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**krishkaz** · 09-25-2016, 08:10 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Got the horn fixed with relay setup as suggested by s1d and VJ. Took about 3 hours (including shopping for the components and crimping the wires

). The setup is very crude as I did not have time. Will make it more appealing soon. And Man the horn is crazy even with only the low tone, so much that even few buffaloes turned around in surprise

.

Will fix the other one in the near future.

And Yes, the yellow color for the wire is a bad choice!

Happy Biking Everyone

**jack_daniels** · 09-25-2016, 09:02 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Just a small suggestion.

There were a lot of thak-thak, creepy sounds coming from my bike. After close inspection, I found that the sounds were coming from 3 areas- the MRA windscreen, rear suspension mud flap and the front fork protector.

After discussing with my pop (who's a technical genius, but doesn't know a s*** about mobiles type of person), I applied something known as a NIPPON Tape to these areas (pic below). And the end result is that all the thak-thak sounds are gone completely. [emoji8] I'm so-so satisfied right now after living with the noises for around 4-5 months.[emoji35] The bike feels like out-of-showroom again now.[emoji16] [emoji16]

For those of you who don't know what a nippon tape is, pic is attached below-

**s1d** · 09-25-2016, 09:27 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by jack_daniels View Post

There were a lot of thak-thak, creepy sounds coming from my bike. After close inspection, I found that the sounds were coming from 3 areas- the MRA windscreen, rear suspension mud flap and the front fork protector.

For those of you who don't know what a nippon tape is, pic is attached below-

Do you mean the double-side sticky tape? Hope its a good quality one like the ones from 3m made for automotive use and not the stationery shop white double side tape.
And can you point out the areas where you applied the tape?

**jack_daniels** · 09-25-2016, 09:39 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by s1d View Post

Do you mean the double-side sticky tape? Hope its a good quality one like the ones from 3m made for automotive use and not the stationery shop white double side tape.
And can you point out the areas where you applied the tape?

Ya, it's the same thing. & I guess I don't need an expensive one right now as I don't need to stick anything. I'm using it just for padding. & the areas where I applied are-
Windscreen, front fork protector flap and the rear suspension mud protector flap bases. But, it should differ from bike-to-bike i guess. But, ya being a Duke basically sounds come from these parts only. [emoji16] [emoji16]

**AngadV** · 09-25-2016, 10:22 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by jack_daniels View Post

Just a small suggestion.

There were a lot of thak-thak, creepy sounds coming from my bike. After close inspection, I found that the sounds were coming from 3 areas- the MRA windscreen, rear suspension mud flap and the front fork protector.

After discussing with my pop (who's a technical genius, but doesn't know a s*** about mobiles type of person), I applied something known as a NIPPON Tape to these areas (pic below). And the end result is that all the thak-thak sounds are gone completely. [emoji8] I'm so-so satisfied right now after living with the noises for around 4-5 months.[emoji35] The bike feels like out-of-showroom again now.[emoji16] [emoji16]

For those of you who don't know what a nippon tape is, pic is attached below-

I second s1d on this, I really really need this as the sounds are driving me insane. I'm pretty sure I have it coming from the windshield, and from the left side, so if you could point out the areas, it would be really appreciated

**jack_daniels** · 09-25-2016, 10:43 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by AngadV View Post

I second s1d on this, I really really need this as the sounds are driving me insane. I'm pretty sure I have it coming from the windshield, and from the left side, so if you could point out the areas, it would be really appreciated

Hmmm. Looks like u have an RC390. Sorry, don't hv much idea about the bike. But, as far as my gut instinct tells me apply on the points where the plastic parts touch the metal chassis of the bike like windscreen, fairings, mud flaps, etc. Also, u'll feel like tightening the screws but that's not the case as screws hardly get loose. So, no point in looking for loosened screws.

Do a complete self analysis of the bike and apply at the above stated points.

**B7ACKTHORN** · 09-25-2016, 11:32 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by krishkaz View Post

Got the horn fixed with relay setup as suggested by s1d and VJ. Took about 3 hours (including shopping for the components and crimping the wires

). The setup is very crude as I did not have time. Will make it more appealing soon. And Man the horn is crazy even with only the low tone, so much that even few buffaloes turned around in surprise

.

Will fix the other one in the near future.

And Yes, the yellow color for the wire is a bad choice!

Happy Biking Everyone

Nice! What I would suggest is to remove the clear insulation tape, and heat-shrink the wires, so that they stay short-proof. Those tapes that you've wound would eventually come off , in due time, they would touch the body and start short circuiting. It's just a safe way now, rather than sorry later. Secondly, wiring is screwed up, you can eventually re-route the wires in a cleaner manner by routing it under the tank and use zipties to secure them in place.

Originally posted by jack_daniels View Post

Just a small suggestion.

There were a lot of thak-thak, creepy sounds coming from my bike. After close inspection, I found that the sounds were coming from 3 areas- the MRA windscreen, rear suspension mud flap and the front fork protector.

Reminds me of the famous saying

If it moves and it shouldn’t, you need duct tape. And if it doesn’t move and it should, you need WD40.

Well, duct tape has been a life savior for RC guys I would say the least.

Cheers!
VJ

**chip94** · 09-26-2016, 12:43 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Can someone give me a few tips on tightening the chain? I've tried looking the the manual and it doesn't seem to help.

Should the chain have some slack even after the bike is loaded? If so, how much? or should it be taut?

And since the adjuster markings should be the same on both sides, is there a sequence to turn them if they're not aligned?

Can somebody please post step by step instruction as if they're telling a 5 year old :P

Thanks

**sriharsha_madineni** · 09-26-2016, 01:33 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by chip94 View Post

Can someone give me a few tips on tightening the chain? I've tried looking the the manual and it doesn't seem to help.

Should the chain have some slack even after the bike is loaded? If so, how much? or should it be taut?

And since the adjuster markings should be the same on both sides, is there a sequence to turn them if they're not aligned?

Can somebody please post step by step instruction as if they're telling a 5 year old [emoji14]

Thanks

If you want to align the markings on both sides, you need to loosen the rear axle nut and then try lo align the markings on both sides. You cannot do this without loosening the rear axle nut.

Edit: Without loosening the axle nut, you cannot adjust the chain in the first place [emoji12]

Regarding the slack, if you are using paddock stand to work on the chain, then it's better to leave a little slack as it becomes a bit taut on load. You'll eventually find the sweet spot over a couple of adjustments. If it's taut while on paddock, it would eventually become more taut on load and puts a lot of stress on all the drive train components. So, leaving a little slack is more safer. Again finding the sweet spot is they key.

This is what I follow usually. Wait for more inputs from other owners.

**chip94** · 09-26-2016, 02:00 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by sriharsha_madineni View Post

If you want to align the markings on both sides, you need to loosen the rear axle nut and then try lo align the markings on both sides. You cannot do this without loosening the rear axle nut.

Regarding the slack, if you are using paddock stand to work on the chain, then it's better to leave a little slack as it becomes a bit taut on load. You'll eventually find the sweet spot over a couple of adjustments. If it's taut while on paddock, it would eventually become more taut on load and puts a lot of stress on all the drive train components. So, leaving a little slack is more safer. Again finding the sweet spot is they key.

This is what I follow usually. Wait for more inputs from other owners.

Hey Sriharsha,

You're correct. When I got my chain adjusted at the service center, the bugger tightened it too much, so it was taut when a person sat on the bike and even on the paddock.
I was adjusting the chain today and left a little slack but now the chain slaps the swing arm when going over rough patches.

Regarding the markings on both sides, when finding a loose spot on the chain I turn the nut on the left side first ( chain side) and then move over to the other side( brake caliper side) and make appropriate turns (1/4th, sometimes half) . My question here is , is it okay to turn one side more than the other in order to get the markings right at one shot? And is it necessary to turn both sides when adjusting the chain at different tight and loose places?

Thanks

**sriharsha_madineni** · 09-26-2016, 02:13 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by chip94 View Post

Hey Sriharsha,

You're correct. When I got my chain adjusted at the service center, the bugger tightened it too much, so it was taut when a person sat on the bike and even on the paddock.
I was adjusting the chain today and left a little slack but now the chain slaps the swing arm when going over rough patches.

Regarding the markings on both sides, when finding a loose spot on the chain I turn the nut on the left side first ( chain side) and then move over to the other side( brake caliper side) and make appropriate turns (1/4th, sometimes half) . My question here is , is it okay to turn one side more than the other in order to get the markings right at one shot? And is it necessary to turn both sides when adjusting the chain at different tight and loose places?

Thanks

If it is slapping the swing arm then its too loose. Check the slack at various positions, it won't be even at all points.

You do a full rotation of the chain and check for the position where the slack is lowest and then adjust the slack at that point. Basically you need to adjust the chain at its tightest link, that's the trick.

Coming to the other query, the markers on both side are for adjusting the wheel alignment. They need to match exactly on both sides for the wheel to be straight. Whatever you do to adjust the chain slack, in the end check that the markers are matched evenly on both sides.

**chip94** · 09-26-2016, 02:19 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by sriharsha_madineni View Post

If it is slapping the swing arm then its too loose. Check the slack at various positions, it won't be even at all points.

You do a full rotation of the chain and check for the position where the slack is lowest and then adjust the slack at that point. Basically you need to adjust the chain at its tightest link, that's the trick.

Coming to the other query, the markers on both side are for adjusting the wheel alignment. They need to match exactly on both sides for the wheel to be straight. Whatever you do to adjust the chain slack, in the end check that the markers are matched evenly on both sides.

Oh, I didn't know that! So I've got to always start by loosening the chain at its tightest spot because doing that tightens the looser parts? I tighten the loose spot and then the tight spot becomes tighter. Then I try loosening that tight spot and the loose spot becomes looser!

So, if I'm adjusting the loose part, I can turn adjust the left side and right side differently (number of turns to the screw) to keep the alignment right. (eg- half turn on left side and full turn on the other)

**sriharsha_madineni** · 09-26-2016, 02:48 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by chip94 View Post

Oh, I didn't know that! So I've got to always start by loosening the chain at its tightest spot because doing that tightens the looser parts? I tighten the loose spot and then the tight spot becomes tighter. Then I try loosening that tight spot and the loose spot becomes looser!

So, if I'm adjusting the loose part, I can turn adjust the left side and right side differently (number of turns to the screw) to keep the alignment right. (eg- half turn on left side and full turn on the other)

It's like, if you adjust at the loosest link, then the tightest link becomes even more tighter and makes the adjustment pointless.

Yeah the number of turns may not be the same on both sides for the first time, if you are correcting the alignment as well.

Ideally next time, you can save time by doing matching turns on both sides and keep the alignment right as well to save time.

**entsurgeon** · 09-26-2016, 08:11 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Sometimes a chain runs tight for lack of lubrication. Its prudent to lubricate the chain evenly.
adjust if its too loose.
ride a km or 2.
Make final adjustments.
Drift.
Edit: ideally its okay to turn one side a bit more than other by a small margin say a half turn at max. In the end the markings should match. Its advisable not to turn one side 2 3 turns and then adjust other side.

**s1d** · 09-26-2016, 12:43 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by chip94 View Post

Can someone give me a few tips on tightening the chain? I've tried looking the the manual and it doesn't seem to help.

Should the chain have some slack even after the bike is loaded? If so, how much? or should it be taut?

And since the adjuster markings should be the same on both sides, is there a sequence to turn them if they're not aligned?

Can somebody please post step by step instruction as if they're telling a 5 year old :P

Thanks

The manual has step by step instructions on adjusting the chain.
There will be some variation in slack across the chain, but it shouldn't be too much on a good chain. I would always suggest you clean and lube the chain first and then do the adjustment.
Going by the manual as a reference, I would suggest you do the initial adjustment and then have someone sit on the bike and check the slack, and there should be around 5mm slack. You can also adjust the preload on the rear monoshock if you are a heavy person or frequently carry a pillion. The stock setting (3) is a bit on softer side and bumping it up by a couple of settings relieves some stress on the chain. I personally prefer the slack to be a bit more than recommended and my suspension is set to position 6 and I usually do not have the chain slapping around.
So at the end of the day, it's a combination of a clean/lubricated chain, slack, and preload adjustment.

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KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

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