Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Kiran
I think it's better to go with new handle bar as i am thinking that its cost will be lower.
Or you can give a try if svc has this part in their scrap from other damaged bikes.

Drilling and taking stuck part outside without damaging threads looks difficult.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I've been using 300v for the second time, but the thing which I'm talking above is the version of it, look closely it says 300 v2. I guess it's upgraded version of 300v.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Interesting. From what I've read and used, the older oils have a base that says ester base which are synthetic and fall under the Group V range. What's interesting is that now this can of 300V reads Organic base which would mean it has a blend of ester not 100% but say around 70% to 80% ester and the rest 20% being organic base which is what I presume the V2 to be all about. But, it shouldn't make it any different from the old one, perhaps.

I'd recommend you to replace the entire bar unit. A sheared bolt with cast/forged items is a tricky job to remove unless the thread has a little tip to hold onto. In your case, it's sheared in a hollow manner. Money spent on trying to remove the bolt is a donation to the fella for sure. I'd strongly recommend you to get a new clip on as it is both strong and not compromised.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I went ahead to get a new bar unit and checked with 2 SVC's, and as expected it was not in stock since it's a not fast moving part and since it is not a common shared part across D200/D250/D390. As of now quoted turnaround time is 2 weeks and I am waiting for the part.

Also I am told that only the right side bar is not available separately and comes with full kit of left, right handle bars and triple clamp (I think this is a made up story by SVC's, will dig deep on this)

Meanwhile, I din't want to not have bike for 2 weeks so I did some DIY to use the current one until then and was able to remove the broken part.
Broken part of the screw had small indentation where I was able to use screwdriver to hook to it and rotate it backwards (it was not threaded with any of threadlocker so it was free moving) and it came out easily.


But on a general note, I had through look at design of the handlebars and screws since I had removed both left and right bars, my conclusion is that the design of handlebars does not feel very confidence inspiring for a machine with such power and speed potential.

The whole bar is just held on in place just one horizontal screw with maximum depth of screw being 4-5 groves seems very poor design, while the vertical is screw is just to prevent it from rotating clockwise/anticlockwise.
I mean the horizontal screw has chances could easily snap if in case someone hits a bump at high speeds, well the whole handlebar will not come out though as it is locked by vertical screw, but it is enough to definitely offset balance since it's moves significantly and is enough to shake the bike violently.

Please suggest on how to prevent this and what could be the ways to add more support and grip to give strength the handlebars.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Excellent job there, Kiran. Now that you've removed the shard, go ahead and use the same bolt with threadlocker, this would mean it stays in place. You can't use an bigger diameter bolt as it will ruin the cast threads. A bigger bolt is a good idea, but it won't do any good than the current bolt, as it's only good as long as the bolt thread has enough metal with threads for it to screw onto, without which it's only the same surface area of the old bolt that will get screwed in.

Use a threadlocker, get a new bolt and torque it to right specs, both the sides. Remove the bolts on both the bars and use threadlocker and let it settle you shouldn't have any problems.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hey guys,
The mileage on my bike is becoming worse day by day.
As per full-tank method, I got a mileage of 8-9KMPL.
I use the bike like twice or thrice in a week and that too for around 10KM.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hi Guys,

Today I heard a knocking sound on my new RC 390 (500kms on odo) that seems to be coming from near engine or chain. It seems like a chain knocking sound (Sounds like this https://youtu.be/aWOIqVkv2w8). It is not continuous and happens randomly (frequently though like 2-3 times when accelerating/ slowing down) on any gear (heard in 2/3/4). Its not loud and can barely be heard in the helmet. Can any help in identifying if its actually a chain knocking? How can I fix this?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Could be that bike chain has no slack and is too tight and stiff, the same is with the bike the video you have attached, his bike chain has absolutely 0mm slack which you can clearly see.

But, since your bike is brand spanking new, I am guessing you haven't even completed the 1st service on the bike.
During the run-in period do expect all kind of wired noises since components need 2K-3K kms to get seated. Wait till you finish all free service and run-in period.

Also I suggest you to not take up any DIY or experiment activities on your own to fix problems since the has bike free service and still in warranty.
Take the bike to nearest trusted SVC, give them keys explain them the issue and tell them to take a test ride.
There could be bad QC components on new bike(which they will replace under warranty) or something they missed during PDI or some initial adjustments needed.

Good day

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I went to SVC today and I could see uneven slack in the chain. Even after adjusting the chain, I could see that the chain was tight at one spot which caused an irregular rotation in the chain. The Slapping kind of sound could be heard when bike was on paddock stand and in 1st gear. He changed the front sprocket but the issue remained so we can omit the front sprocket being the culprit. The service engineer was able to spot this but still was clueless on how to fix this.

Finally after 3 hours he gave up. He asked me to come on 13th November again when his next senior service engineer is visiting the service center. He is hoping Senior Engineer may have a solution to this.

What I don't understand is that even after years of RC390 being in market and nothing much changing about the bike, service guys are not confident enough to approach such issues with a clear solution. They are still relying on things like "This is normal / Will not come after 1st service". They need to be educated/trained more by KTM / Bajaj.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The problem is not with the company, the company would have given all the necessary training to attend to bike problems but they will not teach about every single thing which can go wrong, thats impossible. It just shows the lack of requisite skills in our people who undergo training and how much they are willing to learn on the job. Most are there just to get done for the day and go home with a pay check, so it shows in the work. Troubleshooting is a skill which is learned on the job.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

8-9 is very low Mileage.
Is it calculated by tank to tank method?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yes! That's the mileage as per tank to talk method.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Frozen links cause the chain to have uneven slack.

You might have to replace the chain and sprockets if its bothering you.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Like I said if they SCV is suspecting some manufacturing defect or thinking of claiming warranty and replacing it for free, so they might taking a second opinion from Senior engineer, it's a common practice to get some escalation and higher approval.

Just don't pay anything from your pocket without getting some proper explanation of details analysis report.

I think you missed the earlier comment, his bike is brand new with around 500kms on the ODO, being a new bike should not be having any issues the chain degradation or sprockets. There could have nothing happened within 500kms to spoil the links or O-rings.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Takes way way less than 500 km's for the links to seize.

The chain having uneven slack is the result of a messed up chain provided that the sprockets are not at fault(worn/warped) which would be unlikely as the motorcycle is new.