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**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 10-08-2015, 07:47 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

May I ask my fellow Dukers one more favour? What is the exact model of Michieln that is replaced on the rear wheel? Sporty, Sport bit confused!!
Sent from mind through fingers.

AFAIK, Pilot Sport is car tyre, Sporty is for bikes. And my friend got his D200 tyres replaced at a local (but a good) tyre shop for cheap, and he's having zero problems.

**turbosphere** · 10-08-2015, 08:39 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

replaced mine to this michelins
Not as good as the metz' but yea dies the job [emoji12]

**riazmomin** · 10-08-2015, 09:59 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

To everybody who replaced tyres: Where did you get it changed? At SVC or at the tyre shop? Asking this because I imagine removing the rear wheel and fixing new tyre would require some amount of competence because of the rear disc.

Also, is balancing necessary after tyre change?

May I ask my fellow Dukers one more favour? What is the exact model of Michieln that is replaced on the rear wheel? Sporty, Sport bit confused!!
Sent from mind through fingers.

Get it at automated shop. Car Wheel Alignment and Tyre usually have this machine.
Very few people do wheel balancing for two wheeler, you can check in your locality.

Michelin Pilot Street is the Tire which is around 5000.

Michelin Pilot Sport is expensive.

**deville_56** · 10-09-2015, 12:32 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Looks like tyre changing season

Chose Michelin Pilot Street 150/60 over Metz.

Managed to squeeze 15k km.

Custom-made clamp for license plate. No fouling with mudguard unlike the modified stock holder. Gave a little bit slant.
Also changed to RTR mirrors, which gave better view than stock ones. Used the rubber cover from stock mirror, which fits perfectly on RTR mirrors.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

To everybody who replaced tyres: Where did you get it changed? At SVC or at the tyre shop? Asking this because I imagine removing the rear wheel and fixing new tyre would require some amount of competence because of the rear disc.

If you got own paddock stand, then not a big deal. Some tyre shop guys use paddocks or wheel jacks. Disc can turn tricky for first timers, again, not a big headache.

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

Also, is balancing necessary after tyre change?

Hard to find guys doing balancing for bikes. Nonexistent in Trivandrum, only the Yamaha dealer here got the equipment.

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

May I ask my fellow Dukers one more favour? What is the exact model of Michieln that is replaced on the rear wheel? Sporty, Sport bit confused!!
Sent from mind through fingers.

As mentioned by @Gunslingin_Ridr Sport is car tyre. Sporty is cheap nylon tyres, absolute no no especially for Dukes. 0 grip in wet. Our pick is Street, radial ones.

**turbosphere** · 10-09-2015, 12:37 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by deville_56 View Post

Looks like tyre changing season

Chose Michelin Pilot Street 150/60 over Metz.

[ATTACH]193640[/ATTACH]

Managed to squeeze 15k km.

[ATTACH]193639[/ATTACH]

Custom-made clamp for license plate. No fouling with mudguard unlike the modified stock holder. Gave a little bit slant.
Also changed to RTR mirrors, which gave better view than stock ones. Used the rubber cover from stock mirror, which fits perfectly on RTR mirrors.

[ATTACH]193638[/ATTACH]

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

If you got own paddock stand, then not a big deal. Some tyre shop guys use paddocks or wheel jacks. Disc can turn tricky for first timers, again, not a big headache.

Hard to find guys doing balancing for bikes. Nonexistent in Trivandrum, only the Yamaha dealer here got the equipment.

As mentioned by @Gunslingin_Ridr Sport is car tyre. Sporty is cheap nylon tyres, absolute no no especially for Dukes. 0 grip in wet. Our pick is Street, radial ones.

Absolutely beautiful beast you got there...... Good work mate [emoji106]

**rohangk** · 10-09-2015, 07:06 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Are those deceleration pops and crackles present on every bike, I can hear them in 2nd gear at 3k rpm or so? Fuel problem right? No other problem evident, no white smoke or anything.

**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 10-09-2015, 02:12 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by rohangk View Post

Are those deceleration pops and crackles present on every bike, I can hear them in 2nd gear at 3k rpm or so? Fuel problem right? No other problem evident, no white smoke or anything.

That's normal. And I love that.

**rohangk** · 10-09-2015, 02:40 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Gunslingin_Ridr View Post

That's normal. And I love that.

If thats normal then i have got zero issues with this bike in my two month and 1500 kms of ownership, everything works like a charm.#touchwood

**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 10-09-2015, 04:19 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by rohangk View Post

If thats normal then i have got zero issues with this bike in my two month and 1500 kms of ownership, everything works like a charm.#touchwood

It's the residual fuel that burns during the exhaust travel.

**Legend Racer** · 10-09-2015, 05:32 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by turbosphere View Post

Absolutely beautiful beast you got there...... Good work mate [emoji106]

you own 390...hmm...call me..will add you in 390 whatsapp club too...

**turbosphere** · 10-09-2015, 07:30 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Legend Racer View Post

you own 390...hmm...call me..will add you in 390 whatsapp club too...

Sorry mate didn't know you were working.... My bad..... [emoji16] was too excited I guess

**jack_daniels** · 10-11-2015, 10:21 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hello everybody,

Needed a little help. I want to upgrade from my ZMR. It's a very gud bike. I enjoyed a lot on it. But, it's bulky and after being struck by autorickshaw's twice in a span of 1 week, I realized that the fairings do break..
Now, I'm looking for a performance naked bike & specially the Duke 390. Mainly my concerns are:
1. How are the fueling issues? I mean my ZMR has excellent mileage of 40-42 kmpl!
(My regular quota of fueling is 4.90 ltrs for Rs.300/- which gives me roughly 220 kms.),
2. How is the reliability? Are there many issues?
My ZMR is a bullet-proof bike. Not a single issue till now in 2 yrs. Fill it, shut it, forget it.
3. How is the throttle response. I heard it is abrupt and not suited for city riding. & u've to go for aftermarket ecu remaps to tame the bike. Is it true? Or is the bike manageable.
4. Does the engine stop abruptly when downshifting from high speed?
5. Has the engine seizure (due to engine oil leakage/evaporating) problem been solved by KTM or not?
Also, my last query was going to be heat. But, I think it's been resolved in the 2015 model.

>> Also, lastly the million dollar question- Should I go ahead and buy this as my daily commuter bike? What's your take on this guys??

**anarchy911** · 10-11-2015, 11:04 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by jack_daniels View Post

Hello everybody,

Needed a little help. I want to upgrade from my ZMR. It's a very gud bike. I enjoyed a lot on it. But, it's bulky and after being struck by autorickshaw's twice in a span of 1 week, I realized that the fairings do break..
Now, I'm looking for a performance naked bike & specially the Duke 390. Mainly my concerns are:
1. How are the fueling issues? I mean my ZMR has excellent mileage of 40-42 kmpl!
(My regular quota of fueling is 4.90 ltrs for Rs.300/- which gives me roughly 220 kms.),
2. How is the reliability? Are there many issues?
My ZMR is a bullet-proof bike. Not a single issue till now in 2 yrs. Fill it, shut it, forget it.
3. How is the throttle response. I heard it is abrupt and not suited for city riding. & u've to go for aftermarket ecu remaps to tame the bike. Is it true? Or is the bike manageable.
4. Does the engine stop abruptly when downshifting from high speed?
5. Has the engine seizure (due to engine oil leakage/evaporating) problem been solved by KTM or not?
Also, my last query was going to be heat. But, I think it's been resolved in the 2015 model.

>> Also, lastly the million dollar question- Should I go ahead and buy this as my daily commuter bike? What's your take on this guys??

1. Mileage is 25 approx in the city. Some are getting 30ish. Depends upon your style.

2. In my ownership of 5 months, i haven't faced any issues. I don't think there is any major reliability issue.

3. The throttling is a bit abrupt initially, but you ll get used to it in a few days. I use mine for city commute daily for 30 kms. No issues so far.

4. Never faced it till now.

5. No idea.

Heating issue has been resolved. I have no experience with older version, but the heat in mine is bearable.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**s1d** · 10-12-2015, 01:32 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by jack_daniels View Post

Hello everybody,

Needed a little help. I want to upgrade from my ZMR. It's a very gud bike. I enjoyed a lot on it. But, it's bulky and after being struck by autorickshaw's twice in a span of 1 week, I realized that the fairings do break..
Now, I'm looking for a performance naked bike & specially the Duke 390. Mainly my concerns are:
1. How are the fueling issues? I mean my ZMR has excellent mileage of 40-42 kmpl!
Don't buy it if you are looking for FE at par with a ZMR. It also depends on how its ridden. Some folks get as low as 20kmpl and some as high as 30kmpl in the city. you can safely assume an average of 24.
2. How is the reliability? Are there many issues?
Not really.. but again it might not be as bullet proof as say a ZMR. The current 390 seems to be a much improved bike compared to the earlier ones.
3. How is the throttle response. I heard it is abrupt and not suited for city riding. & u've to go for aftermarket ecu remaps to tame the bike. Is it true? Or is the bike manageable.
You will get used to it. Coming from a ZMR (or for that matter almost any desi bike) the 390 might catch you off guard. But after a month or two you will get used to the way it is supposed to be ridden/handled
4. Does the engine stop abruptly when downshifting from high speed?
Well, normally it wont. But bad fuel, dirty throttle body might cause it to shut off at times especially while decelerating. I am noticing this problem around once a week on my 200 too (since the 11000km mark), had it serviced recently with a new plug and filter and it again shut down this morning while slowing down for a turn while i had the clutch pulled in. Time to pop in and get the throttle body cleaned (20 minute job) and maybe get the valve clearances checked too.

5. Has the engine seizure (due to engine oil leakage/evaporating) problem been solved by KTM or not?
Also, my last query was going to be heat. But, I think it's been resolved in the 2015 model.
There are no leakages (apart from the tiny leak that develops on the valve cover gasket area.. mostly isolated to folks who use the 300v oil). Recently I overheard the svc guys telling a 390 customer that ktm has asked them to stop using the 300v and stick to the 7100.
Again, the heat will be there (though it has been alleviated by a shroud on the fan) but nevertheless you will feel the heat abnormal at first but will get used to it as time goes by.
>> Also, lastly the million dollar question- Should I go ahead and buy this as my daily commuter bike? What's your take on this guys??

Comments in bold and as for the final Q , you have a few answers above which could help you decide.
The 390 is the bike that give you the max bang for your buck when it comes to performance . As for practicality (like pillion comfort and FE) its up to you to decide what you want.
The spares for this bike cost as much or much cheaper than most bikes (like the pulsar, zma etc) . Your main expense will be fuel.

**rohangk** · 10-12-2015, 07:06 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by jack_daniels View Post

Hello everybody,

Needed a little help. I want to upgrade from my ZMR. It's a very gud bike. I enjoyed a lot on it. But, it's bulky and after being struck by autorickshaw's twice in a span of 1 week, I realized that the fairings do break..
Now, I'm looking for a performance naked bike & specially the Duke 390. Mainly my concerns are:
1. How are the fueling issues? I mean my ZMR has excellent mileage of 40-42 kmpl!
(My regular quota of fueling is 4.90 ltrs for Rs.300/- which gives me roughly 220 kms.),
2. How is the reliability? Are there many issues?
My ZMR is a bullet-proof bike. Not a single issue till now in 2 yrs. Fill it, shut it, forget it.
3. How is the throttle response. I heard it is abrupt and not suited for city riding. & u've to go for aftermarket ecu remaps to tame the bike. Is it true? Or is the bike manageable.
4. Does the engine stop abruptly when downshifting from high speed?
5. Has the engine seizure (due to engine oil leakage/evaporating) problem been solved by KTM or not?
Also, my last query was going to be heat. But, I think it's been resolved in the 2015 model.

>> Also, lastly the million dollar question- Should I go ahead and buy this as my daily commuter bike? What's your take on this guys??

1. Duke wont give as much mileage as ZMR. Only city riding gives me about 23-24. I use normal petrol, costs about 550 for a full tank..

2. It will never be a fill it, shut it and forget it bike. Frequent lubing of the chain is required and some problems may come up. I havent faced any issue with mine in 2 months of ownership #touchwood. But common issues like oil leakage radiator fan, blown gaskets, etc have been rectified in the 2015 models.

3. I dont feel that for the rider it feels abrupt, but for the pillion its deadly, with my brother driving he suddenly accelerated on second gear and I almost fell. This is mostly solved by using shell or speed with some additives. I personally like this abruptness.

4. This stalling issue was there earlier. Fixed by checking battery terminals or cleaning fuel pump, theres a video on youtube.

5. If you follow proper method of run-in and do your oil change I dont think engine should seize.

In 2015 models a shroud has been placed around the fan so that it directs most of the heat towards the ground and multidirectional fans have been installed now, which means that when you drive below a certain speed the fan starts rotating in the opposite direction and directs most of the heat away from you, and vice versa above a certain speed.

Its the best VFM bike on the market yet. Just dont expect it to be as easy to maintain as the ZMR. But when you drive out of that showroom on your duke you will have a smile on your face bigger than the JOKER. :P

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KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

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