Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi All,

As a reply to my last post, regarding the 11.6K invoice for engine flushing for the clutch debris, i failed to find the invoice. I suspect my 15 month old terror has eaten it! Couldn't find it anywhere. Sorry about it.

This post is regarding another help that i would need regarding some mods i am planning on it. I would request the knowledgeable folks to reply on the below queries.

1. WHat is the resale value of a late 2013 Duke 390? How much value goes down if we mod it? I am half thinking about getting a versys. My wife will kill me for it; but, i can atleast die smiling.

2. I need some extra lights. I intend to keep the same headlamp and install a couple of LED lights on the crash guard on both sides. Are there good reliable brands i could go with? or is there some specs that i should look for? Also, a reliable online source will be much appreciated.

3. I also plan on getting a short clutch lever and front brake lever. Any one with previous experience or using it? I am getting the stuff from eBay. Impulse purchase.

4. Water Proof riding boots. Any suggestions? I have a decent budget for a decent reliable shoe. Being in kerala, where it rains 6 months, i am tired of throwing away shoes after every rainy season. Also, i need the boot to be disguised as a formal shoe. Pref. All black.

5. I also would like to raise my handlebar a bit. I am 6 ft 1 and on the bigger side. sometimes, i feel too much pressure on my wrists when riding for extended period of time. is that a common theme on Duke?

Thanks in advance.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

My comments above in bold

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Dude, thanks!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Just so you get it, though people have explained it beautifully.

1. Remember chains always wear unevenly, one spot will be tighter than the other.
2. Adjust the chain from it's tightest spot, you will know this when you put your bike on a paddock stand and rotate the rear tire by and hand and check the slack, certain spots would be tight and certain spots would be loose. Always check different spots in the chain and adjust accordingly.
3. Make sure you get your rear tire in a straight line after chain tight/loosen procedure. Use the string method, if you don't know what it is GOOGLE
4. Lube, lube and lube, an improperly lubed chain is going to make noise even if you adjust the slack. Lubing means, not spraying, it's know where to spray and how much.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

All right, everything's set and all seems fine now. I've adjust it for pillion riding too so there's a little slap when I ride alone. I assume that's fine?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Slapping hard when you snatch the throttle back and forth, is no good, very noticeable slap is not to be of concern, you can reduce that too by tightening it up a notch, but I wouldn't recommend it tightening too right, a slightly loose chain is better than a very tight chain.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I agree.

On the other hand, had my first crash. A cab suddenly braked ahead of me and I bumped into him at around 40-50kmph. I dropped the bike on left side. Now the handle bar seems like its bent. When I rode the bike back and tried keeping the handle bar straight, the bikes moves towards the right. Somethings definitely gone All my Powerpart stickers on the left are gone too :/

Is this as serious as a Fork bend? or just needs a handlebar change?

Any input is appreciated

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

My 390 is at 40000 KMs and has started signs of Old age and primarily due horrible road conditions in Hyderabad due to heavy rains.



1. For first time in 40000 KMs, left fork seal got burst. It was my mistake as I took a bad shortcut to avoid traffic and suspension took tool due too bouncy bad road.
2. "Low Oil Pressure", scary message to see to be honest. However, oil level and every thing is fine along with bike performance. So, it is probably faulty sensor.
3. MIDI display resets automatically. Probably issue with wiring. 390 has very bad wiring setup, and will have to remove the AUX LED to see if it has to do anything with this.
4. Ignition Lock set bolts have gone loose and one has fallen out somewhere.
5. Vibes post 6000 RPM only on right foot peg. This started after the drum rubber was changed.
6. Issues with slotting to 6th gear, probably due to loose chain.

Apart from above,

1. Bike is in good condition with no drop in performance or mileage (still returns between 27-29 KMPL).
2. Rear Michelin which was installed at 14000 KMs is still good and has good tread. However, it has sidewall puncture. I still have Old Metz which was removed at 14000 KMs. I will put it back as it still has good life left (5000-7000 KMs).

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Congrats on the 40k mark. Some of these are just minor and regular maintenance parts considering the mileage you've clocked.
1. There are folks whose seals give up much earlier, like mine at 17k. Could happen to anyone on any bike. The front suspension though is a gem. Did you get the fork seal/oil replaced ? If so, what fork oil did they use? The one labelled bajaj costing 50rs a bottle or the white bottle with ktm parts label costing 96rs a bottle? Just asking because from what i have dug up, the bajaj oil (manufactured by hp) is a 10w while the ktm part no. oil is a 5w(which is actually what is recommended). I got cheated and currently i am running one fork leg with the bajaj oil and the other has the stock factory filled one(which i assume is 5w). I don't see much of a difference in handling though.
2. Probably the oil pressure sensor is gone for a toss.
3. what part of the display resets ? Odo?trip?
Check wiring of any accessories, earthing and also the horn wiring section. Also remove the headlight unit(like you do for replacing the bulbs) and check the connector that goes to the console, it's a 20 pin(din't count exactly) connector. unplug it, check if any wires are frayed/lose and blow some compressed air and electronics contact cleaner spray(if you have any) and connect it back.
4. Get a new bolt for the ignition lock set and ask them to use the blue loctite thredlocker on the bolt. I've seen a d200 that was hardly a couple of months old come to the svc for a similar fault. Just get a new bolt and use threadlock.
5. Yeh, probably the chain.. get it adjusted and also check that the wheel alignment tabs are at same position on either side. That buzz will usually go away after a few 100km after a chain adjustment.
6. Get the chain adjusted and also try to move the gear lever 2-3mm up. If not you might have to change the gear shift shaft. Again this part wears out over time and might cause notchy gear shift issues.

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I doubt the forks are bent.
First inspect the handle bar, and replace it if necessary. If you are still facing weird handling characteristics then loosen the pinch bolts near the axle and also along the fork on either sides and push down the front end a few times. Now tighten those bolts back. Also you might need to adjust the steering stem nut, especially if you notice that when the wheel is pointed straight, the handle seems a bit off to one side.
Some of these mechanics simply say fork bend saar without even bothering to try and realign them first.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi Sid, Thanks for replying.

Took the bike to Indiranagar KTM today in the morning and they did notice the wheel pointing towards the right when the handlebars were straight. He told me to sit on the bike and hold the handle straight and tight. And then he gave it a solid kick to straighten the wheel. Is this even approved? I asked him about loosening the pinch bolts like you said (read it online earlier) to re-align the forks but he said its not needed for such a small deflection and since he kicked it back to place, he said its fine . If my forks were twisted, could it be that they're fine now after he kicked the wheel back in place? The deflection was just about 5degrees if I rememeber. My handle bar also seems fine.

Maybe it was all in my head but I then took the bike to Kasturba Road to get it checked again. The guy rode the bike and said everything's fine. He also told me to replace the handlebar if I felt something was off after riding it for a few days.

So now, The bike is fine, doesn't pull to the left or right with my hands off. But is there something else that I should worry about or look into? The front brake level was slightly pushed up after the fall and for some reason I think the brakes have become a tiny bit weaker. is this possible when there's no damage or scuff on the front wheel and disk?Or is this just psychological?

On asking both the service guys about forks bending, they seemed to be very confident about the rigidity of the forks, saying that in 99% cases the forks never bend because they're very strong. Apparently they've seen cases where the complete chassis was bent but the forks were fine.

Any advice on this or should I just ride it if it feels fine. Any tweaking to the forks needed?

Thanks

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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

The forks are really strong, trust me, compared to telescopic tube forks which gets bent with ease on most bikes. In the Dukes it's either the T stem or just a misaligned handlebar. First off, check the handlebar for alignment, it is possible for the handlebar to go out of alignment in the event of a small crash. Also check the bolts holding the fork, the upper clamps, lower, and then check it how fares. Hopefully it should be okay.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

The thing about this is that even if there's nothing, its very easy to feel there is. I've gone through the very same thing. I've heard a lot of bad reviews about the Indiranagar guys, so its good you took it once to Kasturba (I remember the head mechanic there, really nice guy, fixed some stuff for me himself absolutely free.)
Anyway, coming to your issue, I'm pretty sure you've had it fixed, these parts are really strong. I've had the same issue and almost nothing had happened.
As for the lever, I don't think it could affect braking with a minor bend, try it for a few days, if you think its weaker, then get it replaced, a brake lever is anyway barely 200 bucks and it'll give you peace of mind too.
Just a small piece of advise, don't think too much about it, and just ride normally. Wait for a least a week before you take it again if you feel any issues, its 99% psychological.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

The thing that worries me is him kicking the front tire to make it straight with respect to the handlebar. What if the handlebar was bent and now he kicked the tire and twisted the forks? Is that possible? If I replace the handlebar and tire is still
Not straight, that means the forks are out of alignment right?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Glad the mechanic gave a much needed kick rather than say 'forak bend saar' (they say this just to charge you extra money, but behind the scenes they only give it a kick or a realignment.. it's happened to me many years ago). And they are right about the forks being very strong.
If you've ever ridden a bicycle as a kid, you might have encountered a similar issue withe bar n wheel not aligning and then you stand in front of the cycle and put the wheel between your legs and adjust the handle bar to point in line with the wheel. remember that?
Well, that's exactly what the mechanic by giving it a kick, rather than loosen the steering stem nut and then make adjustment. (crude way but as long as it was not too much of deflection, its ok).
I think you are set for now, don't bother fiddling with forks.. but if the handle bar is bent you might as-well get that changed. As for braking, do you notice any shudder and pulsing in the lever when you apply the front brake, especially at speeds over 50?
It's probably in your head.

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For the JG 1.7.3, get the battery and the terminals checked, also make sure the wires going to the + and - are having good connectivity at both ends. Another thing is the stator coil, get these checked.
How old is the battery ?