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**Tarmac_Shark** · 12-21-2016, 10:59 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Mayankisme View Post

Hello all,
I have a budget for 600cc but after riding a daytona 675 the otherday, its not very practical choice for everyday riding.

If you have the budget for a 600 then do consider the ninja 650. Tailor made for sport touring and will give you a decent kick in the back side as well.

**Ezilkannan** · 12-21-2016, 01:21 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

Okay, so had an aftermarket running all these days. Do keep at tab on the issue. It's advisable to change the clutch cable, and make sure your clutch cable clamp at the engine side is properly "IN" and nuts tightened. Keep us posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Checked with ASC regarding the clutch cable vibration. He said its normal while switching to Slipper clutch and will get better once I run it in some 500 km. Will be riding to Javvadhu this weekend. Hopefully, there should not be any issue with it. Although I think my clutch needs some adjustment. Will keep you posted. My GoPro has arrived and got some footage, but didn't get time to edit it. Maybe after next week, I could upload the vids.

**NitinGirish** · 12-21-2016, 02:36 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by jeyessh View Post

There have been instances where the fan slows down on usage.390 heating up in traffic is abnormal, so get the fan checked up once. Although temperature sensor wont be an issue, still better get it checked. My duke 390 has done 20k kms and have never faced the issue even when moving in worst b2b traffic.

Last evening I got this doubt too. The fan is working but I don't know if it has slowed down.

What will be the remedy for this? Will they replace the fan? Also, curious to know how will the fan actually slow down? As long as the thermostat is getting triggered at the right temperature and steady power is supplied to the fan shouldn't it be operating in consistent manner?

**chip94** · 12-21-2016, 03:19 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

Last evening I got this doubt too. The fan is working but I don't know if it has slowed down.

What will be the remedy for this? Will they replace the fan? Also, curious to know how will the fan actually slow down? As long as the thermostat is getting triggered at the right temperature and steady power is supplied to the fan shouldn't it be operating in consistent manner?

Blame the extreme cheap quality parts used by Bajaj.

**Mayankisme** · 12-21-2016, 03:44 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

CBR is a relaxed comfortable tourer, RC is aggressive, in the face kinda tourer. Ride for more than 100 KMS on RC and see how it fares, that should give you a good ballpark as to how it feels.

Cheers!
VJ

[/QUOTE]

Already hunting someone to lend. [emoji16]

**Mayankisme** · 12-21-2016, 03:47 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Tarmac_Shark View Post

If you have the budget for a 600 then do consider the ninja 650. Tailor made for sport touring and will give you a decent kick in the back side as well.

If its a 600 then it should be 4 bangers. Shorlisted ones were CBR 650, z800 and daytona 675.

**B7ACKTHORN** · 12-21-2016, 11:48 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Ezilkannan View Post

Checked with ASC regarding the clutch cable vibration. He said its normal while switching to Slipper clutch and will get better once I run it in some 500 km. Will be riding to Javvadhu this weekend. Hopefully, there should not be any issue with it. Although I think my clutch needs some adjustment. Will keep you posted. My GoPro has arrived and got some footage, but didn't get time to edit it. Maybe after next week, I could upload the vids.

Beautiful, Ezil. I've never observed any clutch cable chatter that's normal on a 2016 slipper clutch equipped 390. But would be glad if you can post in your queries when you can, plus a video, you get special brownie points.

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

Last evening I got this doubt too. The fan is working but I don't know if it has slowed down.

What will be the remedy for this? Will they replace the fan? Also, curious to know how will the fan actually slow down? As long as the thermostat is getting triggered at the right temperature and steady power is supplied to the fan shouldn't it be operating in consistent manner?

Usually the radiator fan runs at a specific RPM, and a failing fan would running at around 5000 to 6000 RPM, and unless we are able to find the OE RPM, it's hard to pinpoint if the fan is running slow or not.. Now equations apart.. Here are few simple ideas that would let you know if your fan is failing or your fan is in the process of conking off is the sound it produces if you all hear is a smooth normal operation with no signs of fan speed change, say the fan must spin at a constant speed and then turn off, if you observe the fan spinning at different rate slow fast and slow and fast when the fan kicks, that's your first sign.

Secondly, if your fan make screeching noise or the kharrr noise intermittently, once, twice or even if you've heard it a while back, your fan is conked and can give up any time.

Though there is a catch here, with the fan running when you switch on your headlamp the fan will run a teeny tiny bit tad slower in the sense like your when AC is switched on in your car, you can feel your engine rpm lowering down slightly, something similar to that but absolutely nothing to worry.

Interestingly I found this video.

Cheers!
VJ

**Ezilkannan** · 12-22-2016, 11:42 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

Beautiful, Ezil. I've never observed any clutch cable chatter that's normal on a 2016 slipper clutch equipped 390. But would be glad if you can post in your queries when you can, plus a video, you get special brownie points.

Cheers!
VJ

Now I'm facing a different problem, the clutch is slipping and bites suddenly, I'm taking it to the ASC again tomorrow/Saturday. Hopefully they'll sort it out

**s1d** · 12-22-2016, 01:25 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

Usually the radiator fan runs at a specific RPM, and a failing fan would running at around 5000 to 6000 RPM, and unless we are able to find the OE RPM, it's hard to pinpoint if the fan is running slow or not.. Now equations apart.. Here are few simple ideas that would let you know if your fan is failing or your fan is in the process of conking off is the sound it produces if you all hear is a smooth normal operation with no signs of fan speed change, say the fan must spin at a constant speed and then turn off, if you observe the fan spinning at different rate slow fast and slow and fast when the fan kicks, that's your first sign.

Secondly, if your fan make screeching noise or the kharrr noise intermittently, once, twice or even if you've heard it a while back, your fan is conked and can give up any time.

Though there is a catch here, with the fan running when you switch on your headlamp the fan will run a teeny tiny bit tad slower in the sense like your when AC is switched on in your car, you can feel your engine rpm lowering down slightly, something similar to that but absolutely nothing to worry.

On my D200, I notice that the fan sound changes (sounds like its spinning faster/slower) at stand still vs moving (or when the rpm is over 2500 rpm). This I have been noticing recently (because these days I am stuck longer and often in traffic than earlier).. This is a 2yr old D200, and so far the temp gauge has never even touched the last bar on the lower segment (forget the top segment!).. and at the max it goes to the last but one on the lower segment (mostly when you switch off on a hot engine in peak traffic and switch it back on) and it comes down by one bar in less than 40 seconds.
Also iirc , at-least the 390's (since mid 2014) have a fan that reverses its direction of rotation at lower speeds (i think below 10kmph?) and that might also cause a difference in sound (maybe that's what is happening on my 200.. but am not sure if the 200 also has a fan that changes direction of rotation)
And this is not any 'karrr' or grinding sound but more of a 'whine' that is maybe caused by change in direction, speed/rpm.

I think this change in the 'whining' sound is normal, and if my memory serves me right I think I've noticed it on other ktm's at my svc as well.
Or is my fan going to conk out soon?!

Let's wait and watch.

**NitinGirish** · 12-22-2016, 02:28 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

Usually the radiator fan runs at a specific RPM, and a failing fan would running at around 5000 to 6000 RPM, and unless we are able to find the OE RPM, it's hard to pinpoint if the fan is running slow or not.. Now equations apart.. Here are few simple ideas that would let you know if your fan is failing or your fan is in the process of conking off is the sound it produces if you all hear is a smooth normal operation with no signs of fan speed change, say the fan must spin at a constant speed and then turn off, if you observe the fan spinning at different rate slow fast and slow and fast when the fan kicks, that's your first sign.

Secondly, if your fan make screeching noise or the kharrr noise intermittently, once, twice or even if you've heard it a while back, your fan is conked and can give up any time.

Though there is a catch here, with the fan running when you switch on your headlamp the fan will run a teeny tiny bit tad slower in the sense like your when AC is switched on in your car, you can feel your engine rpm lowering down slightly, something similar to that but absolutely nothing to worry.

Interestingly I found this video.

Cheers!
VJ

Thank You Vijay for the useful inputs.

My Duke's fan doesn't sound anywhere close to how it sounds in the video. It runs normally without stopping/slowing intermittently. Doesn't produce any irregular sounds either as far as I can hear.

And thanks for the point on fan slowing while headlamp on. I have this problem ONLY in the night when I start from office. Headlight is ON all (40-60 mins) the while ofcourse.

I will get the coolant changed to Engine Ice and also get the fan checked to be on the safer side.

I am starting to believe cooling system for 390 is not up for the job. It shares the same radiator as 200 I presume.

**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 12-22-2016, 03:46 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

Thank You Vijay for the useful inputs.

My Duke's fan doesn't sound anywhere close to how it sounds in the video. It runs normally without stopping/slowing intermittently. Doesn't produce any irregular sounds either as far as I can hear.

And thanks for the point on fan slowing while headlamp on. I have this problem ONLY in the night when I start from office. Headlight is ON all (40-60 mins) the while ofcourse.

I will get the coolant changed to Engine Ice and also get the fan checked to be on the safer side.

I am starting to believe cooling system for 390 is not up for the job. It shares the same radiator as 200 I presume.

Also I'd suggest you to use replace the stock fan with below mentioned one. International users swear by this. I'm doing this the moment I find issues with the stock fan.

A1 Electric Online Store: Spal 30103011 5.2" Fan (pull)

EDIT: Oh and it's not direct fit. Check this: http://www.ktmduke390forum.com/forum...nstal-how.html

**NitinGirish** · 12-22-2016, 05:41 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Yes, I read about that on ktmduke390 forum. Not very inclined to try it out as it is not available in India and I don't want the hassle of importing stuff.

I'll let the service center diagnose if there is really an issue with the fan and if there is I will go with OE part.

This may just be an excuse to upgrade to MY2017 Duke

**riazmomin** · 12-22-2016, 09:05 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hit a very bad pothole at speeds close to 60 kmph.

Only thing that luckily happened was, rear reflector broke on impact with rear tire hugger.
rear alloy, rear suspension, front alloy, front suspension looks fine.

Originally posted by Gunslingin_Ridr View Post

Is it okay/normal to hear a thud when downshifting at around 60 kmph from say 4th to 3rd gear when I mess up the blipping, like the twist will be within the play of the throttle?

It is normal. if the sound is huge, it probably the way you are using clutch lever along with the chain slack.

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

I am getting "High Coolant Temperature" message on the console while riding in peak hour traffic (Bellandur-Rammurthynagar stretch) after three years of owning this bike.

To be fair, I've never ridden in this kind of traffic (different commute) for past three years.

Fan is functioning, radiator fins are not bent, coolant is between max and min level and I notice the coolant level also to be stable. The heat (and the bars) comes down once I open up the throttle and start riding around 60kmph.

Please suggest me what I should do? Will changing the coolant to Engine Ice do any good?

Or should I stick to my 30 year old RX for this commute? I want to use Duke for its better seats, suspension and lights but will not if it ends up damaging the engine.

Have been riding my 390 since september 2013 and has done close to 42500 KMS.
I saw "High coolant temperature" only once during horrible traffic during summer night (few cars, bikes, REs stopped aside) during the ownership of the bike. And note that my 390 is one of the first lot bikes.

My suggestion would be to have the radiator cleaned thoroughly (along with fins) along with coolant refresh if it can be done.
Fan generally kicks in when the travelling speed is below 12 kmph and temperature bars still have 2 block left.

**Rahul.g** · 12-23-2016, 01:03 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

Beautiful, Ezil. I've never observed any clutch cable chatter that's normal on a 2016 slipper clutch equipped 390. But would be glad if you can post in your queries when you can, plus a video, you get special brownie pointl:

Hello sir
I've been trying to PM you but it seems your pm limit has been exceeded.
Can you please check it out.
Need to speak to you regarding suspension

**B7ACKTHORN** · 12-23-2016, 01:06 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by s1d View Post

On my D200, I notice that the fan sound changes (sounds like its spinning faster/slower) at stand still vs moving (or when the rpm is over 2500 rpm). This I have been noticing recently (because these days I am stuck longer and often in traffic than earlier).. This is a 2yr old D200, and so far the temp gauge has never even touched the last bar on the lower segment (forget the top segment!).. and at the max it goes to the last but one on the lower segment (mostly when you switch off on a hot engine in peak traffic and switch it back on) and it comes down by one bar in less than 40 seconds.
Also iirc , at-least the 390's (since mid 2014) have a fan that reverses its direction of rotation at lower speeds (i think below 10kmph?) and that might also cause a difference in sound (maybe that's what is happening on my 200.. but am not sure if the 200 also has a fan that changes direction of rotation)
And this is not any 'karrr' or grinding sound but more of a 'whine' that is maybe caused by change in direction, speed/rpm.

I think this change in the 'whining' sound is normal, and if my memory serves me right I think I've noticed it on other ktm's at my svc as well.
Or is my fan going to conk out soon?!

Let's wait and watch.

You're right, and I should have included the whine part, the jet engine spool up, absolutely love that and 100% normal, Sid. I think below 9 or 18 kmph, it sucks in from back to front and post that it sucks in front to back. I don't remember an instance I have heard your bike's fan kick even when we were riding the other day. But remember me saying, wow the fan kicked in, finally

I honestly hope your radiator fan serves to break the 50k record.

What I was talking about was abnormal sound, kharr or screeching sound. But, the whine is aurally pleasing and sends the right signal to the rider that the fan is working as it is supposed to.

And let me know if we can catch up this weekend.

Originally posted by NitinGirish View Post

Thank You Vijay for the useful inputs.

I am starting to believe cooling system for 390 is not up for the job. It shares the same radiator as 200 I presume.

Tackling on last to first, regarding the radiator, I presume, both share the same radiator, indeed. Yes, the 390's radiator could have been increased in size to increase the surface area would have definitely helped the mill. Get your fan checked and also make sure your battery is in good shape, terminals etc.

Originally posted by Ezilkannan View Post

Now I'm facing a different problem, the clutch is slipping and bites suddenly, I'm taking it to the ASC again tomorrow/Saturday. Hopefully they'll sort it out

Man, I think your clutch job is botched right from the slipper clutch transition. I don't know is it because of the actuator that you changed or the clutch overall you. Do get it thoroughly checked before you break something inside and come to a complete standstill.

Cheers!
VJ

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KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

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