Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Just finished a 200km ride to TVM and I must say that the bike was near perfect. Gear shifts have started to get a little clunky, but it has clocked ~600km. So it would probably be sorted after first service.

My coolant levels are stable and I don't really face any issues. She is running warm though, but that it is something I'll have to get used to.
[MENTION=31897]rakshit rana[/MENTION], keep an eye on the coolant levels for the next few days and see if it drops any further. I am wondering how you manage to keep her under 4k. I shift at around 5k to avoid knocking. If it is knocking, that could get the coolant hot real fast and then there is the chance of evaporation. Just my 2 cents, though I'm probably wrong.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I'm understanding character of this bike. Yes knocking is there when you shift at 4K RPM. 5K RPM is the besy to shift gears and avoid knocking.
Going to svc tomorrow for top up.
Will keep you guys updated here.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

calm down, its not the 'seals' from where it leaked.. there is a over flow pipe on the expansion tank (the plastic tank) and coolant spills from that.
guys.. you should first try to have a basic understanding of how a system (cooling , engine etc..) is designed/works before shooting off random conclusions. these only add to confusion and spreading wrong information.

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and the svc is going to top-up the coolant and ask you to go. there isn't much they can do on the spot to address your 'issue'. 99% i think its normal and you haven't noticed the coolant level when you bought the bike.. its probably just as i had explained in my previous post.
you might as-well top it up with a bit of water as i mentioned in my prev post and watch if it drops.

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that's how this bike is and will be (and many other higher capacity bikes). as long as you don't have the high coolant temp warning and the fan running at higher temps, do not worry and get used to it. you should get it checked if the fan doesn't come on
don't expect it to be as cool as a unicorn or splendor.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I asked one of my friend about it and he talked to area manager of KTM yesterday. He told that don't try this thing on a new bike, better tell showroom guys about it and get it sorted. In case of emergency you could do that.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

NO, I don't get that warning and I never expected it to be cool as a splendor or unicorn, nor my previously owner Karizma R. Nonetheless, none of my pals who own a D390 complained of under seat heating! Legs yes, that's the nature of the bike, but not under the seat. Where as the fan's concerned, yes it comes on when stagnant, when moving, it cuts off again. Cheers

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences


I got the 2016 bike the same day as Rakshit. Even my coolant level is near min mark. It is how the bike came and there is nothing to worry about. Just completed 500 km and 100 km was in bumper to bumper Bangalore traffic. There was no over heating issues, the fan and coolant did its work well. I came from a 1st gen Duke 200 with open fan and this is not even as hot as that in heavy traffic as the fan is covered. Yes it is not friendly as D200 in traffic as I need to shift gears so often and you hear fan running sound every 3-5 min.

Take it to a highway and just open throttle a little bit and you don't even remember this thread.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

My running is mostly on the highways. Will top up the coolant level today. Did you notice the coolant level when you bought the bike?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Yes, It was close to min. It is fine as I used to ride my D200 with the same amount of coolant. Top up if it falls below it.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Have you ridden your pals bike's in the same conditions as you ride your bike? Are they the same model year i.e. does it have the fan with shroud or naked fan ?
Ask your pals to ride your bike and see if they notice under seat heating.
I say wait until after the first service before you decide to tinker with the bike, the oil change to motul 7100 could make a small difference.

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There is a reason why the coolant is not filled to max.. for one it is sufficient to keep it at around minimum and second during transport or even otherwise filling it up to max could cause spills from the expansion tank (read about how the cooling system works). Been there & had that happen
there will be a little variation in level due to how the coolant system works. you should be worried if the level drops down drastically or frequently.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Both our bikes are 2015 slipper clutch. They haven't ridden mine and vice versa, but yes I'll get it checked during the first service.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Did the top up today with MAK engine coolant. It has the same green colour and is recommended for alloy engines. Filled MAK as I didn't have any other alternative and to avoid any damage to the new engine. Though I have ordered Motul Inugel coolant (Recommended by one of the owner of duke 390 from Goa).
Rode the bike for 20+ kms in mixed condition of traffic and open stretch. The fan kicked in between but as soon as I find a short empty stretch I rode it in 4-5th gear and fan stopped and engine temperature bar falls down by 1 bar. I guess, the coolant is doing its work.
Also checked the coolant level after ride. It was the same and no coolant spills were found on either radiator or engine.
Things are under control now and hope it stays this way.
Big sigh of relief 😁

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Installed the Philips Xtreme Vision today. It's definitely a pleasurable experience. I'd rate it as around 30% brighter than stocks as advertised. But, not as much as HIDs I had installed on my ZMR. HIDs are from a different world altogether. But, they are white.[emoji18]
P.S.: I wonder if stock single yellow motorcycle headlights can get any better than this. But, it definitely works as doubles in cars. Car yellow 55/60w headlights have very good illumination as per my experience.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

you should ideally not mix two different brands of coolants because you do not know their chemistry. but since its just a bit, i wont be an issue.. in such cases water is the safest best and btw, i've seen mak being used at ktm svc at times when the motul inugel isnt available.

Apart from brightness, how is beam throw? Any significant improvement in beam throw as advertised ?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Improvement is definitely there. Beam throw is farther and spread is also a bit wider. But, it's not drastic improvement. Definitely not as much as I expected. So, I'm a tad dissapointed.[emoji25] But, it's definitely BETTER THAN STOCK.
If you want awesome lighting, go for HID. But, it's white light.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I read about coolants online and I found that green coloured coolants are most widely used for all alloy engines whereas orange and blue coloured coolants have much longer life.
I discussed with many of my known guys who are sound technically and everybody suggested that I should go for coolant rather than distilled water unless its too urgent.
Most of the coolants have 70% chemicals and 30% water. The chemicals prevent engine parts from corrosion from the water content of the coolant.