Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Opps!! i have been using 25F and 29R, 95% solo ride. Wonder if thats too less??
bike is done 11000kms, and tyres are in decent shape. The front can go for another 6000kms, rear may be 3000kms.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

The manual recommends around these figures. I myself have been using 25F and 30R. 95% solo rides.
36 or 38 seems a bit too much.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Dude i have touched 176kmph couple of times with 28/32, leaving aside the windblast the bike was rock stable... and now you have seen so many comments on the tyre pressure, i guess you need to check it out once. Its for your good only. Try and let us know.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences


Kudos man! Where'd you get the road to touch 176kms bro?
Plus I explained earlier why I have set the tyre pressure to that setting and agreed that I need to check up on it so its ok, point taken man. But thanx bro 😊

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I would generally maintain the pressure that is recommended in the manual/swingarm. Keeping it too high might make it even stiffer and running over potholes with higher pressure are sure to damage your alloys/rims. I would advise to keep it at the recommended pressure.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I second that.. maybe the tyres are made in Germany or any other country.. whats the point of testing a bike as per Indian codition that Bajaj had done if they can't optimise small things like tyre pressure.. as per our road conditions.. plus .. in India we do have very cold regions.. and smooth roads.. i don't think those places would follow a different pressure settings. Im sure Bajaj would have atleast checked the best tyre pressure settings for our roads...

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences



Yep true. The bike was tested in India and optimized. But the manual and its readings are all optimized by global standards. Remember bro ktm is the only company without an India specific model. All other companies have India specific models. The ktm engineer of Hyderabad told me himself that lots of things design wise have been made on the bike by Austrian standards which include the horn, lighting, tyres, and suspension travel. The ecu setting was reconfigured to suit Indian mileage needs and fuels and suspension damping was adjusted which is not the same as suspension travel. Oh and like I said India is generally hotter, as in most of Europe is cold not some of it. Try Delhi in the summer. And I already said that I fill by instinct and I am telling you the bike behaves normally with 32/36 for me and tyre wear and contact patch is normal bro. And you do have to set pressure by temperature. The rule of thumb in this regard is 2-3psi more in summer (believe me the pressure comes down fast) and normal to 1psi more in winter (pressure comes down slower and less stress. Yes the tyre pressure guidelines have been given and we are instructed to follow but I do it because bike behaves better for me this way and as long as tyre remains fine and the ride is smooth there is no risk.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

The tyre pressure discussion has stretched long and escalated to new heights. But the real purpose of the thread was lost in the process. How about some ride experiences and problem solving for the 390 eh?.
My bike's clutch setting was changed by svc and now its smoother and more pleasant to ride but I feel it has lost some initial pickup. I will consult the svc about it but is this normal? Has anyone else had their bikes clutch adjusted? Any advice in this regard is welcome.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

how was it 'changed' ? probably freeplay was adjusted.
Normal free-play is around 3mm at the clutch lever:

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Earlier there was no play. that is to say the clutch would engage as soon as I let the lever go just a bit. But now I have to release it to about 25% of the full travel of the lever to engage the clutch. I told the svc guys it the bike was a little rough and this was their solution. In local mechanic terms its called "half clutch" type clutch setting. any ideas

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Ohh man, you are 'reversing' the very meaning of 'free play'.
see the image i posted.. the free play is measured at the beginning before disengaging and NOT when you release the lever and engage it.
I think the svc guys have adjusted it appropriately. And make take a few days to get adjusted to this new setting.. its normal. If you are still unsure, then just follow the instructions from the image posted.
And hopefully your clutch plates are not bust !

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences



No not free play of the lever but the clutch play or the play before the clutch engages. Dude I have been biking for 16 years if I don't know clutch lever freeplay I don't deserve to ride. I actually tried to clarify with my last post what I meant.

The play I am talking about affects the bikes performance and is generally considered a mileage and pickup setting you know like I said half clutch. For this the wire is adjusted both at the lever and at the bottom near the clutch cover. The one you're talking about is clutch lever slack adjustment. But thanx anyway I have resolved it by setting it to my bikes comfort zone using trial and error method. Cheers

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I managed to turn my bike into a boat today , the bike showed no signs of struggle even when going through hip deep waters. Funny thing was a car guy who gave a long stare wondering how I was able to manage through the water while his car broke down . I was a bit worried about the electricals since they look exposed, but the bike held up quite good.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences


Dude although the bike can survive a little water using it as a jetski is not recommended. LOL

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

It was just for short stint before the rain ride today , btw, hit 500 on the odo today with that ride in thunderstorms