![]() | #2116 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hyderabad
Posts: 71
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![]() | #2117 | |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Trivandrum
Posts: 206
Thanked: 83 Times
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Every engines in the world require certain bit of running in, be it a KTM or an ancient steam engine. Riding at varying rpms is necessary for running in an engine and ripping in every gear is not necessary for achieving this. Here the manufacturer has set a 7500 rpm limit for the first 1000 kms, so its anyday better to avoid hard acceleration and staying within the prescribed limits as we are not the one who built the bike. KTM knows their bike better than all of us. Its a proved fact that high rpms takes its own toll on the durability of an engine. Wear and tear is directly proportional to the rpm at which an engine runs. Engines used in Motogp are the latest from the motorcycle world, but still manufacturers are unable to keep an engine alive after a couple or more races with just a thousand miles on it. In short, riding sedately have a better aftereffect than ripping hard. | |
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![]() | #2118 | |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Trivandrum
Posts: 206
Thanked: 83 Times
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![]() ![]() And the ABS on the 390 is no where near the combined ABS on the CBR250. In the 390, the ABS regulates braking pressure intermittently which leads to intermittent locking of the wheels which is not so reliable at high speeds, though it works at slow speeds. You can even here tire screeching noise while braking real hard. The 390 is not so stable during fast cornering. It goes into corners fantastically but proper care is needed till you exit the corner safely. Mid-corner corrections are not entertained by the bike due to its unstable nature. The Metzelers help to some extend but still the rider needs to be a bit careful. The Harleys don't like to be cornered but once in, it keeps its own line and exits the corner beautifully with little or no effort from the rider. The 390 is just the opposite. | |
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![]() | #2119 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pune
Posts: 5,810
Thanked: 8,228 Times
| ![]() There is something seriously confusing here. The Dukes (both the 200 and 390) are super stable. As long as you are not aggressive with the rear brake. Use it only to scrub speed and stabilize the bike, not to actually stop. I guess it could also be down to different riders and riding styles. I took to the Duke's aggressive riding geometry immediately. And it was a mountain leap handling and braking and cornering and chassis flex wise compared to the Bullets I have been riding. So no complaints for me. If anything, a little more weight at the rear could help to keep the bike hooked up and planted as you gas out of corners. That's all. Everything else is pure KTM. Manic and wonderful. Very few companies (global - forget Indian) could make bikes like this. |
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![]() | #2120 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: electricity
Posts: 2,707
Thanked: 2,967 Times
| ![]() @DR Oh no. There is definitely a confusion here. The KTM is the most stable maniac you can have here. Those who did track will vouch for its cornering capability any day. In fact my doubt was more on the front end being short as a design and not as an issue. As you also pointed out a little weight at the back is probably helpful. Secondly it does not fishtail or scare you when you brake. But when you are upright and sitting close to the tank the front end feels too close to you and more upright. Quote:
In fact you will unknowingly lean far more than you wanted to. TThe kathipara turn is an indicator of lean for me. In my bull i take this at 60-65. I have been pushing the KTM all the way upto 87kmph. And this turn has a bad spot bang in the middle of that curve that there are times you have to adjust. And the KTM listens. So i would say that statement above is not true with KTM. My point is more towards making something good(best) even better at what it does and with RC390 i personally want a slightly longer front ... Ever so slightly for my choice. Its a riding style as you pointed and i will do better with that slightly stretched front end. | |
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![]() | #2121 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pune
Posts: 5,810
Thanked: 8,228 Times
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![]() | #2122 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,164
Thanked: 2,379 Times
| ![]() My experiences are very similar to Doc's & VW2010's. The bike is stable & recovers well & fast if unsettled. Are you, by chance, using the rear brakes exclusively/ primarily, @junaid12345678? Either that or a good look at the bike by a competent mechanic is immediately required. |
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![]() | #2123 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bombay, London
Posts: 1,205
Thanked: 910 Times
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![]() | #2124 | |
Newbie ![]() Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 8
Thanked: 4 Times
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![]() This being my first bike, I do not have any other frame of reference, let alone Harleys - but the Duke is simply fantastic in its forgiving nature. My two cents. | |
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![]() | #2125 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: electricity
Posts: 2,707
Thanked: 2,967 Times
| ![]() @Doc Thanks for that. And when you look at the FZ1 and R1 it does make sense to keep it closer and not longer. A simple paint work ![]() On the same line will they be also lowering the bike a little more and keep it close to the ground unlike the naked version. The RC390 is exciting. |
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![]() | #2126 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]()
You are doing it wrong buddy. NEVER chop off the throttle and let the engine braking take over once you have leaned over into a corner. Maintain the throttle evenly through a tight corner and power out just before hitting the apex. If you cut off the throttle, you will upset the suspension geometry and there is a very high chance that you will highside. Please, never practice it. Plan your corner entry speed carefully and in case you find you are running wide, LOOK to the inside of the corner, MAINTAIN a constant throttle and lean in more and dont worry, the bike can take it. The bike will move to the inside of the corner without any fuss. |
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![]() | #2127 | |||
BHPian ![]() Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 369
Thanked: 558 Times
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Me thinks you are using too high a gear in corners or using the rear brake. If you still find your 390 not doing your bidding, please check the front fork for oil leak. Quote:
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![]() | #2128 | ||
Newbie ![]() Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 8
Thanked: 4 Times
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I will keep what you have said in mind. Thanks very much! ![]() Quote:
![]() Last edited by KaushikN : 7th March 2014 at 16:00. Reason: Included replies for multiple posts. | ||
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![]() | #2129 | ||
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Trivandrum
Posts: 206
Thanked: 83 Times
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![]() Another issue is that my front suspension is too soft now and I can't take corners with the same speed and confidence I used to have during the initial days. My bike has done 9K kms now. Its not that fun anymore ![]() | ||
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![]() | #2130 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]()
I seriously think its the tires. At 9k kms the grip is bound to be lesser than a fresh run-in tire. |
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