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**B7ACKTHORN** · 05-07-2014, 02:20 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by vinayduke View Post

VJ.

I have been following D390 since its launch in mid 2013. Did multiple test drives. Apart from all the issues reported in initial batch bikes. I just bought a D390 2 weeks ago.

This one certainly feels a smoother from the word go, Clutch is lighter & No leakage's what so ever, Runs cooler comparatively, Engine counter balancer works better in 2014 models - Some improvements have definitely been made. Touch wood no vibes until now, No stalling or hot start issues, etc etc.

Completed 800 KM done with first service at Khivraj by Ravi offcourse :-)

Trulu GEM of a Machine !!

Sent from my GT-N7100 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Oh that's exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks much, indeed, Vinay. Happy mile munching.

Cheers!
VJ

**Ivin** · 05-07-2014, 07:10 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

Appreciate the thoughts, Ivin. Irony! You work for KTM and you have no problem for test rides, but you still haven't had an opportunity to ride it long. Sad.

But jokes apart, would really love to know the "small small" changes done to the bike and the wiring, how significant is that change, if you can throw some thoughts around that, that'd be much appreciated.

Cheers!
VJ

I just saw it in the service department's system. I couldnt know it completely as I have no access to it. I can confirm that the 'hot starting issue' is nearly gone, but still not fully gone. Even the chassis has had some tweaks. Its like for example, the holder of RR unit on the chassis has been moved and position of the same has been changed(rr unit holder). If I get to know more, I will updat here for sure

**anilp** · 05-07-2014, 09:03 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by THE46FAN View Post

Thx guys...had been to Goa last weekend and when i stopped in Margaon for a break i noticed the light when i was abt to start the bike. I thought all the lights blink for once and go off. Only the ABS light goes off while the bike moves. So got a bit tensed. By the way, went with wife, used Rynox tank bag and a back pack. On the way back my dear wife used the train.

She just couldnt manage. Even for me arms start paining while touring with a pillion. The Duke and my wife are at war...Somehow walkin the thin line..

Tell me about it! I'm thinking of buying a second bike just to ensure world peace.

**anilp** · 05-07-2014, 09:07 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

And would love to get hands down insight into who's ridden both the older and the newer D390s and if he/she could elaborate on the improvements that'd be tonfully :

I have one of the earlier batch 390s, and things have been smooth so far. While a few of the 390s from that time had issues, the majority are running smooth despite heavy usage (many have crosses 10,000 km as of today). Last week I had the chance to ride one of the new batch 390s and frankly, there isn't much of a difference. Bajaj seems to have got the quality control issues sorted by now. Don't worry, just enjoy the ride

**anilp** · 05-07-2014, 09:12 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

But jokes apart, would really love to know the "small small" changes done to the bike and the wiring, how significant is that change, if you can throw some thoughts around that, that'd be much appreciated.

Cheers!
VJ

One of the changes that I know of is to the headlight wiring. Some of the early 390s used to overheat (mine doesn't) when headlights were on high beam and the bike was idling. KTM now uses a forked connector as part of that specific harness section to resolve the issue. I think it's related to earthing. Another change is a better quality section to part of the rear mudguard (I forget the exact term). KTM replaced this part for free on my bike during service.

**Praful** · 05-07-2014, 09:43 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by nelson_sanjoy View Post

Let me tell you even Fazers/Cbrs will only help till some extent . Without visor the wind hits directly at your chest since you are upright.
Now with any of these it will be pointed to your helmet/neck area.

Doesn't this mean there is more stress on the neck now due to 'more' wind being deflected to the neck/helmet ?

Originally posted by nelson_sanjoy View Post

I would say it depends on the crosswinds/ wind gusts but Duke surprisingly is immune to crosswinds, don't ask me how? It may be chassis/Tyre anything not sure...

IMO, with my limited riding experience of the 390 last weekend I would disagree with the above statement. There were times I was thrown onto the next lane due to crosswinds. It is a tad better than the D200, but definitely not immune to crosswinds. And I thought all my 93kgs of weight would be anchoring the bike down, but it did not really help much.

**timuseravan** · 05-07-2014, 10:41 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Ivin View Post

Not much of a difference. It feels smooth, clutch felt lighter, but cannot say its an improvement unless I ride it for long. I currently work at KTM. So there aint a problem for test rides. The 2014 and 2013 duke 390 meter consoles have different wirings. They cannot be interchanged and also some small small changes. Meanwhile, The duke 200 has many changes compared to the older model. Its hell lot smooth now along with too many small small changes.

Can you elaborate the changes? Maybe us older duke owners can get some of them done.

**Adarsh_Bk** · 05-07-2014, 12:10 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Praful View Post

Doesn't this mean there is more stress on the neck now due to 'more' wind being deflected to the neck/helmet ?

IMO, with my limited riding experience of the 390 last weekend I would disagree with the above statement. There were times I was thrown onto the next lane due to crosswinds. It is a tad better than the D200, but definitely not immune to crosswinds. And I thought all my 93kgs of weight would be anchoring the bike down, but it did not really help much.

Exactly, that is why aligning helmet with visor is very much necessary. This doesnt mean crouching, just that the helmet should aerodynamically cut through the wind directed from the visor.

You want full immunity from cross winds, however bad it is? Really? Get the damn Ninja 650

(I had seen you lurking in 650 thread in the past, just get the damn thing will ya

)

Originally posted by timuseravan View Post

Can you elaborate the changes? Maybe us older duke owners can get some of them done.

I guess many of them are very minor. For eg, my friend picked up 390 after a week I bought mine and both of us had different bar end weights. Mine was a single piece but his was split into two separate pieces. Not sure what is the actual reason.

**AmitRavi07** · 05-07-2014, 01:25 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Ivin View Post

I just saw it in the service department's system. I couldnt know it completely as I have no access to it. I can confirm that the 'hot starting issue' is nearly gone, but still not fully gone. Even the chassis has had some tweaks. Its like for example, the holder of RR unit on the chassis has been moved and position of the same has been changed(rr unit holder). If I get to know more, I will updat here for sure

Hey Ivin, sorry to bug you, but, can you tell if the stalling issue which some of us are facing is being looked into? I know you may be in a different department, but any information on this problem will be highly appreciated.

**abhijeet080808** · 05-07-2014, 02:37 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by anilp View Post

One of the changes that I know of is to the headlight wiring. Some of the early 390s used to overheat (mine doesn't) when headlights were on high beam and the bike was idling. KTM now uses a forked connector as part of that specific harness section to resolve the issue. I think it's related to earthing. Another change is a better quality section to part of the rear mudguard (I forget the exact term). KTM replaced this part for free on my bike during service.

Could you throw some more light on the headlight wiring? I do not have this problem usually, however once during rains this cropped up. Headlight off -> Temp at bar 10. Headlight on -> Temp at bar 11/12 with overheat warning message.

The bike does not actually overheat in this case, only the console misreads the signal from the coolant temp sensor. The reason as you said is in the grounding. However, I have not found out exactly what to fix.

**nelson_sanjoy** · 05-07-2014, 02:41 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Praful View Post

Doesn't this mean there is more stress on the neck now due to 'more' wind being deflected to the neck/helmet ?

So that my friend has to be taken care by a good helmet with good vents - At the end of the day its a naked bike and alone visor cannot alienate all wind drag but it has its own pros as well.
I don't think we can do any thing more with this since we (normally) don't crouch on Duke like faired bikes. Else none would buy RC390

Else you can put those huge bullet type wind-shields (which really shields you from wind) but are in-aerodynamic and would affect performance I guess.

And if you are thinking of rider fatigue, its much lesser in Duke during long trips but more in cities (can explain that). I recently came back from KT-AP-MH-GJ ISG2G and even after riding around 1k kms, I had some energy left.

Originally posted by Praful View Post

IMO, with my limited riding experience of the 390 last weekend I would disagree with the above statement. There were times I was thrown onto the next lane due to crosswinds. It is a tad better than the D200, but definitely not immune to crosswinds. And I thought all my 93kgs of weight would be anchoring the bike down, but it did not really help much.

May be you are correct, I say this from my own and others experiences.
In our last year South ISG2G we faced massive crosswinds (typical land breeze in afternoon) before Dindigul since it was an empty stretch - faired bikes were struggling whereas our D200 rider was just fine.
Fast forward some days back some people were complaining about crosswinds in the Raebennur-Chitradurga stretch but I didnt feel a thing.

Originally posted by Adarsh_Bk View Post

Exactly, that is why aligning helmet with visor is very much necessary. This doesnt mean crouching, just that the helmet should aerodynamically cut through the wind directed from the visor.

Agree on that and it also depends on the angle and height at which winds are hitting you (also everyone's height and sitting postures are different).
Please note - this can be adjusted in the MRA ones.

Originally posted by Adarsh_Bk View Post

You want full immunity from cross winds, however bad it is? Really? Get the damn Ninja 650

In all fairness yes, its weight and a double bubble screen will work wonders but only if it had ABS and a range any better than D390

**Adarsh_Bk** · 05-07-2014, 03:21 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by nelson_sanjoy View Post

In all fairness yes, its weight and a double bubble screen will work wonders but only if it had ABS and a range any better than D390

Slightly OT but yes, it wouldve been great if it had ABS and guess what, its tank range is more than 390! Has 15L useable capacity and you get around 20+kmpl on highways, you do the math

MRA windshield has the advantage of adjusting the visor but as I have read you will still face wind-hitting-your-helmet issue. All the MRA owners here are very inactive lately so not sure if they managed to solve it completely

**Ivin** · 05-07-2014, 08:23 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by AmitRavi07 View Post

Hey Ivin, sorry to bug you, but, can you tell if the stalling issue which some of us are facing is being looked into? I know you may be in a different department, but any information on this problem will be highly appreciated.

No confirmations about it bro. So far, all the duke 200's manufactured in 2014 are having some headlight switch replacement. Nothing for 390 yet.

**anilp** · 05-07-2014, 09:49 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by abhijeet080808 View Post

Could you throw some more light on the headlight wiring? I do not have this problem usually, however once during rains this cropped up. Headlight off -> Temp at bar 10. Headlight on -> Temp at bar 11/12 with overheat warning message.

It's a Y-shaped connector cable that KTM is using as the fix for this issue. This is replaced for free under warranty. Talk to your service center, and they will do the needful.

**Praful** · 05-07-2014, 09:59 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Adarsh_Bk View Post

Exactly, that is why aligning helmet with visor is very much necessary. This doesnt mean crouching, just that the helmet should aerodynamically cut through the wind directed from the visor.

I guess I will try this out with my friends bike to see if there is any real improvement, because quite honestly I had severe neck pain only during the onward journey, by the return journey I think my neck was conditioned and didn't really feel that stressed out

Originally posted by Adarsh_Bk View Post

You want full immunity from cross winds, however bad it is? Really? Get the damn Ninja 650

(I had seen you lurking in 650 thread in the past, just get the damn thing will ya

)

I don't earn enough to afford maintaining a Ninja, buying is far easier than maintaining. And, I'm not in the bike buying market. For crosswinds my current bike is quite the superstar

Originally posted by nelson_sanjoy View Post

So that my friend has to be taken care by a good helmet with good vents - At the end of the day its a naked bike and alone visor cannot alienate all wind drag but it has its own pros as well.

And if you are thinking of rider fatigue, its much lesser in Duke during long trips but more in cities (can explain that). I recently came back from KT-AP-MH-GJ ISG2G and even after riding around 1k kms, I had some energy left.

I have an AGV K3 helmet, I can say its 'fairly' aerodynamic

No issues with fatigue of riding a naked, been riding a semi-naked for years now without issues. I just want to reduce the stress on the neck due to high speeds.

Originally posted by nelson_sanjoy View Post

Fast forward some days back some people were complaining about crosswinds in the Raebennur-Chitradurga stretch but I didnt feel a thing.

On the same stretch, last Friday I was some 90kms away from Hubli at 7PM. The sun had just set and I was riding through rain and fairly heavy crosswinds. Doing about 100-110 in rain post sundown and then suddenly being thrown into the right lane from the left lane due to a gust of wind onto the path of a fast approaching volvo, not a nice experience, in fact I was shitting bricks. Slowing down helped a little bit though.

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KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

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