Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yea bro, have seen that. The current ones are nowhere avaialble other than in India. And theres no major testing involved in the 2016 model as its just a facelift.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

To those who're stuck in dilemma about waiting for the 2016 model......


Thanks to the Euro 4 Norms which made KTM to bring out a new exhaust...But, missing a full sized belly pan and a clean flush mount exhaust is something that I cannot see, in that way glad I've got the 2015 version.

The most sought after thing that I might personally look into would be the 320 mm floating discs, again with the addition of SBS dual sintered pads, I see no apparent reason to change that...

The ride by wire can give a superb fuel mapping eliminating the lean surge seen, but again not a big deal when half of the riding is WOT in these bikes.

For those who are talking about slipper clutch, the one that's available in the Duke is a mere Joke with a straight ramp set-up and not ball ramps as seen in high-end one's, eventually that translates into zero level adjustment of slippage that you might need.

At the end, there's no better way to ride by blipping the throttle while shifting down....You know what I mean..

With these summed up, I don't see any point in waiting for the 2016 model....

Btw. I picked up my RC couple of day's back and no regrets about the current model.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

just found a post in duke 390 thread for slipper clutch retrofit and owner feedback ..copying the post below

"One of the KTM showrooms in Cochin is doing the retrofit and costs around 8.5k

The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread - Page 334 - Team-BHP

"

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

these photos are also there in motorbeam and bike advice ..I think you can ask royalty from them as they are using the same..

http://**********.in/2016-ktm-rc390-...-launch-hints/

2016 KTM RC 390 Spotted In India For The First Time | MotorBeam | MotorBeam

Some how they failed to notice that the mirrors are same as i can see from motorbeam comments "The larger mirrors & side mounted exhaust sum up the cosmetic changes"

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Happens everytime.. Glad they didn't add their own watermark.
Last year i had shared pics of rc before launch and some guy somehow managed to steal them and added his own watermark.
Lots of internet thieves around!

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Next time add your watermark before sharing anything

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

any rc 390 owners from allahabad here ?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Factory fitting. Now thats a debatable issue. I have done loads of non-cosmetic mods including engine rebuilds on my bikes and cars including retrofitting parts. The quality of work depends on the person/mechanic doing the work and not just because it was fitted in the factory. As an experiment just take a torque wrench to a factory fresh bike and be surprised to see how bolts are not torqued correctly. All race builds including those done by privateers are done after a total strip down to nuts and bolts.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

As we are talking about the slipper clutch, there are only a handful of mechanics who has carried out the job and More numbers has already gone kaput. In that case theres no other option than to replace it yourself which again could cost the same issue. But once its fitted in the factory, you can always ask for free replacement and chances of parts failing are less since it undergoes various quality checks which are not available with local mechs or local service centres for that matter. I dont know what kind of engine rebuild you mentioned, but I guess its done after the warranty period or for more power. Well this can be done and yes there are experts for it, but I dont think anyone gets a peace of mind after that.
And the other thing is replacing the clutch on a ktm engine needs the engine to be unmounted, which any mech can do, but a first time try is always done with a risky mind of the customer because he doesnt know how well it is going to go.
And the other thing is the cost and time involved. What if you dont get the light feel clutch after changing to SC ?(yes, there are cases where this happened)
You will shell out money again for a new clutch ?
And about the screws fitted not to the correct torque , you should be dragging them to court. That's absolutely unacceptable in any case. In the case of RC390, yes it goes lose after some kms, but lose a non ridden bike ? Seriously? If you can visit a manufacturing plant, it would be easy to understand how well they does the job, even if its Bajaj or Yamaha or whatever . Every bolt will be tighted to the specific torque. There is no chance for the mech to forget this one .
Race build is a total different scenario. No comments on that.
Well , more than the clutch , the 2016 RC390(also the 200) has new wirings, a more cushioned front seat, different mounting points for fairing, will be less vibey and would be more smoother.

Bike getting updated in one year more or less means Bajaj and KTM didnt do their homework very well. Still as per me, the first customers of Bajaj is their real testers. And the amount of work they carry out to make the bike a better one deserves an applause, but they forgets that it makes the earlier customers look dafuq.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

What Ivin has said on the hindsight is very sensible. KTM did improve their motorcycles, albeit with response to customer demand, most of them were related to the crud channeling by the tires, improved protection to rear shockers, front shocks, rim metallurgy improvements (if any) and petty issues like loosening underbelly bolts etc. In fact, I think one good aspect from the partnership of KTM with Bajaj is constant improvements along the way, which is big a plus. No other manufacturer constantly rectifies its products in the Indian arena at least when you compare on a YoY or even Q2Q basis.

The recent slew of improvements on the RC 390 is an excellent proposition from KTM. If you'll look closely, they almost made the naked 390 a complete "no more upgrade" product in 2015 even though it was launched 1.5 years prior that. Now of course, there might be improvements all along the way, but how does Bajaj learn? Early adopters, simple as that. Some companies take so much time and effort on this part, but Bajaj learns from the customer, they launch a product, listen to customer feedback, and then start applying the corrections on a constant basis. Not a good way to start cashing, but it's how Bajaj is and it's the same philosophy that's been carried to the KTM marque.

RC 390 was in my mind right from the onset, practicality, just put me off, so stuck with the naked one!

Coming to the latest RC upgrades. Personally, I love the side swept exhaust, especially the brushed metal plate on the upper part of the muffler, looks super chic and cool, the old one was fludic, but the new one just stands out, personally.
The addition of 20 mm and a floating rotor should provide good brake bite, and feedback.
Ride by wire, not a deal breaker, I can live with either RBW or cable, though the former can help in bragging rights, nonetheless.
Slipper clutch, please, definitely a plus in my opinion for a high strung single with crazy engine braking (bragging rights, yup)
Those adjustable levers, look beautiful, DOUBLE thumbs up.

And as Ivin pointed out, there might be more upgrades under the skin, but as long as the product is in the improvement hierarchy, we as a customer can relish.

The itch for a new ride never ends!

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

[email protected]Well each one is entitled to his own beliefs and the views are based on my experience. The problem is that I got too many torque wrenches lying around, a bit too much time on my hands and a penchant for perfectionism . But seriously do consider testing tightness on nuts, bolts and screws the next time a new bike is purchased. I am not saying that the bolts are so loose that they are falling off. Just saying some of the bolts may not be as tight as they should be and 'factory fitted' for any mass produced vehicle is not exactly to the same quality control standards (and to be clear I am speaking generally and not criticising Bajaj) as say to what those standards would be for more exclusive vehicles.

Look at the following link and also watch the video:



Even Porsche at the top spot has 80 defects per 100 vehicles made.



Experience wise I have done a few nut and bolt teardowns and rebuilds (body, suspension, chassis, engine, brakes,..........) so I know the quality of work which can be achieved if done correctly and with patience. My last project was a Lotus Elise and even on such a vehicle there is room for loads of improvement as regards quality control. But don't take my word for it just use Google to read views by far more knowledgeable gurus.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Guys I've noticed a slight squeaking noise when I brake, not too noticeable, I don't hear it without a helmet. How do I get rid of it? I'd like to fix it before it becomes worse. Any suggestions?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Bed the brakes in as follows:
Degrease rotors with ISO alcohol or disc brake cleaner, wipe with clean rag (not tissue as this just deposits material).

Most brakes benefit from a series of hard emergency stops (15-20) in a clean environment, a quiet private road with some gradient is ideal

idea is to heat up the pads and deposit some material from the pads onto the rotor, to allow the pads and rotor to "bed in" properly.

Disclaimer:
Please be careful and do this at your own risk only if you have the experience and confidence

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Which "BRAKE" is it by the way, front or the rear?

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Just noticed you said you don't hear it without a helmet. That sounds a bit strange unless it's something to do with the helmet ;-)