Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Installing a bigger battery per se, isn't that bad idea. Though, a bigger battery is able to provide good CCA when required, the same battery when discharged with high draw components means, the alternator has to work hard, which results in heat which is inversely proportional to the alternator life. So, it's always advisable to use stock battery. If you're sure, your charging rate is higher than your draw rate, then there shouldn't be any problems.

Interesting! Two bikes in a row with oil vanishing issues, exactly at around 40k, back to back in two days. I'd suggest you start off with a compression test, check how well the compression is, if we have a poor compression, oil can burn during normal riding, and even more during spirited riding which is hard to notice. Secondly, always check your engine oil level when the engine is slightly warmed up, this way, the oil is more fluid and with the bike upright, should give you a approximate figure.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I think,
The charging voltage is same for all batteries, including inverter batteries. It’s from 14 to 15.5 V
The drain voltage is 12V at battery specific amps

Alternators often stop working after batteries are charged. However with bigger batteries, they work a little more. Nothing wrong in that.

In return, you get more cranks per change and ability to run more horns and lights.
Also cranking gets much smoother with bigger batteries.

Alternators rarely fails. They fail if battery dies and doesn’t hold charge. In such a scenario, alternators work relentlessly and fail.

your alternator need to charge only drained power, which remains same with your old or new battery. Because your stater motor and other parts consumption is same. So, additional work by alternators is applicable only on first charge, until battery is full.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I have a weird stalling issue wherein everytime I pull in the clutch and close the throttle, the engine stalls. It happens only on cold starts (I do wait for the engine to warm up to 2 bars). Has anyone else faced this issue? Mine is a 2014 model.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Same here as well same model! But it stops after engine warmed up.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

This is what I used to tell you as well bro. But my issue is little more specific as it happens whenever I had filled IOC petrol. [emoji23]
For me the stalling happens only when downshifting from 6 or 5.
2013 model.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

For me its a different issue, and no, even if I fill at Shell it happens. Stalling at 5th gear downshifts can be more dangerous.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hello Guys,

I am back with a new issue, actually two :

1. Coolant vanish/ evaporation : Had been following up with KTM SVC, VIP Road, Kolkata since last month. They suggested to go for a Head-Gasket job, to which I agreed. Bike was kept for almost a week, and they returned it on 25 Nov (Saturday). I had to pay Rs. 2374 for consumables, and the rest was covered under warranty. I have attached a detailed bill for reference by future victims as the KTMs seem to be plagued by this issue.




2. Tik-Tik noise: This has been occurring since past 2 days when I received the motorcycle from them after head-gasket job. The noise was never present before, and I am left wondering if there is some loose mechanical part inside the engine. Visited the SVC today morning, and the head mechanic suggested to ride for 1000kms more and check if this keeps occurring.
Video link of the issue: https://youtu.be/AawHBZ7iCZw

I am thinking of keeping emailing KTM customer support, and see what they have to say.
Meantime, request your advice as well..!!

Thanks in Advance.

Cheers,
Nawaz

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

It can also be caused by throttle body, so clean your bike's throttle body.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

From what I can observe, you've replaced most of the upper engine end of the spectrum, head gasket, water pump seals, valve cover gasket and a few other consumables. My question pertains to why was the exhaust camshaft replaced and rocker arm (DLFC)? I reckon it was the exhaust rocker arm that was replaced. Would like to know were there any explanations from the SVC side as to why these parts were replaced and diagnoses, if any were carried prior to that.

Tick tick noise pertains to shim. Since your rocker arm was replaced, I reckon if the correct sized shims were used. Secondly, you could have pushed them to replace your timing chain and your tensioner along.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thank you! As per your reply, it seems I should push them for the timing chain and tensioner now.
I am sorry I do not have knowledge about the technicalities, and therefore , I would choose to rely on the knowledge present in this forum.

Meanwhile, I have also emailed KTM customer service, and they have responded saying they would get in touch with the service centre and resolve my issue soon.
Fingers crossed now..[emoji16]

Cheers,
Nawaz

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Keep us abreast on the progress of your repair work in detail if you can after all the works are carried out, and a the post ride summary.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Absolutely..!!
Lets see how soon can they actually act once escalated.

Cheers,
Nawaz

KTM price hike?

When inquiring about the Duke 390 I was informed by KTM Langford, Bangalore that there will be a price hike on all KTM bikes from 1st December. Upon further inquiring about the hike percentage, he said 18%.

After that I called up KTM Banshankari who said there are rumours(exact words) about a hike.

Further I called KTM BTM Layout where they said that they do not have any such information about it and the bikes are costly as it is. Further he added that the Duke 390 2017 model sales are already low. His guess was if there is going to be price hike it may be in Jan or Feb but certainly not this year.

I also searched on the Internet but could not find anything.

So confused by this situation I emailed KTM India about it and haven't heard from them yet.

So I just want to know that is it true? Has anyone else heard of this hike?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Alright..!! Seems the email to KTM Customer Support has escalated quickly, and I got a call from the VIP Road (Kolkata) Service Center.
They asked me to bring the bike once more for inspection, to which I quickly agreed, and managed to sneak out from work.

Initially they checked the bike while it was hot, and requested me to wait sometime more so they could double check once the engine is cold. I had no other option, and after 1.5 hours, they came up to me, and the conversation began(originally in Bengali):

Service Adviser(SA): We think changing the "Head" might solve your problem.
Me: I would like to understand how did you reach the conclusion.


SA: Almost all the parts of your engine have already been replaced in the Head-gasket Job. The only major thing left is "Head".
Me: The same "Head" used to work fine right before the Head-gasket job! Could you explain that please ?


SA: ( A little pause....) Let us give it a try. There might have been some human error during the re-assembling of the engine. We would check that too once we open it for the "head" replacement.
Me: (looking totally confused and unconvinced....) Okay, if that is the only option. Did you also check the timing chain and tensioner ? How much do I have to shell out for the new job this time ?


SA: Your matter is escalated to North East region Area Service Manager, and my guess says 95% of the expense would be borne by KTM. And yes, we checked the timing chain and tensioner right now, and they seem good.
Me: (A little relieved...But not expressive) Okay, and what is the timeline we are looking at ?


SA: Maximum 10 days including procurement, fitting and testing.
Me: Okay, I will choose not to use the bike till then, just to ensure no damage is done until the new problem is rectified.


SA: (smirk) Please continue to use the bike normally. It is fine. And you have RSA (Road Side Assistance) in case of a breakdown.
Me: (a little bigger smirk) My confidence is shaken, and I do not intend to take a risk, until I have a written email confirmation from your end that the bike is fine, and any further disaster arising from this undetected error will be completely borne by KTM. Besides RSA is a fall-back plan, not a privilege !!


SA: (biting his tongue & wink) You know we can't vouch like that. I suggest you keep it covered at your home.
Me: Agreed and till then I will wait for your call. Please expedite.


All this time, I was unable to understand which exact "Head" he was referring to. I am a complete noob, and the confusion increases further as the word "head" is there in so many components, like "Head" Gasket, Cylinder "Head", etc.

Anyways I came back home, and am waiting for him to call me back once the part is procured for fitment.
Just felt like sharing the update!

Cheers,
Nawaz

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Head is the top part of the engine in which all valves,spark plugs and valve train is located.
The timing chain rotates the camshaft located in the head which in turn opens and closes the valves with the help of valve train(comprising the rockers,followers,fingers,valve springs,valve guides etc).It is the noisy-iest part of the engine apart from the explosions in the cylinder itself.