Re: Engine oil level

The first thing to do after buying a pre-owned bike is to get a full service done. Depending on how old the bike is coolant flush/replace, brake fluid replace, front fork oil replace, new spark plug, new air filter etc may be required. Additionally, depending on the condition of the bike more may be needed: worn out tires or chain/sprocket, worn out steering head bearings and so on. A good mechanic would be able to do a through inspection of the bike and recommend what all needs to be done. BTW, congrats on your purchase! This is a great bike.

Engine oil level

Hello Team,
I recently purchased an used RC390 2017 model with 6500 KM on it. Had given it for servicing last week at Banshankari KTM and they just topped up the engine oil with 0.25 litres. Even with the side stand, the oil level is full (both cold and hot) when viewed from the glass window with no gap at all. And I already did 1000 KM on it over the last week end with this. Should I replace the oil and filter to be safe or just remove the excess oil? The previous owner has also maintained this level (to the brim) from the beginning. Would it have already affected the engine? I'm not an expert.. Please help.

Thanks,
A Amarnath

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Indeed. If you've read my post, I've mentioned already the effects of leaner mixture. To compensate for this, it's recommended that you use a piggyback controller so that the right amount of fuel is injected per the air sucked in, which not only even increases the performance but the right mixture also helps cool the engine.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

That's fine and all but for me longevity and reliability are more important than measly gains in power. I read a lot about free flow exhaust systems and all require a tune lest the bike running lean and hotter.

This engine is already running very lean with a high compression ratio and if this sort of setup will cause damage to the engine in the long run then I'll get the cat installed.

In hot Delhi climate it's coping well uptil now but i don't know about the long term implications of this setup.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The bike won't sound significantly louder with the cat removed. The bike will sound aggressive if one removes the muffler baffle i.e. decibel killer which would a throaty roar and screaming sound when opened up. Secondly yes, you will feel the bike sound a little more as the exhaust flow is now more faster, but not enough to attract a cop's attention. What the previous owner did here is an effective way on increasing power without tampering with the ECM module. High flow AF coupled with restriction less exhaust system would mean, more leaner mixture, more hard acceleration and more aggressive throttle response.

[MENTION=93823]jatinkmr911[/MENTION], you can use the bike with the current setup without the catcon. We're only cheating the emissions systems for the most part. The catcon of the newer vehicles aren't welded but they are held in place by torque bands, So, it's easy to remove the catcon and install a cat con removal pipe, that's sold as an accessory and then install the cat con eliminator pipe. The result is you have a stock finish like bike with the cat con removed.
[MENTION=16602]s1d[/MENTION] He removed the cat con, and used a cat con eliminator connecting pipe instead, which is sold as an accessory and widely available online.
It seems he also used a performance filter which along with a 90% free flowing exhaust would increase the engine's breathing ability and hence slightly more power.

You can purchase a new cat con and install it on your bike, if you really intend to, or if you try pestering the previous owner to give you the old cat con.

All in all a one hour job.

Hope it helps

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

i won't be surprised if it was the header pipe from the pre-2017 model that was plonked in.. looking at the color of the pipe it does look like one to me.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The previous owner has left the country, i bought the bike from his mom

Regarding the chain, I got it cleaned 300 kms back from the SVC during the 1k service!

Moreover, i installed the Axle spools and secured a paddock as well, but the tyre hugger gets in the way of the hooks on the paddock. Due to this i'm relying on a friends Groller.

Don't want to take the hugger off since it is pretty functional, but i guess will eventually have to remove it.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The mid-pipe without the CAT actually looks sweet, by the looks of it, it's defiantly not some cheap jugaad pipe and built by some reputed company. I am guessing it might have not been cheap to put by previous owner and has spent quite some money on it.

Just get in touch with the previous owner if he's nice enough to answer your doubts, only he can tell you what and why, keep it if you are okay after hearing the reason, the exhaust sounds bit loud and raw aswell I think without the CAT

Also, the chain looks so dry and has so much gunk on it, clean it as told above, post your observations after that.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Just for perspective this is how my mid pipe looks like without the cat. Pretty odd find actually!

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

inspect the front sprocket to ensure it is tightened properly and not worn.. and get the chain adjust to spec (or sit on the bike and ensure the slack is around 15mm) making sure the rear wheel alignment is proper.
clean and lube the chain.
beyond this i can only give you a definite answer after physically checking the 'noise'.. these day a lot of normal sounds are considered 'noise' by some folks

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

As far as i know the cat is one of the costlier parts of the exhaust system since it has a lot of reagents and catalysts that are hard to manufacture and specifically designed.

Will probably go for it later.

What is the view on the chain noise though?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

yep, what i tried to imply was that maybe some 'extra' cat was thrown in (keeping the existing integrated stuff) to meet stricter emission norms.. will have to wait until i come across someone who's dissected a 2017 or later exhaust sub assy but most likely i am guessing it was moved back in to a separate unit.

if you want to keep it bone stock and that gives you a peace of mind, go ahead and have them order that part and installed.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The part is called the Catalytic convertor, just checked the 2018 390 Duke service manual. You are absolutely right that in the pre-2017 models it was all part of a single assembly

Regarding the link you reference, that is the pre-2017 underbelly exhaust dissected, where the cat and the muffler were integrated in a single system.



All in all, I'm not too worried, since the presilencer and muffler are still installed, but i don't know if i should be.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

that short segment of the missing exhaust is the 'Assembly CAT' as per the parts manual. Seems to have made its appearance since the 2017 models (bs 4). the older bikes have a catcon probably located in that big black box (called 'silencer sub assy'). i don't there's a bike out there that is made post 2002 that doesn't have a catcon.

i don't think it should cause any issues per se.. but if you are worried, just get that part and have it installed.

here is something i dug up: someone who's dissected the exhaust.. just so you better understand what i mean.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yeah did some research on my own and it seems pretty obvious. The Catalytic convertor is missing on the bike. It seems like the previous owner put in a mid pipe which replaced the cat but retained the pre silencer and the muffler.

That seems pretty counter intuitive. Is this mod regularly done on our 390s? As far as i know a complete full system is installed to reduce weight and back pressure, but what's the point to remove the cat but keep the pre silencer and the muffler?

Also what do you guys think about the damage to the engine because the presilencer and the muffler are still there to apply enough back pressure so that the engine doesn't run lean. Just putting it out there, the bike hasn't been running hot.

What i think is that the owner had a K&N and a full system but while selling installed the OEM exhaust (which a lot of people do while selling the bikes) but forgot to install the Cat. That might be the case.

What about the first point though? I have been experiencing very loud chain noise. The SVC in gurgaon misdiagnosed it as shrapnel stuck in the front brake pad, which is wrong because the sound is coming from the front sprocket.