Slow Speed RPM Range/Speed by Gear on the new 2025 Gen 3 KTM Duke 390

I recently bought the new Gen 3 Duke 390. The bike is still in the run-in period. When I’m going in slow moving traffic or taking slow turns or going through bumps (the bike is at a speed of 13-18 km/h or even 21/22 km/h, if I stay in first gear and keep moving the engine feels/sounds a bit strained even tho I’m only going at 3.5-5k rpm, whereas if I stay in 2nd, the bike stays at 2.5k-3.5k rpm and the engine feels like it’s lugging when I don’t clutch/half clutch-in and it even stalls at times, and if I half clutch then I have to throttle (rev the engine) quite hard while half clutching to make sure it doesn’t stall and keeps moving. What is better to do in such situations and what is better for the engine? Keep it in first (constantly) revving at ~3.5k to 5k rpm with the engine sounding/feeling strained, or do I just shift up to second and maintain low throttle with the bike being in the 2.5k to 3.5k rpm range (constantly)?

PS: I’m relatively new to riding a bike. I’ve ridden an ntorq for almost 6 years so I get the ergonomics of a two-wheeler. But I started riding my dad’s Honda CB350 H’ness about 2 months back which was smooth as better. And yes, I know the 390 isn’t the ideal bike for someone so new to riding a bike, but I really really wanted it and I knew I’d outgrow the 250 pretty soon, and I’ve been riding it extra cautiously given my experience and the power of the machine.

Please help me solve this dilemma as I’m struggling to figure out what’s best for the bike. Thanks :)