Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

With a fatso rider on Duke, pillion will have a hard time, but otherwise I did not find any issue with being the pillion. It is indeed way better comfortable than FZ, on which I have forced my best buddy as pillion for 800 km

There are many xbhpians, who did 500+km with pillions on Duke. One guy with D200 did Bangalore-Trivandrum with his better half.

It solely depends on how your pillion can take it.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences


Just back from a test ride with my friend, I am 5.7 and he's 5.8. Sat pillion and then swapped, seat was on the harder side & looked small but didn't run out of space either!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I have been driving 390 since 3 months and my first servicing got over.

I have observed that engine is getting pretty much heated up after 20 min of the start.
If bike stops in the middle of traffic it wont start easily.
The breaks are not that much effective while breaking at high speeds with pillion.
The engine heat can be sensed by pillion itself for long drives in the city.

I need some suggestions regarding heating problem.What kind of coolant i can use money is not a constraint.I think in summer this heating problem can burn my ass.

What about the engine oil provided by SVC people is it best for the bike?? or we can buy which is better please suggest.TIA.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I think you can shed more light on the ownership experience on D390 because You have 2015 batch bike with changes which will help to potential buyers of D390.

Engine will heat up in B2B traffic. Engine oil most suitable is Motul 7100 or you can try Motul 300V both are good.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Will happen. Low air flow to engine = more heat to rider

Not sure about this, It maybe related to above issue regarding heating.

It wont be , also what high speeds are we talking about? More weight = More effort to stop. ( F=M.A )

I sense it has something to do with cooling issue. Other 2 problems sing same story.

Need more info from diagnostics

Brands may vary but keep grade of oil same always

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Guys what's the difference between shorty lever and regular long levers apart from their size. Like pros amd cons.

Planning to buy these CNC orange levers.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences


Did you get it checked with the SVC? Which bike were you riding prior to the D390?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I had some queries. Guys pls share ur views-
1. Which is the best dual horn for Ktm duke 390? I hate trumpet sound of Roots Windtone. Need the normal sweet dual horn.
2. Is plonking the Philips xtreme vision 55/60w bulb worth it? I find the stock bulb to be adequate though.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Adjustable lever.
The brake adjuster can be adjusted and have a 6 point adjustment. 1 being the closest and 6 being the furthest.i like the brake near me at times so i ll keep it at 5.so as to do a 2 finger press. While still having the handle with my other fingers
Same for the clutch lever . but ill keep the clutch at 2 so so to have my hand the handle at all times. And for easy city shifts . i got them for 800 rs from coimbatore cnc made .

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I understand. But again there are also different sizes. One is short and other is of normal length.

Can you please share pics of your lever.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

The Heat is normal and there is not much you can do about it.
When you stall the bike, it usually won't start immediately when you press the self-starter. You need to use the kill switch, switch it back on and then start.
The braking on any bike reduces with weight. You need to brake early and slightly harder than you would while riding solo.

Using a different coolant hasn't helped, someone tried Engine ice, felt cooler initially but then its again the same now.

The Motul 7100 is what the company suggests and it performs quite well. Motul 300V is another Engine Oil you could try.

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1. No Idea, I'm pretty happy with the stock horn.

2. I recently purchased the Philips Diamond Vision 5000K 55/60W bulb for my RC 390. It's been about a month. The bulb throws blue tinted white light. The only reason I bought it is because the pilot lights are white but the headlamp was yellowish and I needed a bulb to match the color. The range is the same as stock but then in lit conditions, the white bulb has no effect, it just gets absorbed. In roads with complete darkness, the bulb out performs the stock yellow bulbs. Everything seems clearer and brighter.
So if you are usually going to ride inside the city in decently lit conditions, you could get the Philips Xtreme Vision 3500K because they have a much better throw than stock. Avoid getting anything above 4000K for city riding.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

short levers have a better chance of staying intact when the bike falls down.. longer levers(like the stock) hit the ground first and tend to snap/bend.

Check out the yellow panther hella horn set (also called sharptone in some markets). I've bought them but yet to fix them. Though i've tested the sound and I liked it.
as for the bulb, yes even i find the stock (osram,made in germany) sufficient. but if you do plan to get the phillips, please do post some pics.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I have habit on hold the grip towards the outer side. My pinky finger and the palm area below it touches the hand guard. In that case to use short lever ill have to move my hand inwards.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

yes, and it might be also be an issue (pain in wrist/fingers) for some people..especially with the clutch lever.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I'll check it asap. Thnx for the suggestion. Is it a non-trumpet horn? Any videos?
Yes, the stock bulbs are pretty good. In my earlier ZMR, stock 35w bulbs were useless. Went to the bike store to install Philips 55w. The technician installed a white HID instead. I must say it's the best I've used till date.

Ur happy with the stock horn??? [emoji16] [emoji4] I hate it. It should at least perform well. But, it cracks under sustained pressing. Seems like a scooty horn. Need to find a gud sweet sounding dual horn. Hate the trumpet sound of Roots Windtone (seemingly most popular horn these days).
I'll not plonk a white light for sure. Installed it in my earlier bike. Want to remain part of the crowd.

Update: I didn't cross 70 kmph till now during run-in. Ripped the bike yesterday during a ride at 100-110+ on the highway (max 140kmph) and results are astonishing. Bike has freed up alot. Earlier, it felt like the engine was clogged. Now, it feels like the whole engine has opened up.[emoji5] Pickup has increased dramatically. I wonder if this is the proper way to break-in your engine.