Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Today I cleaned and lubed my chain, I must say the bike runs smoother than before, didn't knew cleaning chain can make such a difference.I suggest everyone to clean their chains after 500 kms.
Going OT, today I got ls2 4 season jacket for riding

sent from my Xperia z3

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience


A clean chain also sounds quieter and more pleasant.
Congrats on the jacket bro. What's the cost?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I got line for 5k almost two years ago, 3 crashes and still going strong

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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Weird. Mine has a perforated vodka-shot glass shaped metal object instead of these rods. Mine is a 2012 R15v2.0

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yes that khat khat signature sound you are hearing is the ABS kicking in to prevent the lock up of the wheels. Fizz sound upon releasing the brakes? Interesting, I haven't experienced any such noises even during hard braking, fizz sound comes only when applying brakes -- most brakes, that's due to the pressure induced by the hydraulic systems, but that's normal. But sound when "releasing" is strange. But as long as your bike doesn't have braking issues, it should be fine. But do keep an ear for the sound and an eye on the braking performance.

Oh BTW mine is a naked one, not the RC

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

This is for all, guys don't do this. I mean don't bend this grill and insert the nozzle inside while filling petrol. I just got a call from KTM India that it is there for a reason, in the RC the fuel pump is right under this portion and is in close proximity to this filler area. If the nozzle touches the fuel pump it might damage it and the expenses for repair is ruddy expensive. Also, it won't be covered under warranty as KTM has provided a safety grill to keep it safe.

I wanted to add this, the companies do things after a lot of R&D. So, just becasue the guy at the petrol bunk wanted to bend this grill you allowed him? On a brand new bike!
I for one have filled my tank 4 times and have managed just fine without inserting the nozzle inside or bending the grill.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hey hi all; how to check the coolant level
As the coolant is very low near the tank in white colour coolant storage. is this normal?
And which coolant brand to be use?
Can i use coolant which i am using in my car?
And about that metal part which is in petrol tank; it is too thin and get bent easily without applying any force😩 mine too got lil bent while i was filling petrol first time even though i told petrol bunk guy to be careful with it 😡 but he was busy observing the beast

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

the coolant level should be between the "min" and "max" level - you will see the marking on the white color storage tank.
probably yes you can use the coolant used on cars, it could be debated here.. but i feel it would be perfectly ok.
Again it isn't advisable to mix different coolants (since their chemical composition could be different) -- if you want to experiment, then drain and flush the current coolant and use another brand
Next, your warranty could go for a toss for using non recommended coolants.
Petrol bunk guys dont pay much attention to these stuff.. we gotta be careful. These days I just hold the nozzle myself so that its not left to rest on the tank (mine is a d200 and am paranoid that the plastic tank could get deformed due to resting the nozzle on the tank opening.) I have seen nozzles that have a hole/cut on the side in them (from being repeatedly rested on petrol tanks) and some metal tanks develop a slight bend on the inside.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

DukeDey If it's not too much of an ask, can you talk about the differences between the D390 and RC390 ? Since you had the D390 and have the RC, your inputs will be valuable.
I'm more worried about the seats.Riding position I guess is something that we will have to get used to or change our style to match the bikes, is it not?
I'm still a bit confused about the two, and since I'm based out of Bangalore haven't had a chance to do a test ride on the RC390.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I have covered this before in the RC390 thread but here we go again..

RC is much smoother right from the starting, I mean the Duke became better as I clocked more miles on it but the RC runs much better right from the start. I have clocked 700kms now and it is getting better by the day.

The power delivery is much linear on the RC(don't think of it as lesser power), by linear I mean power is put to use in a tamed manner. The Duke had a very strong surge once past 7k rpm but RC enters 7k powerband being already stronger in the initial revs so that surge part is not felt as much. The Duke made you feel brutally fast as it pulled your shoulders back, the RC is deceptively fast(it never makes you feel that you are doing warp speeds till the time you actually give your console a peek).

RC is either geared different or some drastic changes to the ECU, the RC does 100 at 6k rpm compared to the Dukes 5.3k rpm(Signs of shorter gearing). This makes city riding easier on the RC as it stutters/complains less in the hihger gears.

The brakes have a better initial bite and better feel than the Duke.

The RC sounds throatier and the intake sound is also much sweeter on the RC(also the radiator fan sound is really good on the RC whereas it was not much audible on the Duke).

The heating has never been an issue on the RC, may be I am used to the Dukes heat but RC radiator fans come up much earlier and in general if I rode my new Duke to office early morning which is 5kms the temp bars reached the max before the fans cut in(Duke started running cooler with more kms done on it), on the RC the temp guage reaches only till the middle for the same ride.

The Headlights on the RC are way better illuminating, period

RC handles like a dream, not that the Duke was any less a handler but on the RC high speed stints are that much more stable and wind blast is very well controlled for my height(178 cms). My Duke had the accessory windscreen but even with that wind blast was an issue post 120.

Front seat comfort is more or less the same. I find the RC offering me a little bit extra space to move around: may be because of the narrower seat and narrow tank in comparison. Rear seat is better than the Dukes as has been told to me by everyone who sat pillion.

The improved ground clearance is a boon. Earlier a speed breaker where my duke would scrape only with me riding, yesterday, even with a pillion the RC did not scrape.

In my case the fuel economy has been surprisingly better on the RC despite the added weight. Guess, the aerodynamics is to be thanked.

The crowd wants to fiddle more with the RC(I hate this!) Overall, RC is a more refined product. It seriously looks as if Bajaj-Ktm worked hard to make an already good product better.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

that post brings so many good news at one time!

P.S- still waiting for my RC
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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

ty dukeday for comparing these two beasts. This comparison coming from an actual user and especially from you means alot. But now i am more confused whether to go for naked or faired 390. Can you please tell which one is better to negotiate in heavy bumper to bumper traffic and which one has better turning radius.

thanks in advance

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Duke 390 undoubtedly.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

If it is bumper to bumper traffic you are concerned about, the Duke being lighter and offering an upright seating position is easier to live with and navigate(only in heavy traffic).
Then, for me, the RC's fairing saves my leg from the little extra heat that the Duke makes you feel(not that you cannot get used to it, I lived with the Duke for 1 year without any major complaints about heating) and the fact that the RC can trundle along better in gears compared to the Duke makes it easier for me. (The wrist does take a toll but I am used to it by now)

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

thanks dukeday for the reply. I am concerned about traffic because in the evening i have to wade through Rajender Nagar/Patel Nagar traffic daily. Earlier i had Pulsar 220 which i sold primarily because it was very tiring and my hands and neck/shoulders were taking a beating after going through 20 km ordeal every day while going back from work. I was attracted to Duke 390 because of its manouverability in heavy traffic. But oil leaking and coolent evapourating issues are worrying me. I have been driving bajaj bikes from very long time now and i know about their bad service in delhi. Bajaj bikes are good and value for money but service is terrible.I'll wait a little longer now 1-2 months more before making a final decision. I'll wait for more members to get their RC's and post their experience and Dukeday especially for your experience as you grow old with your RC.