[vitesh.b]

Finally ! Took delivery yesterday. Drove at night from Faridabad to Gurgaon - 40 kms. of twisty road.
Unfortunately, since have started riding after a VERY long time didn't push event a bit. Need to get used to riding again first.
Quick notes -
- Tires appear very grippy
- Good brakes
- Oodles of power available
Have to put the bike through the rigor will give a detailed review later.

[sriramv.iyer]

I have been offline for a week+ - The bike came back after 4 days (including Gandhi Jayanthi) for registration and IND number plates, and I had to travel. Just came back!

Time to take the 390 for a spin! Looks like lot of friends have got deliveries.

[90BHP]

Hi Sriram, any more news for us paparazzis !

[sriramv.iyer]

Originally Posted by MavericK46

On reading Sriram's and added_flavor's posts, it's clear that KTM seem to be replacing the engine oil to a fully synth option from Motul.

This seems to go against the age-old logic of using a mineral oil to promote the running-run of a new engine till the time the engine surfaces have properly bedded-in at which a point a switch to fully synt is suggested:

Very good point, Maverick! I don't know how I missed this too - Using a fully synth oil from start will slow down the run-in. Also, having Nicasil coated cylinders which are super hard will also delay the complete run in.

On the other hand, I hope the advances in technologies, the machining / forging etc should help in reducing the reliance on run-in for a smooth operation.

I have been on travel most of the days, and not so much time to ride

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Hi,
Others have replied, but still adding my two bits.

Engines tend to overheat under two conditions:- stuck in traffic, and under high/ full power runs. Having an electric fan, but not being able to use it under one of these conditions would, IMO, be a criminally bad design choice.

Will be intriguing to see if this is now being also implemented in the latest 200s.

I agree - KTM 390 actually heats up much more in bad traffic - I have NEVER been able to get it to boil by revving to redline in open roads. If the technology is cost-effective, then it should trickle down to 200s and probably even bigger bikes. Will keep an eye open for 1290 reviews!

Originally Posted by Psycho

Well what I have seen is that when I cross 9 kmph the fan stops. It takes a while before it comes back on in the opposite direction a good minute at least.

I had mentioned last time that the technician had mentioned 9 bars in the gauge. However, it seems to be 9 km/h only. However, I am trying nowadays to shift focus from fan

Originally Posted by VW2010

Preetam...this is what happens when KTM delays delivery. And if this spoils sales, they deserve it.

They have delayed delivery over 90 days for many. And the worst part is these bikes are manufactured in India and the first whole lots where shipped to outside India.

KTM and Bajaj basically screwed up and they deserve some negative media.

On the other hand, those who have the bike are too busy riding not worrying about these issues.

I believe it is the mistake of Bajaj / KTM to offer a 90 day waiting period and then not deliver. However, they did face the shutdown of Chakan for 50 days. Atleast, they should have been forthcoming and update all the customers who have booked that they will face a delay. There is no such thing as over-communication, and they should have put in the efforts a bit to keep their customers who pay a whopping 2L for a bike in loop.

I saw this news in motoroids, and if this is true, then all the 390 backlogs should be cleared soon: http://www.motoroids.com/news/spot-d...estive-season/

Originally Posted by vitesh.b

Finally ! Took delivery yesterday. Drove at night from Faridabad to Gurgaon - 40 kms. of twisty road.
Unfortunately, since have started riding after a VERY long time didn't push event a bit. Need to get used to riding again first.
Quick notes -
- Tires appear very grippy
- Good brakes
- Oodles of power available
Have to put the bike through the rigor will give a detailed review later.

Congrats, vitesh! I think it is important to gradually push the limits of self and bike - You did the right thing by not pushing yourself too early (for yourself and the bike!) - The tires and incredibly grippy. You can push your limits on this once you are set!

Originally Posted by 90BHP

Hi Sriram, any more news for us paparazzis !

Ha ha - Sorry! I have been on travel and a terribly transition period (blame the stars ) - I look forward to do some long distance riding on the 390 very soon. After some of the reviews in TBHP, I am planning to rewrite my whole experience as a proper review. I don't know if I'll find time, but I definitely want to!

--------

Some thoughts on the recent rides:

I am repeating ad-nauseum: You have to ride the 390 in wet roads to figure out why everyone calls the tires as awesome, grippy or any other superlative terms. I take the bike out everytime it rains and OMG, it is awesome!

I did not have the 390 for 4 days - Registration and stuff. I took my GT650N out for those days, and one of the days was Gandhi Jayanthi with empty roads. I realized that I corner the GT650N much better than before! Then I figured out that the Duke 390 was actually given me tools to ride better and make me a better rider! WOW! Despite all the bikes that I have owned and ridden, I am still a super-novice. I had tears of joy when I could ride my GT650 in ways I have not ridden before. This is another incredible reason to own the 390.

-----

Is 390 a revolutionary bike?
There is a discussion going on if the 390 is another street-bike or a revolutionary bike in the main 390 thread.

My take:
Forged vs Cast Pistons: In the forged process, the aluminium/alloy is heated to temperature where it is malleable and then pressure is applied to forge it to the shape. This process preserves the metallic bonds and makes the piston LIGHTER AND STRONGER. This is opposed to melting of the metal and pouring it into casts. AFAIK, Yamaha R15 and Duke 390 are only bikes in this range to have this.

Nicasil Coated Cylinders: The inners of the cylinder are coated with Nickel Silicon Carbide which is super hard and super smooth. This also improves the heat transfer. This basically increases the longevity of the engine while being able to withstand the effect of trying to extract more power from the engine. Again, Yamaha R15 and Duke 390 are only bikes in this range to have this. [The technology is called Diasil in Yamaha which also involves a die cast aluminum cylinder]


ABS: This shows how serious are KTM when it comes to safety. The 390 comes with standard ABS! When bikes priced twice as much with lesser displacement (that's you, Ninja 300!) skimp on ABS or doesn't even give it optional, we have to give it to KTM for providing ABS in the 390. This is the LATEST generation ABS from Bosch.

Highest Power to Weight Ratio in class: Over 300 BHP/ton - Enough said!

Metzeler Sportec M5 Tires: Uber premium tires! If I have the green, I'll replace the tires of all my bikes with the tires from this range.


After all the technicalities, I will close after dabbling in some philosophy. The KTM Duke 390 is clearly a bike, which is way more than the sum of the parts. 25 BHP from a CBR 250R is different from 25 BHP in a Duke 200. The suspensions, the chassis, the center of gravity are all different and hence the riding behavior is totally different!

In a curvy road, I am ecstatic with my Ford Fiesta (90BHP) over my Honda City which produces about 115 BHP. (Honda city sings in high revs, and I am in love with that too)

Duke 390, at its price point, is the BEST thing to happen to Indian motorcycling scene. It brings in some of the finest and most advanced technologies to the Indian market, and it is indeed a revolutionary bike atleast in the context of India!

----

People are doing crazy things with the 390 - In the FB 390 forum, I see that one guy rode the bike for 600 kms on Day #1 and another one bought the bike in Bangalore and rode to Nepal for the first service (There is a KTM showroom in Nepal too) - All thanks to the crazy 390 bikes to get such devoted customers!

[rajneeesh]

Guys, went to the KTM outlet in Sector 18 Noida to get a look at the Duke 390> I quite like what I saw. I have a question for you all. How much would the tyres last under noram usage??

[black12rr]

Originally Posted by rajneeesh

Guys, went to the KTM outlet in Sector 18 Noida to get a look at the Duke 390> I quite like what I saw. I have a question for you all. How much would the tyres last under noram usage??

It should be good enough for 10-12 K kms . But that should not worry you , even if you have to pay 11K Rs/- per pair .

Even if they prevent one accident or one broken limb ,its worth it . Think of it as an additional insurance .

[jaygeetee]

Originally Posted by black12rr

It should be good enough for 10-12 K kms . But that should not worry you , even if you have to pay 11K Rs/- per pair .

I thought it was 24k a pair. And thats a lot of money.

[VW2010]

How much would the tyres last under noram usage??

What is Normal Usage..hoping you meant Normal

Normal usage differs from one person to another. If i normally use the bike in racing track, the tyres may last a day or two

If i normally use it for daily commute, my guess is around 8-10K.

On long rides, my guess is between 9-11. My take is the long rides have very minimal short acceleration and mostly consistent pace

[ArizonaJim]

Speaking of synthetic engine oil and breaking in the engine, it was long thought that the improved lubricity of the synthetic would hamper the break in process.

While there is a grain of truth to this with iron bore engines, the bearings, valve lifters and camshafts can benefit from the synthetic's better lubrication. This is also true of the gears in the transmission which are commonly using the engine oil to provide their lubrication.

As for the piston, rings and cylinder bore, if the engine has a nikasil surface on it, the cylinder bore does not require any break in. In fact, because of the thinness of the coating, any kind of wear on it is undesirable.

The piston rings used with this type of bore treatment are designed for use in it and require very little breaking in.

The piston is perhaps the one item that does have to break in by adjusting itself to match the bore at elevated temperatures.
As the ductility of the aluminum will allow it to reshape and adjust itself during this break in period the primary concern is scuffing or galling of the outside surfaces of the piston.
Using a synthetic oil during break in will reduce the likelihood of this happening and its ability to maintain its viscosity at elevated temperatures which can occur in small areas with tight fitting parts during break in will minimize any metal to metal contact.

If the manufacturer says to use semi-synthetic or full synthetic oil during break in, trust them. They have spent billions to study the product of their design during its development and they know what is best for it.

[sriramv.iyer]

Originally Posted by ArizonaJim

Speaking of synthetic engine oil and breaking in the engine, it was long thought that the improved lubricity of the synthetic would hamper the break in process.

While there is a grain of truth to this with iron bore engines, the bearings, valve lifters and camshafts can benefit from the synthetic's better lubrication. This is also true of the gears in the transmission which are commonly using the engine oil to provide their lubrication.

As for the piston, rings and cylinder bore, if the engine has a nikasil surface on it, the cylinder bore does not require any break in. In fact, because of the thinness of the coating, any kind of wear on it is undesirable.

The piston rings used with this type of bore treatment are designed for use in it and require very little breaking in.

The piston is perhaps the one item that does have to break in by adjusting itself to match the bore at elevated temperatures.
As the ductility of the aluminum will allow it to reshape and adjust itself during this break in period the primary concern is scuffing or galling of the outside surfaces of the piston.
Using a synthetic oil during break in will reduce the likelihood of this happening and its ability to maintain its viscosity at elevated temperatures which can occur in small areas with tight fitting parts during break in will minimize any metal to metal contact.

If the manufacturer says to use semi-synthetic or full synthetic oil during break in, trust them. They have spent billions to study the product of their design during its development and they know what is best for it.

Thanks a lot for this! Very well put! Most of my run-in gyaan is from a very good article that I studied: http://royal-enfield-bullet.com/Tech...ew_bullet.html

As you pointed out, it might be relevant to older engines only.

[MavericK46]

Originally Posted by ArizonaJim

....
If the manufacturer says to use semi-synthetic or full synthetic oil during break in, trust them. They have spent billions to study the product of their design during its development and they know what is best for it.

Here's to feeding the Duke, the single-malt fully synth stuff then !
The Duchess will be coming home tomorrow as the RTO has a holiday today. I'll look to run through the manual to see if there's a mention about the type of oil formulation suggested apart from the grade.

In any case, with an explanation as detailed as yours Jim, fully synth is gonna be the choice irrespective of an explicit mention in the owners manual.

Cheers !

[GreaseMonk]

Originally Posted by MavericK46

I'll look to run through the manual to see if there's a mention about the type of oil formulation suggested apart from the grade.

The Indian manual mentions Motul 7100 specifically, which is fully synth (although not a double ester like 300V, IIRC).

[sriramv.iyer]

After many days of not riding, completed an important milestone - Will ride harder and more in the coming days! Guess everyone is busy having fun with their Dukes!

[Cyrus_the_virus]

Hello All, although this is one of my first few posts, have been following the forum for the last few years and now I'm looking for some valuable input from existing members.

If someone or everyone could help compile a full list of PDI checks to be done for the Duke 390, this would help the thousands that are waiting in line to take their respective deliveries of this beauty

Mod Note: Post moved to an existing Duke 390 thread. Please don't start new threads without searching existing threads first.

[rajneeesh]

Originally Posted by black12rr

It should be good enough for 10-12 K kms . But that should not worry you , even if you have to pay 11K Rs/- per pair .

Even if they prevent one accident or one broken limb ,its worth it . Think of it as an additional insurance .

Thanks Black12rr

It is always good to know what you are getting in for. BTW as per the Sector 18 KTM Store, thecost for a set of tyres is 20K.

I am a pretty sedate rider. However if I am going for a performance machine, it is only right that I give it the footwear it deserves.

If I were to go in for the bike, based on my average usage the tryes would last a long time. I am a weekend biker and clock 400- 600 Km per month. This would get distributed between 2 bikes.