The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread

ebonho · 3rd October 2015, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by unk9ja

stock belly guard.

I like the sump guard on your bike. Is it aluminum? Where did you get it from and for how much?

Some photos and details of it would be great.

Does it have some sort of sound deadening coated on the inside (most Dukes with naked metal ones sound pretty bad/tinny to the rider).

unk9ja · 3rd October 2015, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebonho

I like the sump guard on your bike. Is it aluminum? Where did you get it from and for how much?

Some photos and details of it would be great.

Does it have some sort of sound deadening coated on the inside (most Dukes with naked metal ones sound pretty bad/tinny to the rider).

Doc have posted the pics and reviews on post # 4261 and # 4263 in this thread. It is from Indimotard adventures costing 2100INR.

Yes the noise sounds tinny and shifts also sounds tinny, but it is barely audible in the comforts of my helmet and at the end of the day, if it serves its purpose, I am happy. Since you have mentioned the noise deadening material, now have to check it out.

Anil Rajani · 4th October 2015, 15:44

Quick question. Slightly OT

The D390 comes with a slipper clutch. Does the RC390 have one too? Planning on picking up an RC390 but the dealership does not seem to have any clue abt what this is!!

TIA
Anil

schakravarthy · 4th October 2015, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anil Rajani

Does the RC390 have one too?

Only the Duke 390 has the slipper clutch. The RC hasn't got one yet.

nasirkaka · 5th October 2015, 11:53

Went on a ride from Banglore to Hampi and back along with a BMW GS 1200. I was on my 390. Mostly good roads. Had to ride like i was on a 100cc bike to keep up with the GS. WOT most of the time. What a bike the GS 1200 is. Does not at all fell heavy and very maneuverable. planted like rock and glides over potholes and speed breakers. Was also very impressed with the dukes performance as well. Managed to keep up with the GS most of the time. On return leg, we covered 410 kms from hampi to bangalore in 5.5 hours, which includes 140kms of not so good single lane highway, full of potholes and truck traffic + many chai and smoky breaks and 2 fuel stops for the 390 small tank. A 3 day weekend well spent.

PS. Now i am really tempted to let go of my versys 650 plans, beg and borrow to somehow get the tiger 800 XRx.

adhiraj · 5th October 2015, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Went on a ride from Banglore to Hampi and back along with a BMW GS 1200.

Hi Nasirkaka,

Are the sideracks for luggage in the GS1200 made in Bangalore? If so can you please share the details of the place where it has been done? Thanks.

nasirkaka · 5th October 2015, 15:35

Quote:

Are the sideracks for luggage in the GS1200 made in Bangalore? If so can you please share the details of the place where it has been done? Thanks.

No, they are not made in bangalore. Infact, there is a company called TOURATECH which makes these and many more accessories for BMW. Very very expensive. For the price of a set of panniers and engine guard, we can get a new 390.

The link to the site:
http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/P...l-Water-Cooled

sridhu · 6th October 2015, 06:43

Folks: question re the brakes issue

Took it to x-torque to get the brakes bled. They seemed to know what they were doing and took reasonable care to bleed it right. Used Motul Dot4 claiming it was better than the "what Bajaj uses". However the brake feels the same.

They said to change the master cylinder to a 13mm one from Bullet is the only answer to get the bite back & the feel too. Seems strange to me as the stock feel was just fine for me but am unable to get it back. The other issue is that they suggested moving to the 13mm MC as "they have done it for about 20 390s" before they even bled the brakes. So, not too sure about the hidden agenda here.

What do you think, is it worth it to upgrade to the 13mm or is there something else I should try?

Also, there is oil on the front LHS shock. Think the oil seal is gone. The bike has only done 6k km. THere is coolant leaking also.

Is that all the reliability I can expect? At least with a Bullet, I can fix it myself!

RiderZone · 6th October 2015, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by sridhu

What do you think, is it worth it to upgrade to the 13mm or is there something else I should try?

Also, there is oil on the front LHS shock. Think the oil seal is gone. The bike has only done 6k km. THere is coolant leaking also.

Is that all the reliability I can expect? At least with a Bullet, I can fix it myself!

I don't think it'll make much difference, no matter what cylinder you get. Duke brakes are not that good, and that's what I've learned to live with.

You'll see oil and muck trapped just above the silver section of the fork above the axle, if your seal is gone.

In some sense, the Dukes are reliable. They have many many issues, but none of them will stop you from dragging yourself to the nearest KTM SVC. The good thing is that parts are extremely cheap, so changing them up doesn't cause much heartburn.

hiren.mistry · 6th October 2015, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiderZone

I don't think it'll make much difference, no matter what cylinder you get. Duke brakes are not that good, and that's what I've learned to live with.

Won't switching to after market brake pads help? I recall reading that changing brake pads to galfer(?) improves the feel and bite tremendously.
I am in South Africa for while and see a lot of Duke's here.

I plan to get on myself once I'm back next month, perhaps I should carry some brake pads etc with me.

Look at the accessories available here for the Dukes/RC series.

Regards

nitninja · 6th October 2015, 15:38

Im using michellin pilot street in my RC for a month and i feel harder to change lanes at speeds above 60 kmph.I have read in our forum that michellins actually cause the difference,not sure though.i have no issues with slow speed handling.

RiderZone · 7th October 2015, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry

Won't switching to after market brake pads help? I recall reading that changing brake pads to galfer(?) improves the feel and bite tremendously.
I am in South Africa for while and see a lot of Duke's here.

I plan to get on myself once I'm back next month, perhaps I should carry some brake pads etc with me.

Try and let us know! I think a few people did attempt to go for higher quality aftermarket brake parts, but none of them made much difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitninja

Im using michellin pilot street in my RC for a month and i feel harder to change lanes at speeds above 60 kmph.I have read in our forum that michellins actually cause the difference,not sure though.i have no issues with slow speed handling.

What do you mean you feel harder to change lanes? Does the same problem happen in hard cornering? It could be a steering problem, or just a psychological one

Once you get used to the stickiness of the Metzies (assuming you have an RC390), it takes a while to start trusting other rubber.

nitninja · 7th October 2015, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiderZone

Try and let us know! I think a few people did attempt to go for higher quality aftermarket brake parts, but none of them made much difference.

What do you mean you feel harder to change lanes? Does the same problem happen in hard cornering? It could be a steering problem, or just a psychological one

Once you get used to the stickiness of the Metzies (assuming you have an RC390), it takes a while to start trusting other rubber.

Yes i have a rc 390,while cornering bike feels at home,it is only when you give that small inputs to the steering to change the lane,it is apparent.I somehow feel this has something to do with michellins?

nitro.1000bhp · 7th October 2015, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitninja

Yes i have a rc 390,while cornering bike feels at home,it is only when you give that small inputs to the steering to change the lane,it is apparent.I somehow feel this has something to do with michellins?

I have noticed the same with my front michelins on my duke 390 too. Its fine when leaned over but doesnt respond well to small steering corrections. Probably coz of the tread pattern at the base. But the rear Michelins are quite good which just amplifies how bad the front tyre really is. I feel a front Metz and rear Michelin combo would work very well.

nitninja · 7th October 2015, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitro.1000bhp

I have noticed the same with my front michelins on my duke 390 too. Its fine when leaned over but doesnt respond well to small steering corrections. Probably coz of the tread pattern at the base. But the rear Michelins are quite good which just amplifies how bad the front tyre really is. I feel a front Metz and rear Michelin combo would work very well.

I also feel that Michellins weigh a bit higher than Metzelers which can also be amplifying the issue.I dont like the front Michellin and well if everyone feels the same way as we do, then i guess its time to change to Metzelers.

4th October 2015, 15:44	#4893
Anil Rajani Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chennai Posts: 12 Thanked: 35 Times	Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Quick question. Slightly OT The D390 comes with a slipper clutch. Does the RC390 have one too? Planning on picking up an RC390 but the dealership does not seem to have any clue abt what this is!! TIA Anil
	(1) Thanks

5th October 2015, 11:53	#4895
nasirkaka Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,343 Thanked: 3,164 Times Infractions: 0/1 (5)	Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Went on a ride from Banglore to Hampi and back along with a BMW GS 1200. I was on my 390. Mostly good roads. Had to ride like i was on a 100cc bike to keep up with the GS. WOT most of the time. What a bike the GS 1200 is. Does not at all fell heavy and very maneuverable. planted like rock and glides over potholes and speed breakers. Was also very impressed with the dukes performance as well. Managed to keep up with the GS most of the time. On return leg, we covered 410 kms from hampi to bangalore in 5.5 hours, which includes 140kms of not so good single lane highway, full of potholes and truck traffic + many chai and smoky breaks and 2 fuel stops for the 390 small tank. A 3 day weekend well spent. PS. Now i am really tempted to let go of my versys 650 plans, beg and borrow to somehow get the tiger 800 XRx. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by nasirkaka : 5th October 2015 at 12:00.
	(4) Thanks

6th October 2015, 06:43	#4898
sridhu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,246 Thanked: 2,733 Times	Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Folks: question re the brakes issue Took it to x-torque to get the brakes bled. They seemed to know what they were doing and took reasonable care to bleed it right. Used Motul Dot4 claiming it was better than the "what Bajaj uses". However the brake feels the same. They said to change the master cylinder to a 13mm one from Bullet is the only answer to get the bite back & the feel too. Seems strange to me as the stock feel was just fine for me but am unable to get it back. The other issue is that they suggested moving to the 13mm MC as "they have done it for about 20 390s" before they even bled the brakes. So, not too sure about the hidden agenda here. What do you think, is it worth it to upgrade to the 13mm or is there something else I should try? Also, there is oil on the front LHS shock. Think the oil seal is gone. The bike has only done 6k km. THere is coolant leaking also. Is that all the reliability I can expect? At least with a Bullet, I can fix it myself!
	(1) Thanks

6th October 2015, 15:38	#4901
nitninja BHPian Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: chennai/neyveli Posts: 121 Thanked: 188 Times	Re: The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread Im using michellin pilot street in my RC for a month and i feel harder to change lanes at speeds above 60 kmph.I have read in our forum that michellins actually cause the difference,not sure though.i have no issues with slow speed handling.
	(1) Thanks