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**R-series** · 07-18-2015, 11:41 AM

KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

@R-series Nice stuff you got there bro! Made me think of one more think that would need to be done to make the 390 into a scrambler. Since it already pumps out so much torque (gotta love that high ration single!), changing the sprockets to reduce the top end and stretch the first 3 gears would be pretty sweet.
Damn, I wanna convert Dizzy into a scrambler now. :P[/QUOTE]

Definitely. Whatever suits you. I didn't have any knowledge of scramblers till last few years when the modern scramblers from triumph, Aprilia and Ducati came out. I love the Ducati scrambler but can't buy it as its not my style. I also had in mind to buy a duke 200 and mode it for off road purpose, eventually making it a scrambler kind of machine. If you end up making the duke into one, do share the details with pics. I for one would be very eager to know about it.
Would like to have something like

**Ayush Daga** · 07-18-2015, 12:00 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by R-series View Post

@R-series Nice stuff you got there bro! Made me think of one more think that would need to be done to make the 390 into a scrambler. Since it already pumps out so much torque (gotta love that high ration single!), changing the sprockets to reduce the top end and stretch the first 3 gears would be pretty sweet.
Damn, I wanna convert Dizzy into a scrambler now. :P

Definitely. Whatever suits you. I didn't have any knowledge of scramblers till last few years when the modern scramblers from triumph, Aprilia and Ducati came out. I love the Ducati scrambler but can't buy it as its not my style. I also had in mind to buy a duke 200 and mode it for off road purpose, eventually making it a scrambler kind of machine. If you end up making the duke into one, do share the details with pics. I for one would be very eager to know about it.
Would like to have something like [/QUOTE]

Yo! Now that's what am talkin about! I love the spokes man, an obvious necessity in a scrambler! Can't believe I never thought of that. I wouldn't go with those tires though, I would wan't to continue using it on the road.

I really wanna get goin on this project, but its gonna cost me a fair amount of coin and time. I'll probably wait for my bike to get a bit older, Dizzy aint even a year old!

**s1d** · 07-18-2015, 01:28 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Ayush Daga View Post

@s1d

That's an over simplification to almost wrong chief! Fact is, synthetics are added after to change the dynamic viscosity and manipulate thermal decomposition rates. (No, I'm not a chemist, just did some research on the difference between viscosity ratings within motul engine oils) Conclusion, since the synth additives are the quickest element of engine oil to decompose, motul 7100 should give one a slightly better initial power but run rougher and last for less time than the motul 5100. I know! I was pretty surprised too! I've been using motul 7100 since my first change, did that at about 80kms (motul 5100).
Course, I could be wrong. It's a bit like new cylinder run in discussions.

Also, my EU manual says that the Duke 390 should be run with semi synth oil!! I'm actually planning to go to semi synth oil now. Since the SVC's don't stock them, I'll have to by them online.

I am sorry, but you are totally off the grid.
1. It is not 'synthetics' that are added to oil, but additives (i.e. some form of a chemical) such as viscosity modifiers, detergent agents, etc.. Almost every oil be it synthetic or mineral contain such additives (in varying proportions based on their application/ratings - for e.g. diesel spec oils will have more detergent agents.)
2. It is the base oil / formulation that classifies the oil as a mineral, semi synthetic, or fully synthetic
3. Mineral oils break down faster, followed by SS and the FS lasts the longest.

I suggest you read these two links :

Why the right motor oil matters - Shell Global

But, whatever oil type you use.. make sure its the right grade and you perform oil changes at regular intervals. That alone will help your engine live longer.
the current 7500km interval i personally feel is a little to long even for the 7100 FS, though it holds up pretty well up to 5000km, and I wouldn't dare go beyond 5000km between oil changes on a motorcycle.

I suggest you take this oil discussion to the forum topic on engine oil discussions.. or this thread would go completely OT if we start dabbling in engine oil discussions.

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Originally posted by akshaygopan View Post

D390 comes with fully synthetic oil right? KTM recommends to use only fully synthetic oil in 390's. Service guys use Motul 7100.

If you want to know why Motul is being used, pls click on the below link and read:
https://www.motul.com/in/en/business/1877

You can use any oil that confirms to the specified grade/rating. Motul has been tried and tested for a few years now, and hence a lot of people prefer it.
The bajaj dtsi oil though claims to last 10000km, it just doesn't (having used it on pulsars, and a lot of other people here have too.. check out the pulsar 220 thread)
From my experience, an oil change every 3000 - 5000km on motorcycles (depending on mineral, SS, FS) will keep the engine happy for longer.

**backlash4u** · 07-18-2015, 02:46 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by s1d View Post

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.

I am using pirelli sport demons. Front 110 70 17 and rear 140 70 17. Dont think there is even a slight bend on the rims. It has run almost 10k kms now. The rear is up for a change soon. The front still got at least 5000 kms left on it. Lemme see if i can make a weight balancing stand for bikes myself with help from my local mechanic. He is pretty good with diys. Id weight balancing checks out. I will look for wheel bearing problems. Thanks for the advice.

**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 07-18-2015, 03:35 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=16602]s1d[/MENTION] Thanks for the info. KTM recommends 10W50, I'm currently using 15W50 SS oil for the break in. Will switch to FS in the first service.

I wanted to know if changing oil manufacturers causes any trouble for the engine. Like from Motul to Shell. Because Shell's easily available.

**s1d** · 07-18-2015, 10:26 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Gunslingin_Ridr View Post

@s1d Thanks for the info. KTM recommends 10W50, I'm currently using 15W50 SS oil for the break in. Will switch to FS in the first service.

I wanted to know if changing oil manufacturers causes any trouble for the engine. Like from Motul to Shell. Because Shell's easily available.

ktm recommends 20w50 and they sell both the 10w50 and 20w50 motul 7100 at their svc.
you can safely use 10,15 or20w50. It's the number after 'w' that is more important for our tropical climate/temperatures.
if shell is available in these grades, you can go ahead and use it. i doubt it cos most of shell's oil come in the xxW30 or xxW40 grades. you can use a xxW40 grade if you live in cold areas like hill stations... otherwise stick to a xxW50 oil

**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 07-18-2015, 10:40 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by s1d View Post

ktm recommends 20w50 and they sell both the 10w50 and 20w50 motul 7100 at their svc.
you can safely use 10,15 or20w50. It's the number after 'w' that is more important for our tropical climate/temperatures.
if shell is available in these grades, you can go ahead and use it. i doubt it cos most of shell's oil come in the xxW30 or xxW40 grades. you can use a xxW40 grade if you live in cold areas like hill stations... otherwise stick to a xxW50 oil

For Duke 200, it's 20W50 and for 390, it's 10W50, according to the manual. Read that 'W' means winter, is it right?

Also D390 has two drain plugs? That is, one drain plug and the other drain evacuation. Which to remove first? And should I close these two while refilling? Please help.

**s1d** · 07-18-2015, 11:07 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Gunslingin_Ridr View Post

For Duke 200, it's 20W50 and for 390, it's 10W50, according to the manual. Read that 'W' means winter, is it right?
yep, w stands for winter rating... 10 or 20w doesnt make any significant difference in our tropical 30 + temps year around
Also D390 has two drain plugs? That is, one drain plug and the other drain evacuation. Which to remove first? And should I close these two while refilling? Please help.
yes, the 390 seems to have two drain plugs.. and the oil filter of course. while the duke 200 has only one drain plug
that's something i learn't just now on referring to the manual.

And yes you obviously have to close the drain plugs and replace the oil filter and close the oil filter cap. Then fill up the oil by opening the oil filler cap.
the bullets too have 2 or 3 nuts that you need to undo to drain the oil.

my comments in bold above.
here is the service manual for the d390.. that shows the second drain plug at the bottom, refer pg 90. You can also refer the owners manual or download it of ktm website where the drain bolts are shown and an oil change procedure is explained with pics.

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**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 07-19-2015, 01:38 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by s1d View Post

my comments in bold above.
here is the service manual for the d390.. that shows the second drain plug at the bottom, refer pg 90. You can also refer the owners manual or download it of ktm website where the drain bolts are shown and an oil change procedure is explained with pics.
http://nexgenbikes.com/site/wp-conte...ual.pdf?19f588

Thanks a lot. And yea, I got dumb with that refilling question. LOL. Of course I got to close the DRAIN plugs.

And about the oil screens, I've seen people from Europe changing the oil screens while refilling along with the oil filter. Is cleaning the screens enough with water (and drying and putting a little oil on it before inserting back)?

**s1d** · 07-19-2015, 11:21 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Gunslingin_Ridr View Post

Thanks a lot. And yea, I got dumb with that refilling question. LOL. Of course I got to close the DRAIN plugs.

And about the oil screens, I've seen people from Europe changing the oil screens while refilling along with the oil filter. Is cleaning the screens enough with water (and drying and putting a little oil on it before inserting back)?

oil screen not really necessary to change unless you notice its torn or damaged. you can just tap it out and maybe run it under some water and put it back. no need to put oil or anything, you are anyway going to fill up oil which will come in contact with the screen.

**B7ACKTHORN** · 07-22-2015, 09:56 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Gunslingin_Ridr View Post

Thanks a lot. And yea, I got dumb with that refilling question. LOL. Of course I got to close the DRAIN plugs.

And about the oil screens, I've seen people from Europe changing the oil screens while refilling along with the oil filter. Is cleaning the screens enough with water (and drying and putting a little oil on it before inserting back)?

A small correction

Oil screen are there to trap the finer particles that get through the oil filter. They should not be cleaned with water, use petrol to clean them, that way it gets the finer cruds out and make the screen brand new again. Washing with water isn't a good idea, water and oil are immiscible. Clean it with a solvent like petrol or kerosene, dry it out completely, get the shiny flakes, scrapings out and then install the screen(s)

Cheers!
VJ

**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 07-22-2015, 11:37 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

A small correction

Oil screen are there to trap the finer particles that get through the oil filter. They should not be cleaned with water, use petrol to clean them, that way it gets the finer cruds out and make the screen brand new again. Washing with water isn't a good idea, water and oil are immiscible. Clean it with a solvent like petrol or kerosene, dry it out completely, get the shiny flakes, scrapings out and then install the screen(s)

Cheers!
VJ

Shite. I cleaned it with flowing water, dried out as much as I can with a cloth. Applied WD-40 and dried for about 2 hours under the sun, applied oil before inserting it. Hope I didn't mess up.

And also, wouldn't the water get evaporated as the engine temp will be way higher?

**B7ACKTHORN** · 07-23-2015, 01:09 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Gunslingin_Ridr View Post

Shite. I cleaned it with flowing water, dried out as much as I can with a cloth. Applied WD-40 and dried for about 2 hours under the sun, applied oil before inserting it. Hope I didn't mess up.

And also, wouldn't the water get evaporated as the engine temp will be way higher?

WD 40 is best. It's just that water unless pressurized doesn't remove the gunk as solvents like petrol do. Nothing to fret. As long as it is dried after WD 40, you're all set. Indeed I'd recommend WD 40 instead of kerosene, it's easy and it cleans effectively.

Cheers!
VJ

**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 07-23-2015, 01:57 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

WD 40 is best. It's just that water unless pressurized doesn't remove the gunk as solvents like petrol do. Nothing to fret. As long as it is dried after WD 40, you're all set. Indeed I'd recommend WD 40 instead of kerosene, it's easy and it cleans effectively.

Cheers!
VJ

Yeah, I did pressurize the flowing water with my fingers.

I used a hose. Gladly, I didn't mess up.

**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 07-23-2015, 05:19 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Just read a lot of radiator fan failures in US now. Been reading that thread for about an hour and a half on KTMDuke390Forum.com.

They say it's better to use a SPAL fan and Engine Ice coolant, they also say that the shroud does more harm than good. Considering US is generally colder compared to here, should I bother changing it or atleast removing the shroud? Don't have no issues but the fan is always running and the engine temp is a bar or two less than the safety "line" that we see on the temp guage.

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KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

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