Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

that sort of oil consumption isn't normal unless maybe you rip the heck out of the bike.
some of us have in fact squeezed our much smaller ktm 200's with almost negligent loss of oil on the either on the 7100's. our rip master [MENTION=70615]Ajay Vishwanath[/MENTION] is testimony to it. i've myself done several morning to evening 700km rides with 200+ km non stop at pretty high rpms (compared to what a 390 will do at same speed) and had no loss of oil. maybe people dont check oil the same way every time (you know sometimes immediately after shutting off engine, sometimes on side stand, sometimes on paddock)
300v is just a waste of money imo with a risk of it developing a leak somewhere. 7100 either variant is the way to go imo.

stick to the 7100 and it easily lasts 3500km if that's how early you want to change the oil. otherwise easily up to 5000km under normal use.
you might want to open the air box and check the breather pipe for any oily deposits. 500ml oil consumption isn't normal.
change the oil to 7100 and keep an eye to see if the consumption continues.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Thanks man this helped a lot .. I was bit worried about the piston rings but now my mind is clear.

Will do the follow up. [emoji4]

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Refer to your owners manual and follow accordingly, you can do saddlesores every day if you feel like it.

The oil specification mentioned in the manual is:
JASO MA2

Use any oil within the recommended grade and spec and you'll be good.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

First of all let me congratulate being a fellow RC owner for touring on it for 1000+ kms and for doing 200+kms on a single stop and doing 600+kms in a single day, it's good to see proving people wrong and breaking the stereotype and not to judge the bike based on the looks or just after 10-15kms short test ride.

I always keep telling to others that RC is a very tamable machine for long ride if you know how to do, what to do and when to do eventually over time you'll get a hang of it!

Coming to issues:
1. I can confirm Motul 300 or 300 v2 burns out close to 100-200ml per 1000kms, even Motul 7100 20W50 has burning issues of 100ml per 1000kms, even without any smoke, coolant mixing, not head gasket leak or no bad clutch. Why it happens no clue for me too.
Best is to use 7100 10W50, has very less oil burning.

2. Spark has nothing to do with this, it's of no harm, you can continue to use it.

3. Again fuel has nothing to do with this, as long you can afford and find fuel stations for 97ron fuel in stock here in Bengaluru, then no problem.

Also low oil pressure warning is because of using 300v, it's not recommended for city or highway use, it'll lead to leaky head/valve gasket and seals, meant for race use only where you'll be rebuilding engine after every 3-4 races, don't believe whatever good they say about 300v in videos or manual.

And yes do a full oil change every 3500kms and full service interval of 7000kms (so you'll be doing 2 oil change for 1 service from the showroom), check and top-up 100-150ml every 1500kms.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Agreed, so if I stick to stock oil can't I do the long ride anymore ? I've seen people doing lengthy stretch on their Duke !

I myself did bangalore to Mumbai(1200kms) on a Yamaha fzs in 16 hours [emoji615]️ and had no issue with the oil drain.

My concern and a question here is

Shall I stick to stock and do the highway by keeping 2500kms as service interval ?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

While using 97ron I really had a smooth acceleration and yup surprisingly I got more mileage compared to the 91.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The longest ever race to be held was under 500 km's on the IOM circuit as per Google. And here you are using racing oil for commuting several thousands of km's?

Jokes apart, the Motul 300V is not certified to be JASO MA i.e used in UCE's with wet clutch operation.

And it is a fact that oil faces more wear tear on commuting rather than highway riding i.e riding with minimal gear changes. And this statement was made with reference to international highways, as far as our roads are concerned we're always commuting.

So it is only commonsense to not go for the Motul 300V in spite of Motul telling us that though it is not certified to be JASO MA it surely exceeds it in performance. I personally believe Motul missed to include a wink! smiley at the end of the statement.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

About the oil, since you and i aren't working as or know any chemists at Motul labs, it's best to stick to stock. If someone rides the bike real hard or when the bike get old, it would be better to increase the frequency of oil change (and servicing) rather than experimenting with different oils.

What are hoping to accomplish with 97 octane on a stock rc390?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I own 2016 rc390 currently clocking 23k, 4 months back I had serviced the bike and upgraded to below things :

1. MOTUL 300 v2 10w 50
2.Iridium spark plug
3. 97 octane fuel

After the service at 21.5k I had a short spin here and there in the city for 4 months and took the bike for long ride of 1000km with the speed range of 110 to 120kmph. On a minimum I rode the bike for 200km without giving rest (stopped only for fueling)
Kms coverage break : Day one 400km and day two 600km.
It was on the highway for 70%of the time and rest 30 %at the hills.

*Reached back home safe yesterday without a hassle*

Today I took the bike for washing and chain lube, after taking the delivery I was off to home while on the way I had strange feedback from the bike as it started stalling at low rpms immediately I took a U turn and went back to the service center and noticed the oil drain(no low oil warning popped up) [emoji15] since they don't store 300v2 he told me to take the bike next day as it was closing time too, as I never leave the bike at svc I had to head back home and get it for them to top up(I had spare 500ml from the last service).

Now the bike is behaving normal.

Note : no smoke was coming out of the exhaust.

My query :

1. 300v2 was meant for racing as it withstand the max heat and delivers the smooth performance but why the oil eat up at just 1500 km [emoji15] and that too about 500ml, only 1000ml was left on the engine.


2. Should I return to stock by switching to 7100 Oil and bosch stock spark plug ?

3.Does 97ron got anything to do with this case(mostly I don't think so)

PS : I'll be doing this changes in a couple of days so need your input on this.

What might cause this [emoji25]

Attaching few pics from the ride because the post might be bit lengthy and boring to read

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Sure will. Seems like Engine Ice will take time, still not available online.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Engine Ice, I can't comment as I haven't used it, I personally use Motul Motocool Expert Hybrid, but a few of my friends use it in their Dukes and there have been pretty much happy and or neutral results, but nothing extraordinary, at least with the Dukes. Going by the reviews, it does seem to reduce a bar here and there, but, if you like it then, go for it. After all, it's a coolant, so nothing is lost or gained by replacing to another brand.

Secondly, only as a suggestion, don't go for the expensive-est oils out there. They don't really mean outright performance. Though, it's recommended to use the best grade for best performance, why spend more when you get the same recommended grade for a comparatively affordable price.

Nevertheless, keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Will do the proper flushing, it's not currently available to buy locally. Amazon and Flipkart is out of stock. Keeping an eye on it and will buy when available.
Thanks for the information.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Definitely Yes, it will definitely reduce the temps by 1 bar and will help the fan kick in much late and also the kick in duration will be reduced compared to fan-ON duration on Inguel.

I am not aware of heat and humid conditions up North, atleast here in South region we can get away with using Inugel or Motocool as outside temps is not more than 35degs with low humidity, so Engine Ice is not needed for our conditions and since it's already in a cooler place it will barely show a big difference.

But you say your bike always stays at 9 bars most of the time and you say temps out their is 45deg+, then better to give it a try and it'll definitely show a difference.

P.S. Even the new Liqui Moly RAF has good reviews, but not many have tried it. Also make sure you do complete drain, flush and rinse repeat 2-3 times to drain out the old coolant completely to get maximum result.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Mine reacts the same way but not with MOTUL Inugel that ASC uses. It's higher than that with MOTUL.
I am currently using a car coolant with water and that has made the difference. The bike runs cooler. But not cool enough.
My friends 2018 Duke 390 is always at 50% and reaches about 70% at Bumper traffic. He uses Liqui Moly RAF 12+ and that is what I compare mine with and it's pretty hot than his.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Information on heating is a relief.
I would still like to know if spending on Engine Ice Coolant is worthy?
The sound is definitely because of the shims. 800 Kms left to service, will get the required done on service.
Decided to use AMSOIL Metric Motorcycle Oil 15W 50 on next service. Time will tell the difference.