Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Performance is same like a new bike. Even the svc manager told me that now you'll like riding the bike as it'll be like new.

Many guys and relatives told me that now your bike is gone. Engine performance will degrade and you'll have to ultimately sell it. However, till now I haven't found any issues with my bike. But, I also noticed that most of my friends did an engine rebuild at their local garage (not in svc). Maybe that's why they faced problems.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

If your ASC PPL were genuine , congrats your bike is back, and as far as the local mechanics are concerned, yea it is true that they mostly screw up the builds, But I have seen local mechanics doing 101% better job than ASC, just need to find the right one!!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I seem to have a coolant level issue. After taking delivery of my D390, the coolant gradually decreased below the minimum level mark. So topped up but accidentally went a bit above the full mark. @odo 600. Now my bike is @ODO1250 and the coolant level has come closer to the minimum level mark.

Is this normal?

During my first service I told advisor about the same he said he will check and then said it's fine. But the levels have dropped since then. Any suggestions?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

on a new bike it is normal to see a drop in coolant level, due it not being filled fully and the way the coolant system works (if you want to understand how it actually works, please google and read about it)
one or two top ups later it should more or less stay consistent. if it continues to only drop, then you have an issue.
so top it up now so that it is between the min-max level or at max, if you over fill, it will overflow so best to keep it at or below max. (it will hardly take 50 ml, so you could just add a bit of water too) and you should be good to go.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks [MENTION=16602]s1d[/MENTION] [emoji106] will top-up once again. It's a relief to know about this. Will surely check the details and keep posted if the issue continues for long time.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences


Keep a tab on the coolant consumption. Secondly, thoroughly re-bleed your system. Fact is, the radiator can and might have air pockets which would mean when heated up, the coolant level drops as the coolant is sucked to the radiator from the reservoir, normal operation. Topping up without bleeding will only mean the same thing repeating. Re-bleed the coolant system. Drain the coolant completely, make sure the radiator is filled in slowly till the radiator is full and you see coolant come out of the bleeder screw.

Start the engine, let it idle for a few seconds, see, the coolant level will go down almost immediately when the engine is started up, slowly add coolant till the radiator is full. Rev the engine a few times, and observe if the coolant level decreases, if yes, add till it gets full. If not, you're all set. Retighten the radiator cap, turn off the engine. And now fill the reservoir till the middle of the max and min mark, a little near the max too isn't bad in anyway.

This way, your radiator is neatly and cleanly bled.

Now, check coolant level after riding a few hundred KMS. The level shouldn't go down drastically to minimum or lower than minimum. It should stay above the half line, almost all the time.

Hope it helps. Keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

The exhaust manifold part turns to sh*# color in dukes, is there any way to restore it to like new..

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Sure thing [emoji106] This will be my first DIY for coolant bleeding [emoji4]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Metal polishes are a way to go! But, the gripe here is this, metal polishes remove that golden-ish tint of the OE and brings out the bare silverish tint of the metal itself which looks equally odd and an eye sore. You got to remove the bend pipe, get it metal polished fully, sot that it gives a thorough, smooth, and full silverish finish, which blends well. But over time, it can get blotched too.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I read somewhere if there is froth in the engine oil it means coolant is leaking somewhere in side the head gasket. I just noticed my coolant level still decreasing and the froth in my engine oil even after a run of good 2hours. The pictures while my engine was on.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Rather than froth in engine oil, it is milky appearance of the engine oil which denotes mixing of coolant with oil. Froth could be due to presence of small aur bubbles due to agitation since engine is running. With the engine off and key out, take a long clean screw driver and poke it inside the oil filler cap, until the oil level and see how the oil looks on the surface of the screwdriver. Any milkiness will mean coolant is mixing. Alternatively, drain the engine oil and check its appearance.
Take a flashlight and check from top of engine to the bottom, including coolant tank for any leaks. Check the hoses and clamps for any leaks or cracks.

P.S. Please don't quote pictures. Remove pictures before quoting a post with pictures.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I'm my experience with coolent mixing, oil will looks like colored water splashed in transparent window instead of thick oil usually visible.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

In my experience the glass window was completely blacked out like carbon deposit, and even after fixing the coolant leakage and changing the oil, it didn't clear the glass so had to install new glass..

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi team XBhp

I am selling my barely used Duke 390 for sale. I have clocked about 3,050 km on it in total. The bike has received a host of upgrades and has not witnessed a single fall or an accident. I don't ride the bike much and that's the reason why i am selling it. I registered the bike in June 2018 and took delivery of the bike in July 2018. The bike is registered and located in Chennai. I have also renewed the comprehensive insurance till June 12th 2020.

The stuff I have added to it are the following :

1. Barkbuster Handguard Jet - 14,000
2. Zana leg guard - 4,000
3. Zana radiator guard - 3,100
4. Zana engine bash plate - 3,200
5. Zana fork slider - 1,600

I am willing to let it go for 2,40,000/- ( Registration will be transferred to your name before delivery and I will bear this cost if you are from Chennai)

You can PM me if you are interested in it.

Regards,
Ashwin Balachandran

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Frothing every other time, especially during the morning starts are completely normal. Frothing happens with the oil is whipped by the clutch basket and the froth that you see should disappear in a few mins, which it will. Motul 7100 froths on almost most Dukes so there's nothing to be alarmed. When coolant mixes with the oil, visibly the oil will change color to greenish tint if green dye coolant is used. The oil will lose its viscosity and be almost watery and the oil will smell sweet-ish.

Secondly, you will see white foaming all over the oil sight window, like a latte whipped in a mixer. This foam screen will take time to clear up, and you can clearly know that the oil is mixing with the coolant.

Your bike has no problem.

Cheers!
VJ