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**viper3683** · 11-01-2013, 12:02 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by ayu135 View Post

I am having trouble while shifting gears. Sometimes when i upshift gears, the gear doesnt change and it goes in a kind of neutral and i have to shift it again to shift it up. This usually happens when shifting from 4th to the 5th. On the display the gear number goes blank when this happens. It doesnt happen every time but has happened twice to me so far. Is it that i am doing something wrong or i need to get the bike checked? Also when i try to downshift gears when i'm still, like say i have to stop suddenly when i'm on the third and i try to down it to first while remaining stationary it doesnt shift, i have to move the bike forward or backward a bit to make it shift, the gear indicator again goes blank when this happens.

Adjust the gear shift rod and this problem will go away... i.e. half hearted shifts will go away..

Unable to shift while stationary
Seems like the duke 390 has a 2 stroke character after all..

Do it the RX100 way..
When you are moving very slow and about to come to a standstill, make sure you atleast reach the second..
While changing the gears at very slow speeds (Engine RPM), FEATHER the throttle and change... thats what i do on my RX100..

Hope this helps

**abhijeet080808** · 11-01-2013, 12:06 PM

Re: KTM 390 - The original Hooligan - Ownership Thread

Originally posted by abhijeet080808 View Post

Got the KTM 390 delivered today. Keeping in mind that my last bike was a Yamaha R15 V1, here is the first impressions after riding for some 20 kms -

The bike pulls madly from somewhere around 4k rpm onwards. Below that, the bike grumbles. This characteristic is similar to my previous bike.
The seat-handlebar position is different. I am right now missing the R15's clip-ons. Also, the rear seat prevents me from sliding backward. (I am 5'7'')
The bike is well balanced, just like the R15. However, the R15 seemed more fluid and graceful in following rider inputs. The KTM did not feel just as telepathic. Mostly, a few hundred kms under the belt should alter my opinion.
The front suspension is slightly more stiffer than the R15. However, the rear suspension is bouncing all over the place. Needs to be adjusted.
No starting issues at all.
The fan flows forward - so no heating issues either.
The brakes are faded - the showroom guys had put their shit polishing liquids on the disk plates! Need to run about a hundred kms to get back the bite.
The clutch is stiff - I will develop new muscles in a few days.
The rear brake lever is just so short!

Thats it for now. Will update after riding around a bit.

So here is the experience after riding for 300+ kms -

The bike handles well, but is very different from the way a R15 handles. The R15 encourages you to choose a line and the bike follows through gracefully. This bike however is a hooligan. The bike will willingly dance through any corner. And you can change your line as many times as you wish. The bike just takes everything in its strides. Also, stability at higher speed and in crosswinds is better than the R15.
The front suspension as noted above, is stiff. However, the rear suspension is very comfy and hence compensates for the front suspension in a nice way.
Another curious behavior - under heavy braking, it is the rear suspension that rises up, instead of the front going down as is felt in other bikes.
The clutch is still very hard, however I am getting a bit used to it.
The gears are not a problem at all. Just that you have to shift from 1st to 2nd with a bit of firmness.
The bike starts up in a jiffy in the morning and also at the signals. However there is one scenario where my bike refugees to start effortlessly - When after parking the bike in the open parking lot for the day, I start the bike in the evening, it has been a struggle to get it to start up. This has happened for every single day. Hopefully, that decompression pin should wear down quickly!
The engine-handling combo is so hooliganish that it just urges you to bully your way through traffic. I have to exercise restraint consciously.

So, that's it for now.

**genxt** · 11-01-2013, 12:12 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by ayu135 View Post

I am having trouble while shifting gears. Sometimes when i upshift gears, the gear doesnt change and it goes in a kind of neutral and i have to shift it again to shift it up. This usually happens when shifting from 4th to the 5th. On the display the gear number goes blank when this happens. It doesnt happen every time but has happened twice to me so far. Is it that i am doing something wrong or i need to get the bike checked? Also when i try to downshift gears when i'm still, like say i have to stop suddenly when i'm on the third and i try to down it to first while remaining stationary it doesnt shift, i have to move the bike forward or backward a bit to make it shift, the gear indicator again goes blank when this happens.

I have mentioned about this in one of my posts: http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcyc...ml#post1003264

Best way to downshift, is to do it before the rpm reaches idle speed. For e.g. When I'm riding at 50kmph in 4th gear and if I've to slow down, I downshift to 3rd at 40kmph and 2nd at 20kmph, instead of coming all the way to 20kmph and shifting from 4th to 2nd. That way the rpm will be above 2k and you'll get a smooth shift.

In the case of hard braking (emergency), e.g. 70kmph in 5th to 20kmph or standstill, you won't get time to downshift one by one. So you can apply small bursts of throttle in order to downshift to 2nd or 1st gear.

I figured that gear shifting in Duke 390 is an art. I'm experimenting with different things to get the right (smooth) shift. And lately, I've been successful in shifting without that "reassuring thud" sound which everyone is talking about.

**Legend Racer** · 11-01-2013, 01:06 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

as [MENTION=62951]genxt[/MENTION] said it is just about observation and skill with patience. and as [MENTION=64466]viper3683[/MENTION] said it precisely, its like 2 stroke shifts. feather throttle and come down with engine braking rather than coming to gear speed and then shifting.

though im a bit confused about upshift from 1 to 2. NOTE that i didnt get the bike still to experiment. LOL . confused if the thud sound in 1 to 2 gear will vanish if you play with throttle well. others can clear it. and like others said thud and shift difference while downshifts can be avoided.

**ayu135** · 11-01-2013, 02:09 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Thanks for the replies, but i am really more concerned about the missed shifts when going from 4th to 5th or 5th to 6th, it has happened twice so far. I am at around 58-60km/hr in 4th gear and when i shifted up to 5th the bike did not go into any gear and it simply revved like in neutral and the gear display went blank. I had to shift it again to put it in 5th. I am more concerned about this. Has it happened to anyone else?

**nasirkaka** · 11-01-2013, 02:19 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Guys, A few doubts, please shed some light:

* The guy at the time of delivery said to keep the rpm under 6000 during the 1000 kms. Manuel says to keep it under 7500.
Is it ok to push it till 7500 rpm gradually during running in?

* Got the registration number with tool kit and other docs yesterday. How do i fix the tool kit under the seat? There seems to be provision to secure the tool kit under the seat, but there are no elastic bands available to do that?

* how and where is a safe place to carry the bike docs on the bike? how to secure and protect it?

* There seems to be a 'thud' kind of sound coming from somewhere under the bike, when it goes over a pot hole. what could it be and how to identify it?

* how important (or not) is it to change oil during the first 200-300 kms?

**genxt** · 11-01-2013, 02:37 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by ayu135 View Post

Thanks for the replies, but i am really more concerned about the missed shifts when going from 4th to 5th or 5th to 6th, it has happened twice so far. I am at around 58-60km/hr in 4th gear and when i shifted up to 5th the bike did not go into any gear and it simply revved like in neutral and the gear display went blank. I had to shift it again to put it in 5th. I am more concerned about this. Has it happened to anyone else?

Nope, never happened to me for upshifting. Make sure you pull the clutch completely and apply enough force on the gear lever. If you still can't get it right, get it to a service center.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by nasirkaka View Post

Guys, A few doubts, please shed some light:

* The guy at the time of delivery said to keep the rpm under 6000 during the 1000 kms. Manuel says to keep it under 7500.
Is it ok to push it till 7500 rpm gradually during running in?

* Got the registration number with tool kit and other docs yesterday. How do i fix the tool kit under the seat? There seems to be provision to secure the tool kit under the seat, but there are no elastic bands available to do that?

* how and where is a safe place to carry the bike docs on the bike? how to secure and protect it?

* There seems to be a 'thud' kind of sound coming from somewhere under the bike, when it goes over a pot hole. what could it be and how to identify it?

* how important (or not) is it to change oil during the first 200-300 kms?

Regarding the second point, you are supposed to get a thick rubber band from them.

**ayu135** · 11-01-2013, 02:59 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by nasirkaka View Post

Guys, A few doubts, please shed some light:

* Got the registration number with tool kit and other docs yesterday. How do i fix the tool kit under the seat? There seems to be provision to secure the tool kit under the seat, but there are no elastic bands available to do that?

* There seems to be a 'thud' kind of sound coming from somewhere under the bike, when it goes over a pot hole. what could it be and how to identify it?

Elastic bands should be provided, when i got my bike they put the tool kit under the seat for me, the guy who did it pulled out two bands from inside the toolkit. Check if they are there else contact the showroom they will give it to you.

The thud is the chain slapping against the arm and is a known issue.

**nasirkaka** · 11-01-2013, 04:02 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Regarding the second point, you are supposed to get a thick rubber band from them.

Will catch them after the holidays for that band.

Originally posted by ayu135 View Post

Elastic bands should be provided, when i got my bike they put the tool kit under the seat for me, the guy who did it pulled out two bands from inside the toolkit. Check if they are there else contact the showroom they will give it to you.

The thud is the chain slapping against the arm and is a known issue.

I did open the tool kit this morning to remove the tyre hugger. Re-checked again and there is no elastic band inside. the tools were in a sealed polythene cover inside the blue tool kit cover. Will check with the showroom after the holidays.
Can the chain slap sound be sorted with proper adjustment and lubrication? If not, will it have any negative affect in the long run?

One more question: has any one tried the transparent 3M paint protector film (PPF) on the 390? Is it possible to get it done on the bike considering the sharp angular design? If yes, any contact details of dealer in Bangalore would be helpful.

**riazmomin** · 11-01-2013, 04:18 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by ayu135 View Post

I am having trouble while shifting gears. Sometimes when i upshift gears, the gear doesnt change and it goes in a kind of neutral and i have to shift it again to shift it up. This usually happens when shifting from 4th to the 5th. On the display the gear number goes blank when this happens. It doesnt happen every time but has happened twice to me so far. Is it that i am doing something wrong or i need to get the bike checked? Also when i try to downshift gears when i'm still, like say i have to stop suddenly when i'm on the third and i try to down it to first while remaining stationary it doesnt shift, i have to move the bike forward or backward a bit to make it shift, the gear indicator again goes blank when this happens.

Originally posted by ayu135 View Post

Thanks for the replies, but i am really more concerned about the missed shifts when going from 4th to 5th or 5th to 6th, it has happened twice so far. I am at around 58-60km/hr in 4th gear and when i shifted up to 5th the bike did not go into any gear and it simply revved like in neutral and the gear display went blank. I had to shift it again to put it in 5th. I am more concerned about this. Has it happened to anyone else?

These things are normal on a bike like 390 which have plethora of information on its MID and loads of sensors here and there. At the end Bike is a mechanical thing. Some times two things dont come in contact with each other properly and then we have little confusion.

I have to faced this scenario on my 390 three or four times in its 2500 kms till now. I think there is nothing to worry about it. This usually happens when we do that half shifts where the sensor could not get in what gear you are and it simply shows blank.

And gears struck while shifting in stationary is common to almost all the bikes I have seen. If the engine is running just blip the throttle a bit, if not just move the bike to-fro then you can easily shift it.

As some one said, adjust the gear rod to avoid any excessive play, but make sure that there is at least little bit of play. There are not any problems and are part and package with a mechanical instrument like a motorcycle engine.

Enjoy the ride

Originally posted by rahul_del24 View Post

Same with me too, I put it on neutral( the display shows 0 gear) before releasing the clutch on red lights, and as soon as I release the clutch the engine stops with a jerk as it is still in 1st/2nd gear. The gears are really clunky to change and haven't been able to find neutral in first try ever. It is a real pain to drive this in little to heavy traffic and have to constantly change between 1st and 2nd and the heat burning my legs( though it is bearable). I pray to god to not throw a traffic jam else tandoori legs can be felt easily. Best is to switch of the bike and just push it yourself for a meter or two.

1st gear shift is clunky. After the first service it smoothen a bit and always try to shift the gear between 5000-6000 rpm to avoid any clunkiness.

Originally posted by abhijeet080808 View Post

So here is the experience after riding for 300+ kms -

The bike handles well, but is very different from the way a R15 handles. The R15 encourages you to choose a line and the bike follows through gracefully. This bike however is a hooligan. The bike will willingly dance through any corner. And you can change your line as many times as you wish. The bike just takes everything in its strides. Also, stability at higher speed and in crosswinds is better than the R15.
The front suspension as noted above, is stiff. However, the rear suspension is very comfy and hence compensates for the front suspension in a nice way.
Another curious behavior - under heavy braking, it is the rear suspension that rises up, instead of the front going down as is felt in other bikes.
The clutch is still very hard, however I am getting a bit used to it.
The gears are not a problem at all. Just that you have to shift from 1st to 2nd with a bit of firmness.
The bike starts up in a jiffy in the morning and also at the signals. However there is one scenario where my bike refugees to start effortlessly - When after parking the bike in the open parking lot for the day, I start the bike in the evening, it has been a struggle to get it to start up. This has happened for every single day. Hopefully, that decompression pin should wear down quickly!
The engine-handling combo is so hooliganish that it just urges you to bully your way through traffic. I have to exercise restraint consciously.

So, that's it for now.

+1

Rear suspension rising up under heavy braking. Yes and probably because of no weight on rear part of the bike.

Originally posted by nasirkaka View Post

Guys, A few doubts, please shed some light:

* The guy at the time of delivery said to keep the rpm under 6000 during the 1000 kms. Manuel says to keep it under 7500.
Is it ok to push it till 7500 rpm gradually during running in?

* Got the registration number with tool kit and other docs yesterday. How do i fix the tool kit under the seat? There seems to be provision to secure the tool kit under the seat, but there are no elastic bands available to do that?

* how and where is a safe place to carry the bike docs on the bike? how to secure and protect it?

* There seems to be a 'thud' kind of sound coming from somewhere under the bike, when it goes over a pot hole. what could it be and how to identify it?

* how important (or not) is it to change oil during the first 200-300 kms?

Drive at any RPM, not a problem. Just dont keep it in same RPM constantly.

As everyone said, thick rubber bands come with it. Check with them or you get it yourself and might not cost more than Rs 5.

I keep the documents under the rear seat and below the toolkit. all the documents are kept in plastic cover and are photocopies.

That Thud sound is still mystery to me too :P

**riot** · 11-01-2013, 05:35 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by THE46FAN View Post

@riot..my LS2..hope this helps...sorry..just realized this is not the thread for this...my apologies...

Originally posted by sachin.s.savur View Post

Here you go - it's bigger than most helmets I've seen. I got it for 5,800 at 'Let's gear up', Bangalore. It's the orange colour that won my heart

EDIT: double-d loops on a helmet strap is not everyone's cuppa tea. It seemed weird for a while, but kinda like it after a 120km lazy Sunday ride (roughly 25-30 times that I'd removed and re-wore it)

Thanks Guys, those are exactly what I am looking for. Will be visiting Meandering India and few others shops tomorrow to check them out.

**nasirkaka** · 11-01-2013, 06:03 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Drive at any RPM, not a problem. Just dont keep it in same RPM constantly.

As everyone said, thick rubber bands come with it. Check with them or you get it yourself and might not cost more than Rs 5.

I keep the documents under the rear seat and below the toolkit. all the documents are kept in plastic cover and are photocopies.

That Thud sound is still mystery to me too :P

Thanks.

Infact i went for a small ride this morning on the highway, just with the intention of running-in the bike. My first outing after getting the bike home from showroom. Thanks to the diwali, the roads were deserted. I was riding the bike in each gear at various rpm, touching 7500 rpm. would have looked liked a nut to others on road as at times lunas were overtaking me and at times i was overtaking them all

touched a max of 117kmph and added 60 odd kms to the new odo.

**fxx** · 11-01-2013, 06:48 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by riazmomin View Post

It might probably be a loose connection. Try by disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes and connect again. The ECU resets itself and see if the light comes on again. If it continues, better check at service center.

Disconnected the battery for a good half hour but no joy the Warning is back. took it to my local mechanic for getting hand grips fitted & chain adjustment. He told its too vibey & some "extra" noise is coming from inside the bore & told me to get the balancer or rocker checked with the OBD diag tool.

Noticed some jerking under handlebar when going over the humps, upon inspection found out that they had not fixed the brake caliper nuts & they were halfway out

****** morons

**roy_arnab22** · 11-01-2013, 07:25 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Originally posted by nasirkaka View Post

Will catch them after the holidays for that band.

I did open the tool kit this morning to remove the tyre hugger. Re-checked again and there is no elastic band inside. the tools were in a sealed polythene cover inside the blue tool kit cover. Will check with the showroom after the holidays.
Can the chain slap sound be sorted with proper adjustment and lubrication? If not, will it have any negative affect in the long run?

One more question: has any one tried the transparent 3M paint protector film (PPF) on the 390? Is it possible to get it done on the bike considering the sharp angular design? If yes, any contact details of dealer in Bangalore would be helpful.

I had done 3M ppf on my Hyosung from Autoservice, Banshankari. Contact the owner Venkat Shyam and you can tell my name. The ppf will not cover edges. But its worth money.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

**nasirkaka** · 11-01-2013, 07:30 PM

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Owners Reviews and Experiences

Noticed some jerking under handlebar when going over the humps, upon inspection found out that they had not fixed the brake caliper nuts & they were halfway out

****** morons

Read elsewhere about loose bolts on the 390s. So much for PDI. hope they are not going the RE way where loose fasteners are a feature. Or is it lack of QC to meet the heavy production demand??

Best bet would be to cross check the tightness of all the accessible fasteners on the bike after the delivery. i shall do it this weekend.

I had done 3M ppf on my Hyosung from Autoservice, Banshankari. Contact the owner Venkat Shyam and you can tell my name. The ppf will not cover edges. But its worth money.

Thanks! found one more contact for 3m ppf at HSR layout, which is closer to where i stay. Shall explore the possibilities.

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KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

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