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**THE46FAN** · 06-22-2014, 01:07 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Have been giving it to mangalore ktm always, but now a new centre opened recently in my town Kasaragod. Thought I'll check it out and this happens...

**fz16_np** · 06-22-2014, 03:51 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hi Everyone. Had been a silent spectator all these days and followed this thread religiously which has helped me to choose this bike over others (reasons are said enough number of times which i don't wanna repeat

). I wanna thank every one here for that. I would be booking it shortly and had a query. Mekhri Circle KTM is near my home and Indiranagar KTM is near my office. Which location is better in terms of customer satisfaction and after sales service?

. I would prefer to book it in Mekhri Circle where I have visited multiple time and quite friendly with the sales rep. Will it help?. Bangalore owners, please provide your ownership exp till date with these showrooms so that I can make the decision right.

Thanks once again.

**Legend Racer** · 06-22-2014, 04:03 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by fz16_np View Post

Which location is better in terms of customer satisfaction and after sales service?

. I would prefer to book it in Mekhri Circle where I have visited multiple time and quite friendly with the sales rep. Will it help?.
Thanks once again.

congrats...enjoy the 40 horses...hope you got all safety gear ready. It may be noted that, in india sales and service in ASS are just 2 different things... Put it simple, try to know the Service managers / technicians in ASS and develop a good relationship with them. Sales guys wont help you in any way.

**fz16_np** · 06-22-2014, 04:11 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Legend Racer View Post

congrats...enjoy the 40 horses...hope you got all safety gear ready. It may be noted that, in india sales and service in ASS are just 2 different things... Put it simple, try to know the Service managers / technicians in ASS and develop a good relationship with them. Sales guys wont help you in any way.

Yup. I owned an R15 V2 before this and had the required gears, would be using the same gears. I totally agree with you and will try to have a good relationship with service managers and technicians. Also are we allowed to go inside the service station in KTM???

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**Legend Racer** · 06-22-2014, 04:38 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by fz16_np View Post

Also are we allowed to go inside the service station in KTM???

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its not a problem if its ktm or bmw... depends on your attitude. be polite, and if they don't let you, just tell, you know to be careful and safety wont be crossed, neither would you be a menace for technicians working...or say, you have spent money to buy it, now you don't wish to give it to someone simply like that...because you have signed that its your responsibility until the vehicles are in service centre...

I manage to sneak inside somehow...

**riazmomin** · 06-22-2014, 04:58 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Painted the handgaurds black.

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**fz16_np** · 06-22-2014, 05:16 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Legend Racer View Post

its not a problem if its ktm or bmw... depends on your attitude. be polite, and if they don't let you, just tell, you know to be careful and safety wont be crossed, neither would you be a menace for technicians working...or say, you have spent money to buy it, now you don't wish to give it to someone simply like that...because you have signed that its your responsibility until the vehicles are in service centre...

I manage to sneak inside somehow...

Nopes. I have this exp when my FZ was getting serviced (2nd or 3rd) and was very polite to check out the procedure of servicing in infantry road Yamaha but wasn't allowed to get in and wasn't able to convince them. I have read in this thread that customers do go inside the KTM servicing station. Not sure in which city it was, so just asked how it is in bangalore.

Anyways good that you manage to sneak in. Even I will try to....

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**Adarsh_Bk** · 06-22-2014, 05:27 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by fz16_np View Post

Nopes. I have this exp when my FZ was getting serviced (2nd or 3rd) and was very polite to check out the procedure of servicing in infantry road Yamaha but wasn't allowed to get in and wasn't able to convince them. I have read in this thread that customers do go inside the KTM servicing station. Not sure in which city it was, so just asked how it is in bangalore.

Anyways good that you manage to sneak in. Even I will try to....

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I have been to indiranagar and kasturba road SVC and both of them don't mind customers hanging around the service Bay, in fact there are chairs to sit and wait

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**fz16_np** · 06-22-2014, 05:30 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Adarsh_Bk View Post

I have been to indiranagar and kasturba road SVC and both of them don't mind customers hanging around the service Bay, in fact there are chairs to sit and wait

Sent from the future using time machine

That is cool. Thanks....

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**Abhishek2255** · 06-22-2014, 10:22 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

has anyone tried the engine ice coolant ?
i would really appreciate if someone could comment on it.
(sorry cant scroll up and look for answers.)

**B7ACKTHORN** · 06-23-2014, 12:01 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Abhishek2255 View Post

has anyone tried the engine ice coolant ?
i would really appreciate if someone could comment on it.
(sorry cant scroll up and look for answers.)

Detailed explanation quoted. Little homework would help!

I had dabbled into the topic of coolants before when I had the high coolant temperature issue. After lots of reading on the net and comparing figures, I came to a conclusion that engine ice was only marginally better than the Motul coolant and that too in one or two aspects, namely specific heat and may be a bit of thermal conductivity.These two parameters might be a bit related but, the former means the ability of a liquid(or for that matter any mass) to absorb heat. The second is how well that heat is transferred between one part of that liquid to another. Metals have very poor specific heat, the reason they heat up in an instant while water,with one of the highest specific heat needs hundreds of calories more to attain the same temperature, also th reason coastal areas have a balmy climate throughout the year.

On the other hand Metals have very high heat conductivity as compared to liquids.
The challenge is striking a perfect balance between these two conflicting parameters to get an optimum mix for a particular engine type.
Both the motul coolant and engine ice seem well matched.

Here is the spec sheet comparison :

Engine Ice :

F.A.Q.

Q: SI Units

Density kg/m3 977 1017
Viscosity N-s/m 1x10-3 0.66-3
Thermal Conductivity W/m-K 0.34 0.38
Specific heat J/kg-K 3497 3378

Q: CGS Units

Density. g/cu cm 0.977 1.017
Viscosity. cp 0.70 0.65

"Q: But does Engine Ice Hi-Performance Coolant ™ protect an alloy engine as well as regular antifreeze?

"

Motul :
For Motul I realize now that the green one used in the svc sometimes is infact a car coolant, Motul Inugel. The one meant for bikes is branded as Motocool expert, yellow in color.
The spec sheet however is similar heat property wise, though I feel the certification requirements would be different which include many other things like anti rust properties and things unique to a bike engine:
Motocool :
http://www.motul.com/system/product_...pdf?1392307946

Inugel :
https://www.motul.com/system/product...pdf?1350664972

PROPERTIES
Nitrite free, amine free, phosphate free.
Color Visual Yellow

pH ASTM D1287 7.9

Alkalinity Reserve ASTM D1121 8.0 mg KOH/g

As you see from the data above Motul has a superior temperature range before it freezes/boils.

PS:In case of all coolants, almost all of the cooling property is provided by good old water. The alcohol is added to depress the freezing point(0 C) and elevate the boiling point(100C). In fact if you mix anything into water the same will happen in varying degrees, but the proper choice of the 'other' fluid has to be made lest you damage the engine. There are a host of other fluid/non fluid additives though(like in case of oils) to prevent corrosion , enhance flow etc etc

As you can see, Motul has the upper hand when it comes to temp range. Though I could not find the conductivity and specific heat figures.
Engine ice can still run cooler within its somewhat limited range(relatively) owing to superior specific heat/conductivity/other(which I don't understand) factors.
I had made up my mind to switch to ice but later realized the gains(somewhat cooler) are not proportionate to the amount spent and I should save the money for the next imminent part replacement

Even more so since the high coolant temperature issue was tracked(finally after months passed) to a faulty/loose headlamp grounding issue(This after checking everything else, like temp sensor/fuel pump pressure/spark plugs etc etc)

The only area where engine ice would score much higher would be environment friendliness, it being non poisonous propylene glycol where as motul is poisonous(ethylene glycol), the reason it comes with bitterness agents to prevent accidental ingestion.
In fact in western countries, trackdays are permitted only if the coolant is non poisonous, hence the gaining popularity of engine ice there. I think for our puny bikes, Motul would do just fine.
There is guy on the 200 forum I know who switched to ice(@bigbore), and found a small improvement initially, but later his reaction would be lukewarm to its benefits. YOu may contact him for his current experience

Cheers!
VJ

**BaibhavMishra** · 06-23-2014, 03:05 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hello everyone.
Baibhav of xBhp Bhubaneswar here.
I'm sure many people are here who are a proud KTM Duke 390 owner who wish to conquer the mighty Himalayas, Ladakh, the Bikers Paradise.
Many people are of the opinion that the stock 390 is not fit for the mountain adventure and requires some mods like changing the tire and all.
So I was thinking that why not start a thread in the forum specially dedicated about how to prepare the duke for the Himalayan Adventure? And ask the KTM Duke 200 owners for their feedback as the bike is similar to some extent.
Please give your opinion. They are of great value.
Thank you.
Cheers to biking brotherhood. Cheers to xBhp.

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**coolmaverickguy** · 06-23-2014, 12:31 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by BaibhavMishra View Post

Hello everyone.
Baibhav of xBhp Bhubaneswar here.
I'm sure many people are here who are a proud KTM Duke 390 owner who wish to conquer the mighty Himalayas, Ladakh, the Bikers Paradise.
Many people are of the opinion that the stock 390 is not fit for the mountain adventure and requires some mods like changing the tire and all.
So I was thinking that why not start a thread in the forum specially dedicated about how to prepare the duke for the Himalayan Adventure? And ask the KTM Duke 200 owners for their feedback as the bike is similar to some extent.
Please give your opinion. They are of great value.
Thank you.
Cheers to biking brotherhood. Cheers to xBhp.

I Think we have one check this out

Modifications on KTM Duke/ RC series - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/general-biking-discussion/26762-what-modifications-would-you-carry-out-your-ktm-duke-390-a.html

General Biking Discussions: Questions, complaints, concerns, rants & everything in between, of course related to biking.

**Abhishek2255** · 06-23-2014, 12:43 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=39214]B7ACKTHORN[/MENTION] thanks a lot

[MENTION=64886]BaibhavMishra[/MENTION] : A few people have already been to leh on the 390 and I guess you can do any trip with the stock bike but a few changes do make it more comfortable and enjoyable.
I have done a couple of 1500 km rides in this month. One to jalori pass and one to Munsiyari and now I am headed to spiti this week.
The changes that I have done are :
1. One and a half inch of foam was added to the seat.
2. Installed Cbr250r windshield.
3. I changed the tyres after the jalori pass trip as stock tyres don't perform so good in offroad conditions. So now I have the Ceat Vertigo sport at the rear and michelin pilot sporty at the front. Performed really well during the munsiyari ride, only problem being leaning ability is now reduced.
4. For luggage I am using the Viatera claw and Rynox optimus s. The tank bag is mainly used to carry my cameras and it easily fits A nikon D7100 and a nikon D610 with battery grips attached and a 24-70 2.8, 10-20, and 70-300. Thats a lot of gear and I have not a had a single scratch on these products till now. The tank bag works like a charm. The claw on the other hand is pretty good too, fits in a lot of stuff but no matter what it keeps moving and shifting to the sides. Not enough to disbalance the bike but enough to irritate you at times.
5. For the spiti trip I am getting a metal sump guard installed along with a luggage rack to carry the claw along with two 10 litre cans of fuel.

**vineeth9188** · 06-23-2014, 12:55 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Abhishek2255 View Post

[MENTION=39214]B7ACKTHORN[/MENTION] thanks a lot

[MENTION=64886]BaibhavMishra[/MENTION] : A few people have already been to leh on the 390 and I guess you can do any trip with the stock bike but a few changes do make it more comfortable and enjoyable.
I have done a couple of 1500 km rides in this month. One to jalori pass and one to Munsiyari and now I am headed to spiti this week.
The changes that I have done are :
1. One and a half inch of foam was added to the seat.
2. Installed Cbr250r windshield.
3. I changed the tyres after the jalori pass trip as stock tyres don't perform so good in offroad conditions. So now I have the Ceat Vertigo sport at the rear and michelin pilot sporty at the front. Performed really well during the munsiyari ride, only problem being leaning ability is now reduced.
4. For luggage I am using the Viatera claw and Rynox optimus s. The tank bag is mainly used to carry my cameras and it easily fits A nikon D7100 and a nikon D610 with battery grips attached and a 24-70 2.8, 10-20, and 70-300. Thats a lot of gear and I have not a had a single scratch on these products till now. The tank bag works like a charm. The claw on the other hand is pretty good too, fits in a lot of stuff but no matter what it keeps moving and shifting to the sides. Not enough to disbalance the bike but enough to irritate you at times.
5. For the spiti trip I am getting a metal sump guard installed along with a luggage rack to carry the claw along with two 10 litre cans of fuel.

Hope that you will post the pictures of the bike after all the modifications done

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