Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

KTM Orange Track Day at MMRT, 2016

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi Guys,

I just owned a Duke 390 last week. I rode it just about 40 Km and now I see that the coolant level is almost touching "MIN". Is it normal as the bike is new? If so which coolant should I top up with? Is there any specific way of topping up the coolant or can I just add up to what's there?

Also, are there any TO DO/MUST DO in particular to owning a new DUKE 390 as initial setup/maintenance?

Please help me out!

Thanks!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Do you remember where the coolant level was when you picked up the bike? Maybe they didn't put in enough from the beginning. My coolant level did not come anywhere near low till 2nd service. If you are sure that the coolant level was fine to begin with, do get it checked.
The coolant isn't very expensive and you just pour it into the reservoir near the fuel tank. But if the coolant did indeed come down so quickly, I suggest you go to the SVC. Don't accept their word for it, cause the first thing that they will say is that it is okay. Nothing in terms of special maintenance, but since the cold winter is almost upon us, ride the bike after a minute or 2 of idling. Keep the revs low till the first few KMs. That's, and don't lug the engine, quite easy to do on a 390 owing to its talker than usual gearing.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences



Hi,

Thanks for replying. I can recall that the coolant was at the MAX mark when I took the delivery. Now the Coolant is an inch or two above the MIN mark. The engine is also getting heated just after 15 mins I ride the bike. Although, yes, I have only ridden it till 3rd gear which might be the reason for the engine heat as I know that the 390 engine doesn't likes low RPMs. Also, I checked for any stains on the inner parts of the bike as well as my parking spot, I did not found any leakage trace. So not sure what's the issue or if there is any issue at all.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

That's perfectly normal. The coolant level went down a bit because it was sucked in to the radiator. This is normal for a new bike or after a drain and fresh coolant fill up.
This happens because sometimes the radiator might not be fully filled, and considering that some water goes thru the water jacket and hence a slight drop in the radiator level, which in turn pulled some water in from the reservoir.
It is very unlikely you have a leak or other issue. Just top it up close to max and keep an eye. Sometimes it might require one or two top ups and there after it should more or less stay put.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences


Thanks! Good to hear that! Can I use Motul Inugel Expert?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Just a pointer, DO NOT forget to refer your owner's manual. It clearly mentions what is the mix/max level, quantity and the likes. Usually coolant is prefilled from factory, so it's precisely measured. In case you find coolant level dropping, top up and observe for a couple of days, if you observe the coolant level dropping significantly post each top up, you have trouble. But for now, I'd suggest you to top up and observe.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

yes you can.. that's what the service centers carry anyway. It hardly takes 50-100ml for the top up.
If your not too paranoid, you can just add a bit of drinking water to top up and carry on. The quantity is too little to cause any issue. I have personally topped it up with drinking water (RO water) and used it for close to a year and also recently changed coolant (first time in two years) and again used around 100ml water to top up.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks VJ. Will do so. Lets see if the level drops. I hope it doesn't [emoji120]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Guys below is a track setup of a Duke, with clipons, a full exhaust, new tree stem clamp, work done to the swingarm,full megaphone exhaust, fork setup, a holder to increase high speed stability,custom made sprocket set, etc,will properly get the full details later

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Came across a shocking thing yesterday at Mekhri Circle KTM, Bangalore. A new bike ready for delivery within an hour had its ODO cable disconnected and even offered as a test ride to a customer . All of this happened in front of me! On asking the guy at the showroom, he said its normal and they do it to a lot of bikes . I had gone with a friend as he wanted to pick up an RC but discouraged him from picking up the vehicle from there.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Nothing surprising.
If you want an untouched bike, it's best you pick it up from their warehouse/storage, these bike will still be wrapped in plastic/packing. It's easier to pick up ktms this way since they don't sell as many numbers as say a activa or splendor. So most showrooms might agree to you picking it up from their warehouse.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi guys,

I have been using my bike only for touring and it has done close to 13K Kms and its a 6 months old bike. Recently changed the Chain and Sprocket set since i was facing the issue of very jerky acceleration at low rpms. Also, whenever i used to press the clutch completely the bike used to have this "thak thak" noise and it used to move a lil bit even with the clutch completely pressed. With C&S replacement that got reduced to a bit but again when i accelerate in 1,2,3rd gear the acceleration is very jerky and i can feel that "thak thak" noise from the sprocket during acceleration at low RPMs only!

Any suggestions before i get my clutch/clutch plates checked ?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Appreciate you shooing your buddy away from this showroom. Trust me, not all showrooms are crude. There are showrooms that really do mean business sadly, "quite" a handful. Talk to a reputed dealership in person, request to check their warehouse, if they have one, if they are kind enough to oblige that should give you an idea of the customer orientation of that particular SVC, then proceed with the choice.

Disclaimer: Easier said than done.

Dhak Dhak means GO! Isn't it.

Jerky acceleration means engine sputters, when an engine sputters the power transmitted to the wheels aren't constant, when the power isn't constant, chain slaps, when the chain slaps, it goes "thak thak"

Either you have problems in your fueling which is causing the jerkiness in the first place and secondly your chain slack isn't adjusted properly. Loose a chain will slap underneath the swing arm and create that signature "thak thak" sound. Jerkiness coupled with a improperly slacked chain will give you the same result.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

A couple of days back when I was riding in the city stop and go traffic with a pillion my engine stopped with the "High Coolant Temperature". I stopped over and let it cool, finished my work and rode back. On the way back it happened again, only this time the coolant came out and spilled over the engine and steamed away. It was late in the night and I couldn't see much. Checked the coolant level, it was a little above the MIN level, but had reduced a little from the initial close to the MAX line. The engine cooled down, I went home and slept. Until now everything looked fine and normal. Heating due to crawling heavy traffic.

The next day when I was checking the spill I see dried up PINK residue on the engine. I checked the coolant tank and the color had changed from green to pinkish brown. Checked the engine oil level, it was just fine. The residue on the engine is not oily. its powder dry.




(sorry the pics dont make it very clear)

The bike was running normally. Took it to the service station in the evening, they have no clue what it is or how it happened. The residue is dry, looks just like a coolant spill, only its pink in color. I have the regular green coolant in the bike form when I got the bike. Because it was almost closing time and the bike was running fine, the Service center guys asked me to bring it back the next day. The next day I couldn't, but I used the bike normally for a couple days (about 200kms). There was no heating issues. Everything is just normal.


Any ideas what it could be. I'll be going to the service center tomorrow and will flush out and change the coolant.