Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I know its an out an out track bike, but i have taken the duke to rajmachi many times, and i feel with bashplate and vertigos, rc can do it too. I know it is bit weird, but then as u said, people have done it on boxer and ducatis, then why not rc. The bike fits me well, due to this, I can ride it for a longer duration than my duke.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

All the best my friend [emoji122]


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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I don't know whether you've wanted to experience the bike alone or take the bike to Leh, but here's a two pronged approach to your question.

Here in India, you get a brand new RC for a little less money than you'd usually get in states. But if you're asking about cheap deals in States, then I guess I'm afraid I don't have the right pointers off the top of my head. I've already seen most of the guys in the States get their new Dukes, many 390s and a few RC 390s. Why not get in touch with your local KTM dealership.

Now if you're considering doing Leh

Leh is something to be experienced by every biker. But you get a lot of cheap deals here in Leh, you have motorcycle rental that is available for the tried and tested Indian motorcycles. I'm afraid you'd get any cheap deals on this bike, as no would ever want to take a motorcycle that is less on the gallon capacity plus a hard suspension to such extreme heights. Plus they won't offer such a costly motorcycle for the rental, coupled with the drawbacks it offers. Though we all agree, it's a hoot of an engine, and fantastic handler, all said and done, this would suffice a slalom or a track.

Though we have so many brake hearts here in our forum, who've taken supersport bikes to K top, the Khardung La (Suzuki Bandit) and many Duke 390, it's not such an easy task considering the terrain you're travelling your physical state of tune and a lot of factors come into play. You never want to think you'd made a wrong choice, just for the sake of it. Think about it.


I've seen most foreigners bring their own set of adv wheels and enjoy their Leh trip 90% of the time, rarely do they choose the rentals offered here in Leh or elsewhere, and it's always great to see them in our turf.

I'd suggest you consider your options and make a sound judgment.

Stick around, it's great to see you in our forum, welcome.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The underbelly has already scrapped a couple of speed breakers. Something to carry 2-4 litres of petrol should get her there. It produces the same torque as the CL500 albeit at a higher RPM. I guess i want to have the feeling of going to top on my own stead. A rental never gives the same feeling. As someone said, the fastest bike in the world is the one you rented! Still a long way to go though with the leaves and planning, will keep all posted.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Great. Would look forward to your updates. My take on this dilemma would be:
1. Even knowing thats its a track bike, not most of us goes to track on most of the time. I use it for daily commute, a dash to weekend getaways and a long trip occasionally (still in mind, have tried upto 400 kms in a day). So what do we do when this is the only steed we have plus the rightly said urge to take ones own on a journey, which demands a lot of trust and communication between the rider and the ride.
2. Thinking from head, suspension may be a bit hard, though i doubt that ground clearance should be a problem if ridden tactfully at time. Though i am not sure what underbelly exhaust can do when one has to cross a few streams or so.
3. I wonder when R15 can go on so many occasions to Leh, technically RC can do too, barring my doubt about the underbelly exhaust.
4. Carrying fuel in a saddlebag in 2 two litre bottles should not be a problem. However, not all the bags would fit. I was at Adventure 18 here in delhi and the best i could figure out was the KTM own saddlebag, though it was not too big to accompany on a long ride as this.
5. Not sure whether Metzeler M5 are good to go there or need any other kind of rubber.

Above all, i always choose to listen to my heart when it comes to take decisions affecting me n my ride.
regards

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

2. The exhausts are quite capable of operating even under knee depth water flow. I believe there were a few videos from Bajaj showcasing the ability of the NS and the Dukes where the bikes were running without any problems in knee deep water levels. Quick google search will give you the link to the video.


5. If off-road and broken roads are a very big part of the trip then it is advised to change them to tyres that better suit such conditions. The metzelers are very much prone to damage than normal tyres.

Cheers
Ride Safe
Krishna

KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Replies inline.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

nice bike........

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Good to know I'm not the only nutter who is planning on taking the RC to Leh.
A change of tyres is a must, not that the Metz can't do it but you will end up buying a new set of tyres once you are back from the trip. I'm thinking of switching to Ceat.

The thing that worries me ( other than range ) is the riding posture. You will have some off road trail ( not sure how technical it will be) and I think the riding posture on the the RC will take a toll on you.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Glad to see people taking it above and beyond.

Well to GeeGee's notion, I think R15 and Duke's suspension are two different setups. The telescopic setup the R15 offers isn't stiff as the RC390, plus the seat width if you compare both of them, the naked Duke 390 has a good width of 760 as compared to R15s which is 670mm and both almost have the same seat height, at 800 mm

I don't mind taking the Duke 390 to Leh with a swapped rubber setup, apart from the Metz which dislikes fine sand, slush and what not, all that a soft compound that is allergenic to. The RC now with its revised stiffer suspension when compared to the Duke 390 and the R15, the R15s suspension is the most forgiving, and that seat though comparatively smaller than Duke has sufficient sponginess to aid in rider butt not getting sore. This is why CBR250, 220 and the R15s suspension are able to cater to the dual service they are required to. Not the RC, at least in my humble opinion.

I am not so sure about the RC390s seat width, if you'll observe closely, the seat is designed to hang out the butt whenever possible, and the under thigh support is not adequate, which would of boon on such harsh terrains, where you don't want your hamstrings to get cramped. Even still, when you bring the hard suspension, less gallon capacity to the tank, and a super committed riding position, I would strike the option of taking the RC to such extreme places, where the terrain is demanding almost every second on the forks and not to mention, all the feedback is directly passed on to the rider, the arms basically, which usually gets painful later on in the ride and you wouldn't want that happening, do you.

All that being said, it ultimately boils to rider fitness, the ability to take it to such extreme places and trust the grit of your motorcycle, all corrugated, what can stop you! Well, nothing.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hey guys, just took my RC for a short run of 150kms on Kona expressway from Kolkata. The bike is super stable, tons of power for overtaking with confidence, super grippy, good FE of 32kmpl, and at a cruising speed of 100-105 it was rock solid. Basically, it just blew me away with its performance! But the only drawback was the right hand side rear view mirror, it sucked so bad..even the left one allowed me to see a bit of traffic, but the right RVM was practically useless!

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

U can adjust it well it seems too tight in the start giving the feel it will break but it won't . Try it


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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

yup i already did that, even with that it was just too low, i had to almost crouch down with my face touching the tank to see anything behind me with the right RVM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Then get some bar end mirrors that should solve the problem


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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience



My first RC selfie


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