Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

here is a link where i talked about that issue:


And mostly issues are discussed on the ownership thread itself.

The common occurrence of leak is not from the head gasket but from the valve cover gasket area. Using a sealant (along with a new gasket in some cases) is the only way to fix it. The workshop manual also mentions to use a bit of sealant while putting back the valve cover, but i haven't seen it done on bikes from the factory. Maybe they are doing it now.. but ive seen quiet a few bikes whose valve cover gaskets were fixed with a sealant (including my d200) and they never had any sealant from the factory.
It's a minor thing and nothing to worry.

Auxiliary LED lights for KTM 390 Duke

This is part of one of my DIY's. Setting up for LED Project lamps on 390 Duke.
As quite a few of you might already know the stock headlamp setup is quite weak. The light intensity is low and spread in high beam is uneven. So Had a plan to install these LED projectors.

Got them from BikeOpedia in Hyderabad, dont remember the price exactly. But it was around 1500 or 1600 for a pair. I bought them long back.



These are 15W and 4000 Lumens. I would have preferred yellowish light but realised it was white after fitting them!

Fitting is fairly straight forward. I preferred to fit them on Crash gaurd instead of any where near to headlamp. To fit near headlamps, it required some modifications to be done to stock set up. I did not wanted to disturb that. So fitted them on to Crash gaurds. It will be easy for me to adjust the angle and beam focus.



The wires are neatly pulled into headlamp cowl section along with existing wires.
Wiring was big excersice for me. There was provision to connect accessories on 390. But some how i could not light up the lamps. So tested with the inputs to pilot lamps and voila! both the lights worked.



So, I cut the pliot lamp wires and joined the inputs to the both the headlamps. And refit the headlamp cowl. I did not bother to connect the pilot lamp back again as it was becoming too many lights.

The functionality is as below. It has 3 modes.

1. Switch on the pilot lamps to have high intensity ouput.
2. Switch off and switch on back again to have lower intensity output.
3. Switch off and switch on back again to have Strobe lighting! This will surely trouble the oncoming highbeamers.

Some more pictures.

Both the LED lights without main lamp on. These two are bright enough and may not need main lamp to be switched on all the time.


Riders view with just both LED's on.


Riders view with Low beam and LED's on.



Tools Required:

1. Allen Key set to fit/refit of headlamp cowl and LED lights.
2. Insulative tape for elecritcal wirings.
3. Blade to splice or cut wires.
4. Patience to work with congested cowl section.

Have tested the setup for 10-15 mins during night. Run mostly without headlamps on. So not expecting any battery drainage as both LEDs lamps are drawing out much lesser power than the headlamp (also, no pilot lamp).

I had Bosch Root Horn installed and had to remove it as it was fitted onto the crash gaurd earlier. Removed it so as to accomodate the LED lamp. Connected back stock horn. The horn wire length was short so could not connect back now. Will do some time later.

Re: Auxiliary LED lights for KTM 390 Duke

By fitting it onto the crash guard you have compromised on a really good rest for your legs during long rides. After 250+kms I find myself constantly shifting my legs from the foot pegs to these crash guards and it is a very welcome change for your sore bum.

However, really neat job with the electricals. I have the same lamps but have them fitted on fabricated clamps which go onto the forks. Had some issues aiming the beams correctly but with some trial and error everythings good now.

Re: Auxiliary LED lights for KTM 390 Duke

I had similar one but didn't like these as it was too much blueish in color and it strained my eyes after using couple of hours during a night drive. During highway rides, It will be completely invisible when the oncoming traffic have their headlights on. They draw fairly high current compared to other led aux light for the output they have. And these are not 4000 lumen, might be less than half of that. But, neat job of installing the lights! 👍

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

After making multiple posts on various forums regarding an off road fender (to no avail) I finally found the fender I wanted!

My stock fender had broken off and Ive faced issues with it while going off road. Ive not tested my new offroad fender on high speeds but the mounting is solid enough to withstand it I feel.


My beloved Icarus, now an SMC

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences



Duke 390 cornering

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Where did you get the luggage carrier from? Is it custom fabricated?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Those are mounts for the Dirtsack Llama.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Looks good! I got the faaster wheels luggage carrier recently. Will do a review after proper testing.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

The SMC conversion looks really good.

I've been having this problem for a while now and i havent taken it to SVC yet. But, i have this late 2013 bike with about 15K on the odo. THe bike when cold started, turns off immediately unless i throttle to 5k RPM. for the first 10 minutes after that, it turns ifself off, when i lets go the throttle while riding either to slow down or to shift gears. It's become a pretty standard thing in my riding that this turning on the engine while riding has become a motor reflex. Should i be worried? is something slowly deteriorating in my electronics?

Also, got me a new riding jacket. Attached is the pic. Klim Blade. Will review later.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I suggest you get it checked. A temporary solution that might work would be to slightly tighter the stopper screw below throttle pulley. Not sure if it'd work. But give it a try.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Guys. I know this is an old topic. But I am fed up with my bike console showing 0 kmph all the time. Has anyone found a solution? What is ktm people saying?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Many have recommended to change the stator coil for this. I too have this glitch but I don't care much about it.. after all we wont look at the speedo every time when riding

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I can add it to my Sacrifice List

I have doubts on the Bluish ligh too! I usually dont venture out for night rides, so not much an issue from my perspective.
Will test more thoroughly today in my commute.

Never touch that screw on throttle body! It will cause more issues.
Generally this issue is with Fuel pump or throttle body.

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The white wire!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Don't mind telling where you bought it and for how much?