Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Whats the report of the MRF C1 and FC1 on the 390's?Any user here kindly elaborate?Also anyone using the TVS ZOOM XL 140/70 66H rear tyre?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Actually, all the newer newer Dukes are shod with the H rating as opposed to the W rating. If anyone is lucky, they can get an old stock of the same in the SVCs. Now, the reason H rating is comparatively lesser in price is not only because of the speed rating, but the tire construction itself should also come into play (me ain't no tire Expert BTW ) But, for a bike that does 170 kmph max a H rated tire is a perfectly fit, both cost wise and reliability wise. W rated rubbers the Made in Germany are extremely soft compound and on average last less compared to MRFs and Michelins. With the H rated tire, you can definitely squeeze out more practical life and is a compromise between the price and quality. And not to forget, these Metz that come in the newer bikes are Made in China.

Tire pressure is like an underwear, what you wear doesn't always fit for everyone or for that matter they wear all the same, well For the sake of argument, it's always advisable to keep tire pressure one to two psi lower in summer as air expands when heated up so this has to be taken in to consideration. Secondly, running one or two psi lower on the front helps the tire latch on to the road meaning more contact patch which offers better grip. But the key is not more than 1 to 2 psi for an average rider to know the limits of his motorcycle.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Have just installed the MRFs few days back. Have run about 150 km, so far they are great. For my riding, I don't feel any loss of grip compared to the Metz. Hoping it gets better as I munch more miles.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I have been using the Revz-C1 (rear tire) on my D390 for almost 8000kms, and it leaves me with mixed feedback.
Pocket friendly: Cost me Rs.4000 including fitting.
Wet grip: Not bad for city riding speeds. Above 90kmph, need to be careful!
Mud/slush grip: Better than Metz.
Dry grip: Decent, however I would recommend not to use Revz-FC1 for front tire, as primary braking is done using front brake.
Life : 8000kms and tread patterns are still very good. Looks like will last another 8000-10000 kms.

However, of late I have been noticing that the rear tends to slip a little while taking acute turns from stand still at traffic signals!

So, if the front is Metz or Pirelli Diablo Rosso2 (which I use), it should not be a problem!

Cheers,
Nawaz

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thank you @nawaz390 and @Gunslingin_Ridr

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I went ahead and got the Metzeler installed inspite of it being 15 months old.

Haven't yet ridden the bike after installation due to my overflowing love towards RX100 these days

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I reckon it's the W rated Metzelers, if yes, was it sourced from an outside vendor or SVC itself? Would also like to know the price you've paid for it. Old stock doesn't mean a bad tire, it's how the tire is kept is what matters. Tires which are stacked one on top of each other and lay there for years are the worse of the lot. But nonetheless, as long as the tires are shelved in a decent way, there's absolutely nothing to worry.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Motorcycle usb charger installed.video shall be shared soon

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

It is 'H' rated. It was bought from Amazon for INR 4,000.

No idea how it was stored but I did not notice any visible damages. I hope it serves me well.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Need help in reducing the sound of 2013 Duke 390, I know I am at the opposite end of the spectrum My idea is to keep stock exhaust and add a absorption exhaust at the end to take out the sound, current exhaust outlet is about 1.3 inch so I think a 2 inch perforated tube with damping should work without increasing the back pressure. Thoughts?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Backpressure reduces when the pipes get thinner, meaning less flow more restriction. A bigger pipe would mean better flow and better scavenging of the exhaust gases. Now, you tell me, whatcha' gonna do!

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hello Friends, need some help about way of checking engine oil level. Other day I checked the engine oil level(cold), it was below the mark, so I topped it up with 150-200ml. Now it is right in the middle of glass window. But if I rip the bike hard for 10 minutes and when it gets hot I see the engine oil covering almost full glass window. Can someone let me know how much your bike shows oil when it's hot I mean "hot" not warm? Thanks.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

It's always recommended to check the oil level when the engine is fully warmed up, this makes the oil more "viscous" and gives you the right readings. A cold engine means oil level can sometimes and in case of the Duke it's mostly false. In case you want to check the engine oil level on a cold engine, tilt the bike slightly left and right (as papas do their scooter in good ol days to start) and inspect the sight window, you should be able to see oil level flow back, in fact this is the same method recommended in the manual if my memory serves me correct.

Bottomline: Warm up the engine before checking the engine oil for a rather accurate measurement. On a cold engine, tilt the bike left and right, bring the bike to center and then measure the level at the sight window.

Try not to add excess oil, as it can cause excess oil blowby weep near the end of the blowby tubes and near the air box, which is messy.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks bro. I am already planning to change oil, service is due. I will fill it fresh.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hey guys,

my bike has been untouched for atleast 45 days and unfortunately due to unavoidable circumstances it was left like this with the battery connected and fluids in there. Today I will be takng her to service and plan to do the following things

Full service
front fork oil seal change both
both brake pads to be replaced

Aesthetic changes

I have 2 options here either paint the chasis and alloys and wrap the bike's body
OR
have the entire bike painted

any clue guys howmuch should all this cost me? and any precautions that I should take ? The service location is 50 odd kms from my place and the bike is starting and idling fine

Thank you