Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hey nice write up. Broke a smile reading it here and there. I'm not qualified enough to answer any of the tech qs you asked.. But for what it's worth break it in like you would your new born baby. Punctuation can go to hell cuz I'm writing this on my phone. Wishing you miles of good riding....I'm assuming ur case to be that of approaching middle age... I did the same too. So, welcome to the club


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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

1. People say it isn't necessary, but I changed mine at ~210 km to Motul 5100 which is a semi-synthetic oil. And I did notice a fair bit of metal shavings caught by the oil screen and the oil itself (nothing alarming though).

2. I didn't baby it and I didn't redline it. I followed this on the highway and normal riding in the city. Throttling was always linear.

youtube.com/watch?v=kCFAyNhRiFY

It's done 981 km and the first service was done last week. Changed the oil to 7100. I had given a short review up until my first service, sadly it got deleted due to the vBulletin change. Basically, I do not have any problems. No high oil usage or coolant usage, no leaking anywhere, no electrical problems (I have ridden it in heavy rains), no weird sounds. Took it to a fairly high 3 digit speeds (was geared) during my Kolar ride, behaved like a gentleman. So from now on, I'm going to be following this break-in procedure.

3. People say 300v reduces engine heat compared to 7100, can't say on that since I use 7100. Will be using 300v once I complete 3k km.

4. To keep the costs down I guess. You can tell the PDI guy to fill in 7100 as my friend did to his D200, I sadly didn't, but the DTS-i engine isn't bad, I felt no difference when I switched to Motul 5100 at ~210 km.

5. FS oils are definitely better on modern engines. I feel the difference between 5100 and 7100 myself. The engine braking doesn't throw(not really) you from your saddle like it did on 5100.

6. Engine Ice coupled with 300v would reduce the engine heat to a great extent. You'll be atleast a bar or two down on the temp gauge compared to regular coolant and 7100, notice I said WITH 300v.

7. Your opinion is correct, is what I feel. Also they say that the alloy has been strengthened compared to 2013 Dukes'.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

[QUOTE=Bornagainbiker;1169937]^st Oil change required is at 200-300Kms??
No, if you are following the normal running in, stick to the manual, i.e. 1000kms.
2. Running in seems to be the most polarizing topic on new motorcycles these days. Do you baby it for the first 1000Km? Do you ride it like you are testing to destruction? Or some where in between on that rather wide range?

Again, this depends on you, but id suggest to follow the manual, this is from experience of duke200 and rc390, both run in as specified in the manual(iirc its 7500 rpm, but do check it), and many other friends who did the same way. Idea is you shouldnt lug the engine at any point, dont keep throttle at one constant position, keep varying the input, ride in both highways and city and dont exceed specified rpm.
3. Is there any significant benefit in shifting to Motul 300v over Motul 7100?
Yes, but again varying opinions exist over the very usage of oil as jaso and api isnt specified The dtsi oil is very crappy oil, and hence really good for running in. You want the casting imperfections if any to shear off, and that is where this oil excels. Keep it for the entire 1000kms. Dont worry about metal shavings, there are two strainers with magnets to catch hold of them.
5. Also under the impression that a fully synthetic oil is always better for modern engines than semi-synth or other kinds. Please correct me if I am wrong. I used to use 20w50 on my Bullet Deluxe (Iron block) years go with no problems.
Yes, but after running in. Service center guys will themselves use motul 7100 10w50 and they usually wont entertain any other oil. This topic again has polarised opinions. To be really honest, i too was considering options, but after some time, say 2-3k kms with the bike you get used to the heat. If you still want to try, do ensure you flush out the last trace of green coolant(flush the system 2 or three times), as engine ice and green coolant arent compatible and if mixed, sludge will form inside the system
7. I am still unclear about the alloy wheel damage issue, but I get the impression most of us are. I am biased towards the opinion that it is largely due to the fact that the 390 seems to egg one to ride hard and our roads are far behind our motorcycles in terms of development.
Dont worry about this, just ensure to keep proper air pressure all the time. And you are right, our roads cant cope up with the speeds. The issue was more of riders getting in potholes at very high speeds and then normal physics come into play. Even superbikes face the same fate, just that duke has sold a lot, hence its highlighted. True that

Alrighty then, a long enough first post. I am glad to be here and look forward to getting some more recent miles under my considerably larger arse.



Cheerz
Vasu


Replies in bold

Try editing the picture set before posting one liners. Thanks.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Thanks for the response ynike99. A few further things in blue.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Really nice writeup.I was in 2 minds before my buying between the Duke and RE.Though both are miles apart it was really tough choosing between the two.I thought being middle aged RE would suit me better and be kind on my back.It was my childhood dream to own a RE so choose it over the Duke.And now that i own it i am drooling over the Duke.Since you have ridden both can you compare the 2 in terms of riding comfort.RE does provide riding comfort but speedwise it does lag behind and lag behind a lot.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences


Hey bro did you used any dual purpose tyre for your trip ?

I have seen few people using Pirelli MT 60 RS [http://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/m...heet/mt-60-rs] but they are 120/70 X 17 & 160/60 X 17. These tire is 60% road and 40 % off road. These are good on off road, dont know about highway handling and effect on fuel consumption.
This guy name Deelip Menezes is using them - [https://www.facebook.com/deelipm?ref=ts&fref=ts]

Another option is Pirelli Scorpion Trail II [http://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/m...pion-trail-II] again these are 120/70X17 & 160/60 X 17. but these are 90/10 on road/ off road.

metz also have similar tyre named tourance next 120/70 X 17 & 150/70 X 17. [http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/m...ce-next-tires]

After 150/60 X 17 which will fit better is it 150/70 or 160/60 ?



Please do let me know if you find any new info about these tyre.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Thanks for the reply gunslinger.
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Hey tpsan,
Even the Karizma was better in many ways than the Bullet. Smoother, more reliable and for its purpose, more comfortable as well. The RE's however are a different kind of biking that causes, possibly, the secretion of a whole different kind of endorphin. That it is the childhood dream bike of many a potential ironbutt, speaks of its charm and its history speaks for itself. Though I would argue that the charm of the bullet today resides in those that adopt it despite its apparent shortcomings. Personally, I lack both the time and the inclination for the commitment, RE ownership demands. I seriously considered the T-Bird 500 for about a day before I rejected the notion.

Oddly I would put the riding posture of the Duke closer to the RE than the HHK, in that you sit upright on both. The HHK was comfortable but the more forward leaning riding posture, while not overly committed/sporty, sets it apart from both the others. The difference lies below the waist. The HHK's leg position is still fairly neutral, though more rearset than the RE. But I can say that of any modern non-cruiser. On some days it took me a while to "de-cramp" on the RE and the HHK. The Duke's riding position keeps the torso to thigh angle more obtuse, and this felt more natural to me. I attribute this, in part, to the evidence of approaching middle age just above my belt. Your mileage may, of course, vary.

Don't ever regret the RE, mate. It both has and builds character. And speed is not everything. It may sound odd but I had many more reasons that outright power/speed for throwing down for the Duke. I wanted the power but I also am drawn to the lightness (being quite heavy myself), the safety of the ABS and the fact that it is priced lower in terms of initial cost as well as total cost of ownership in comparison to any motorcycle that offers comparable performance.

Cheerz

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Thanks mate. I have to ask; is "Serene" and adjective or a noun in your name?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

[MENTION=33947]Bornagainbiker[/MENTION] - No, my bike is June 2015 manufactured.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Happens to be my real one.


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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Did a little reading. Was wrong about the engine braking-slipper clutch connection.

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Good on you, mate.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Both appear to be JASO MA and API certified.

The 7100 is, 300v isnt(they just say it exceeds specifications). But many folks are using it without issues

I would not expect much metal to be sheared off. At least compared to older Bullets and the 2003 Karizma. I am no engineer but logic w8ould dictate that a more frequent removal of the fluid in which the metal is suspended post shearing would benefit the engine. Could you explain how a lower quality oil is better in shearing off imperfections?

There are few metal shavings in the first change, cant comment on the quantity in comparison with bullet and karizma. And about oil, its debatable, but if a mineral oil, especially crappy mineral oil will have a lot less lubricity than synthetics, and hence it helps. And the reason why i am against oil change is, the prefilled oil, in heat and cooling cycle will loose out the lubricity soon, but if you change it in the interim, it will be again good oil. I cant explain it in technical terms, but it works. A properly run in bike will run very differently compared to one which isn't. And this early oil change is done in motomans method, which is again a totally different topic on.

They wont entertain any other oil? Meaning I cannot have them use 300v?
By any other oil i meant mineral, on 390. Most wont have issue with 300v, but with other similar spec mineral oil; yes.Because if you notice, ktm has increased service interval from 5000 to 7500kms, and only 7100 or similar oil can do that much kms.
Oil life :
Bajaj dtsi- 1000ish kms(on both 200/390)
Motul 3100: 2-2.5k kms(200)
Motul 5100: 3-3.5k kms(200)
Motul 7100: 4-4.5k kms(200/390)(after 4.5k kms it sounds "coarse")

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Could one of u guys tell me a way to clean this bike?

Can I just use a bucket of water and a mug? Would it damage the electricals?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

are there any other good SVC's in delhi apart from Kirti Nagar???

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

I have been getting mine serviced at deewan bajaj near kalkaji and so far the experience has been quite good.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Just noticed some buzzing sound coming from the front. Sounds like a loose nut or something. Started happening after the first service. It's only audible when the bike is moving. There's no such sound when revving in idle, so I think the engine has got nothing to do with that sound.

Any help would be appreciated.