Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Congratulations mate.
My Duke390 expired at exactly 25k-so keep a close tab on the engine condition always.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi

Any particular things to keep it in my checklists?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Keep a watch on the oil level mark-do top up as and when needed and keep a lookout for blue/black smoke on start up

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi Mate,
Done few things in the last weekend, changed oil and oil filter. Changed front sprocket to 13T from duke 250.
Not yet touched break department.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hey guys, Hope everyone of you and your family is safe and sound.

Long story short - My bike was stationed for around 12-15 months. Fuel tank was full before it was parked for long time. I see front fork seal broken, it is leaking oil. Chain sprocket is rusted.

I tried starting my bike but battery was low so I charged my battery and cranked it up but failed to start. Cranked till my battery drained out again. I thought since its been a year it will definitely take more than 1 attempt to start the bike. I charged my battery again and attempted to start my bike again but failed again.

What I noticed is cranking speed slow, I don't know how to explain but he rotations while cranking were sounded slow. Possibly due to thickness of Engine oil ? Or battery's health might have degraded over the period of time ? or is it the fuel which has lost its power ? I don't want to tow it to service and waste money. I rather do some DIY and ride it to service station. Also, I doubt local mechanics are comfortable to Ktm's.

I have ordered a OBD2 adapter to check for errors if its anything to do with injector or fuel pump or spark plug.

Need your assistance and guidance. Let me know if you wanna know anything in detail.

Regards.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

When bikes are stationed for more than a couple of months, chances are very high the battery will be drained. The starter spinning slowly is a sign that the starter motor and the peripherals aren't getting enough juice from the battery for them to operate effectively. Even though you've charged the battery, the battery might have sulfated enough inside to not hold the charge, which would mean, even though the bike cranks the engine won't fire up. Get a new battery, prime the fuel pump four to six times, by turning on and off the kill switch. This would mean the pump is providing adequate pressure to the fuel lines, then try firing up the engine, with a good battery, she should fire up.

Keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks for reply mate. The Points that you mentioned makes sense. By any chance is there any way I can check the health of battery after charging using a multi-meter ?

Also, what about the fuel in the tank from 1 year ? can the same be used ?

Out of curiosity, What does VJ stands for ?

Regards.
VJ.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Yes, you can check the battery charging voltage by connecting the multimeter at the battery terminals once the engine is fired up, the voltage should be at around 13.5 to 15V with the engine spinning at 5k RPM, which would mean, your alternator is charging the battery as it's supposed to. Secondly, the fuel, I would suggest you siphon out the old fuel, use fresh fuel, fully charged or brand new battery, prime the fuel pump, four to six times by using the kill switch, before cranking the bike and it should fire up.

Curiosity killed the cat, eh! VJ is eponym for my name Vijay, as my friends fondly call.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Cool. Will read the figures after fully charging the battery. Also will check the voltage while cranking, I've read that it shouldn't go below 10.5V.
Will keep you to posted. My V.J stands for Veeral Joshi :P

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

With the battery charged fully, and the engine spinning at 5k RPM steady, the voltage on the MM should read 14.5V max. If the voltage keeps fluctuating too low lower than 8V and too high, higher than 16V your alternator/ RR is faulty.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Noted. I guess for now will have to keep the battery issue aside. I siphoned the fuel from tank and below are the findings. (mud+junk+whatnot).



I believe my fuel pump might have gone for a toss since I was trying to start the bike few days back. Since duke 390's fuel tank is plastic, can it be cleaned and washed by water after removing the fuel pump ? Please guide what next steps should I take.

Edit : https://bit.ly/3gYrcfa Check out this video.

Regards.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

There, just as I said. Total goop. Yes, remove the fuel pump, clean the fuel tank, replace the inline fuel filter. Make sure the fuel pump itself is thoroughly cleaned. Changing the fuel filter is a must.

Plastic tanks are easy to clean. You can use good fuel to clean the tank, and then install everything back.

Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks for replies Vijay bhai,

Well this was my first time on duke 390. DIYed the fuel tank removal, thanks to few guys on YouTube. Was sucessful in removing the tank and fuel filter. Posting few pictures of the same.

I have 1 questions :

1. How should I clean the fuel pump ? With what ? Pls look at the picture and advise if it is still in usable condition ?

I wish there was a duke 390 whatsapp group [emoji28]

Regards,

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I think you found a relic from underwater eh! The pump is "severely" rusted. You definitely have to thoroughly de-rust the fuel pump, if possible, I'd suggest replace the fuel pump for peace of mind. The rust removed will make the pump usable, but you just never know how long, especially with KTM's crappy quality.

You have a homework that'll make your hands full with this DIY. Start off with cleaning the pump "thoroughly" or as best as you can, the cleaner the better. Make sure you replace the fuel pump O ring with a new one and DON'T OVERTIGHTEN. Keep the CAPS wording always in your mind whenever torquing anything over plastic, one wrong move and ruin the tank.

Rest are pretty much easy.

Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hahaha indeed a relic drowned ages ago.
Right, I guess buying a new fuel pump would make more sense rather than cleaning this. Chances are that in future it can go kaput. The rubber gasket is accompanied with the new pump set ?

Noted the over tightening point.

I am still stuck with rusted fuel tank. Dont know how to remove the rust stuck to the walls and base of the tank. Any tips ?