Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Prominent ticking sound shouldn't be present throughout any RPM, if so, you can get it checked during your scheduled servicing. One thing to note is that, the bike sounds like knocking at low RPM, which is how the engine itself sounds, "khata khata" which is normal, just so you aren't getting confused. Secondly, the heating you observe is absolutely normal which almost all the 390s out there do with. When the ambient temperature goes up coupled with bumper to bumper traffic, the warning comes on, and you'll feel loss in performance momentarily. On some extreme cases, the bike switches off the engine to protect itself from engine damage, and will crank once the engine has cooled down sufficiently. Keep moving, and the engine won't complain.

Nothing to worry basically.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

For me it typically stays at 8 bars for the first 20-30min of riding and subsequently goes up to 9 bars. Getting stuck in a long traffic jam is a problem, them it can go upto 10 bars (11 on rare occasions). To cool the engine i try to ride ride at ~80kmph in sixth gear for a minute or two. Anything past 80kmph is simply not an issue, since the air flow through the radiator keeps the temps in check. I avoid shutting off the engine at stop lights as that results in 11 or even 12 bars (not good for the engine). After my ride is complete i take it easy for a minute or two and coast my way home to give the engine a chance to cool down.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The buzz in my RC 390 (just completed 31k km) is the only real problem i have with this bike and it only occurs when i am cruising. Thankfully, i use my RC strictly for "sport-riding", so very little commuting (though i did daily long commutes during the first year) and zero touring. I can't in my right mind recommend anyone buy this bike for touring! The ergonomics is unsuitable for long rides, but it's the buzz causing numbness in my hands which would be a deal breaker for me.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Coolant was flushed properly and refilled with MOTUL Inugel(Bought from ASC - 1.0L) 200 Kms back along with Engine Oil(MOTUL 7100 10W 50 - 1.7L) . What coolant are you using?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Definitely not. I'm running my bike without a Cat and it still doesn't ever get as hot as that. For perspective, I'm also from Delhi and commute on the RC and my bike's temp gauge has not gone over 10 bars ever. After it goes up to 10 the fan spins up and the temp actually equalizes at 9 bars where the fan still stays on. In cooler temps like in March and April the bike actually ran at 8 bars (No fan) on highway. Fan was called in only in bumper to bumper traffic.

When was the last time that the coolant was flushed? I suggest you get it flushed and put in new coolant asap. High temps are never good for the engine and this can cause damage in the long run.

I'll make it a point to always get the coolant flushed before start of summer so that the cooling system is well prepared for the summer heat.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Add a grip cover on the existing grips (costs around 50 bucks and available at every spares shop).. that will reduce the buzz felt on the hands.
Get the throttle body cleaned and plonk in a new air filter and fuel filter and see if that helps with the hiccups.
6800 for the Catcon, that's expensive.. i doubt you will get one aftermarket at cheaper rates (maybe used ones from another bike)

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience


Is it to be done right away or shall i wait till the ODO shows it's time for servicing(1750 Kms Left)


The ticking sound can be heard as i start accelerating and disappears after about 5K Rpm.


Another Update:-
I rode the bike today in Delhi heat(Temp - 45 C) and the bike started showing Error(High Engine Temperature-11th Bar), it didn't go off but the loss in performance was felt at 12th Bar, i kept riding and as the radiator got some air it went down.


So it was 5%-12th Bar, 15%-11th Bar and 80% 9-10th Bar throughout the 90 Km ride in Delhi.

So does the bike run this way only?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hey xBHPians, after all this time riding the bike and xBHP's sound advice, I have decided to buy the cat and get it installed on the bike, mainly because of two reasons:

1. Refinement: Bike has major vibe issues especially above 110 kmph, cruising at that speeds and I end up with numb fingers and feet. Also heat.

2. Power loss: Bike has strange power loss issues where sometimes bike experiences a hiccup in power. Usually happens when I open the throttle vigorously and is evident around 6-7k RPM.

I went to the SVC as well to do some groundwork before I go forward with the install. Apparently the CAT costs INR 6800! And the install would definitely be extra!

Would any of you have a place in mind from where I can get the CAT cheaper? I'll be open to buying one second hand as well.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The ticking sound could be due to shim requiring replacement. If the sound at a particular RPM range, it's mainly due to shims requiring a replacement. If the sound increases throughout the RPM, we have a faulty cam chain tensioner which is to be replaced. Eitherways, both don't cost much, and mostly falls under general service category. The way your bike's fan operates is normal. The bike heats up even more when it comes to a standstill. When the bike is in motion, the ambient air cools it to a degree, coupled with the fan, they keep it from overheating. Your bike is completely normal.

Slipper clutch shouldn't grab your wheels, if it grabs when rapid downshifting, the slipper clutch dogs might be worn, case in point, since he's down two track days, it can in fact be worn, causing it to not work properly. Plus the engine braking is far stronger and immediate in the Duke 390 as compared to the R15's, so there's no point comparing both the vehicle's slipper clutch.

Get your shims/CCT checked. Finally, also get your clutch hub/pressure plate checked if your slipper clutch is faulty.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hello Friends,


I recently bought a 2017 KTM RC390 from a friend of mine, it has completed 11000 Kms. He has mostly ridden it on long highway runs and 2 track days at BIC. After i received the bike i changed the Engine oil with MOTUL 7100 10W 50(1.7L), Oil Filter and Air Filter. Coolant was below Min. so flushed it totally and used MOTUL Inugel(Bought from ASC) to fill it up with 1L(Is it sufficient?). The display shows 2000 Kms to next service so i was thinking as the bike was parked and wasn't used much for some time i should get the basic stuff changed and take is to ASC for service after 2000 Kms. Coming from a Pulsar 220, this machine is insane. Got confused with the gear ratio at first.
This bike did 1800 Kms after it last went to KTM ASC in October(6 Months ago) and was mostly just parked since then as he had made up his mind to sell it, and according to the invoice he provided oil was topped up with 300 ML and chain set was changed at that time, I installed the KTM app on my phone, friend's number was registered and he gave me the OTP and i checked the history, as he told me the chain set and the rear tire was changed @ around 9000 Kms.

Now, a friend of mine at work owns a Duke 390(2018) and if i compare the sound of the running engine it's different. As i noticed, the bike makes a little knocking sound(Tik-Tik-Tik-Tik types) at idle and increases as i accelerate, the sound disappears after about 6k rpm, the friend's Duke is smooth throughout the Rev range, the same sound exist here but not too noticeable. I was happy until i rode this Duke and that sound worries me a little now.
Any idea what it could be?
The coolant lever after 400 Km usage is between Min. and Max., i don't think i am losing coolant
The heat bar is divided in two parts, small one at left(Bike never touches that), the bike runs @ 8 bars i.e 92.5 C and as i slow down it's 9 bars(Fan starts here) and reaches to Max - 10 bars(Fan is at full speed here) as i come to a stop.
Is this Normal?
Note: As checked using the KTM app, the bike's 3rd free service was skipped, the rear tire has been changed to TVS Protorq 150/60 R17.
I also noticed that the the slipper clutch on my Bike is not as good as one in R15 V3. The rear skid a little when using engine braking(Could be the TVS).
Should i take it to SVC right away for the engine sound(No issue felt in the running on the Bike.)?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Thanks for all your replies. The issue was not with the oil level. The glass was tinted and I was thinking that the oil was filled to the brim.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The problem is KTM India recommends only 1.5L for all Duke/RC 390 since 2013, where as for the same bike in UK/EU recommended quantity is 1.7L. Unofficially even 1.9L is filled if the bike is used for track days.

If you fill only 1.5L exact the oil will be barely visible at the bottom mark in the oil window(it'll not even be visible after 2-3K kms), so ideally after adding one full bottle of 1.5L Motul oil adding another 200ml should be fine and it gets the oil level will get to mid-mark in the window and will not run dry after 2-3K kms

Re: Engine oil level

IDK whether the first owner had changed the air filter and brake fluids ! It's safer to do these changes .And regarding engine oil NEVER EVER OVERFILL THE OIL !!

It definitely gonna be a no no thing. Coz overfilling the oil will cause Oil leakage from the engine and that may lead to many issues . Always maintain the mentioned level of oil only. I hope for Dukes it's 1.5 L !!

Re: Engine oil level

In fact, 50 to 100 ML more would automatically increase the oil level which isn't bad per se. We have trouble if one fills in close to 2l. The Duke requires 1.6 of oil, give or take a few ml more isn't necessarily a cause for concern. What you need to make sure is the oil grade is right, and replaced periodically, which helps in the longevity of the engine. A wee bit more oil is better than running low to dry engine oil.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: Engine oil level

Thanks Incipient, this indeed is a great bike! I'll go to a better mechanic this week and get it sorted out, based on the list of items you mentioned. Should I be worried about having ridden the bike with excess oil?