Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hey. Have posted this before. When i take my bike above 100 ie as soon as it crosses 100, the front starts wobbling. It feels out of control. It has done 26000 kms. So i want to get the issue fixed fast coz the warranty will be over by 30000 right? Is it a weight balancing issue? When i asked if the weight balancing can be fixed at svc, they said they dont have the facility. I asked around in my city and no tyre shop has the facility to weight balance wheels on bikes. I go for trips on highways a lot and mostly go at speeds of 130. So this is an issue.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Could be a tire issue. what tire are you using at the front and when was it changed ? if you are still on stock tires or using a different sized tire, pl revert to stock specs.
Or the rim might have a minor bend which is causing the wobble at higher speeds.
for starters, try and have the wheel removed and the wheel bearings changed.
unfortunately , even i haven't come across wheel alignment/balancing shops that cater to two wheelers. The wheels come balanced/with weights from the factory but beyond that we are helpless.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Reached a max of ~125 kmph and ~9k RPM in 4th gear for the run in and of course lots of engine braking on the highway. Did this for about 30 mins or 15 kms. Did how much ever engine braking I could. Never red lined though and don't intend to do it until the first service. The console is showing 23 kmpl.

Yes, I was geared up. No boots or pants though, DSG Evo jacket and DSG gloves (forgot the name, the one for 2k) and knee protector from Cramster.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I believe, run in was supposed to be below 7.5k rpm.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

It is, according to the owner's manual. Followed that for about 180 kms.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Supposed to be till 1000 km.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Won't baby it till 1000km. Will change the oil and filter soon. I believe in a mix of soft and hard run in with plenty of engine braking. Soft in city limits, hard in highways.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Wobbling for me happens at both low and high speeds. I too have done around 28k on the odo. It used to happen occasionally from 25k but now it's very frequent. It's not so severe as to affect the stability at high speeds but it's there.
I've tried leaving the handlebar and checking for wobbles but there seems to be no problem there.
I've had 3 rim bends so far and this issue has been present even before the bends.
Since it's started, the svc guys have been blaming the tyres. Now that I've got new set I can ask them to re check it.
The problem is they're always quick to put the blame on some part which they think is causing it and recommend replacing it. They guys at Kasturba made be change a perfect good coneset as they were adamant about it being culprit. Then they blamed the tyres. Seems the only way to get things done is to shoot a mail to ktm directly.

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Which mineral oil do you guys suggest to use?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences


FULL SYNTH Motul 300V

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I haven't yet done 1000 km. I've read on KTM Duke 390 Forum and others where they recommend to use mineral oil until the first service. I wanted to refill the oil and use a mineral one. I have done 221 km on the bike.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

mineral oil is recommended as its believed to help in better run-in however newer age engines are equally good with FS oils as well.
follow the service interval and no need to change oil before given interval.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I won't be satisfied without changing the oil at this time, maybe it is not needed, but my mind won't be at peace. So I have decided to change it. I didn't know which mineral oil to use. I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know.

I approve of early first change for engine oil.


Totally agree with you! I picked up my bike about 60kms away from home, rode back, got to my showroom (about 20kms) the next day and changed my oil first thing. Also got rid of all the extra bits and bods on the bike, but that besides the point.
I did my next change when I went in for my first service; since I was heading out for a small tour, my first service was at about 700kms on the odo.
The oil change I did myself was motul 5100 semi synth rated at 15W50. Instant improvement!
Since then I've been using motul 7100 rated at 20W50. Also pretty good. Pretty smooth, since I haven't used the 5100 for a bit, I'm not sure if there was much of a difference, but it would have been almost negligible I think.
Go for the semi synth for your first change if that's what tickles your special parts; I did and I'm pretty content. I'd recommend getting it online, the guys at the SVC didn't have it around here. Also, pick up some chain lube bro, it makes a huge difference if you give a quick spray every 500 or 600 kms.

Enjoy!
PS. So, cops took my manual away right on day one of me having my bike, don't even ask... Long story short, I've downloaded one from the net and it specifies semi synth engine oil. BOOM!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Has anyone ridden their 390 immediately after riding a twin for a couple of weeks?

Feels rattly as hell im wondering if its just in contrast to the twin (my brand new Inazuma) or if my bike is messed up. I did get it serviced about 400 km ago!