Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I guess a 2" raiser would do justice to my requirement! Still I'm running with road tyres, once I change it to dual purpose once, will decide.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hello D390 Comrades.

I am Apoorv, new to the cosmic universe of*xbhp. Technically it is going to be my first post on this thread hence I am very nervous about what to write. But, I feel it is okay to commit mistakes or miss out an important bit unknowingly because I am in the company of liked minded people who share same the compassion for a common love.

I would like to give a background of why I am here.*

I am on a quest to resolve a stupid yet critical situation for myself. It has to do with choosing mind over the sole. I am a budding rider who has recently cultivated an interest which is gradually turning into a hobby and eventually hoping to make it a passion.*

Now, it is not the first time I am whining about this issue, as a matter of fact, I had an opportunity to discuss the same with forum moderator VJ who had helped me with his experience and diligence. His suggestions were really helpful.*

But still, something is still missing... something does not seem apt the way it should be.

I am confused to choose between D250 and D390.

Interestingly, I was convinced that I will buy D250 without thinking too much about anything else but seems like fate has something else for me.*

I am staying in Mumbai and it has been raining like cats and dogs ever since I have decided to book my D250. It was like {*bas*kal*book*karke*aata*hun) and since then I am unable to reach showroom because of heavy rain.

Now, 2 weeks time is a long time for somebody to change his decision who is susceptible to a confused state of mind.

Sometimes, I feel that I should not think a lot and get confused. I should take a leap of fate and spend my hard earned money on something which I personally like a lot.

But, then analytical part of the brain kicks in with a rebuttal asking questions such as How will you survive the huge cost of ownership which comes along with the bike.

A tempting TFT display and an illuminating headlamp may seem value for money now but for how will I keep myself cool on a situation where electronics of the bikes cause the sudden break down .

When I get stuck in B2B traffic while commuting to office how long can I resist myself not to refute on my decision?

I find it difficult to now get convinced by the fact that D250 could be a possible solution to all these problems.

But, it is not the bike I LIKE !!

I would like to know how D390 is treating everyone here.*
Have you guys faced with similar challenges before deciding to buy D390

I AM PARTICULARLY INTERESTED TO LEARN HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE USING D390 FOR 70% DAILY COMMUTE AND 30% TOURING.




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Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Welcome to the confused before buying club [MENTION=92804]appushri[/MENTION]
If your heart is on some other bike like the D390 and not completely on the D250,go splurge ONLY on the D390 - the D390 is the only bike in India where you can have your cake and eat it too.

Personally,my D390 is my daily runabout and the most fun you can have between your legs on wheels without robbing a bank-if you can cut a deal on some left over BS3 D390-you'll be laughing all the way to the bank too.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Had asked them to change the rings alone and test the bike.
But minor scratches appeared on the head and block after they changed the rings.
I wasn't sure whether they were there in the first place or scratches were from new rings installation.
Eventually I gave up the argument with them as it was not going anywhere, Also I got busy at work and couldn't focus much on the repair work.
So, asked him to change whatever needs changing and get the bike back to running condition.

Finally a month later, got the bike back on Saturday.
Total bill was 23k.

Got a compression test done before delivery and the reading was 5.5 bar.
What is the normal range? I couldn't find the normal compression range to verify this.

Also. they usually throw keys of all the bikes in a box and always keep fiddling for keys during delivery.
Thanks to the one month stay of my bike at service, they lost the keys and I made them change the entire lock set at their expense.

Other expense was welding charges. Silencer mount on my bike had a crack from day 1, I brought this to their notice during PDI and they said its common.
Eventually the mount welding joint gave up sometime back and got it fixed in this service.

First impressions - engine feels a bit rough though ride-ability is improved, throttle response feels better and the exhaust note has changed.
Sounds more tinny and bassy than earlier.

I have the old block, piston and valves with me. Will post pics of those parts later.

Following is the bill copy.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks for the update. The prices seem reasonable and hope the work was done correctly.
the bike now essentially needs to be run in again.. so keep the first 500km slow and steady and then gradually start going up the rpm range.

Am not sure what the compression reading should be (they probably have a manual that lists these specifications). 5.5 bar translates to 80psi .. which i think is a bit low . try to compare the readings with a couple of other 390's.

Anybody going in for a rebuild or need to open up the engine block, always do a 'before' compression test and an after.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

The bore getting scored is purely due to negligence at the SVC level. Score marks on a NikaSil coating is far worse than a regular sleeved motorcycle meaning the entire cylinder kit has to be replaced, purely negligence from the SVC side. That's one. Secondly, your compression reading is pretty low to be precise, 100 PSI should be the least from what I reckon, for a motorcycle, if it's anything low it's dangerously low on compression, probably cause poor cylinder job, compression leaking in the head due to improperly seated valves 5.5 bar equates to 79 psi odd, definitely NO GOOD!

The Duke being already on the high compression side, the ideal PSI should be upward of 180 psi that means that the psi is close to 12.6 to 12.8 bar; more the better. 5.5 is way too less and there is definitely something amiss during the engine job. Get the test done once again, properly and if after four consecutive, the readings read the same 5.5 to 6 bar, we have a botched up cylinder job.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

SVC incharge said ideal compression test value for 390 engine is 5.5 to 7.7 kg/cm2, for 200 engines they are saying 7.5 to 11.5 is the ideal reading.
I cross checked these values with regional service incharge, he too gave the same exact values as ideal values. Cannot argue with them because the standard values are no where mentioned even in the repair manual of 390.

In addition, regional service incharge suggested to get both wet and dry tests done to check for anomalies.

I'll probably get the bike checked again after running in for 500 kms.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

That would be the recommended course of action. Though what they said for Duke 200 is pretty much accurate, the 11.5. If you check the Duke 200s compression ratio, it's around 11.3:1 is 160 psi, and the optimistic value mentioned at "11.5" reads 163 which is perfectly normal for the 200 and higher the compression better the ring sealing capability. Now the 390's compression ratio is 12.6 to 12.9 as mentioned in the manual, 12.8 kg/cm2 reads 182 psi meaning that's the right ball park, if it's even more means the rings are in better shape.

78 means not even half the compression is being obtained or being provided by the piston rings dry test or a valve leak wet test. Do both and keep the values, or if you can try checking the compression ratio of another 390 this should give you a pretty clear picture and please keep your points and photos jotted down here.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I think it's low if it indeed is 5.5 (i.e 80psi).. not sure if it was checked correctly or their gauge is not giving accurate readings.
even going by what they say, yours should be close to 7.7kg/cm2 since it essentially is a new block+piston!
i doubt the valves were not installed properly/the clearances maybe out of spec (i notice they changed shims), which is probably causing the low compression.
I maybe wrong though since i've never tested a 390/200's compression myself ,so when you get it tested again, compare it with a couple of other 390's - this would be a fool proof test.

you got these repairs done at ktm banjara ? i'll hop over sometime next week and see if i can get a comp test done on my d200.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Yes, KTM Banjara Hills.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi there.
My rear seat so uncomfortable for long tours . Please help.it's still uncomfortable for a short ride.

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KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I have touring and mostly commuting on dk 390 and faced no issue like bekaar bike or power deliverance or over heating or skids or abs failure, even my bike is BS3.I paid 212500 for the bike in December 2016 ,selling my enfield.it's perfect selection for guys looking for power and budget.riding d250 would make you buy 390 soon due to need of power and you won't be having abs in the bike .

Display - Speedometer off

Hi Guys,

The display on my 2014 Duke 390 suddenly went completely blank. Hadnt ridden my bike for a couple of weeks so my battery was low in the morning. The display was working fine but the engine wouldn't crank up. Pressing the starter resulted in a fast clicking sound from the back of the bike. Gave the battery for charging and got it back this evening.

Reconnected the battery and theres no display at all. No orange backlight or anything. The bike starts and rides absolutely fine. The only thing working on the display is the high beam LED. Even the neutral light does not light up.

Anyone faced this before. What could be the cause? Fuse etc?


Thanks.

Re: Display - Speedometer off

I think if my memory serves me correct, one of our members, karthikup faced a similar, ditto issue as you are facing, his solution was he replaced the console as I got to know from him. Going back a couple of pages and you can see his post and the follow-up Q&A.

Here, the thread to issue and follow-up



Cheers!
VJ

Re: Display - Speedometer off

Damn I was hoping it wouldn't be that and just something minor. Any idea how much a new display costs?