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**s1d** · 06-06-2017, 11:15 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Skanda View Post

Question is, what is the best thing to do if it happen during long rides or remote ares?
Have engine ice at home, but waiting for warranty to finish as I heard changing the coolant other than recommended may void warranty, is that right?

You do the same thing you did this time, park and wait for the temp to come down. Then ride again (keep the rpm's as low as possible in each gear without lugging).. again stop for a few minutes and repeat

. As you mentioned it's the riding in stop-go traffic that causes the temp to shoot up, while if you are say on an empty road/highway riding at slow speeds (<70 kmph) you can easily keep the temp under control with a broken fan.

And in case you have coolant loss/leak, then simply add plain water until you can get to back to civilization.
Always remember, any oil or water (for engine/cooling system respectively) is better than no oil or water !!

As for engine ice or any other brand coolant, there is a possibility for the svc to deny warranty claims.. why risk. Switch over after the warranty expires (it would probably be winter then and you would have magically attributed the engine ice to the engine running cooler

)

**Skanda** · 06-06-2017, 11:32 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by s1d View Post

And in case you have coolant loss/leak, then simply add plain water until you can get to back to civilization.
Always remember, any oil or water (for engine/cooling system respectively) is better than no oil or water !!

As for engine ice or any other brand coolant, there is a possibility for the svc to deny warranty claims.. why risk. Switch over after the warranty expires (it would probably be winter then and you would have magically attributed the engine ice to the engine running cooler

)

Totally agree with you. I usually carry 1 ltr coolant for 15+ days trips or water would do the trick temporarily in case of coolant leak. I will probably change to engine ice sometime after Feb next year or use it on my car [emoji2]

**leech** · 06-06-2017, 11:48 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Would spraying water on the engine and crankcase help in such a situation wherein the engine overheats?

**Skanda** · 06-07-2017, 12:15 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by leech View Post

Would spraying water on the engine and crankcase help in such a situation wherein the engine overheats?

It's not recommended as it can lead to micro cracks on the crankcase. Though it might not happen the first time, but if done repeatedly, it will harm in the long run.

You can in fact pour water slowly once the temperature is down considerably, to increase the cooling process.

**B7ACKTHORN** · 06-07-2017, 11:32 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by leech View Post

Would spraying water on the engine and crankcase help in such a situation wherein the engine overheats?

Through water an be slightly sprayed on a hot engine, it should not be poured. In certain instances, this can cause rapid cooling and warp the head and lead to all sorts of trouble, especially aluminum engines. That's why people often have a saying not to pour hot water on any metal objects. It's similar to high school gyaan, wherein when you pour a drop of water on a light bulb that's excessively hot, given the circumstances, it can and will blow itself due to rapid cooling spots caused by the water and the glass bulb just explodes. In metal the opposite happens, they shrink faster than they should and warp.

Cheers!
VJ

**nawaz390** · 06-12-2017, 03:07 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hello Guys,

Needed some advice on a recent problem that I have been facing with my 2016 Duke 390.
While starting to roll on 1st gear, if the bike stalls due to my incorrect clutch modulation, the bike then refuses to start again on pressing the starter button.
I mean, it starts but is unable to sustain the required RPM and stops again...!!

Workaround: Turn the key to "OFF" position, and then again to "ON" position, and it roars to life as if everything is normal.

This occurs frequently, took it to the service center, and the problem did not re-occur there, in spite of the service personnel trying to re-create the scenario.

Any advice please ?

Regards,
Nawaz

**jeyessh** · 06-12-2017, 10:58 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Skanda View Post

Totally agree with you. I usually carry 1 ltr coolant for 15+ days trips or water would do the trick temporarily in case of coolant leak. I will probably change to engine ice sometime after Feb next year or use it on my car [emoji2]

I rode from bangalore to goa a month back, in peak summer with high coolant temperature popping up, whenever bike is in idle at signals or traffic. Even though fan was running, i was facing high coolant temperature. Cruising at 100, high coolant temperature did not appear. So as long as air flow is there, you are good to go, no need to worry about the fan.

**Skanda** · 06-12-2017, 11:35 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by jeyessh View Post

I rode from bangalore to goa a month back, in peak summer with high coolant temperature popping up, whenever bike is in idle at signals or traffic. Even though fan was running, i was facing high coolant temperature. Cruising at 100, high coolant temperature did not appear. So as long as air flow is there, you are good to go, no need to worry about the fan.

You should usually not face high coolant temperature even at B2b traffic if the fan is running, even in peak summer. I was facing due to fan failure.

Sent from my XT1572 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**jeyessh** · 06-13-2017, 10:06 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Skanda View Post

You should usually not face high coolant temperature even at B2b traffic if the fan is running, even in peak summer. I was facing due to fan failure.

Sent from my XT1572 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Yeah, i was saying that to give you an idea that fan is not at all needed in highway runs.

**Rohith Rot** · 06-13-2017, 10:00 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi Guys,

My DUKE's ABS light is staying on for a long period of time and switching off on its own. Please let me know if i can do something on my own or should i take it service centre?

**Skanda** · 06-13-2017, 10:22 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by Rohith Rot View Post

Hi Guys,

My DUKE's ABS light is staying on for a long period of time and switching off on its own. Please let me know if i can do something on my own or should i take it service centre?

Check the abs ring around the wheel. If there is any dent or deformation, get it replaced. A stone hit mine and damaged which popped up the abs light and I had to replace it. This can happen if you are riding off roads. If this does not seem to be the case, get it scanned at service center and check for error codes which will give an idea of that's the issue.

Sent from my XT1572 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**deville_56** · 06-17-2017, 09:44 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Bike still at SVC, 3 weeks over. They tried the best they could, still could not diagnose the problem. They escalated to KTM team and they recommended changing the whole wiring and check. Fingers crossed.

**rithulr** · 06-19-2017, 12:39 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

For people needing to change tyres residing in Mumbai and around. There is this wholesaler who has got Metzeler in Stock for now.

We all know that the last set of Metzeler imported was in 2015 and the latest you can get is of November 2015. Even the KTM showroom gives the same batch but to quote 13.5k or more for a pair is plain ridiculous.

So this person is based in Bhiwandi and is known by the name Ramesh Tyres.
You can contact him by dialing 9822055892.
I got a pair for around 10k.

Search for this LatLong (19.260862, 73.031186)

**s1d** · 06-19-2017, 11:29 AM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by rithulr View Post

For people needing to change tyres residing in Mumbai and around. There is this wholesaler who has got Metzeler in Stock for now.

We all know that the last set of Metzeler imported was in 2015 and the latest you can get is of November 2015. Even the KTM showroom gives the same batch but to quote 13.5k or more for a pair is plain ridiculous.

So this person is based in Bhiwandi and is known by the name Ramesh Tyres.
You can contact him by dialing 9822055892.
I got a pair for around 10k.

Search for this LatLong (19.260862, 73.031186)

there are two versions of the metz, one is H rated and costs less too.
Can you post the specs of the tire you purchased ? (Info will be available on the side wall)

**sriharsha_madineni** · 06-20-2017, 05:21 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

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

A couple of days back, bike refused to start.
Cranked it till battery level got low, thought it was fueling issue.

Towed it to service center yesterday, bike started after a couple of cranks and the worst has happened.. White smoke!
After initial analysis, they confirmed that bore and piston needs to replaced and the repair estimate is 25-30 k and the downtime would be two weeks approx.

I'm still puzzled as to how it all came down to this. I maintained the bike very carefully and service/replacements are done as per manual.
Currently the odo reads 29.9 K kms in 3.5 yrs of ownership.
We use the bike mostly for commute to office with my wife as pillion, so I ride sanely most of the times.

What next once the bore and piston are replaced?
Will the engine be reliable or there are chances of bore getting damaged again in next 30k kms.

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KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

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