Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks for the replies guys

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi,

I am planning to buy a second hand duke 390 this is a 2014 model driven around 10000 km. Could you guys help me out with what all should i notice for and what could be the price quote. Also i have read through few updates and there has been around 20 upgrades in the 2015 version, my query here is that will i be able to upgrade few important things in the old version.

I am only posting few which i am concerned about

1. The spark plug gap has been increased from 0.8 mm of the first generation model, to 1 mm on the 2015 model.
   
2. The connecting rod has been made durable with a bush at the small end.
3. The design of the front fender has been changed to minimize water and dirt splashing.
4. The mud guard at the rear is wider to avoid dirt from splashing onto the bike.
5. The indicators have been sealed to avoid water seepage, a problem on the first generation Duke 390.
6. The seat on the original Duke 390 used to rub against the air filter housing. In the updated model, KTM has stiffened the front seat and increased the clearance between it and the air filter housing.
7. The oil seal output shaft features a larger diameter to accommodate the new collar.

Looking forward for your help.

Thanks.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Please check the tyres. The life of the metz is 10,000 km. The cost around Rs 17,000 to change.
At 10,000 km the chain set needs to be changed, This would cost another rs 2800. Total would be approx rs 20000. Please check if the servicing schedule has been met else the warranty is void. You need the bike with warranty. Check the brakes also. Brake pad change is approx rs 900. Check the alloys too. Enjoy

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Can we apply liquid wax/paste on the ktm duke 390 which is made of fibre?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

For the first time in the two years I have owned D390, I saw 'High Coolant Temperature' on my console last evening while returning back from work. The route is Phoenix mall to Horamavu for those of you who are familiar with the place. Traffic was moderately high (6:15 PM) and it was not my usual commute time, which means my bike is not accustomed to evening peak hour traffic I had switched off the bike at signals couple of times prior to this message coming on.

The first time I got the message (near Big Bazaar before Horamavu signal) I stopped and waited for the temperature to come down. It again came on within ~2kms where I had to idle for a long time due to railway crossing. This time I didn't stop as the traffic started moving. Within ~300-500 mtrs there were open roads and the temperature bars fell several notches.

Fan is working properly, Radiator fins are undamaged and clean, coolant is towards the max mark when cold and slightly over the max mark when engine is heated up, I don't see any other unusual behaviour either. Bike was serviced last week and is otherwise nice to ride.

The service advisor (before this incident happened) had casually told me that at 15,000kms coolant needs to changed. I don't see it in the manual anywhere. I would like to know my fellow riders opinion on this.

For now, I will monitor for 1-2days and then take a call regarding getting the bike checked. Do let me know if there is anything to look out for apart from usual suspects like Fan, Fins & Coolant.

Though Xbhp review says this is a safety feature and not to panic just want to be safe.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Did bike shut off when high coolant temperature came up in any of the two incidents you faced ?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Yeah, I make sure I don't switch the engine off whenever I'm in peak traffic with signals in between. Also, where do you get your bike serviced? Which SVC?

And, how much does 2nd free service cost? I've been estimated 3.3k, too much or just about right?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Nope, it didn't. Didn't feel any difference in the way it rode either.

Kasturba Road.

Around 2.5k to 3k would be okay for second service considering now they have 1.5L bottles for Engine oil. Rest depends upon how they play with consummables and chain cleaning.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

This means I am facing genuine problem, my bike shuts off completely when high coolant temperature shows up. And it makes it more dangerous by shutting off all of a sudden in the middle of the traffic.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

In my case bike shuts off before and then high coolant temperature is shown, after that when I try to start, it didn't get start till temperature gets normal.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

May be it's a completely different reason. My bike had the same problem. The reason was that the float inside the fuel tank had separated and was floating freely inside the tank and creating short circuit. When there is a short circuit, meter shows high coolant temperature in duke. Is the meter showing the correct fuel level?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Yup it's showing correct fuel level and at the time this happened almost 5L of fuel was there and I had faced this problem previously also at that time also bike was shutting off like this only and that time SVC people replaced radiator fan. I agree with you that duke have faulty fuel gauge problem guess what a friend of mine has done 100 kms on reserve.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

You might be aware of this but let me put it , Low fuel WILL for SURE kill your fuel pump. Never ever let bike go low on fuel . There is a reason why its called RESERVE , because thats what it is. Carburetor fitted bikes dont have this issue as they dont have fuel pump . ZMR's Fuel pump costs whopping 12.5K , For KTM it maybe somewhere near or maybe more . So be on safe side and keep quarter tank .

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Ya I know that, this was on my friend's bike and ktm svc will change the faulty fuel gauge under warranty and after running 100 kms ( as shown on MID ) on reserve he refueled bike with Rs. 500 of petrol and tank was almost full, this means very less amount of reserve fuel was used.