Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Clutch, tires, cables all depends on the ussage Skanda, so it varies from person to person. 19k is a good clutch life and can even be extended till 20k plus if you don't see any hiccups in performance. But since the basket is being replaced, it's advisable to replace the plates together, as once removed from basket, the clutch plate friction material can thin out and cause sudden performance drop, so it's wise to get them replaced as a set along with the basket.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Plates were never replaced. Stock one from factory and have fun 19K Kms. What's the usual lifespan (Kms) for the clutch?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

The sooner the better Skanda. Clutch are high stress components due to the beating they take from the power. The sooner it's checked and replaced, the better peace of mind later on. Strongly recommend you to change the basket, and the plates depending on when it was last replaced.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thank You Vijay, I will try a different SVC this time and report back.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

You're a savior! This is exactly what might be happening. Just read through issues with Duke clutch basket on KTMForums and I didn't even knew what clutch basket is and I seem to have issues with clutch frequently. Got the cable changed recently as well. Do you think this requires a urgent fix or is it fine if I run for 1K or 2k Kms with this condition?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

It's time to check your caliper piston and piston seals. Faulty piston seals would cause sponginess and saggy/grabby brakes. The piston should come in and out smoothly. If we have faulty seals or dust accumulation in the caliper, this hinders the piston movement and causes grabby and saggy brakes. Also a worn front brake pad would mean excessive piston travel which would result in spongy brakes. Secondly, air in line, improperly bled system would definitely have air in line can bring this saggy symptoms after a while.

1. Check your front caliper piston seals.
2. Check your brake pad wear.
3. Rebleed the system.

Worse case, it can also be a faulty master cylinder piston. But check this for now and keep your observations posted.

[MENTION=16543]Skanda[/MENTION] and Iman Jaffer, the sound you guys might be experiencing can also be due to faulty clutch basket, which has developed play. That clank sound can in fact be caused by the basket rivets getting lose over time and causing play when suddenly accelerating and not when accelerating slowly. Solution is to replace the clutch basket. Clicked to me now. Nevertheless, keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Front brake issue has come back to haunt me again! MC was changed, brake was bled twice but all in vain. It works well for 80-100kms and then its back to square one.

I need to use four fingers to pull the brake lever and only then the brake engages. Earlier, only two fingers were enough. Heck, even my 32 year old RX100 brakes better than my five year old D390.

The lever travel is just too much and once, for a split second, the lever didn't come back!

MC changed, fluid changed, bleeding done. What else do I check?

It feels better when I tie a velcro to brake lever and leave it overnight. But ofcourse, thats only a temp solution.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Please do keep us posted if you find out the source!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I'm too having the same issue for about 1 month now, it happens only when accelerating from lower RPM.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

As [MENTION=39214]B7ACKTHORN[/MENTION] mentioned previously, perhaps a video of the issue area could help narrow down the issue further.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

It does not appear to come when idle. Only when the gear is engaged and when revv harder. Chain slack sound is too different from this sound I'm referring to. Will observe it for some days and see if it increases or not.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Yep. Checked. I replaced the stock Allen bolts with grade 12. 9 bolts long back as they tend to break frequently. They are as tight as they can now.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Don't bother and observe for a few days, primarily to see if the sound is increasing. Try to record if possible, at least by revving the bike in idle or when parked, if you can hear the sound, it's probably something loose. If you hear when riding, it can perhaps be the chain sometimes -- off slack or too tight. Keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Do check your crash guards. My roomie's Duke 200 was rattling the same way and after a thorough check-up, found it to be crash guards on the left side which had it's screws missing. That could do potential damage upon prolonged usage.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Belly pan and radiator guards are perfectly fine. I tightened them myself and made sure they are not rattling. Not sure what sound this is, but hard to record it as well as it happens only during hard acceleration.