Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

What were you doing when this happened? Riding condition - traffic, what RPM were you changing gears, etc? Also did you see a message "High coolant temperature" ?? What do you mean by coolant level has reached the minimum level?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I would say top up the coolant again, between max and min level as prescribed in user manual and have a watch on the level on the regular basis.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Dude, we need to analyse the cause first. He's just mentioned the end result, not what led to it. If it isn't traffic or less engine oil, etc, We can zero it down to coolant, however, if the coolant levels are also fine, it's worth asking the SVC to check the temp sensors as well, to ensure the fan's working well!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

first relax (at-least for the time being)
these bikes come factory filled with a bit less but sufficient coolant. you should first understand how the cooling system works (google and download the 'self study manual for duke 390')
in short, the coolant is pushed in to the plastic tank when hot (beyond a certain temp) and is sucked back in to radiator when the temp drops.
now since you say it is at minimum, do the following:
1. take a torch and look around if you can spot a wet spot/leak around the hoses/radiator - do this preferably when the bike is hot after a ride.
2. look at the engine oil color , if its grey/milky whitish then it could mean the head gasket has gone for a toss and coolant is mixing with oil. Do you notice any white smoke on start up or when revved to say around 5000rpm ?
any of the above two.. rush to the svc and get it fixed. otherwise a simple test:

3. just add some coolant or water (distilled preferably.. if not regular is also ok since its very minimal quantity) to the plastic expansion tank till it touches the 'max' level. Do this on a COLD engine. Ride around for a couple of 100km and let the fan come on and go off a few times. Now observe the coolant level over the next few days. a significant drop again means something is wrong..could be a leak or failed gasket. head to the svc.

KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I have a query, although I am always within normal temperature range and never have got the high coolant temp earning, however the bike feels hot under my seat, my a## feels the heat What could be the cause, or is that normal?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks for your inputs. In the evening when the engine was not at all hot (I didn't rode the bike today)
And i checked the coolant level, it was at minimum level. No white smoke was observed at any rpm whatsoever. I'll follow the tip of riding it for few kms and checking for wet spots. Will update tomorrow.
I rode in 80% highway and 20% city traffic conditions. Shifted the gears at 4k rpm. I mean to say that the coolant level in the coolant column has gone to minimum level.
The svc is 40 kms far from my home.
Guys, any other alternative than coolant which i can fill in the coolant column which would be a much effective solution to engine heating?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

It should be between min and max level. Did you feel too much heat under the seat or on thighs and calf portion? Also update on the engine oil level. If required, top up the coolant!

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

Seats were made softer in the 2015 slipper clutch versions. I never really found them hard, nor did the pillion.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Didn't feel the heat at all near the legs or anywhere. It was just like another normal bike.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Guys ..what are major differences in the latest duke 390 ,that can be seen or felt practically ??

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

actually water is a better 'coolant'. the mixed coolant that's generally used is a mix of chemicals+water and the chemicals help with corrosion protection, antifreeze properties etc.. most coolants are made up of 70% or more water.. the rest being the chemicals. anyway do read up some material on coolants (preferably from reliable sources such as manufacturers of these substances)

If you can't get hold of coolant, go ahead and use water (distilled aka battery water.. or plain drinking water) to top up to the max level. And if you read the owners manual, it is mentioned to use water in case you cant find the regular coolant in case of emergency. prolonged use of water might cause issues such as corrosion on the internal parts of the engine.. a bit of water added to top up is not going to cause any issues and neither is using it in emergencies for a few 100km.

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

it will not have the headlight on/off switch.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

My office colleague sat on my bike and the first thing he said was that the seat & suspension are so soft. No hard seating probs for me till now. (Note: I hv gel seat)
My bike also runs cool. Just like any other normal bike.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

This is the coolant level today's morning. Its raining outside. I'll try to ride few kms today and check for any leakage and coolant level after ride.
Will keep you guys updated.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

This is too low, i.e. abnormal. The coolant is definitely leaking somewhere. Take your bike to the svc ASAP.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I own a 2015 slipper clutch version of Duke 390, recently while on my way to college in B2B Bangalore traffic my Bike overheated, the temperature gauge went full high, the bike stopped and it showed '' Coolant temperature high ''. To my surprise the coolant was all over the engine, waited for the bike to cool down & rode it to SVC which was nearby! they took a week to repair & finally said the radiator fan was faulty & was replaced under warranty.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Coolant leak = Faulty radiator fan, what?