Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hello all,
i have been a silent reader of threads on xbhp for years now. Have finally posted my travelogue just yesterday here -- http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/tourer/3...ml#post1134353

I went touring on my Pulsar NS 200 (did some 1900 kms in 4 days ) and felt the bike lacked on a couple of accounts, namely lack of ABS (had a close shave at low speeds fortunately).. a bit less power for my taste.. acceleration.. stability and cornering confidence..

Planning to upgrade to a KTM 390 hence.. am all set but the big confusion between the Duke or the RC..
Main usage would be commuting in the city and touring mostly..

I know the duke sounds much better for the said purpose but i just cant get the RC out of my head.. If i can get past the aggressive riding posture (back and shoulders pain i.e.) would it be a good idea to go for it?..
Your inputs would be highly appreciated.

PS -- the amount of information shared by you folks on this thread is unbelievable.. i am able to understand the bike so much better now and have intelligent conversations around it with like minded people as a result..

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

The obvious choice would be the Duke 390. More so because of the recent updates the Duke 390 got and which the RC won't be having, Slipper Clutch being the main thing that will be evident.
Now the RC will oblige to being ridden in City or for tours, but it will be more hard work than the duke 390. So if you are ready to handle that extra work, then it should be fine.

From what I can hear for Bangalore traffic the slipper clutch is going to be a real sweet deal.

Cheers
Ride Safe
Krishna

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

You absolutely nailed it there Krishna.. the Slipper clutch and those 19 other mods have made the duke an awesome choice from what i have been reading here..
i am just going in for those looks on the RC and i know that is like being an immature kid (giving in to looks rather then practicality).. ..
Guess a test ride would clear things up for me very well..

Just curious -- will slipper clutch really be helpful in traffic?? (from what i could figure out, it helps prevent wheel slippage during quick downshifts from high speeds).. personally i never experienced wheel slips (i generally use engine breaking and also applying both brakes in case of slowing down (while being in gear 6th lets say) and once i slow down enough downshift to the required gear quickly)..

Help me understand the concept better please and what am i doing wrong here?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

AFAIK they are x ply tyres. Aren't they radials. They are meant for touring.

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There is a very simple but some costly option to go IMHO. Fix RC390's fairing in a duke 390. You got ease of riding duke 390 and also looks of the RC390.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

After completing close to 900KM's on my 2015 Duke 390, One complaint I have is the hardness of the seat. Coming from R15, I find the seat extremely hard and find it tough on rides more than 1 hour. Any modifications to the seat to make it softer and details would be appreciated.

Also, some details about where in bangalore I can get it would be really useful too.

P.s: This might have been posted somewhere, but couldn't find it after a quick search

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences


Mate, here is the thing, the duke 390 for 2 min in toe-to-toe traffic and your fingers are numb and you are close to beheading any guy who is going to cut you off, thanks to the super heavy clutch.. But the slipper clutch makes the clutch much lighter that you feel much more at ease.

Hope this helps
TD will help you make this observation.


Cheers
Ride Safe
Krishna

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences



Saw it here.

I like it this way though, coming from a Honda Dazzler where my butt used to feel numb for any ride more than 100 kms.
Did the same route for 380 kms non stop and I still felt normal on 390.

Tighten the suspension, ride will be much softer.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hmm.. That clears it up considerably man.. Thanks..

Slapping the rc s fairing on the Duke might not be the thing for me i am guessing.. I don't want to me with the warranty on the bike as well..

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

A quick update on my 390 and a post after couple of months.

September 2013 Model with 25000 kilometers done.

Still on:
1. Stock Chain & Sprockets
2. Break Pads
3. Front Metzler is almost a racing slick now. May go for Metzler again as it has good life when compared to rear Metzler.
4. Fork seals

Updates:

1. Rear Michelin still doing good and good to go at least 7500 kilometers. Done 10000 Km already.
2. Service is due almost since a month now.
3. Consistent mileage of 30 KM PL in city.
4. Clutch play has increased. Adjust the lever to compensate the play.
5. Chain is surprisingly doing well even at 25000 Km.
6. Running on Motul 7100, Did good job all over the winter till now. Will probably stick to it in next change too.
7. No Rim bends or fork seal problem.
8. Using BOSCH Blow Horn tuned for low volume.

Issues:

1. Rattle under headlamp cowls. Loose wires and sockets. Have to open up.
2. Slight leakage of oil from Head. But no worry.
3. Fused pilot lamp. I am using while LED that I bought for Rs 70/-
4. Left lever holder to be replaced as threads for RVM have gone.

Warranty Replacements Done till now.

1. Stator Coil (Old one got burnt).
2. Fuel Pump.

Mods planned:

1. Rear Mudguard (like per Abhijeets's mod).
2. Start work on supporting frame for CBR 250R Windshield.

Feedback Till Now:

Very Happy with my 390. It has been my daily driver and has been reliable and durable. KTM SVC (Especially Srikanth from Banjara Hills and Louis from Madhapur/Begumpet) have been very helpful.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

How?? I need CBI inquiry on this Riaz bhai.

Also Michelin vs Metzeler from your point of view.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I have this product in a site called redline plus which might help you. Some sort of gel seat.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

You guys, what lubricant do you use to lube up the chain?

Any pointers on where to find this in East Bangalore (Whitefield/KR Puram) at a reasonable price?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Motul Chain lubes are nice, but they are costly, if you want cheaper alternative you can go for Diamond Chin Lube or Rolon Chain Lubes, I do not know any shops in Whitefield area, honestly, i haven't checked yet. But Rolon and Motul are available in HSR , Let's Gear Up. Saw that they are stocking Rolon when I visited the store 2 days back.Should cost you about 140 per can, lasts for 3-4 sessions.

Cheers
Ride Safe
Krishna

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I did a TD on RC390 when waiting for servicing of my D390. This may be my perception but I did not find rc as easily flickable in traffic as d390. You have a plan a bit before weaving through traffic while d390 can easily change directions without second though. For touring I find upright position most comfortable. Also it is easier tying bags on the back seat of duke as against rc. The RC especially in matte black looks amazing but I love the D390

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AFAIK there is no such tool. When I had the problem, my wife was riding at back. She agreed that the alignment was off. So maybe you can get someone to sit at back and observe.
Or maybe get some other duke owners to take a ride to check.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Mine is 15k+ kms old. I have to change front brake pads every 7k kms. Changed at 7k kms and again at 14k kms. Also, my front and rear tyres are almost equally worn out with the front being a little more worn out. Both will not last beyond 20k kms. Also, rear pads changed - 0 times. Other than that, still on stock chains and fork seals.

I get 26 kmpl consistently in city (My bike is a daily commuter for me). Clutch play increases just so slightly every 1-2k kms. Need to adjust it every service.

I tied up everything inside the cowl within a month of getting the bike. No noises anywhere.

I have that slight oil weep near the front part of the head. Had it since I got the bike. Not bothered as the leak is very minuscule.

I use the pilot light as DRL during the day. Not fused yet.

None at my end.

Go ahead with 1. Tested recently in rains. The rear part stays clean as a baby's bottom. The front wheel on the other hand still throws mud at the bottom cowl.

I got the MRA windshield and have used it for over an year. It is costly but will give you absolutely no issue. Also, very good chest level wind protection.

Same here.