Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

There are no visible leaks as such except the head gasket leaks, which were there since 500kms on the odo.
I've changed the head gasket almost 5 - 6 times till now and leaks were still happening.
So I gave up on that, but I never faced this low oil pressure issue.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Any smoke from the exhaust at start up?Any smoke after revving engine above 5k rpm for 15-20secs?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

No visible smoke and I keep the bike on idle for a minute or two during first start of the day. Never saw any smoke as such.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

If there is no smoke,luck seems to be favouring you-now do not let the oil level go below the full mark-check at least very couple of days and keep topping up-n don't skip regular service intervals as recommended in service manual

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I think you're getting confused between the head gasket and valve gasket. The top of the head leaks because of the valve gasket. Now, in your case since its still there after doing it 5-6 times, the SVC must be really bad at doing it or you just have a warped head from the factory. Nothing can be done in this case apart from replacing things.

Check for leaks and maybe get the sensor changed to rule that out?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Is the low oil pressure light warning still on even after the oil top up? It can in fact be low oil and pressure or just a faulty sensor. But in either ways, a low oil pressure warning shouldn't be ignored. I'd suggest you to drain the oil check the oil level and then add the exact amount of oil, if the oil level is low and see how it fares. Only when you drain the oil and measure you can clearly get an insight into the amount of oil present and if any more top up required. Though this may seem tedious, this is the least we can do to ensue you don't end up with big bills later, at least considering the current situation.

Drain the oil, measure the oil, if the drained oil is of the right quantity, we have a faulty sensor (considering the light low oil pressure indicator is on all the time). Secondly, if the drained oil is less than the spec, then it might be a wrong quantity filled from the SVC. Do keep us posted on the results.

Thirdly, head gasket weep can be arrested using proper the right sealant recommended by KTM and a new valve cover gasket.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Engine oil normally gets reduced a little as you drive.
But 400ml is a very high quantity, better get is checked.

One thing to remember don't fill the engine oil more than max line else it will make things worse.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

How is the bike between 5000-6000rpm shifting range? Is it the ideal shift range for good economy?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Yes it's good shifting range for good economy.
You can expect fuel economy of 31kmpl+ if you drive around 6k rpm for most of the time.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

OK I felt very comfortable, and the Almost to none percent of the usage of the clutch and the correct throttling, I connected with the bike, left my bike at a friend's service center called service plus , he lent me his duke, and I noticed this and obviously heat, also the light weight coming from the CBR, . Bike was uber flickable, t he abs was off , soo the brakes were sharper, not a problem for me as I use a non abs bike, felt at home in the range, really loved the available torque across all the rev range.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

first try and get the bike connected to their diag tool and check for any error codes (maybe it might point to a faulty oil pressure sensor)
Then the other thing you could do is, drain the oil into a clean container (if you are ok reusing it). measure the drained qty. also check for any leaks from the drain bolt or the oil filter cap area (oil may collect in the belly pan over time and gum up)
now forget the past and just fill up with the recommended quantity along with a new oil filter and a new o ring for the oil filter cap.

keep an eye on the oil level and the next time you notice the low oil level or the low oil pressure warning, drain and check the oil qty. if oil qty is fine, then it probably is a bad oil pressure sensor (or worse case a bad oil pump).

Some folks simply do not follow the correct method to check the oil.. I hope you are doing it the right way. Keep the bike on the side stand and checking oil is not the correct way (the level will always show low even if filled up correctly).
Let the bike idle for a minute or so, then turn off ignition and wait for another minute. next hold the bike upright (not on paddock or side stand, take help of a second person if necessary) and check the oil level (it should be between the lower/upper marking)

you are getting confused between the head gasket and valve cover gasket. the leak that you see at the top (near the rubber gasket with the two O-O) is the valve cover gasket. it can usually be fixed with some gasket sealant and a new gasket if done correctly.
a blown head gasket will usually result in the coolant mixing with the engine oil and the engine oil will turn greyish and the drained quantity will usually be a little more than normal since now coolant has got in to the oil circuit.

A couple of reasons for low oil level other than leaks could be worn valve seals or worse a worn block/piston/rings.

The normal oil consumption of these ktm's shouldn't be more than ~150ml over 5000km.. and this is mostly observed in folks who frequently rip it (frequent running at higher rpms)

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thank you guys.
I kept hearing it as head gasket every time they changed it and hence the confusion, thanks for the correction.

The warning message is gone after top up. I'll keep an eye out for oil level for a couple of days and get a check up done at service center.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Yes, you're right. Turning off the ABS does provide a little more bite on the Duke's brakes. Just a wee bit, but nothing tremendously different with the ABS on, but one surely can feel a slight difference.

Since the warning message has disappeared itself, that's a good sign indicating the pressure sensor was indeed not faulty and the bike in fact was low on oil. Do keep a tab on exhaust smoke during morning and post warmed up ride. If we see white cloudy smoke during either iterations, we have problem. Secondly, pressure wash your bike and observe if you find any abnormal oil leaks/weeps elsewhere in the engine compartment. Do get your valve cover gaskets replaced with proper sealants, should arrest the valve cover oil leak. Check your oil filter cap for oil stain marks. If you observe oil stain marks or oil leak from the oil filter cover, replace the O ring, imperative.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Any guys from Bangalore commuting via sarjapur or Whitefield traffic daily, what fe are you guys getting?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I think it should. Got an hour with the new 390, the rad grill is different but the connecting positions looked similar. Will confirm you.