Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I rode junaid12345678 bike today. It has done 3k+ kms and the difference between his bike and my bike is just too much. My bike is around the 800km mark.
His engine sounds a little less throaty but along with less sound there is also considerably less noise, vibes, jerks or whatever that is not wanted.
His low end power delivery has improved so much that I was able to ride the bike in 6th doing a 60kmph very easily while on my bike even 70kmph is tough.
I can see that its getting better on my bike too as earlier anything below 80 in 6th and bike used to complain.

His bike was able to pull from 3rd while negotiating with speed breakers while mine has to be in 2nd.

Junaids bike is way more refined, refined to the point that I can compare it to a Honda engine, he himself has a cbz xtreme too which is a very smooth machine and feels the same himself.

His gearshifts are way better than mine, the clunk is almost non existent on his bike where as in mine its way too noticeable till now.

He took it very easy till 1000 kms, I rode it normally without worrying about the rpm or anything. Did redline it quite a few times after the 1st oil change at 200kms. I don't know if the difference is because of that or the number of kms.

Going for first service on Wednesday, hope they are able to sort out the vibes and sounds I am getting from the bike.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=63586]DukeDey[/MENTION] just relax. Every 390 is like your bike before first service. See the change after the service! You'll be surprised.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Yes absolutely. No written document or proper explanation why the oil change is necessary so early. So, the engine remains new for the first 1000 kms. But why can't it be the first 990 kms? Is there any explanation why all motorcycles engines completes their running in exactly at 1000kms? How could the bike finish all its running in just after the mechanic pours new oil? If the metals won't contaminate the oil, then whats really the need of changing the oil? You could better opt to change the oil only at second service as the metal particles are at the bottom. And we all know how reliable the Duke's user manual is. We even have no idea, what is the right pressure for the tires, just forget about running in.
I made the opinion to change the oil early because I found my bike is better after the change. It was just my personal experience and no offense meant to anyone here.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

The first service won't make a magical difference. I know this for a fact and today a member here genxt got his first service done but no change noticed. It all depends on the way the bike has been running. I would just ask them to take care of the tappet or somewhat similar noise coming from the engine.
The character of the bike would change with time if its ever going to. Bike feeling very different after first service is a myth. They do nothing more than an oil change, oil filter change, cleaning, chain tightening etc. All this was already done at 200kms in my case and would be done again and I am absolutely sure its going to be almost the same.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I have similar observation. But the buzziness is not constant. Sometimes it is there and sometimes not even on similar roads.

My bike also runs easily at 60 on the 6th gear and I have just completed 350km. However it has be above 20 for second gear, that means no speed breakers above second and preferably first.

I also noticed one more thing - the fan sound changes when the bike is running hot for longer time. Is it the same for everyone?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Very true. I just got the bikes 1st service done couple of days back. No noticeable difference at all. In-fact i feel that vibes at the RHS foot-peg is increased a bit after service. No difference in engine smoothness, clutch, etc, where as after every service on my C5, the difference is always very very stark. I think i have done the first 1000kms run-in in a proper way. Have mostly done those kms on the highway, with the sole intention of proper break-in. Running in all gears, at various speeds, using engine breaking, time for cooling, etc.

I did not change the oil before the first service. Had gone to autoservice for oil change at around 200kms on odo, but was convinced my Mr Venkat (considered very knowledgeable in the area of automobiles by bangalore riders) to not change the oil, as its not really required for a modern engine like 390's.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

+ 1 to whatever @DukeDey has mentioned. I'm in the same boat as you are...My bike has done 3800+ Kms so far..

I did change the oil at 300+ kms and didn't redline till my first service. But rode the bike moderately hard with in 7500 to 8000 rpm with fair bit of highway run-in as well [but varied the rpms quite frequently]

Now my bike's exhaust note is little bassy compared to few other 390s :-). But when I rode 2 other 390s, I found that they are all less noisy, refined, smoother and you get a feel that their engine is less strained at higher rpms compared to mine.

But now I have a feeling that it is definitely not related to moderately hard break - in. I know another 390 owner who broke in moderately hard, changed oil atleast twice before first service. His bike is lot smoother and he can reach a speeds of 170 Kms very easily [he weighs around 80]

Even I had @DukeDey's feeling that my bike's engine will smoothed out gradually and so far it hasn't.

@DukeDey - Initially, my bike will also not do low speeds in low gears as you have mentioned. But it gradually improved and now I can do 15-16 Kmph in 2nd gear without knocking and 60 on 6th gear is also very easy...

Current regrets about my 390 compared to others... :-(

- It wont go past 155KMPH. Have to try crouching to see if it can at least reach 160....
- Engine note is hard but my exhaust note is bassy [my exhaust note is the only good thing]
- Tik Tik noise [as if timing chain is loose / tappet noise] along with engine note. Got it checked in multiple SVCs and every one says that it is normal. I have noticed it some other 390s also. So, I'm not bothered about it anymore.
- There is no whistling noise [kind of turbo whine] from engine when you accelerate. I have noticed this in many other 390s whose engine are lot smoother. I can note it in my engine only during engine braking.

biggest regret:

- engine oil leak from engine head gasket. This is a big story:

My engine started leaking very less oil from engine head gasket when it had completed 2600 kms. I wrote an email to KTM and later took it to a SVC. They removed the engine head, replaced the head gasket and within 10 Kms after that, it started leaking lot of oil from head gasket again. Took it SVC again, they removed the head and applied some kind of sealant to head gasket. Later, I didn't notice any leak from right or left side of the engine head gasket and was happy that the issue was resolved. My happiness was short lived. :-(

After 3600 Kms, recently, 3 days ago, when I was cleaning my bike myself, found lot of leaked oil gunk in the front of the engine along with some fresh oil leak as well. This area was hidden behind the radiator and I never noticed it until now. So I assume that the original oil leak was not fixed completely. Checked the engine oil level and it has gone down from the original level. Wrote an email to KTM again and I have left the bike at SVC to get it resolved. My bike is at SVC now and hopefully, the issue will get resolved completely.

At SVC, during all this head removal and gasket change, they have also managed to scratch the orange trellis frame... :-(

Now the very reason why I bought a KTM is proved completely wrong....
- Good engine quality, Racing pedigree, No oil leaks etc.... :-(

Now only God knows the issues that i might be facing after warranty period...

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Just Back from the Indiranagar showroom,Bangalore after seeing by bike which has to be registered.
I went for Bajaj Finance, so the down-payment cheque has to be realized before delivery.

Did start the bike in the parking lot below the showroom to see a few things. It shows 1km run which should be ok i guess. Its was a very dark place to be able to see coolant and break fluid level. I was assured by Paul (I guess he along with Sandeep are showroom managers for Marthahalli & Indiranagar) that if anything, will be taken care in the bike . I told him that the fuel level indicated that its just below reserve and told him to fill-up some more before delivery. He said he would. Asked about the KTM power-part Windscreen, its not in stock now,costs rs 2550 . I got the whole list of KTM power-parts cost from them. Some are really ridiculous .

Sorry couldn't click pics since it was at a very dark place. I am planning to take delivery on Saturday so that I can do some PDI with some free time.
Owners can you please point me to things to be checked specifically. Super excited now , finally after so much waiting ...

Thanks,
Sanjoy

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Going through all the posts here in this tread everyday.
Its now pretty clear that this bike gives you the thrills compared to any bike in its class.

But then I actually did not expect so many small niggles about the bike. I actually now think Bajaj should up the quality control. Its not a fill it shut it forget it and ride it, atleast not yet.Which is expected from a KTM. And its making me sad
I am actually waiting for the RC but im not sure how the reliability would shape up for the initial lots.

Bajaj should really go through this thread.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences


Check the following for PDI :-

Body :-
1. Check the swing arm for any cracks and scratches
2. Check the paint job, make sure there are no chipped off areas
3. Make sure the Mud Flap is fitted
4. Check for presence of Knuckle Protectors (They generally remove them will transporting the bike)
5. Make sure Fork Boots are present
6. Check the Tyre Rims for any dents, cracks or chipped off paint
7. Make sure the chain is properly lubed and is not slack (Buy a Motul Chain Lube for future use)

Consumables :-
1. Coolant level - Should be between min and max
2. Check Engine Oil level (Turn on the engine for 2 minutes, switch off and then check)
3. Check Brake Fluid level for both brakes (The level for front one is difficult to see as they normally fill it up completely)


Other Checks:-
1. Check whether the lamps, indicators and other electrical are working
2. Odometer reading should be less than 5 or 10 Kms
3. Check whether the radiator fan connector is connected
4. Make sure that they give you the Toolkit and tuck it under the pillion seat with 2 rubber bands
5. Check the handlerbar alignment

Once you are out of the showroom:-
Straight away head to the nearest petrol pump.
Do a tank full.
Check the tyre pressure (The default one is too high), Correct tyre pressure is indicated on the swing arm (Front - 25 and Rear - 32 (With Pillion))
I maintain it as Front - 29 and Rear - 32.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Damn **** .... so sorry guys. it has been 3 days. bike wont start with usual cranks. tried adjusting the throttle play. before the free play was 5-8mm. now its 2-3 mm. still does not start. today morning i thought of washing and detailing it. did a proper wash and took great care, not to mess with sensors.
But alas, here comes trouble. engine malfunction light and low battery.

Removed key and called up Dealer. He was not reachable, called [MENTION=63586]DukeDey[/MENTION] and he gave SM number. spoke to him. I knew this guy before as he had once attended my P 150 case and i was happy with him. He asked me to check the number of malfunction light blinks.

First it was 6, the last being fast. then it became 3 blinks, 3rd one being fast. The reply was water in sensors or circuits and cracked a joke, why did i wash when they are there? I really didnt like that joke. So everything came down to ECU, OBD and error codes. Bike needs a mechanic and ECU software.
He said Trivandrum is very far, hence i gotta contact Kollam. He gave the number.
Called up Kollam SM. He said, today nothing can be done as he is out of station and they are new to this. He also added that he is not sure if his mechanics can sort out the problem. WTH?

Anyway made a call to showroom and said things will go out of hands if not attended soon. At 7 pm dealer called me and said tomorrow in the morning it will be seen. fingers crossed.

Apart from these, bike got small niggles. I need suggestions and options to buy chain cleaner and lube. Thank you. now at 99kms. 1 more for century.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Damn, I really am disappointed by reading this. Such a good product being marred by these issues. I wonder how the European bikes are doing.
Bajaj should really look into the issues. Not a single 390 owner is there who has not reported an issue or two.

I am also going to the svc tomorrow, lets keep our fingers crossed and hope that the mechanics are skilled enough to make the bike as it should be.

Sent from my GT-I9100

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=63586]DukeDey[/MENTION] when you go there try to know if anyone can go outside for repairs. dont ask directly. i know that SVC has only about 2-3 mechs.

Battery given for charging.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Just as when I was deeply contemplating on buying, this thread is taking a different form all together. Anyways, I will keep looking at the positives as of now. It is good that the owners are deeply concerned and putting forth their issues - very healthy and informative discussions for the community and prospective buyers.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Have covered 1450 on odo so far. I did not drain the oil at 200-300 Kms. The first 200 kms I kept the engine speed below 5,500 rpm and the next 200 were short sprints once in a while and the rest were a mix of speed variation. Bike is running silky smooth except for trivial issues. I am noticing vibes near speedo console area at 3.5-4K rpm, left side handle bar guard often requires tightening and when steered towards max RHS, I hear a squealing sound. May be its the tie rope that has gone hard and choking the harness.....