Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hi guys...can we order Metzelers online?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Some good news for 390 owner who are not too much track focussed and don\'t want to spend too much money on metz. MRF have launched tyres for 390 at affordable price.

http://www.motorbeam.com/2015/02/bikes/ktm-duke-390/mrf-launches-revz-fc1-c1-tyres-for-ktm-dukerc-390/

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Link\'s not opening...thanks anyways. I just ordered Metz from Bangalore. Thanks.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

For how much and from whom ??

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Duke 390 (23000kms)update and review-
I've just completed clocking 23000kms as a result of my 5000kms long ride (Bangalore-Pune-Mumbai-Daman-Rann of Kutch-Bangalore).My bike is from the Nov 2013 batch.
The bike performed exceptionally well during the ride even though the chain sprocket set and the front tyres were at the fag end of their life.
The most annoying issue that I have faced with the bike would be rim bends.I have had 3 of em so far. Replaced the rim the first time,claimed insurance for the second and finally decided to run the repaired rims itself after the 3rd instance.
Other recurring issues- Oil leaks .I've had this since the last 3 services. Oil leaks from the gasket and near the belly pan. The service center guys add the sealant each time and it subsides for a few thousand kms but it does become an issue after 4k-5k kms requiring an oil topup. However it hasn't been serous enough to affect the reliability of the bike.Keeping a watchful eye for any leaks and timely top of oil usually does the trick.
Apart from these,the bike has performed the role of a street bike/commuter,tourer and a track bike(2 outings at the MMRT) brilliantly.Kudos to KTM for designing a true all rounder.
As far as tyre change goes-I've changed the rear Metzlers twice.First change was at 11000kms ,2nd change came up around 16000kms as a result a nasty rim bend which shred the rear metz. I've used MRFs,IRCs and Dunlops.Nothing even comes close to the Metz.The confidence they inspire is absolutely unmatched. I managed to push the front Metz for 22k kms . I must admit that past 20k it was quite a stretch as it developed significant wobbling.
I have now switched over to the Michelin Pilot street for the front because of all the good reviews that I've been hearing about them.Got them for 3.8k and if they offer atleast 80 percent of the grip that the Metzlers offered, it would be a bang for the buck. I also read in another forum that Michelin are planning to launch a 150/60 spec version of the Pilot street for the rear which should offer a good budget alternative to the Metzlers without compromising on the performance too much.

I have also been using the Fazer windscreen for a long time now and they really do help to deflect some windblast away from your body.A useful cost effective addition,I must say.
Things that I think could have been better
*The rims
*the console(especially the tachometer)
*The lights.They are simply inadequate for touring.
Future mods/upgrades that I have planned post the 30k mark
*First on my list is the Powertronic ECU. From what I hear,it should make the bike a powerwheelie pulling better behaved hooligan.
*Cree LED setup
Here is the break up of my 5th service(done at KTM Kasturba road,Bangalore)
-Chain/sprocket kit labor-Rs 674
-Paid service-Rs 730
-Polishing-Rs 50
-Consumables-Rs 140
-Coolant -Rs 40
-Motul 10W 50 - Rs 1650
-Chain slider-Rs 260
-Damper 6 rubber- Rs 233
-Filter element-Rs 283
-Fuel filter-Rs 99
-Chain sprocket kit-Rs 2610
-Fork oil-Rs 282
-Oil filter -Rs 65
-Spark plug-Rs 195
& other bolts and consumables .Total Bill -Rs 7500

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

thats some riding! and if one can ignore a few niggles 390 is indeed a capable all rounder.

Coming to tyres, any specific reason for not trying Michelin for the rear, given the fact that you have had three issues with bent rim? i believe they do come with slightly larger side walls, minimizing rim crack issue.

My 390 is also Nov 2013, and done about 17K kms. Still running on the OEM set of tyres and need to change it now. While hard braking, i can feel a slight wobble these days. Most of my riding it on decent tarred roads, mix of city and open roads, so i intend to stick to metzs for the rear.

Got the chain sprocket kit replaced at last service (16k kms), as it had developed generous uneven slack. i did not find any major difference in smoothness or vibes at the foot-peg with the new kit. coming to think of it, could have used the old one for some more kms.
Cree lights are a bit expensive but very helpful. have been using them for a while now. does help a lot with added lighting. No issues with battery etc, so far.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

yes, Motorcycle Jackets, Motorcycle Gear, Helmets & Accessories - RevZilla . price get expensive after import duty

Buy Motorcycle Tyres Online :: ChangeMyTyre.com : Best Bike Tyre Offers | Motorcycle Tyres By All Sizes | Motorcycle Tyres By Leading Brands ... price is more than normal bajaj showroom

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

From Bangalore KTM svc, for Rs 8700+ a friend is driving down, he's picking it up for me.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Ok fellow 390 riders, my Khatoom has done 10990 kms on the odo to be exact,

I replaced teh rear tyre with the Metz just last week from Kasturba bangalore. I went to Gokarna last weekend. While coming back i am felling a loss of power. Remember i always carry teh chain lubricant and lube teh chain almost every 500-600 kms.

Is it that the chain sprocket needs a replacement because its becoming loose within a short span of time.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

tyre Changed only in 11k km!!! Khatarnak chalate ho bhai tum lagata hai.
Check the gap between the teeth if they are pointed and sharp than fine. if they are getting curvier than one may need to change them according to specification. Guys correct me if im wrong.

One more thing i like to add normally when are the front fork oil are changed 15k km or more ?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=46353]nasirkaka[/MENTION]
The reason why I opted for the Metz for rear was that I got it for ~4k (I got 50 percent of the cost through insurance). I don't have a restrained right hand, so I wouldn't expect the rear Metz to last much longer.
Next change would hopefully be to the Michelins itself or the new MRF.
How much did the entire Cree setup cost? Do you know of any alternative brands?
Cheers!

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

ah! that makes it clear. Even i have been in two minds about metzs or Michelin. Was thinking to sticking with metzs to be on the safer side, except for that damn price difference. One more thing- How does not determine the life of the front tyre without the TWI?

The cree light setup costed arounf 7K. That includes the cost of a pair of 10W round type LED lamps, + small metal bracket made to attach it to the front forks + installation. Incase you plan to install it, would advise to get the wiring done in a way, where you have a separate toggle switch mounted on the handle bar to control the light. In my case, its connected to the parking lamp switch, meaning the LEDs lightup when we move the light switch to parking lamp ON position. Which also means for the OWM headlight to be ON, the LEDS will aso be ON. Which may be an issue, given the following situation:
i was returning from hosur to bangalore at night, where a traffic cop came to me at the electronic city junction and asked me to switch off the LED pair, as i was entering "CITY LIMITS". I could not switchoff the LEDs without switching off the main head light. Was a weird situation. Finally managed to convince the cop that the LEDs came with the bike and i had no control over them and he agreed.

On my C5, i have a similar pair of CREE lights, but with a separate toggle switch on the handlebar to control them, where i can control the light independent of the OEM lighting setup.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Just for the sake of it! Anyone tried riding the bike by sitting on pillion seat. Feels so much natural !

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I do it on long rides, when my bum stars getting sore...!!!
shifting up gets a little difficult though...the best part is when you tap the front brake and slide back to the front seat...:P

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

So true!