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**Newbie101** · 10-31-2014, 05:29 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

When riding 2-up, please "crawl" over speed breakers or you might scrape the underbelly ! This happened to me this afternoon

**DukeDey** · 10-31-2014, 05:36 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Balgi View Post

Hey guys,
What is a good substitute spark plug for a duke 390? Performance wise of course.
Also anyone know anything about the Bosch dual contact iridium plug? Is it suitable for the duke? Is there another option from Bosch?
I am really unhappy with the crap stock plug and am looking to change it. Any input on the same is appreciated.

The best spark plugs available in the market is NGK Laser Iridiums. The exact part number that would be a direct fit Duke390 as recommended by Ktm is Ngk LKAR8AI-9. Its expensive and difficult to source in India but if you can, nothing better. It would last for at least 25k-30k kms(although for a lot of people NGS iridiums never required a change at all) and would provide you with a very concentrated and strong spark.

Helps with smoother/easier start up, consistent idling and also fuel economy(negligible).

**Balgi** · 10-31-2014, 06:04 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by wallpapers123 View Post

Why would you feel the stock one is a "crap" one??
Can you Please elaborate..Maybe i'll get to learn something new about them..
I haven't had any issues in my D200 since the last 1.5YRS.
Have Regularly replaced it during every warranty..

There is no surety of service life for starters. If it runs it'll run for years but otherwise it could fail tomorrow. Not my words, its the ktm chief mechanic's words who said he is sick of changing them.

Secondly, the plug though a yttrium plug, behaves like a regular plug and does nothing for efficiency. Nor for power. In fact it is known to make the bike misfire at times if the mixture is a little lean or a little rich.

But of course that doesn't mean it's crap. So I take my words back. It just means its not suitable for the bike its in.
In fact only the Indian bikes come with it. I saw online that the spark plug used on foreign models have a different one. I don't know the specifics but its true.

**Balgi** · 10-31-2014, 06:09 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by DukeDey View Post

The best spark plugs available in the market is NGK Laser Iridiums. The exact part number that would be a direct fit Duke390 as recommended by Ktm is Ngk LKAR8AI-9. Its expensive and difficult to source in India but if you can, nothing better. It would last for at least 25k-30k kms(although for a lot of people NGS iridiums never required a change at all) and would provide you with a very concentrated and strong spark.

Helps with smoother/easier start up, consistent idling and also fuel economy(negligible).

Could you tell me the exact part number of the NGK iridium plug.
Also anything in Bosch for the 390?

**DukeDey** · 10-31-2014, 06:18 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Balgi View Post

Could you tell me the exact part number of the NGK iridium plug.
Also anything in Bosch for the 390?

Mate , Ngk LKAR8AI-9 this is the exact number I am aware of. I confirmed it from NGK's website and a few international forums. This is the best alternative as even though it has the exact same spec(fit wise) its temp range is cooler than the stock BOSCH(it runs cooler which is good for a high compression ho running engine).
NGK is a spark plug specialist so, I would prefer them over BOSCH anyday and also I am not aware of anything better in BOSCH(never tried) although, there might be something better than the stock.

**Balgi** · 10-31-2014, 08:45 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by DukeDey View Post

Mate , Ngk LKAR8AI-9 this is the exact number I am aware of. I confirmed it from NGK's website and a few international forums. This is the best alternative as even though it has the exact same spec(fit wise) its temp range is cooler than the stock BOSCH(it runs cooler which is good for a high compression ho running engine).
NGK is a spark plug specialist so, I would prefer them over BOSCH anyday and also I am not aware of anything better in BOSCH(never tried) although, there might be something better than the stock.

No mate I was asking about the NGK plug you suggested which is available in India, not the foreign one. though I am looking into sourcing that one and on that note thanks again for the part number.
Bosch has a few platinum-irridium dual and quadruple contact plugs for cars. and some of these plugs match the size and spec of the plug we are currently supplied with our dukes. Just wanted to inquire about whether anyone had brought or used such a plug on their bikes.
The stock yttrium plug runs hotter than most of the plugs in the category I mentioned and has a very short life, at least that is what the chief mech at my svc was ranting about and that is why I was pondering getting a new plug. My old bike (Honda Unicorn) had plug issues so I used a Bosch dual contact plug (RTR180 plug) on it and I have not had a single problem since. the bike even starts faster and better now (early morning start) which is why I was considering Bosch plugs.

**Alfa** · 11-01-2014, 12:27 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Got the Beast on sunday, could not ride because of some commitments and regreted every minute, finally unleashed the beast yesterday(though within limits, run in),,, in love with it.
And i remember myself to get worried sick while deciding between duke and RC, as i wanted upright posture as i have lower back ache. But surprisingly till now am loving it

Everything too good about the bike, especially liked its stability and need not say about accerlation.

Bad part is
1. fuel filling
2. heat, yes i am riding ktm for first time and i do get uncomfortable with amount of heat it genrates.
3. rear view mirror are absolutely useless.
4. bit worried about engine oil level and occasional trouble it gave while starting[ i hope it starts smartly in winter chill and engine oil level seem low to me and i showed to service guy but he said its fine]
5. cleaning

Disclaimer ;- these are just 6 day observation and by no chance i know more about bikes than a 8 year old

**Balgi** · 11-01-2014, 03:35 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Alfa View Post

Got the Beast on sunday, could not ride because of some commitments and regreted every minute, finally unleashed the beast yesterday(though within limits, run in),,, in love with it.
And i remember myself to get worried sick while deciding between duke and RC, as i wanted upright posture as i have lower back ache. But surprisingly till now am loving it

Everything too good about the bike, especially liked its stability and need not say about accerlation.

Bad part is
1. fuel filling
2. heat, yes i am riding ktm for first time and i do get uncomfortable with amount of heat it genrates.
3. rear view mirror are absolutely useless.
4. bit worried about engine oil level and occasional trouble it gave while starting[ i hope it starts smartly in winter chill and engine oil level seem low to me and i showed to service guy but he said its fine]
5. cleaning

Disclaimer ;- these are just 6 day observation and by no chance i know more about bikes than a 8 year old

What problem did you have filling fuel exactly?

**puneetvashisht** · 11-01-2014, 10:24 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Got my RC 390 first service done at 978 km. Haven't ridden it much after that, but short term observations: vibrations on handlebars and footpegs are gone.
Gearbox feels much smoother.
Cost: 1550 (including 200rs for chain cleaning and lubing )
Done at krishna bajaj ktm, gurgaon
Took almost 2.5 hours for servicing
Staff were nice and warm,

sent from my Xperia z3

**puneetvashisht** · 11-01-2014, 10:29 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Just wanted to know from everyone about their mileage??
After getting low fuel warning,
Bike takes around 7.5(only 480 rs according to prices in delhi) litre of petrol
And then it runs around 190-200 km.
Giving me around 26 kmpl overall in city.
What low fuel to low fuel range are u all getting?

Ps: this is before first service
sent from my Xperia z3

**Vysakh.M.S** · 11-01-2014, 10:36 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Alfa View Post

Got the Beast on sunday, could not ride because of some commitments and regreted every minute, finally unleashed the beast yesterday(though within limits, run in),,, in love with it.
And i remember myself to get worried sick while deciding between duke and RC, as i wanted upright posture as i have lower back ache. But surprisingly till now am loving it

Everything too good about the bike, especially liked its stability and need not say about accerlation.

Bad part is
1. fuel filling
2. heat, yes i am riding ktm for first time and i do get uncomfortable with amount of heat it genrates.
3. rear view mirror are absolutely useless.
4. bit worried about engine oil level and occasional trouble it gave while starting[ i hope it starts smartly in winter chill and engine oil level seem low to me and i showed to service guy but he said its fine]
5. cleaning

Disclaimer ;- these are just 6 day observation and by no chance i know more about bikes than a 8 year old

Did you mean fuel efficiency in first point ie fuel filling.

Sent from my Xperia SP

**s1d** · 11-01-2014, 10:43 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I was at the ktm svc today in hyd, and the first rc390 with a major issue was towed in. A bunch of college kids came tropping in with the rc390. The engine noise was terrible (probably some issue with the head/valves i.e top end) and looked to me like they revved the heck out of it (just my assumption and the mechs are also assuming the same) resulting in this damage. And it seems a couple of days earlier, this same bike had it gear lever fall off !! The svc admitted to it and had it fixed up and today the bike was a mess. I felt bad for that guy, and i am having serious doubts on ktm's QC. I myself had a issue with the gear shifter two weeks ago when i picked up my d200.. that's a different story that I shall narrate shortly once i am done with the first service.

**Balgi** · 11-02-2014, 12:49 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by s1d View Post

I was at the ktm svc today in hyd, and the first rc390 with a major issue was towed in. A bunch of college kids came tropping in with the rc390. The engine noise was terrible (probably some issue with the head/valves i.e top end) and looked to me like they revved the heck out of it (just my assumption and the mechs are also assuming the same) resulting in this damage. And it seems a couple of days earlier, this same bike had it gear lever fall off !! The svc admitted to it and had it fixed up and today the bike was a mess. I felt bad for that guy, and i am having serious doubts on ktm's QC. I myself had a issue with the gear shifter two weeks ago when i picked up my d200.. that's a different story that I shall narrate shortly once i am done with the first service.

Wow, whoever owns that RC must be crying right now. Which svc in Hyderabad is this?
The QC on Bajaj bikes is generally not good but with bikes like the ktm series and Kawasaki they pay a little more attention. This serious lapse in QC us surprising. I mean the gear lever fell off? Amazing.

**s1d** · 11-02-2014, 01:52 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Balgi View Post

Wow, whoever owns that RC must be crying right now. Which svc in Hyderabad is this?
The QC on Bajaj bikes is generally not good but with bikes like the ktm series and Kawasaki they pay a little more attention. This serious lapse in QC us surprising. I mean the gear lever fell off? Amazing.

At the ktm banjara outlet. I think having a feature built in to the ecu that records the max engine revs especially during the first 1000km would be useful for the svc to find out if the engine was indeed revved beyond the recommended limits.

When I picked up my d200, it had 0 on the odo (and i was jumping in joy lol) and so did this rc according to the owner.. and both of us had issues

**ynike99** · 11-02-2014, 02:18 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

If the young chap has revved the nuts out of the bike, its his fault aint it?
Everytime such thing happens we doubt the quality of product.Well i have owned a duke 200 from first batch, and a dear friend has duke 390.From duke 390, ktm has upped their game by leaps and bounds.
To all prospective owners, run-in your bike as specified in manual, and do it under load(preferably two up/uphill/city rides), it helps in long run.Even after 18k on odo, engine runs like a charm.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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