system isn't working well, (Texas does not require turn signals on a motorcycle, so I removed mine) but it'll start on the 1st kick with NO battery if it's running right
it's quick and nimble, and will do 70 if you flog it
I geared mine up for highway riding, and of course lost some acceleration, but that was OK
the riding position on both of mine was excellent for puttering along or flying along at top speed, and the seat was pretty good for a small bike
My 2nd one had a carb problem I never did get resolved: it'd run around town just fine, but any time I ran it 55+ the jets would get crap in them and kill the bike
Fortunately you can unhook the cable, rotate the carb to the side, pull the bowl, pull the jet, and blow it out on the side of the road, I had it down to 5-10 minutes, then ride for a bit longer
My first had NO running issues, even with a tand so rusty it started leaking (i rode it like that for a month wile looking for a replacement and learning that KREEM doesn't work worth mention)
I loved my GNs, and if not for the issues (which I could have resolved, had I had the know how I do now) I'd still have one
The engine isn't taken fro the old DR 400, it IS the engine from the old DR 400, right down to the total lack of an oil filter  

Here's a '72 Ducati 450 scrambler, looks like great fun