Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

GA engineering - crash guard

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I've recently started facing sticky down shifts when going from 3>2 or most prominently 2>1st. The gear lever comes back up late instead of being instant. I thought it'd be collected chain lube and gave the bike a nice wash but its back.

This issue occurred first at around 5.5K and then vanished to only come back now at 8K.

Any idea why this is happening? ODO is at 8K and oil was changed at 5K.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Sticky shifts can be of two, either the tie rod at the gear shifter has gone loose or developed some slack. Most of the times, adjusting this tie rod (you have adjustment nuts on a threaded tie rod) try adjusting that and see how it fares. A loose or in the process of loosening tie-rod would offer similar kind of feedback.

Secondly, shifter spring, and or shifer fork, shift drums, well, anything can go wrong. But for now, check this and keep us updated on the progress.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I had a similar issue the day I picked up my D200. The shifter wouldn't spring back to it's normal position after a shift.
Had to replace the 'stopper drum' and the 'shift shaft' . This is known to happen on some ktm's and another fellow member @Ajay Vishwanath also had this part replaced after around a year or so on his rc200.
Might be as simple as checking/replacing the tie rod adjustment/ 'shift stopper' or replace it along with the entire shift shaft (should take around 30 min and involves removing the clutch basket). If it's under warranty then repair/part should be free of cost (even otherwise, these parts aren't very expensive)

If these do not resolve your issue, then you might have to dig further into the actual gearbox which is labor intensive and a pain. Very rarely does it go this far.

Check out my previous posts regarding this at http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcyc...ml#post1251693 and http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcyc...ml#post1213898

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Oh okay. Thing is I'm riding Hyderbad Tomo. Is it okay to do 1000km and then get this checked?

And for some reason I've always been apprehensive of opening the engine side. Tell me I'm just being paranoid!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I can't say for sure without riding the bike. But it should be fine, since it's mostly an open road with minimum gear shifts.
One needs to open the clutch side, remove the clutch basket to replace the shift shaft.. But first do get it checked at the svc and take a call based on that. And replacing the shift shaft shouldn't take more than 30-45 min (provided you have good rapport and they are willing to help you on priority)
Let me know while you are in Hyd, maybe we can catch up if our schedules permit.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

stay cool on KTM 390 with EngineIce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-krFFiqn94

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

On the update regarding the sticky downshifts. I went to Indiranagar and told them to take a look at the bike since adjusting the tie rod at home made no difference. They further told me to go to Kasturba(Thank God) as they were busy with a lot of bikes. Took it to Kasturba and gave it to a guy to have it checked.

The Guy took the bike for a spin and confirmed the sticky downshifts at 2nd and 1st. He was all ready to take the bike in and get it opened and checked when this young KTM dude comes over and sees the bike. He looks at it for a good 2 min and asks me whether I dropped the bike earlier. I confirm yes. He then proceeds inside and get a socket 20 Rachet and bends the gear lever back.

Apparently, when I dropped my bike earlier, the lever got bent and was rubbing against the bike. Just the rubber part. Well, now the bike shifts without any issues like before.

According to him, now they only check the shift shaft if the gear lever takes a lot of time to spring back or happens with a lot of gears most of the times.

Also, saw the KTM Duke 250 at the showroom today. Fit and finish looks a notch better than the current ones. Seating is way more comfortable but the headlamp console looks pretty odd imo (halogen maybe?). The bike sounds BAD. Nowhere near the RC390 when I started it side by side.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

What you are trying to say that stock KTM still overheats??

Owners like you are responsible for making wrong perception of bike.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Sorry bro my mistake.I have changed the title . KTM 390 does not overheat now but it heats up a lot and I am getting good result using Engine Ice coolant.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Agree with the last part in bold, that was the behavior I experienced. Glad you had it fixed, you never told us you dropped the bike
And I think it would be better if you changed the lever itself (and keep the current lever as a spare). Bending and 'un'bending these aluminum levers weakens them and the next time you drop it, it might simply snap rather than deform a little.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks [emoji106]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

its early to ask still then posting this query.

1 - can the adjustable leaver of new duke 390 can be fitted in old one ?
2- are the seat comfortable? has anyone use it yet. again can it be fitted to old one ?
3- can the new tank [ i mean the inner tank of 13.4 litre not the plastic cover over it] can be fitted in the old ones ?

Cheers

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

1. This can be done.
2. Yes they are. But can't be retrofitted, the shape of the seat is different from the current model.
3. This can't. Also, there's no plastic cover over the tank. The tank's completely steel with tank extensions being plastic.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

thanks for the info.
Didnt know that new duke 390 tank is completely steel.