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**Adilkadri123** · 11-16-2016, 05:27 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

Can you produce some drawings or photos to show that the suspension geometry is different? I have already told you to look at the photos posted. Can you produce some drawings with the measurements to prove that the geometry is different?
it's actually you who want to believe what you believe and want me to believe what you believe without giving a logical explanation. Clearly you do not understand what forums are for. No one is forcing you to answer.
I asked a question. Several people gave answers and even posted photos. I studied the answers and photos and came to certain conclusions which I expressed. I have even kept a Duke 390 and RC 390 side by side and observed.
At least others have taken the trouble to study my questions and given answers. You have just given your opinion without any facts.

Please read below. This is only one thread out of a number of threads easily searchable on the net explaining the differences...

What Is The Difference Between The KTM 390 Duke And The RC 390 - Comparison By Overdrive

**P3T3R** · 11-16-2016, 05:33 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Adilkadri123 View Post

Please read below. This is only one thread out of a number of threads easily searchable on the net explaining the differences...

What Is The Difference Between The KTM 390 Duke And The RC 390 - Comparison By Overdrive

I had already read that. Footpegs are mounted on subframes mounted to the chassis. Front suspension travel reduced. Both easily swappable. I did my research before posting. Only thing I missed out was the chassis tailpiece.

**Sird** · 11-16-2016, 05:46 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

Firstly thanks for the replies.

No offences taken.

I was at the svc for good 3-4 hours today.
And while talking I even discussed your post and the main guy (full of knowledge & not just any guy). Said this is costly and impossible. You can any something like RC or even some better modification but not RC.

Rest is all up to you.

**Adilkadri123** · 11-16-2016, 05:47 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

KTM 390 series - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTM_390_series

Please read this too which gives the technical differences about the rake, trail, wheelbase etc between the two bikes.
In all honesty we really don't know what advice you want. You seem to be asking whether this conversion is possible and all of us are saying it's not sensible. Sadly you only seem to want to hear answers which are to your liking which unfortunately is not happening.
Ultimately given enough budget and technical expertise it is possible to even convert a maruti into a spaceship so in short your conversion of duke to rc is definitely possible.

**madhav766** · 11-16-2016, 08:17 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

Why would the wiring be different? The only difference is in the headlamp? Rest of the electricals are the same.

Wiring will be different because the RC390 battery is housed in the tank hull, which I assume already knew. Wiring is not just a question of connections. The length of wires, placement etc also matters.

I think you should look at the two pictures carefully. If you want invert one and superimpose on the other. Other than the tail piece everything is the same. Even the suspension, rake etc is the same. And if you had read the post properly I was not talking about simply bolting on fairings. If that was my plan, I wouldn't have asked.

Wha...???? No the suspension travel is different, the rake is different and by extension so is the trail. That much change in rake and trail can make a bike go from street to supersport - which is the case for the Duke and RC bikes.

Why would anyone mess with the suspension. If you look at the pics carefully, the front forks and rear mono shock and swingarm as well as the wheels are identical. How will that impact handling.

I never suggested you mess with the suspension. I suggestion was that you read about suspension and handling.

Not really. Only if you alter any of the specifications mentioned in the RC book does it become illegal. Some alterations like colour can be endorsed. Mainly what they are after is Engine Swaps, Chassis Swaps and big bores.

Any change you make to the bike that is not declared to the RTO - cosmetic or performance wise - and approved by them is illegal. Forget welding mounting points, if you as much as change the mudguard of the duke with that of an RC the bike is illegal. In fact, the RTO will only validate internal changes like fuel source, fuelling, battery, etc. and not external changes. ARAI sends information and detailed specifications to the RTO regarding every vehicle available in the Indian market. These specifications are nothing like the specs you see online or in a brochure. They are extremely detailed, and any variation of a vehicle from that specification is illegal. The RC book is proof of registration is all. Everything your vehicle is, can't be captured in the RC book. I was merely addressing the legality of the situation. Whether your local cop will know if you made a modification or will care if you did is a different thing.

You say you've done your research before posting, yet you say that rake and trail are the same. You say you won't mess with the suspension, yet changing the rake does exactly that. Knowing the legal ramifications of your project is important, yet you say it's "not really" illegal.

Your knowledge and research need to go a notch higher, especially if you intend to use your modified bike on the road. Like adilkadri123 said, if you have the money you can even convert a maruti 800 into a spaceship. I mean, there is a bike in India that is built from a Maruti 800 engine. Bike-spaceship, to-may-to to-maa-to, right? Is it technically viable? Yes. If you can make a bike from an engine that was designed for a car, you can facelift your duke to look like an RC.

**bikersdream** · 11-16-2016, 08:28 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by razzer View Post

How is the pillion comfort on the RC? I was just wondering if the bike itself weighs 140kg and if 2 people weighing 80 and 70kg sit on it, won't it adversely affect handling?

You wouldn't believe but pillion seat is more comfortable than rider.
I did few trips with pillion including 6 -7 hrs traveling and not much problem or discomfort.
What you need is to keep your hand easy on throttle. Drive sedate and pillion will not complain and will not fall on rider.
Handling is good even with pillion.

**Sird** · 11-16-2016, 08:43 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by bikersdream View Post

You wouldn't believe but pillion seat is more comfortable than rider.
I did few trips with pillion including 6 -7 hrs traveling and not much problem or discomfort.
What you need is to keep your hand easy on throttle. Drive sedate and pillion will not complain and will not fall on rider.
Handling is good even with pillion.

+1

For your pillion inquiry :
My bike as done some close to 15k km.
And, I've clocked around 10k Km's on RC including long trips with pillion.

For city : No issues absolutely.
I've done even 80-90km within few hours in city.

For highway : Absolutely ****ing not!
I've done 450 km from Morning to afternoon.

For touring : Pillion + saddle bag (equally balanced on both sides)
The balance and confidence was no less than being solo or touring solo.
I'd clocked around 800km in our first tour. It was a 3 days trip in mountains of Dehradun.

If the pillion is sitting straight (which is hard on RC) you will not feel anything.

If the pillion is crouching on you, while putting their weight onto you (which every girlfriend does). Then you might feel some pain in triceps and palms. But this happens in starting days only.
Also, upon reaching your destination you might feel some numbness in your hands (mostly fingers) and legs (shin area). But that's nothing to worry about. It goes away in a day or two.

The more you ride, the more you get use to it, the lesser the pain.

**Divya Sharan** · 11-16-2016, 09:22 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Sird View Post

If the pillion is crouching on you, while putting their weight onto you (which every girlfriend does). Then you might feel some pain in triceps and palms.

Time to educate the girlfriends then!
The proper way of seating a pillion is to ask them to crouch forward and place their palms on the tank. With every braking force, they would press the tank and not the poor soul riding the bike and during accelerations, they can lock their arms against the rider's torso.

And since we're riding in India, they'd be better off wearing longer than waist length shirts and jacket. Have them wear helmets too.

**Adilkadri123** · 11-16-2016, 11:03 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Divya Sharan View Post

Time to educate the girlfriends then!
The proper way of seating a pillion is to ask them to crouch forward and place their palms on the tank. With every braking force, they would press the tank and not the poor soul riding the bike and during accelerations, they can lock their arms against the rider's torso.

And since we're riding in India, they'd be better off wearing longer than waist length shirts and jacket. Have them wear helmets too.

Sadly them days of of a gf or any girl riding pillion are now a distant memory lost in the mists of time and so is my KB100

**s1d** · 11-16-2016, 11:49 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

I think you should look at the two pictures carefully. If you want invert one and superimpose on the other. Other than the tail piece everything is the same. Even the suspension, rake etc is the same. And if you had read the post properly I was not talking about simply bolting on fairings. If that was my plan, I wouldn't have asked.

Going to order a batman suit for myself and put it on and fly off my building and save the world.
Legs
Batman: 2
me: 2
check!
hands
batman: 2
me: 2
check!
eyes
batman: 2
me: 2
check!
bat suit
batman: yes
me: no -- order asap. lose some tummy fat and squeeze in to the suit and save the world.

there is no point or advantage in doing what you want to do, and if that's what floats your boat go ahead and give us some fodder to munch on. going by what you did/are doing to the fiero-apache marriage, i hope you wont disappoint us.

**Sird** · 11-17-2016, 12:00 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Divya Sharan View Post

Time to educate the girlfriends then!
The proper way of seating a pillion is to ask them to crouch forward and place their palms on the tank. With every braking force, they would press the tank and not the poor soul riding the bike and during accelerations, they can lock their arms against the rider's torso.

And since we're riding in India, they'd be better off wearing longer than waist length shirts and jacket. Have them wear helmets too.

Yes. Done this long years ago. I even told her to let her sunglasses, bag, or any other accessories fly away but do not leave hands at higher speed without informing me first. (I've told her few signs also for higher speed since we cannot talk at such speed [emoji23]).
Locking the legs tight on a bump, while speeding and other instances also help.

That long shirt thing was something out of my mind, but not her.

Since you've raised this topic. Now a days I'm looking for something like this :

If you see this selling somewhere, please let me know.

**dnewguy** · 11-17-2016, 12:47 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Sird View Post

Yes. Done this long years ago. I even told her to let her sunglasses, bag, or any other accessories fly away but do not leave hands at higher speed without informing me first. (I've told her few signs also for higher speed since we cannot talk at such speed [emoji23]).
Locking the legs tight on a bump, while speeding and other instances also help.

That long shirt thing was something out of my mind, but not her.

Since you've raised this topic. Now a days I'm looking for something like this :

If you see this selling somewhere, please let me know.

And after all that running commentary i gave her, the only thing that stuck was,"Ninja - is - Green // Ducati - is - Red".

That riding posture doesn't look very comfortable for the pillion ?

**madhav766** · 11-17-2016, 12:57 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by dnewguy View Post

And after all that running commentary i gave her, the only thing that stuck was,"Ninja - is - Green // Ducati - is - Red".

This, my friend, is truly hilarious.

After 6 years of drilling, making her learn to ride the bike and teaching her the names of the brands, all I can get out of her was what you said!
[MENTION=54751]Sird[/MENTION] have you thought about investing in an intercom device? Would make like so much easier for you!

**Sird** · 11-17-2016, 01:15 AM

KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by madhav766 View Post

This, my friend, is truly hilarious.

After 6 years of drilling, making her learn to ride the bike and teaching her the names of the brands, all I can get out of her was what you said!
!

Mine is a bit curious and Interested in all these stuff since I like it. So, she recognise a lot of bikes and their value and top speed now. Same goes for the car. But, she's not even ready to sit on seat so I've lost the hopes of her learning to ride.
(I'm sure someone will not start to dislike our topic of discussion)

[MENTION=54751]Sird[/MENTION] have you thought about investing in an intercom device? Would make like so much easier for you!

Yes. But I'm jobless from more than a year now. So All I'm doing is filling petrol and running the bike. Hoping to get back on track soon and then a lot of things for the bike & its riders.

**Sird** · 11-17-2016, 09:07 AM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

A year ago I was in a dilemma whether to pick up a RC390 or a Duke 390. After a lot of deliberation I pick up the Duke.

If you're still so much into doing this.
Come Delhi. I'll give you RC390's chassis.

I have one lying at my home, useless for me.

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