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**ynike99** · 10-03-2015, 04:37 PM

KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

One more proud and happy ktm owner here. Also second [MENTION=62798]jackofsome[/MENTION] on this whole quality issue. I have taken my bike to rajmachi(offroad), fly over speedbreakers, have crashed into craters with vertical lip and still no rim bend.
Regarding issues, just tell me which bike doesnt have it. If a ninja 650 having weak brakes is accepted and a workaround for it is also accepted, then why not ktm and its issues which HAVE a workaround/solution. Many bikes have inherent shortcomings or niggles. Even the famous japs have them. But we have to shout hoarse about ktm, because its available at a lower price here.
Another analogy for quality is, if x sells 10 bikes, and y sells 100 bikes, and x has 1 faulty bike and y has 10faulty bikes, automatically y will be in highlight. That doesnt mean y is inferior, just that it sells in more numbers and it sells for almost half price than x.
Even i had some issues. My valve cover leaked at 2k km, and its pretty common, most of you know only till this point. But svc acknowledges it, fixes it and in all bikes i know of, it hasn't resurfaced. I have done about 5k after the fix. No leaks/seeps after the fix. Also, i haven't visited svc except for the periodic service. Even my tank cover used to vibrate. But that too has a fix in form of a double side tape. Again, all bikes i know of haven't complained about the issue post the fix.
[MENTION=75791]AngadV[/MENTION] regarding your dilemma, i think you are better off with a duke 200. Learn your skills on that bike, and then upgrade to 390. Because most of us here will agree to the fact that its a powerful bike, and in wrong/untrained hands, its a lethal weapon, the proof you can see in any svc in form of crashed 390s. I have gone the same route too. Had a 200 for one and half year, and then got the 390. Trust me, the time and learning curve on 200 will help you enjoy 390 even more.

**Gunslingin_Ridr** · 10-03-2015, 07:15 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yeah, the quality issue is definitely blown up to a large extent. They've definitely improved a lot for the 2015 models and my D390 has zero problems. Has vibes, like a CBR250R, at higher revs and slight buzz in the pegs around 5k-6k RPM and that's normal for a highly compressed single. The switch gear, pegs, levers are good too. Don't worry about it having myriad of problems you see on the net (every bike has and if you're unlucky then that's terrible), only the people who have problems are very vocal about it and there are tons without a niggle riding an amazing product India has ever known in this segment. Even the bike is praised very highly internationally too.

I'd say, take a test ride of the bike, if you enjoy it, go ahead and book the bike. It's KTM and NOT Bajaj. The technology, design and everything else is Austrian, it's just made in India. It's like saying a Merc produced in India is not German. All Bajaj needs to improve is quality control, and that is definitely improving.

**thrustrev** · 10-03-2015, 10:40 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Just one point, people are taking the KTM's aggressive pricing for granted and relating it to poor quality. This is not the case. If the Ninja 300s and Yamaha R3s were manufactured in India, they'd have a similar price tag. The RC390, Ninja 300 and Yamaha R3 come under the same price point in the US.

I've had the bike for 8 months now and the only "Quality issue" I've had that required me to go the service center was the radiator fan. I spoke to one of the mechanics and apparently this is not exactly a manufacturing defect but somewhat flawed design. When the bike is pressure washed, the water seeps into the fan connecting wire and the fan's shaft causing the fan to stop completely or run slower. The new fans apparently have been redesigned to avoid this. Not sure if this was just his theory or the actual defect.

Cheers.

**jackofsome** · 10-03-2015, 11:09 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by thrustrev View Post

Just one point, people are taking the KTM's aggressive pricing for granted and relating it to poor quality. This is not the case. If the Ninja 300s and Yamaha R3s were manufactured in India, they'd have a similar price tag. The RC390, Ninja 300 and Yamaha R3 come under the same price point in the US.

I've had the bike for 8 months now and the only "Quality issue" I've had that required me to go the service center was the radiator fan. I spoke to one of the mechanics and apparently this is not exactly a manufacturing defect but somewhat flawed design. When the bike is pressure washed, the water seeps into the fan connecting wire and the fan's shaft causing the fan to stop completely or run slower. The new fans apparently have been redesigned to avoid this. Not sure if this was just his theory or the actual defect.

Cheers.

That was rightly a design issue. The fan being replaced is bigger too. Besides the heat dissipation away from the rider is somehow miles ahead of dukes.
I feel more heat on the Duke 200 than Rc390

Sent from my XT1033 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**rcboy** · 10-04-2015, 01:01 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by AngadV View Post

Yeah I gathered as much, with more power basically you would have to go really easy on the throttle as compared to a lesser powered one.
Now I would just have to test ride and see what I have to get.

hi angad so listen up ...have you ever travelled at 137kmph yet.. or 175kmph?(2 wheels) well if the answer is no..then you should pit for 137kmph first reasons
indian roads are beautiful yet unpredictable in every way..
fellow commuters and trucks buses will try and kill you (get the drift)
when you will have a machine with you which havent completely tamed ....THERE is nothing more dangerous
cause mind you a day will come when you will over exceed your capabilities and the bike will just not like that and show its disagreement
rc 390 is brilliant honestly i would have gone for it but couple of things held me back i was looking to buy something i can peacefully commute in (mumbai) yet take it out on my day off and go cowboy on some twisties .
pros rc 200
engine is way more refined
when you get the throttle control right with this bike you can kill other bikes in twisties
shorter gearing makes life easy in city.
plus some other already mentioned adv.

biggest thing rc 390 guzzles like a "*****" if you have a habit of riding hard ( withing the safe parameter) it will demand to be filled agin and again.

pros rc390
for the money it is a proper track tool and will put couple of 600s to shame
has better scope of performance improvements
rc200 will only give you so much like tops 145-50 (this puts your valves in danger)
METZ!! of course mrf on my rc200 give way when i approach the last thread of chicken strips
both fit perfectly to all sizes and shapes

rc 390 hardcore
rc200 playful tamable hardcore (which kind of is enough cause the max twisties you hit are ghats /mountains)

honestly i have grown up with motorcycle since 16 and i have ridden like squid many a times initially ...but with time on your wheels you develop skill set maturity etc.

AND REMEMBER always rev match.

my 2 cents (can be wrong)

**xplod566** · 10-04-2015, 02:23 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by rcboy View Post

hi angad so listen up ...have you ever travelled at 137kmph yet.. or 175kmph?(2 wheels) well if the answer is no..then you should pit for 137kmph first reasons
indian roads are beautiful yet unpredictable in every way..
fellow commuters and trucks buses will try and kill you (get the drift)
when you will have a machine with you which havent completely tamed ....THERE is nothing more dangerous
cause mind you a day will come when you will over exceed your capabilities and the bike will just not like that and show its disagreement
rc 390 is brilliant honestly i would have gone for it but couple of things held me back i was looking to buy something i can peacefully commute in (mumbai) yet take it out on my day off and go cowboy on some twisties .
pros rc 200
engine is way more refined
when you get the throttle control right with this bike you can kill other bikes in twisties
shorter gearing makes life easy in city.
plus some other already mentioned adv.

biggest thing rc 390 guzzles like a "*****" if you have a habit of riding hard ( withing the safe parameter) it will demand to be filled agin and again.

pros rc390
for the money it is a proper track tool and will put couple of 600s to shame
has better scope of performance improvements
rc200 will only give you so much like tops 145-50 (this puts your valves in danger)
METZ!! of course mrf on my rc200 give way when i approach the last thread of chicken strips
both fit perfectly to all sizes and shapes

rc 390 hardcore
rc200 playful tamable hardcore (which kind of is enough cause the max twisties you hit are ghats /mountains)

honestly i have grown up with motorcycle since 16 and i have ridden like squid many a times initially ...but with time on your wheels you develop skill set maturity etc.

AND REMEMBER always rev match.

my 2 cents (can be wrong)

Agreed with your thoughts.actually only you and me are the only one who were able to properly explain that its a proper track racing tool.most of them just spoke with build quality in the above post but the user wants to buy and confused.Build quality should never be a deciding factor bit it should be as to how one wants to drive the bike(Track or sedate touring)
I would have definately gone for 200 coz of its refinement and since he is a student will save a lot of money coz of petrol

**Vikraman Kulasekaran** · 10-04-2015, 06:16 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Is there any place in Chennai where I can get this decal (Custom Self designed) printed and installed to a RC 390

FYI: Even the Frame and Alloys go to Blood red from Burning Hot Orange

**SpeedyKol** · 10-04-2015, 07:54 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

A quick question..kitna deti hai? In bumper to bumper traffic.

**sheru5** · 10-04-2015, 08:01 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by AngadV View Post

"Power is uneven and not linear.Post 6000 RPM you get a mad rush but power is no where linear through out the rev range.So think twice and ask yourself if you need a linear powered bike or you are okay with lower kicking at higher rev range."I didn't exactly get this point, could you please make it a little noob friendly? :PMy issue would definitely be with build quality, but I'm banking on the fact that it doesn't happen to everyone. My friend has had his D390 for 5 months now and no issue yet, and his riding is pure city riding only, never once also on highway.He does agree that theres lot of heating, so I will have to experience that myself and decide.Plus spares are available easily and very cheap. However I'll be checking this with others too, as it is a big concern for me since i have to use it for a few years at the very least. The reason I had decided on KTM was mainly the features available at the price it is offered at, and everything has a compromise, it can't be perfect, and compared to how duke was when it was launched, this is a huge improvement. I could go for a twin cylinder like the Ninja too, but it has no ABS(which is something I think MUST be there), less availability of spares, and costs 1.8L more than the RC, which I would not be comfortable letting my dad spend so much on my college bike. I can get pretty confusing, I know :P

Bro,JUs go for rc 390.. I got my rc on 25sept, last month. and it's JUs awesome. it's July 2015 model. and boy o boy it is mean. Haha mean to everyone else. JUs go easy on the throttle.. N remember to follow everything that the manual instructs U to do. and U will be fine.. U won't regret it...----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by SpeedyKol View Post

A quick question..kitna deti hai? In bumper to bumper traffic.

thora jayada toh legii 373(approx) Jo he in.. Haha..but it's all good.. worth it.. around 15km-18km per litre .. depends on U how U ridee it..

**AngadV** · 10-04-2015, 10:08 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by rcboy View Post

hi angad so listen up ...have you ever travelled at 137kmph yet.. or 175kmph?(2 wheels) well if the answer is no..then you should pit for 137kmph first reasons
indian roads are beautiful yet unpredictable in every way..
fellow commuters and trucks buses will try and kill you (get the drift)
when you will have a machine with you which havent completely tamed ....THERE is nothing more dangerous
cause mind you a day will come when you will over exceed your capabilities and the bike will just not like that and show its disagreement
rc 390 is brilliant honestly i would have gone for it but couple of things held me back i was looking to buy something i can peacefully commute in (mumbai) yet take it out on my day off and go cowboy on some twisties .
pros rc 200
engine is way more refined
when you get the throttle control right with this bike you can kill other bikes in twisties
shorter gearing makes life easy in city.
plus some other already mentioned adv.

biggest thing rc 390 guzzles like a "*****" if you have a habit of riding hard ( withing the safe parameter) it will demand to be filled agin and again.

pros rc390
for the money it is a proper track tool and will put couple of 600s to shame
has better scope of performance improvements
rc200 will only give you so much like tops 145-50 (this puts your valves in danger)
METZ!! of course mrf on my rc200 give way when i approach the last thread of chicken strips
both fit perfectly to all sizes and shapes

rc 390 hardcore
rc200 playful tamable hardcore (which kind of is enough cause the max twisties you hit are ghats /mountains)

honestly i have grown up with motorcycle since 16 and i have ridden like squid many a times initially ...but with time on your wheels you develop skill set maturity etc.

AND REMEMBER always rev match.

my 2 cents (can be wrong)

Yeah the main reason I want the 390 is the ABS and Metzler tyres, but majority of users here have recommended the 200, so I think I'll look into that more.
What did you mean by the engine is more refined in a 200?

**xplod566** · 10-04-2015, 10:08 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by SpeedyKol View Post

A quick question..kitna deti hai? In bumper to bumper traffic.

17-20 is the mileage.

**AngadV** · 10-04-2015, 10:09 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by sheru5 View Post

Bro,JUs go for rc 390.. I got my rc on 25sept, last month. and it's JUs awesome. it's July 2015 model. and boy o boy it is mean. Haha mean to everyone else. JUs go easy on the throttle.. N remember to follow everything that the manual instructs U to do. and U will be fine.. U won't regret it...-

Was it your first bike?

**xplod566** · 10-04-2015, 10:10 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by AngadV View Post

Yeah the main reason I want the 390 is the ABS and Metzler tyres, but majority of users here have recommended the 200, so I think I'll look into that more.
What did you mean by the engine is more refined in a 200?

Thst means it's more smooth,vibe free,linear speed.....

**emon1990** · 10-04-2015, 11:34 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Guys so after waiting for almost a decade my second baby arrives. Tho my RC is still gona be used for daily commuting. Any suggestions what should I name her.

**AngadV** · 10-04-2015, 12:19 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Vikraman Kulasekaran View Post

[ATTACH]193242[/ATTACH]

Is there any place in Chennai where I can get this decal (Custom Self designed) printed and installed to a RC 390

FYI: Even the Frame and Alloys go to Blood red from Burning Hot Orange

This looks really cool, just the KTM part would be a little hard to distinguish. The 'T' is completely hidden in the design. Apart from that this looks plain wicked.

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