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**pandu** · 11-06-2014, 04:51 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Balgi View Post

What you said the svc told you to do is the same as waiting four seconds and then hitting the starter.

You're riding it too slow. Use only the first four gears in traffic unless absolutely necessary (even at 5-6k rpm trust me its enough). Don't shift fifth gear unless you're at least above 80kmph or the bike'll feel underpowered and like a cement mixer be it new or run in.

The bike will be rough initially in all aspects. But post first service you'll notice a change. And post 4k kms on odo you'll see more change.

Basically what I'm saying is, you have to take time to understand the bike and also give time to the bike to understand you. Once both you and your bike are in sync, you'll be able to start and handle her better. Well at least that was my personal experience with the bike. Btw 6k+ on odo and my bike feels better than my unicorn which was so easy for me to ride in every way (not as smooth though but that is expected). Cheers

ok.

I was used to driving P220, so when I started driving the RC I was trying to be very gentle with the bike so I was shifting as soon as the RPM light used to glow, based on what you have mentioned above I think I need to forget about the RPM light and drive at 4th gear unless I am crossing 60.

What I am currently doing is shifting to 5th at around 55 and 6th gear at around 65-70 post which I felt the engine to be smooth as i would be running at around 5k RPM in 6th gear which gives me a speed of around 78-82 km/hr.

What I wanted a suggestion for is, is it fine if we rev the bike even after the RPM light flashes...because I think that reving the bike longer even after the RPM light flashes will not be very good for the bike... please let me know if my assumption is wrong.

**Adarsh_Bk** · 11-06-2014, 05:15 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by pandu View Post

ok.

I was used to driving P220, so when I started driving the RC I was trying to be very gentle with the bike so I was shifting as soon as the RPM light used to glow, based on what you have mentioned above I think I need to forget about the RPM light and drive at 4th gear unless I am crossing 60.

What I am currently doing is shifting to 5th at around 55 and 6th gear at around 65-70 post which I felt the engine to be smooth as i would be running at around 5k RPM in 6th gear which gives me a speed of around 78-82 km/hr.

What I wanted a suggestion for is, is it fine if we rev the bike even after the RPM light flashes...because I think that reving the bike longer even after the RPM light flashes will not be very good for the bike... please let me know if my assumption is wrong.

RPM light can be set to whatever RPM you want. I am not sure what the showroom has set it to while they delivered the bike but for running in, dont cross 7500rpm as mentioned in the manual, that's all. You can cross it in short bursts if at all you get that urge to go fast (happens on boring empty highways

) but not for long.

Riding at 55kmph at 5th and 65-70 in 6th is clearly lugging the bike, not advisable at all while running in. Shift to 6th only after you cross 80kmph.

This 390 is actually a pretty stubborn bike

It has to be ridden the way it wants to be ridden, post 5k rpm in empty country roads or highways.. Ride in peak traffic in city and it will make it very clear that it is not happy and starts knocking at lower rpm.

As the kms go by its stubbornness reduces though

**Balgi** · 11-06-2014, 05:31 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by ABikerAtHeart View Post

Why doesn't Bajaj test its bikes thoroughly before launching them. We are talking about Starter-issues within a week of delivery. Why Bajaj why????

People are paying 2.5lacs for your bikes, why not give the quality what Kawasaki gives?

Because then people would have to pay 3 lakhs for the bike and people don't want that either. But as it stands even with the niggling issues ktm are good bikes that are well worth the money. Just try to ignore the Bajaj part of it.

**BiKeLovER** · 11-06-2014, 05:59 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Balgi View Post

Because then people would have to pay 3 lakhs for the bike and people don't want that either. But as it stands even with the niggling issues ktm are good bikes that are well worth the money. Just try to ignore the Bajaj part of it.

We all keep saying BAJAJ bike BAJAJ Bike.....

But we should really appreciate them for making good bike at such a low cost(With Low cost I mean VFM, a bike costing 90K+ are costly be it KTM or R15).

I mean few years down the line when Duke 200 was launched following D390 we never expected this prices ? did we ?

**Balgi** · 11-06-2014, 06:46 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Adarsh_Bk View Post

RPM light can be set to whatever RPM you want. I am not sure what the showroom has set it to while they delivered the bike but for running in, dont cross 7500rpm as mentioned in the manual, that's all. You can cross it in short bursts if at all you get that urge to go fast (happens on boring empty highways

) but not for long.

Riding at 55kmph at 5th and 65-70 in 6th is clearly lugging the bike, not advisable at all while running in. Shift to 6th only after you cross 80kmph.

This 390 is actually a pretty stubborn bike

It has to be ridden the way it wants to be ridden, post 5k rpm in empty country roads or highways.. Ride in peak traffic in city and it will make it very clear that it is not happy and starts knocking at lower rpm.

As the kms go by its stubbornness reduces though

Yeah. The upper limit on rpm during run in is 7500 rpm. And the shift light can be set to 12000 rpm, if you set it to this you'll never see the light turn on again.

**Balgi** · 11-06-2014, 06:49 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by BiKeLovER View Post

We all keep saying BAJAJ bike BAJAJ Bike.....

But we should really appreciate them for making good bike at such a low cost(With Low cost I mean VFM, a bike costing 90K+ are costly be it KTM or R15).

I mean few years down the line when Duke 200 was launched following D390 we never expected this prices ? did we ?

Dude, we bought the damn bikes, how much more appreciation does Bajaj need. And well honestly it is a Bajaj bike whether we like it or not. And if they expect that their customers will keep quiet if they don't bother quality checking the bikes just because their prices are low then maybe they don't deserve our appreciation. Just a thought.

**AkshayA** · 11-06-2014, 06:52 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by aaron_dagger View Post

they said it will be resolved when i will go for my first service....

Just drop an email to KTM, tell them number of Kms on the ODO and the excuse given to you by the service centre and then see the magic. What if you miscalculate your fuel level and keep running on low fuel and fuel pump fries out? Who's fault would it be then?

**pandu** · 11-06-2014, 06:59 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Adarsh_Bk View Post

RPM light can be set to whatever RPM you want. I am not sure what the showroom has set it to while they delivered the bike but for running in, dont cross 7500rpm as mentioned in the manual, that's all. You can cross it in short bursts if at all you get that urge to go fast (happens on boring empty highways

) but not for long.

Riding at 55kmph at 5th and 65-70 in 6th is clearly lugging the bike, not advisable at all while running in. Shift to 6th only after you cross 80kmph.

This 390 is actually a pretty stubborn bike

It has to be ridden the way it wants to be ridden, post 5k rpm in empty country roads or highways.. Ride in peak traffic in city and it will make it very clear that it is not happy and starts knocking at lower rpm.

As the kms go by its stubbornness reduces though

Really appreciate the suggestions , I will test the way you have mentioned. I need to forget that I am reving it harder (Which was my assumption) and shift to sixth only at 80 KM/hr

**ABikerAtHeart** · 11-06-2014, 09:20 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Divya Sharan View Post

Maybe because Kawi doesn't give you a 375cc mill for 2.5 odd.

If Kawasaki would manufacture its bikes here, I'm damn sure they would.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by Balgi View Post

Just try to ignore the Bajaj part of it.

We can ignore it, unfortunately KTM can't.

**xRohit** · 11-06-2014, 09:53 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hi guys,
Booked my RC390 last week for 50k bucks at Baner,Pune.
They claimed a 45 day waiting period but the showroom owner said he'll try to give by first week of December. Fingers crossed

What i wanted to know is, having a compression ratio as high as the 390's, how much damage can our normal petrol inflict in the long run?
I plan to use Super Shell(not the highest RON I know, but purer) fuel for the first 4k kms atleast. Although it doesn't seem quite logical that good quality fuel would make difference during Run-in(only), I would like to know your opinion on this

P.S: Cant afford to use SuperShell throughout

**Balgi** · 11-06-2014, 10:27 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by xRohit View Post

Hi guys,
Booked my RC390 last week for 50k bucks at Baner,Pune.
They claimed a 45 day waiting period but the showroom owner said he'll try to give by first week of December. Fingers crossed

What i wanted to know is, having a compression ratio as high as the 390's, how much damage can our normal petrol inflict in the long run?
I plan to use Super Shell(not the highest RON I know, but purer) fuel for the first 4k kms atleast. Although it doesn't seem quite logical that good quality fuel would make difference during Run-in(only), I would like to know your opinion on this

P.S: Cant afford to use SuperShell throughout

Bro, first off congrats on booking your beast.
Secondly, Bajaj has tested the Rc bikes with every fuel from every fueling brand available in the country. The bike is fine running on normal 91ron fuel available at any and all fuel bunks across the country. Running the bike on regular fuel will not harm the engine.
Also you should know that most of these high octane fuels are just normal petrol with additives. These additives may not be good for your bike. Shell super petrol is good, otherwise speed 97 is your only option in high octane petrols (only if you can find the real thing).
So don't worry about this stuff. Fill your bike only at shell or BP and you'll be fine.

**xRohit** · 11-07-2014, 12:26 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Thanx [MENTION=72198]Balgi[/MENTION]

One more thing that concerns me:
I see a lot of you mentioning the bike lugs at low rpms. I'd been Leh'D last year on beloved P220

I intend to take my RC to K'top as well next June

Something that concerns me though is, I remember myself not having ridden over 80kmph post-rohtang and all the circuit until i hit NH1. Rather most of the times I reckon the speed was 40kmph or below.
Now the P220's top gear can very easily glide at a speeds as low as 40kmph.
I am NOT comparing these two bikes but my concern is, the RC already has an exiguous tank, not more than 30kmpl mileage(best case).
Considering the average speeds in Ladakh, I don't think there will be many instances where I can shift upto the 6th or even 5th for that matter

How much mileage can I expect then?

Low mileage can definitely be forgiven considering the luxuries and Adventure the RC has to offer

Main concern is the Range!

How many liters of surplus fuel will I need to carry?
D390 owners can tell more aptly

**aaron_dagger** · 11-07-2014, 02:16 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by AkshayA View Post

Just drop an email to KTM, tell them number of Kms on the ODO and the excuse given to you by the service centre and then see the magic. What if you miscalculate your fuel level and keep running on low fuel and fuel pump fries out? Who's fault would it be then?

that's the reason i m filling petrol too often,and i am thinking to wait if the showroom guys don't take any action then shooting a mail to ktm is the last option i have...

i would like to mention 1 thing for whoever buys this bike it attracts too much of crowd and get ready to be frustrated by them....

**pandu** · 11-07-2014, 03:35 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by aaron_dagger View Post

that's the reason i m filling petrol too often,and i am thinking to wait if the showroom guys don't take any action then shooting a mail to ktm is the last option i have...

i would like to mention 1 thing for whoever buys this bike it attracts too much of crowd and get ready to be frustrated by them....

Dont wait I would suggest you write to KTM immediately, because most of these service guys dont know anything yet about the bike properly and they are not giving any proper explanation for any issue, there is a friend who got the delivery and the bike's left side indicator wasn't working and the service guy is not able to fix it.

SO I would say dont dont keep your hopes os the service guy as of now..

**krish2778** · 11-07-2014, 03:51 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by xRohit View Post

Hi guys,
Booked my RC390 last week for 50k bucks at Baner,Pune.
They claimed a 45 day waiting period but the showroom owner said he'll try to give by first week of December. Fingers crossed

What i wanted to know is, having a compression ratio as high as the 390's, how much damage can our normal petrol inflict in the long run?
I plan to use Super Shell(not the highest RON I know, but purer) fuel for the first 4k kms atleast. Although it doesn't seem quite logical that good quality fuel would make difference during Run-in(only), I would like to know your opinion on this

P.S: Cant afford to use SuperShell throughout

You will have to be in a lower gear for doing such speeds. Anything below 60kmph in the 6th gear causes the bike to lug. Same as the Duke 390.

So lets say you are in 40kmph , 4th gear should be more than enough to run around in that speed.
But mind you , the longer you run in lower gears the more heat it generates.

Cheers
Ride Safe
Krishna

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