Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thank You for you response. It turned out be clutch cable.

You got it right again. The cable core was almost cut. I dropped it off at Marathalli SVC as the cable was not in stock.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Clutch cable replaced. Costed me 307 including labour. All is well now

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Almost took 15 mins to complete cleaning it.dirt on chain is sticky,a toothbrush with kerosene plus a simple cloth piece to swipe it.is it true chain should be lubed every 500kms? while taking Indian road conditions in mind.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

yes sir, it is. periodic clean/lubing is required every 500~700km depending on usage/conditions especially on these exposed O ring chains.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Lubing is one part of the equation, keep a tab on the chain slack itself. 500 to 600 kays require lubrication and inspection of chain slackness is also recommended. If after a slushy ride the chain is caked up slush and sand, clean the chain first. Some people just lube over it, it will only accelerate the wear as the sand and tiny abrasive particles only grind with each other and reduce chain life. Always make sure the chain is clean (follow your tooth brush, kerosene procedure) and give it a clean wipe with a rag, and ride for a few kms and then spray the chain lube.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

2017 KTM 390 Duke India Launch Scheduled on February 23 | Motoroids

Hoping the deliveries start soon as well.

KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

An update on my 2013 November Duke 390.

The bike is at 42xxx on the odo meter.
I have been regularly getting it serviced up until 35000 at khivraj bajaj indiranagar, Bangalore.

Bike has been ageing better than I initially thought it would. At 68000 my pulsar 220 was basically reduced to just a mass that moves. The fi unit had massive hiccups and ive lost quite a big chunk of money on exhaust replacements as the inner pipe kept cracking every 15000 kms.

The 390 shows the following achievements in a better state of health at this point of time.
1) Brake pads changed only twice.
2) Stock clutch plates at 42000
3) Second set of sprockets still running well. Had them last changed at 17k.
4) Front tire wore out at 33k kms and has been religiously changed with another metzeler.
5) Rear runs a michelin which was changed at 20k. Going good with nearly 1/3 of the life left at 42xxx.
6) It has been 35000 kms with a k&n OE air filter.
7) No bushes ever changed.
8) No head leak issues till date.
9) Does a 173kph even to date.
10) Found the rear suspension inadequate and have installed the pulsar 200ns gas filled shock. Im noticing a better ride and comfort. The stock suspension would feel lousy after 500kms on the saddle. It couldnt flatten put the roads brutalitly and Neither could I.
11) Oil, filters and nearly every service is done at home.
12) Engine has never even once been opened for any shim work.
13) I hope I.dont jinx myself with this but im running the stock clutch and throttle cables from factory till date.
14) Offroad sessions, potholes, occassional speedbreaker jumps have no effect on the alloys either.

Cheers!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Anybody using powertronics ecu ? Reviews? My need is to reduce vibes above 6.5k rpm and better ride at lower revs.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hello buddy,
Nice to read that you are having a pleasant experience with 390 and it served you with reliability.
I have few questions though

-- Your front metz lasted 33k kms? I have mostly heard that metz last 10-15k and then lose the grip. What made such a vast difference in your case?

-- How does michelins compare w.r.t metz?
-- k&n air filters last that long? What are the difference you notice with the change?
-- Any changes in the dynamics with the suspension change? Stock suspension on ktm isn't plush even in the softest setting?

Thanx

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thank You [emoji18]
Astonishingly the front lasted me 33k. I am very judicious on the brakes. I never brake too hard and I never out accelerate anyone with any intent. But im really hard on the bike at times. The centre patch went bald but the sides were still holding on. Believe me, the front was like slicks. It literally stayed glued to the road until it heated up, once hot it got even better. The rear loses grip though. I took the risk but there was a severe shortage and unavailabilty of metzelers in the city. Hence I couldnt change it and I sort of learned how much I could push its life .


The michelins are a cheaper replacement to the metz on the rear. No harm but its profile is broader. The metz has a V profile. This is a U. The centre patch is harder than the sides and hence more life. Braking more or less remains the same and ive literally used up the entire tire.

By company standards, the k&n is a life time filter. I clean it with the specified fluids and they are kept clean once every 8000-10000kms. The filter helped breathe better. Flat spots during acceleration got better and I was genuinely quicker in "in - gear" accelerations compared to other 390's. But thats about it. It smoothened out the fueling by Maybe 10-15%.

The suspension is an entire new ball game. The stock suspension unlike every other has hydraulic fluid inside. Over a span of few hundred kilometers I noticed the bikes rear didnt feel the same. The same level of comfort in the morning before I start riding is not the same at the end of the day. The fluid inside the suspension gets hot upon usage. Naturally. And add the exhaust heat directly pouring into it. The fluid turns out watery inside the chamber and im basically riding on water filled suspension, by the feels of it. [emoji23]

Here comes a gas filled one to replace. The gas charged nitrox ones are made with a specific purpose. They keep the oil inside the suspension Cool. And this remaining in oil like consistency rather than turn watery. Im very much convinced by it. Initially I thought it was a waste of money but the last few thousand kilometers have been fantastic. I do not ride any other 390 as im not comfortable on them anymore.

Sorry for being too technical with my post. Its been years since I posted anything here.

Stock suspension cant soak up the roads bumps as maturely as the gas charged ones. And yes, the 200ns ones are a direct fit. And so is the yamaha r6's ohlins kt303 ones which cost a whopping 40000₹.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I am also collecting required tool set to do most of the servicing @ home. Any pointers for same?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I want a crash guard in orange.stock one is short and I can't make like this a new one.bends and welds are tough.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences



This one .

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Ill send you a photo of what I use. I can basically pull the entire bike apart.