Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Sure-thanks

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

nothing will happen, i've had around 100 ml water (plain RO drinking water) in my cooling system for a couple of years now. Initially it was with the stock coolant and then when i switched to motul motocool (the reason being, after changing coolant, i left the remaining at the svc and asked them to keep the little left over for top up since i know that the level will drop after a drain and refill. the next day i went over to top it off, but somebody had thrown away the bottle. so i simply added a cup of water)
You can also run it entirely with just water for a short period of time (like in case of emergencies). Prolonged use of just water could cause rust/scaling on the internals due to the impurities in water.. and just water is not good if you are riding in freezing temperatures since water will freeze at a much higher temp than coolant.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Hi Sid,

How does the Motocool perform in comparison to the stock coolant. I have 2 bottles lying around that I brought to replace my coolant but haven't gotten around to yet. Thanks

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Noted [MENTION=16602]s1d[/MENTION] -thanks

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

How often to lubricate the chain in the monsoons? I ride my bike everyday through the rains. Has completed about 200 kms till now. Should I wait till 500kms or lubricate it sooner?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Same cold start issue. Heating shut down issue is gone. Changed radiator sensor, fan, piston rings, shims. They claim no issue with stepper motor. Bike again with them. Now oil is leaking from bottom, no clue where.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Motocool is formulated for motorcycles, the yellow tinge fluid is pleasant to look at, has the right mix of coolant to water, which is premixed. You can use it both in your CBR and Duke. But make sure you bleed the system well.

There is no any hard and fast rule as to when one should clean and lubricate the chain. Every rider rides a same bike in different set of circumstances. Have a look at your chain, rub your fingers on the chain and feel the lube in your hand, if you feel like it's coarse and has blackened, it's time to clean the chain with kerosene (the coarse feel is sand and fine particles and what not stuck to the chain) clean the chain with a soft toothbrush or a rag, wipe it clean and spray the lube, not too much but gently and slowly. Excess lube is not going to do any more good, than get splashed over ruin your rims and swingarm.

Bottom? Check the drain bolt at the bottom (near the center case, below. Dukes have two strainers), if they haven't used the correct O rings it might leak. I hope it's not from the center case itself. Keep us posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thanks Bud it is very pleasant to look at indeed. Any idea if it performs any better than the stock inugen. Changing the coolant will be my second major (well not so major) DIY . Should be fun to try on both bikes!!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Performance wise I think one cannot spot any real difference, but I'd prefer liquids specifically formulated for motorcycles. You can experiment it with the Duke 390, trust me you definitely can't go wrong with Motocool. DIY, Duke 390 piece a cake, CBR 250 100% PITA, though you'll get used to it once you know how to do it.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I used the stock coolant for the first two years on my D200, no issues whatsoever.
Switched to motocool, just to give it a try. Been on it since almost 10 months now, nothing significant. Works just as well as whatever was stock. Only gripe is it being more expensive at approx Rs.400 for a litre. Hasn't caused any issues.
If you have it lying around, go ahead and use it. Just make sure you drain out the old coolant and flush out the radiator with some clean water i.e. fill it up with water, run the engine for 10-15 minutes and then drain it out and fill in the coolant of your choice.

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Riding in rain everyday will mostly require shorter lubing intervals.
I'd advice you to use the nulon grease spray on the chain while riding in the wet.. not messy, stickier, stays on longer and gives good protection.. and best of all, doesn't cost a bomb! I've been using this for a couple of years now during the monsoons and while on touring.. lasts long really long

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Experience holding fellow D390 owners,kindly guide to make much ride's seat and handlebar more accommodating for an upcoming almost 1100km long ride-currently the bike is all standard and used for my office commute 14kms one way.My almost 44year old 5'10" 78kg fat less derriere starts to squirm after about 25kms nonstop so kinda wanna make it more comfy.
So have the following queries-
1)Does increasing the seat padding(like buying a spare seat and using it's foam to double the seat padding or using gel inserts or using after market HD foam) without increasing the handlebar height have an appreciable effect on comfort or leads to a whacky ridding posture?
2)Can we use handle bar gripping fixture of higher length than the stock from any other Indian bike(e.g Avenger) to raise the handlebar position?What is the status of cables with such modifications?Do they need changing-if yes,please guide which cables fit.
TIA.
Regards.

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

1. You can try rideonair seat. Cost around 4.5k. I'm using it and it's very good.
2. 1inch handlebar raiser are available in the market(viaterra, carbonracing) and no cable mods needed. For 2inch handlebar raisers you need to reroute the clutch cable I guess.

Cheers🤘

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Thank you for the info.
Will follow up on the ride on air seat.
Does the user of handle risers have any ill effect like increase in vibrations/lack of front end feel ?

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

No experience with Handle bar raisers, I'm too looking for the same, just to make little easy ride when standing in footpegs!

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Talked to Suki Tatineni at Viaterra- 1" handle risers for D390 available in both black and silver finish @Rs999 with no cable modifications required.