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**B7ACKTHORN** · 10-15-2014, 07:45 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Ezilkannan View Post

Just got my bike delivered. My first impressions - The seat is wider than what I am used to on the R15, so I guess it will take some time to get accustomed to this, also the riding position is much upright. I felt windblast beyond 90kph, but it was quite manageable. Didn't take it too high as it is in run in. The bike generates a lot of heat, I guess this is quite normal. The heat is very evident when riding in traffic. Handles like a dime, quite as much as the R15 if not better. Suspension seems to be stiff, but I'm gonna keep it at that as I don't want to mess up the handling by softening it up. Taking it to the nearby twisties this weekend. I'm very excited about it.

Ezil, congrats, and glad to see Hari's bike in the rear too. Yes during running-in the the bike generates a lot of heat. I'd suggest you try doing your run-in when you take it for long rides as opposed to daily commute, as much as you can, as the latter puts undue stress on this type of an engine.

Secondly, the suspension would over time, begin to get softer and that is normal too.

You have a "big" pending bill from your side, head south soon, and treat my tummy.

Cheers!
VJ

**riazmomin** · 10-15-2014, 07:53 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

A quick update on my bike and certain clarifications for some.

1. Done close to 19500 km.
2. Still on stock from tire and it appears to end of it life. But still good on tarmac.
3. Brakes pads are still stock on both front and rear. Still 40% life left in them.
4. Stuttering issue at 4000 RPM has gone after throttle body change and religiously filling at single petrol bunk (Essar).
5. Mine has sudden coolant level decrease issue. The issue was air bubbles that creep into radiator and coolant tends to evaporate. One this was cleared. The coolant loss issues was gone.
6. Mileage is back to 29-30 KMPL. It came down to 25 KMPL with issue in throttle body.
7. Bumped into a car who braked suddenly. Replaced Front Brake lever, Rear brake foot level and complete rear set as it was bent and hitting swing arm. No injuries to me (thanks to Gloves, which saved big time).

Will add once I remember some.

**Dimpy** · 10-15-2014, 10:07 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by riazmomin View Post

A quick update on my bike and certain clarifications for some.

1. Done close to 19500 km.
2. Still on stock from tire and it appears to end of it life. But still good on tarmac.
3. Brakes pads are still stock on both front and rear. Still 40% life left in them.
4. Stuttering issue at 4000 RPM has gone after throttle body change and religiously filling at single petrol bunk (Essar).
5. Mine has sudden coolant level decrease issue. The issue was air bubbles that creep into radiator and coolant tends to evaporate. One this was cleared. The coolant loss issues was gone.
6. Mileage is back to 29-30 KMPL. It came down to 25 KMPL with issue in throttle body.
7. Bumped into a car who braked suddenly. Replaced Front Brake lever, Rear brake foot level and complete rear set as it was bent and hitting swing arm. No injuries to me (thanks to Gloves, which saved big time).

Will add once I remember some.

this is really encouraging to see the bike had done a fair amount of kms without any major issue. i might take three years to reach those many kms. coz i hv scooter for market commute.

**Saba** · 10-15-2014, 11:09 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hey guys, what is the recommended tyre pressure for the duke 390? At present i ride 28/32 and thats what the svc suggested. I mostly ride solo and weigh around 96kgs. Thanks.

**kkamaleshh** · 10-15-2014, 11:35 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

5. Mine has sudden coolant level decrease issue. The issue was air bubbles that creep into radiator and coolant tends to evaporate. One this was cleared. The coolant loss issues was gone.

Hi
My duke also facing the sudden coolant level decreasing problem. Bleeded and refilled the coolant two times and there is no leakage at any hoses or in the engine. Engine oil is also checked. How did they solve your problem?

**AmitRavi07** · 10-16-2014, 12:38 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Saba View Post

Hey guys, what is the recommended tyre pressure for the duke 390? At present i ride 28/32 and thats what the svc suggested. I mostly ride solo and weigh around 96kgs. Thanks.

That is what I have been using on my bike and suggest to others too. Even keeping 29/30 at front won't be a bother. Ensure that you regularly check the tyre pressure and fill when necessary.

**Dimpy** · 10-16-2014, 07:53 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by sharathchandra View Post

Does newer batch of bikes come with a plastic casing over the rear suspension? Am confused. Can anyone clarify on this? Am getting my bike in the second week of November.

Sent from my SM-G7102 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Yes the newer bikes do come with plastic flap to cover the rear suspension and also there is a plastic housing to cover the suspension rod (not sure if im using the right term) as well. Also there is a change in the radiator/fan design .. the air re-direction is different. When the fan turns on.. if you can stand in front of the bike.. you will feel most of the air coming out from the front of the bike.. just below the headlight.. Only little bit of warmth is felt in traffic (atleast to me). Also heard that the Alloy wheel rims have been re-in-forced due to some cracking complaints.

**shootingstar** · 10-16-2014, 10:54 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by riazmomin View Post

A quick update on my bike and certain clarifications for some.

1. Done close to 19500 km.
2. Still on stock from tire and it appears to end of it life. But still good on tarmac.
3. Brakes pads are still stock on both front and rear. Still 40% life left in them.
4. Stuttering issue at 4000 RPM has gone after throttle body change and religiously filling at single petrol bunk (Essar).
5. Mine has sudden coolant level decrease issue. The issue was air bubbles that creep into radiator and coolant tends to evaporate. One this was cleared. The coolant loss issues was gone.
6. Mileage is back to 29-30 KMPL. It came down to 25 KMPL with issue in throttle body.
7. Bumped into a car who braked suddenly. Replaced Front Brake lever, Rear brake foot level and complete rear set as it was bent and hitting swing arm. No injuries to me (thanks to Gloves, which saved big time).

Will add once I remember some.

What about your chain, is it also stock ? Any major expense in 19.5k kms ?

**Balgi** · 10-16-2014, 12:37 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Saba View Post

Hey guys, what is the recommended tyre pressure for the duke 390? At present i ride 28/32 and thats what the svc suggested. I mostly ride solo and weigh around 96kgs. Thanks.

I ride with a pillion and maintain a tyre pressure of 32/38. So your ideal pressure should be 32/36. Svc suggests 28/32 but fills 32/36 at the time of delivery so don't listen to them. At your current pressure the tyre's contact patch is too big and bike will feel less agile.

**sharathchandra** · 10-16-2014, 01:06 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Dimpy View Post

Yes the newer bikes do come with plastic flap to cover the rear suspension and also there is a plastic housing to cover the suspension rod (not sure if im using the right term) as well. Also there is a change in the radiator/fan design .. the air re-direction is different. When the fan turns on.. if you can stand in front of the bike.. you will feel most of the air coming out from the front of the bike.. just below the headlight.. Only little bit of warmth is felt in traffic (atleast to me). Also heard that the Alloy wheel rims have been re-in-forced due to some cracking complaints.

Many thanks to u. U have almost answered to all my apprehensions. It is as if u have read my mind

My last query is, has the coolant leakage and blown gasket issue taken care of in the newer batches?

Sent from my SM-G7102 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**riazmomin** · 10-16-2014, 02:57 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by kkamaleshh View Post

5. Mine has sudden coolant level decrease issue. The issue was air bubbles that creep into radiator and coolant tends to evaporate. One this was cleared. The coolant loss issues was gone.

Hi
My duke also facing the sudden coolant level decreasing problem. Bleeded and refilled the coolant two times and there is no leakage at any hoses or in the engine. Engine oil is also checked. How did they solve your problem?

There is a small bolt on the top of radiator on exhaust side. They removed that bolt and let the engine run so that coolant circulates. Waited till the coolant spilled a bit and closed it with that bolt. That was done. Engine has to cool down before this is done.

Originally posted by shootingstar View Post

What about your chain, is it also stock ? Any major expense in 19.5k kms ?

Chain also is stock along with rear sprocket. Front was replaced during the recall.

Did not had any major expenses except paying 5K for insurance renewal

**Dimpy** · 10-16-2014, 03:16 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by sharathchandra View Post

Many thanks to u. U have almost answered to all my apprehensions. It is as if u have read my mind

My last query is, has the coolant leakage and blown gasket issue taken care of in the newer batches?

Sent from my SM-G7102 using xBhp Connect mobile app

You are welcome bro. I had coolant disapperaed issue when the bike was 3 days old. it went to a min. level... toppedped it up.. the service engr. told me that its not a issue.. there could be some air bubble or air jackets where the coolant sets in when the bike is new..which is normal.. so.. I never had coolant issue after that. so.. i hvn't heard of any coolant leakage issue recently.. i in-fact went to the service center 2-3 times randomly without informing them.. all the bikes for service were for normal service or very minor issue.. so.. i would say yes to your question.. its not there.. infact.. old bikes also did not have much of an issue.. only few bikes developed the problem..

**sharathchandra** · 10-16-2014, 04:07 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Dimpy View Post

You are welcome bro. I had coolant disapperaed issue when the bike was 3 days old. it went to a min. level... toppedped it up.. the service engr. told me that its not a issue.. there could be some air bubble or air jackets where the coolant sets in when the bike is new..which is normal.. so.. I never had coolant issue after that. so.. i hvn't heard of any coolant leakage issue recently.. i in-fact went to the service center 2-3 times randomly without informing them.. all the bikes for service were for normal service or very minor issue.. so.. i would say yes to your question.. its not there.. infact.. old bikes also did not have much of an issue.. only few bikes developed the problem..

Thanks alot bro. I have bet my entire moolah on D390. U know how difficult it is to convince myself and a host of others on spending 2lakh plus on a bike.:banghead: Hence all these queries. Somehow a positive response is reassuring. Whenever I post a query on D390 the A/F mixture in my heart runs lean, it's back to normal when I get an expected reply.

Thanks alot to fellow x'bhpians as well for keeping me hale and hearty

Sent from my SM-G7102 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**Saba** · 10-16-2014, 05:11 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Balgi View Post

I ride with a pillion and maintain a tyre pressure of 32/38. So your ideal pressure should be 32/36. Svc suggests 28/32 but fills 32/36 at the time of delivery so don't listen to them. At your current pressure the tyre's contact patch is too big and bike will feel less agile.

Thanks for the suuggestion. Will fill 32 and 36 and will post the difference. But just a small doubt?wont 32/36 mean over inflation of tyres? Thanks.

**Adarsh_Bk** · 10-16-2014, 05:14 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by sharathchandra View Post

Whenever I post a query on D390 the A/F mixture in my heart runs lean, it's back to normal when I get an expected reply.

Thanks alot to fellow x'bhpians as well for keeping me hale and hearty

Sent from my SM-G7102 using xBhp Connect mobile app

LOL

Get an FI installed, that should keep the A/F mixture appropriately

On a serious note, most 390 owners who dont face issues rarely post anything here, they will be busy riding

So rest assured, dont lose your peace of mind reading about issues in this thread.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by Saba View Post

Thanks for the suuggestion. Will fill 32 and 36 and will post the difference. But just a small doubt?wont 32/36 mean over inflation of tyres? Thanks.

Why dont you follow the manual? It says 25/28 for solo and 25/32 with pillion. I maintain 26/30.

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KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

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