Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I am using the old 300V, not the new V2. I am absolutely in love with the 300V ever since I used it while doing an interstate ride. It was so damn smooth that you don't want to return to the 7100 which makes the bike slightly heavier. The thing about 300V is, the oil eats into the gasket, thereby causing a leak, apparently. Generally I do city riding, but I plan to go out on a longish ride very very soon. Enough of bumper to bumper traffic with the RC. I will return to 7100 after this flush definitely.

Regarding the LEDs, the only reason I want to shift is due to lower power consumption. The RC is totally dependent on the battery, hence I want to give it lesser load. But I am not sure if LEDs would screw up the beam pattern and light throw afterall.
@s1d: No, thankfully I had minimal amount of head gasket leak, which anyone might mistake for dirt on the engine. Rather, I had to point out to the service guy to check carefully with a torch that head gasket was leaking. No coolant got mixed with engine oil thankfully.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

head gasket was leaking but u did not have any oil + coolant mixing ?
u sure if it was the head gasket if not was it the head cover/valve cover gasket or base gasket.
fine fuel filter ? are you referring to the sock type filter located inside the petrol tank attached to the fuel pump ? Or the fuel filter located outside and under the tank ?

LED bulbs, can be a hit or a miss.. too many factors to get it right. the stock lighting is good on the rc. are you looking to blind oncoming traffic or compete with them ? you could experiment with some commonly available budget offerings from aliexpress sellers like the nighteye etc..
some things to keep in mind when using such bulbs is to remember that factors such as reflector design, bulb position (i.e. position of the led when you insert the bulb), in your case projector lens etc.. can play a part in either making it better or worse.
i am yet to see someone show me how an led or a more powerful bulb can help with combating the brightness of oncoming lights and providing a clearer view ahead.
on a dark road yeh, it might light it up better.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Nice to see that bike has has no issues with the ignition coil or anything which you predicted.

But, for what usage are you using the 300V is it the 300V2 or V1? That oil is known to cause head gasket blown issues from the beginning of Duke 390/RC 390 days and the same issue is seen in your bike which you have pointed out, it is best recommended only for track use, where the engine is re-built after 4-5 trackdays/races and engine life is not a main consideration. Not recommended for city or everyday usage, better stick to 7100.

Brake Pads Replacement with stock pads
Brake pads if you can afford, switch to EBC sintered pads instead of stock

Front Number Plate removal (vibrates like anything)
Riding without one is illegal, I don't see any front plate vibration issues with any other RC's, you could use couple of double sided sticky tape

LED Bulbs (any info on this?)
RC already has brightest headlight which blinds on-coming traffic enough, LEDs will only make it worse blinding the opposite traffic completly even in low beam. You can replace stock H11 bulbs with Osram Night breaker or Philps Xtreme vision bulbs which give better spread and intensity without blinding the traffic. Better to avoid LED headlights

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I liked the part where the "mechanic was happily spraying WD 40" just biker things. Front number plate vibrations can be reduced using nylon/rubber washers under and above the screws and using a slightly lengthier screws instead of stock, this way it helps keep the vibes curbed. Secondly, for brake pads you can use the latest semi-sintered pads as they're a direct swap to all the Duke series if you're using an older bike.

LED bulbs can be used as they consume less power and have better lumens.

The low beam is H11 socket and high beam is H9 socket. You can get the respective LED bulbs by searching for the right socket configuration.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Ownership Update:
ODO: 10850kms

Last week, I landed up at the service centre with all the issues to be fixed:

1. Side Stand Loose
2. Spark Plug Clean/Check/Replace
3. Air Filter Clean/Check/Replace
4. Fine Fuel Filter
5. Oil Filter
6. Engine Head Leak Check
7. Engine Oil Change
8. Handelbar Greasing - Ball Racer
9. Suspension Dust Cap Clean
10. Fuel Tank Check - if there is any water in the tank
11. Coolant Check with Flow Lines
12. Number Plate Vibration/Washers
13. Chain Adjustment, No Lubing Necessary
14. Wheel Bearing Check/Replace
15. Scan with Diagnostic Tool for Errors if any

I was given a paid service with an estimate of Rs.800 as all the labour for the above work would be included in this.
I had a hunch that the head gasket was leaking a bit but wasn't sure if it was mud or engine oil leak. Hence I got it checked and sure thing, the gasket needed replacement. Price of gasket was Rs.305 incl GST. Just to let you all know, coolant needed to be drained and radiator opened to access the engine head. Old coolant was refilled with same coolant. Got the coolant lines checked, as some rats pay a visit to my parking area sometimes.
Fuel tank didn't contain any water, only the fine fuel filter needed replacement. I had carried Motul 300v Engine Oil with me and they were happy to fill the same.
Changed the spark plug to NGK LKAR8AI9 Iridium Spark Plug. Throttle has become a bit more crisp as per my observation. Spark Plug was not the issue, although I had though that was the main culprit. I am using Premium Petrol as the standard one really chokes the Throttle Body and the filter.
Air filter and oil filter were also changed.
I was also carrying a can of WD40 spray which the service guy was happily spraying everywhere to keep rust at bay. Damn, I love WD40.
The knocking problem seems to be gone as of now.
Brake pads are still making a bit of squeaky noise after a wash, but manageable. I plan to change those soon though.
All in all, the bill came to Rs. 1725 including paid service cost, gasket price and periodic service kit.
Service experience was good, only a nut was kept loose on the fairing. Definitely he forgot, I tightened it yesterday.
Time taken for all the work : 10.30AM to 4PM.

Special thanks to [MENTION=16602]s1d[/MENTION] [MENTION=59090]kiran2508[/MENTION] and everyone who helped me through.
ODO is now 11000kms.


Future Plans/Mods:
Brake Pads Replacement with stock pads
Front Number Plate removal (vibrates like anything)
LED Bulbs (any info on this?)

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yes they are a direct swap.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

You mean RC 2017/18 model forks are direct swap to old 2015 model.
If that's the case surely I would opt for them. Thanks for inputs.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I'd suggest by the time, the forks might get really bad and start leaking excessively. If you can get the newer forks, the new separate function fork, as compared to the old one, I'd suggest don't mind spending the extra, these forks have excellent feedback, dimensions they are very much similar and are a direct swap. Nevertheless, it's advisable to get them replaced as pair, keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yes problem started with one fork and within a week other fork also started leaking.
Now oil seals replacement done twice for right fork and once for left fork, but still same problem started leaking within month.
Now running with leaking forks as daily running is very less.
I am planning to use them for 7-8 months and replace both forks altogether after that.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

You said earlier only one side is leaking, if that's the case may I ask why are you replacing both side if the problem is with one side?

Also, you can still use one side with old fork setup and another side with the new separate function fork setup, there is no cross-relation or sync or tuning needed between left and right side as both sides behave and work independently, the difference with separate fork setup is bare negligible unless you'll notice it only on track during entry and exits out of corners.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

They are right, the MY 2017/2018 have a different fork setup, as the current ones are Separate Function Fork setup, where the internal piston is changed. The fork outer tube assembly (THE BLACK TUBE) comes as a spare on the KTM series, unfortunately, the fork pipe (SILVER PIPE) doesn't come as a spare. In that case the entire fork has to be changed, your SVC is right. I'd suggest you start hunting a local junkyard or chor bazaar so that you can find a fork setup at a cheaper price.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hello.

Update on front leaking fork's:

Checked with Marathahalli KTM service centre.

As per them 2015 model has different frok design than current one.
Both fork replacement costs ~22k
( 9x2 for two forks, 2 k for oil seals and fork oil and 1.5k for labour)

I wanted to change only fork tube (costing 4k each) which as per them didn't come separately. I know they are misguiding or they really don't know.

So as of now driving with forks which has almost no oils. As my daily running is limited to less than 7kms I am trying to pushing replacement for next couple of months.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

unlikely the spark plug is the cause. you might want to have them run a diagnostics using the scanner and see if it throws up anything. there could be other things causing that bad idle, one being the idle control stepper motor (sitting on the throttle body).
changing the plug on the rc is a pain due to the fairings, but can be done with the tools provided.. but isn't as easy as on the naked dukes. the plugs sit deep inside and takes some dexterity and experience to remove them without removing the fuel tank. if you are willing to spend some time and do it, you can .. otherwise watch someone do it first before you attempt such maintenance.

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this method will be pretty useless for any sort of maintenance you want to do, i don't think with the spools as the mounting point one can remove the wheel/work on the forks etc.. works only for rotating the tire n finding a puncture i guess

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Thanks everyone for your views. I will surely get all this checked. Is there a chance of a faulty spark plug as bike is now feeling a bit choked in gear and skipping the constant rpm hum in neutral. Is there anyway I can locate the spark plug and change it myself with the tools provided?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

First get the brake master-major cylinder checked and replaced if needed, and bleed the entire line once to check for air bubbles, if you feel the brake lever is hard or the lever travel is reduced and does not have the same spring spongy feel when compared to brand new.

Wash all you can the rear and front wheel parts but keep the pressure wash away as much as possible from engine area places radiator, temperature sensor, oil pressure sensor, air-box breather in-out pipes, battery box fuse/relay area, inside of the exhaust pipe and finally ignition coil (behind the right side faring just below the two top faring screws)

You can use the rear paddock stand for the front aswell if you front fork spools installed, it basically hooks up the spools and lifts the bike up, the same as it would do hook up the swingarm/bobbins in the rear.