Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I hope you realise that changing engine oil in RC390 is not easy as Pulsar or other bike.

This a different process that includes changing / cleaning the filters down there. Please do it only if you're aware of this.
Else my idea would be to ask the manager at svc politely to use your oil because you think this oil will give you better result and all that. (Do not talk about you saving money and etc).

As it's a paid service. That's means they will change the filters and oil and cleaning will be counted in service and the labour for this will be included in that 747₹ that they will charge you. So why go with the hassle to do yourself?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

At-least what my svc told me a few months ago is that ktm has advised them to not use the 300v. So these guys now stock only the motul in 10w50 or 20w50. They though use the 300v 10w40 (if customer requests) on the ninja's.
svc's usually won't mind (Atleast the couple i've seen here) if you bring the oil yourself.. I myself (and have seen few other folks) take my own oil (motul 7100) since I get it much cheaper when bought off amazon (or even the local shops). SVC always charges mrp and I end up saving anywhere between 100rs to 450rs on oil. They simply mention on the job card "oil provided by customer" , and they do it for the 300v also (earlier when it was in use)
I tip the mech say 50-100 bucks depending on my savings and in return everyone is happy (i get minor stuff attended to for free).
Coming back to the never ending oil discussions.. my opinion: stick to the 7100.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I changed the master cylinder and it made a good amount of difference in regards to feedback and initial bite but the braking force remains the same (organic pads are the culprit)

Total investment:
MC: 3100 Rs (2700 if you buy from outside)
Dot4 oil - 90Rs

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Would be great if you can post a picture of your MC setup that you've installed on the bike. Would love to see how it is fixed and were there any additional modifications that were required or direct plug and play. I guess there aren't any hindrances to the front brake switch et cetera. Keep us posted with pictures.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Try switching off the abs and see if it makes a difference. Also make it a point to clean the rotor (with scotch brite and soapy water) once a fortnight and have the pads rubbed down on sand paper every service (or more often if your ride in wet and muddy roads).
the few 390's i've ridden and my own d200.. I don't see a need for any 'improvement' in the brake hardware or either bikes. Well, that's just my opinion I think a lot of the braking comes down to the individuals' confidence and right technique.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience


Yes, even i think braking is adequate on RC. Might be I am used to.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Will document the steps with picture, no mods required though, the brake light connectors are direct fit as well.

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I don't want to ride with ABS switched off but I do believe switching it off does improve the braking.

The braking is ok in D390 or RC390 but the problem is the feedback and inconsistent bite. what I mean is, the brake modulation is always an issue.

but with the swap, i feel more confident now.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

im surprised by the compatibiloty of GT MC to duke. Can you put atleast a single picture here so that it gives some idea. Are you sure no modifications needed ? Is the MC available easily?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

how are we envisaging the boost? is it difference in diameter of the plunger in both master cylinders (KTM and RE continental).
what is interesting is continental uses two pistons to hold the disc rotor and KTM uses four, so principally they shouldn't match the performance. Any details on the fitment is awaited.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Sorry if its a stupid question,
Can we use the MC of R15 ?
And also the brake pads of R15 ?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

im not well aware of the technicals involved. I have changed mine to continental gt MC and it is making a difference. Sponginess is gone, brake is sharp,progressive too. The same was felt by KTM technicians too, so im sure the changes are real. I have ridden 50 kms after the change and im loving it.

since gt is held by two pistons, more oil flow or oil pressure might be needed to stop the bike. Now when the same is fitted on duke, increased oil pressure might be helping in the sharpness. This is just my guess.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

am surprised that why people in this forum are inclined to replace the master cylinder of a capable bike which already has adequate braking to come at halt from a jiffy. The point is, it would not be a better idea to swap from a two piston arrangement to a four piston braking system.
What happens if you do that :
1. The volume of those two pistons will always be lesser than that of four used together
2. The deceleration which four piston offers is anyday way better than two piston arrangement. though it may lack initial bite (which i feel is compensated in overall distance of stoppage) but instant decrease in speed is better in former one.

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sorry if it sounds offended but regards to the experiment, its straight from Horse mouth
but technically, this is not possible. The pressure would be increased only if either the master cylinder piston is reduced in diameter or the lever is pressed with more force (simple law of hydraulics)
Pressure at MC
yes the initial bite can be felt better because of the increased diameter (thanks to increase oil flow)

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It may not sound amusing,
Even if you place Bajaj Calliber's MC to it, changes will be there
But the million dollar question is : Is the change tending to have tangible benefits ?
1. Just try measuring stopping distance and it will tell you the real story
2. time to decrease in speed from application of brakes (e.g. 100 - 40kmph)

No offences but my two cents..

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I have 12k on odo and Yes stock brakes are just doing fine.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I had used RC for 12k kms, coming from an R15 I always felt lacking initial bite and feedback in the RC. The stopping power was there and I felt safer during emergency braking, but it was difficult to modulate, feedback was not good and the abs was kicking in too early than I liked. After some usage I got used to it. Although its okay a little more bite and feedback will make it better.

If the dia of the piston in mc is more than stock mc it will definitely increase the pressure and will reduce the rider's effort, but there wont be any major change in stopping distance and the feedback won't increase. In RC the real culprits are the pads, changing the pads to ebc sintered ones will make a major difference both in stopping power and feedback. The pads cost around 3-3.5k and will make significant change in braking performance than a change of master cylinder.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

May be the current RC 390 owners should look into ways to replace the complete braking system with the one on 2017 Model. Because, as per initial reviews, the RC 390 with bigger disks and 1mm larger master cylinder, the braking power seems to have improved. I am not sure if it's possible or not to do the replacement.