Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I had these deposits on mine as well, cleaned up a few months ago, I haven't seen them come back.

100-200mL less oil over time is a little common, you can get it topped up for free. I'm assuming you checked the oil level when the bike was straight and not on the side stand.

Wipe these oil build up spots clean, get the oil topped up if the level has actually dropped and check after a couple of days for any fresh leaks and then get them fixed.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

That is not the oil leak from the head, that's the blowby getting leaked, it's black and sooty because that's a mixture of engine oil, fumes, all sort of nasty stuff. Get your air filter crack replaced, and replace the small hose you see with pin tabs. You should have no more leaks.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The first issue, seems to be related to a bad or lose connection of the clutch switch. You will see a small wire that runs in to the clutch yoke. If this is bad or has loose connection, then you might not be able to crank the engine when its in gear.
As for the second pic, that looks like blow by i.e. the crank case is venting excessive fumes/oil back in to the air filter box. Kindly get it inspected thoroughly. Usually the blow by gets collected in the crankcase breather pipe (located on the left side above the side stand area). its the pipe that has a transparent plastic cap at its end. You need to remove the cap and clean out any residue.

i've used it on my Dio too.. but it hasn't shown any improvement and so i don't use it on the Dio. though on my ktm it makes a positive difference and i use every other time i fuel up.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Are any of these issues covered by warranty? I'm not sure if it would count as wear and tear..
Thanks!

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

yes they will be under warranty. don't let them let tell you otherwise. the clutch switch is a 'electrical' part and not like the clutch plates (which are usually not covered under warranty). and remember, the day you start using the bike everything undergoes wear and tear
do get that oil leak/blow by investigated asap. it could be blocked hoses or overfilled oil. preferably ask them to remove the air filter box out completely and check it and them clean it out and blow compressed air thru the hoses and put it back together.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Thanks for the reply, will keep that in mind
I was planning on getting the air filter box changed really, rather than fixing the existing one

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

changed? Is it broken ? If not a good cleanup will suffice.
I doubt they'd replace it if it isn't physically damaged.. and yes if its broken, just get it replaced.
and looking at that oily mess, i'd suggest you get the throttle body also removed and cleaned up.
Before you go to svc, take plenty of pics (some close shots like you posted here, and some from a bit further so that it's easy to ascertain which part it is) and also at the svc as the open up the parts, keep clicking a few pics. If your svc dances around the warranty claim, simply shoot these pics off to bajaj/ktm customer care.
Also what's more important, is to hang around while its getting fixed up.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The spring which release the brake lamp/front brake lever light release switch (whatever it is called) is not functioning properly. Not even a year has passed since ownership. The light sometimes stays on even after the front brake lever is released. Will this be covered under warranty? This same issue happened when I owned a Pulsar 135 LS. They just change a spring which performs the light mechanism.
Bike is performing a bit rough lately. ODO @ 3000kms. Sometimes the RPM is increasing momentarily in traffic. Fuel filter has been changed during 2nd free service. Need some "we" time on the highway probably.

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What are the contact details of the customer care? I had inquired about the compulsory Insurance purchase from a dealer a year back almost, never got a reply from KTM or Bajaj yet.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yes, the light switch will be covered in warranty.
contact info: [email protected] , [email protected] , [email protected]

The dealers usually sell the insurance(thru a agent) and these guys make a commission out of it. Most customers do not even know that insurance can be purchased directly by the individual. The issue here is they are not supposed to sell (i.e. get the bike out on the road) without insurance. So even before you get your Temp registration/permanent registration, the insurance is done and the various invoices (sale, tax, insurance etc..) are sent to RTO for registration.
All you need to do is, note down the engine/chassis numbers of the bike and buy the insurance first (online or if you have your other contacts) and then give them the insurance papers and they will sell you the bike (with the rest of the paper work).
I got this info from a ktm dealer itself when i inquired about getting my own insurance. But some dealers do force you to go with the insurance they provide just to make few extra bucks.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Actually it's the case with most Bajaj bikes. The spring tension inside the rubber boot inside is not the problem, it's the small rubber boot that covers the switch head itself, it's very hard and lengthy the lever isn't able to press the switch. So, you'll have to push the lever a little front to keep the lights off, been a case with many of the people. Get the switch replaced.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Thanks for the info. I did the same during the purchase of my car and this bike as well. The dealer who I complained about lost the sale while I got the insurance from my own agent and got discount while purchasing from another dealer.
Regarding the warranty, two years is applicable?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yes, the bike is covered under a 2yr/30k km warranty (whichever comes earlier). Why do you ask?
These electrical niggles will all be covered. The only stuff that would not be covered (unless it happens within a week or so) are things like clutch plates, clutch/throttle cables, bulbs, gaskets and fluids in some cases (depends on your rapport with svc.. e.g. i had a busted fork seal, and while the seal and labor was not charged, i had to pay for the fork oil.. i have a good rapport with my svc and i dont push them for minor charges when most of the major work is done to my satisfaction)
You know.. the parking bulb on my duke blew up in less 2 months and they were ready to give me one for free but I decided to put in a led.
In your case a good clean up and reconnecting it might suffice. But let them take a look first and decide if it needs replacement.

A few days ago I had an issue (after riding in heavy downpour for an hour) where the indicator light on console was flashing (a little dimmer) even though i had turned off the indicators. Went to the svc the next day and first they checked the console connection (its a 20 something pin connector) and blew some compressed air but still the issue persisted. During my small talk with them, they were ready to order a new console if needed.. but we then decided to check out the switch gear (remember the switchgear is backlit) and they opened up the left side switch gear and cleaned it up thoroughly and viola , it was back to normal. Considering the amount of electrical/electronics these bikes have, sometimes a good cleanup might suffice to restore proper connectivity.
And oh, I was surprised when I noticed the actual size of the console (when they opened up the headlight unit to access the connector) It was about the size of my palm! I expected it to be 'fatter' but the unit was pretty slim.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hi,

Can you share long term ownership review of K&N filter specifically for RC? Is the engine heating normal?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Even if you plan on getting the cracked air filter box changed, do make sure to find the reason for the "blow-by". Do you ride in heavy traffic often? Also, check the air box for any oil deposit. I too had once faced the blow by on my Duke 390 and got it checked at the SVC. The air box didn't have any oil deposit and only the ventilations hose had the little deposit. Got it cleaned and it never occurred again. This occurred during a period when I had to regularly ride under heavy traffic and I suspect the increased exposure to high temps was the cause. I am speculating here and I seriously think you should get that checked along with the air box replacement.

I experienced this during the last monsoon and mine was fixed by leaving the bike under the sun once.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Bike breathes a lil easier now, as I use powertronic ecu it takes time to heat.
I mean it does heat up but takes a lot more time and bumper to bumper traffic to get to the point where stock bikes goes eaisly.
I get a bit more power but on a stock bike it wont do much good.