Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The bike won't sound significantly louder with the cat removed. The bike will sound aggressive if one removes the muffler baffle i.e. decibel killer which would a throaty roar and screaming sound when opened up. Secondly yes, you will feel the bike sound a little more as the exhaust flow is now more faster, but not enough to attract a cop's attention. What the previous owner did here is an effective way on increasing power without tampering with the ECM module. High flow AF coupled with restriction less exhaust system would mean, more leaner mixture, more hard acceleration and more aggressive throttle response.

[MENTION=93823]jatinkmr911[/MENTION], you can use the bike with the current setup without the catcon. We're only cheating the emissions systems for the most part. The catcon of the newer vehicles aren't welded but they are held in place by torque bands, So, it's easy to remove the catcon and install a cat con removal pipe, that's sold as an accessory and then install the cat con eliminator pipe. The result is you have a stock finish like bike with the cat con removed.
[MENTION=16602]s1d[/MENTION] He removed the cat con, and used a cat con eliminator connecting pipe instead, which is sold as an accessory and widely available online.
It seems he also used a performance filter which along with a 90% free flowing exhaust would increase the engine's breathing ability and hence slightly more power.

You can purchase a new cat con and install it on your bike, if you really intend to, or if you try pestering the previous owner to give you the old cat con.

All in all a one hour job.

Hope it helps

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

That's fine and all but for me longevity and reliability are more important than measly gains in power. I read a lot about free flow exhaust systems and all require a tune lest the bike running lean and hotter.

This engine is already running very lean with a high compression ratio and if this sort of setup will cause damage to the engine in the long run then I'll get the cat installed.

In hot Delhi climate it's coping well uptil now but i don't know about the long term implications of this setup.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Indeed. If you've read my post, I've mentioned already the effects of leaner mixture. To compensate for this, it's recommended that you use a piggyback controller so that the right amount of fuel is injected per the air sucked in, which not only even increases the performance but the right mixture also helps cool the engine.

Cheers!
VJ

Engine oil level

Hello Team,
I recently purchased an used RC390 2017 model with 6500 KM on it. Had given it for servicing last week at Banshankari KTM and they just topped up the engine oil with 0.25 litres. Even with the side stand, the oil level is full (both cold and hot) when viewed from the glass window with no gap at all. And I already did 1000 KM on it over the last week end with this. Should I replace the oil and filter to be safe or just remove the excess oil? The previous owner has also maintained this level (to the brim) from the beginning. Would it have already affected the engine? I'm not an expert.. Please help.

Thanks,
A Amarnath

Re: Engine oil level

The first thing to do after buying a pre-owned bike is to get a full service done. Depending on how old the bike is coolant flush/replace, brake fluid replace, front fork oil replace, new spark plug, new air filter etc may be required. Additionally, depending on the condition of the bike more may be needed: worn out tires or chain/sprocket, worn out steering head bearings and so on. A good mechanic would be able to do a through inspection of the bike and recommend what all needs to be done. BTW, congrats on your purchase! This is a great bike.

Re: Engine oil level

Thanks Incipient, this indeed is a great bike! I'll go to a better mechanic this week and get it sorted out, based on the list of items you mentioned. Should I be worried about having ridden the bike with excess oil?

Re: Engine oil level

In fact, 50 to 100 ML more would automatically increase the oil level which isn't bad per se. We have trouble if one fills in close to 2l. The Duke requires 1.6 of oil, give or take a few ml more isn't necessarily a cause for concern. What you need to make sure is the oil grade is right, and replaced periodically, which helps in the longevity of the engine. A wee bit more oil is better than running low to dry engine oil.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: Engine oil level

IDK whether the first owner had changed the air filter and brake fluids ! It's safer to do these changes .And regarding engine oil NEVER EVER OVERFILL THE OIL !!

It definitely gonna be a no no thing. Coz overfilling the oil will cause Oil leakage from the engine and that may lead to many issues . Always maintain the mentioned level of oil only. I hope for Dukes it's 1.5 L !!

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The problem is KTM India recommends only 1.5L for all Duke/RC 390 since 2013, where as for the same bike in UK/EU recommended quantity is 1.7L. Unofficially even 1.9L is filled if the bike is used for track days.

If you fill only 1.5L exact the oil will be barely visible at the bottom mark in the oil window(it'll not even be visible after 2-3K kms), so ideally after adding one full bottle of 1.5L Motul oil adding another 200ml should be fine and it gets the oil level will get to mid-mark in the window and will not run dry after 2-3K kms

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Thanks for all your replies. The issue was not with the oil level. The glass was tinted and I was thinking that the oil was filled to the brim.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hello Friends,


I recently bought a 2017 KTM RC390 from a friend of mine, it has completed 11000 Kms. He has mostly ridden it on long highway runs and 2 track days at BIC. After i received the bike i changed the Engine oil with MOTUL 7100 10W 50(1.7L), Oil Filter and Air Filter. Coolant was below Min. so flushed it totally and used MOTUL Inugel(Bought from ASC) to fill it up with 1L(Is it sufficient?). The display shows 2000 Kms to next service so i was thinking as the bike was parked and wasn't used much for some time i should get the basic stuff changed and take is to ASC for service after 2000 Kms. Coming from a Pulsar 220, this machine is insane. Got confused with the gear ratio at first.
This bike did 1800 Kms after it last went to KTM ASC in October(6 Months ago) and was mostly just parked since then as he had made up his mind to sell it, and according to the invoice he provided oil was topped up with 300 ML and chain set was changed at that time, I installed the KTM app on my phone, friend's number was registered and he gave me the OTP and i checked the history, as he told me the chain set and the rear tire was changed @ around 9000 Kms.

Now, a friend of mine at work owns a Duke 390(2018) and if i compare the sound of the running engine it's different. As i noticed, the bike makes a little knocking sound(Tik-Tik-Tik-Tik types) at idle and increases as i accelerate, the sound disappears after about 6k rpm, the friend's Duke is smooth throughout the Rev range, the same sound exist here but not too noticeable. I was happy until i rode this Duke and that sound worries me a little now.
Any idea what it could be?
The coolant lever after 400 Km usage is between Min. and Max., i don't think i am losing coolant
The heat bar is divided in two parts, small one at left(Bike never touches that), the bike runs @ 8 bars i.e 92.5 C and as i slow down it's 9 bars(Fan starts here) and reaches to Max - 10 bars(Fan is at full speed here) as i come to a stop.
Is this Normal?
Note: As checked using the KTM app, the bike's 3rd free service was skipped, the rear tire has been changed to TVS Protorq 150/60 R17.
I also noticed that the the slipper clutch on my Bike is not as good as one in R15 V3. The rear skid a little when using engine braking(Could be the TVS).
Should i take it to SVC right away for the engine sound(No issue felt in the running on the Bike.)?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The ticking sound could be due to shim requiring replacement. If the sound at a particular RPM range, it's mainly due to shims requiring a replacement. If the sound increases throughout the RPM, we have a faulty cam chain tensioner which is to be replaced. Eitherways, both don't cost much, and mostly falls under general service category. The way your bike's fan operates is normal. The bike heats up even more when it comes to a standstill. When the bike is in motion, the ambient air cools it to a degree, coupled with the fan, they keep it from overheating. Your bike is completely normal.

Slipper clutch shouldn't grab your wheels, if it grabs when rapid downshifting, the slipper clutch dogs might be worn, case in point, since he's down two track days, it can in fact be worn, causing it to not work properly. Plus the engine braking is far stronger and immediate in the Duke 390 as compared to the R15's, so there's no point comparing both the vehicle's slipper clutch.

Get your shims/CCT checked. Finally, also get your clutch hub/pressure plate checked if your slipper clutch is faulty.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hey xBHPians, after all this time riding the bike and xBHP's sound advice, I have decided to buy the cat and get it installed on the bike, mainly because of two reasons:

1. Refinement: Bike has major vibe issues especially above 110 kmph, cruising at that speeds and I end up with numb fingers and feet. Also heat.

2. Power loss: Bike has strange power loss issues where sometimes bike experiences a hiccup in power. Usually happens when I open the throttle vigorously and is evident around 6-7k RPM.

I went to the SVC as well to do some groundwork before I go forward with the install. Apparently the CAT costs INR 6800! And the install would definitely be extra!

Would any of you have a place in mind from where I can get the CAT cheaper? I'll be open to buying one second hand as well.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience


Is it to be done right away or shall i wait till the ODO shows it's time for servicing(1750 Kms Left)


The ticking sound can be heard as i start accelerating and disappears after about 5K Rpm.


Another Update:-
I rode the bike today in Delhi heat(Temp - 45 C) and the bike started showing Error(High Engine Temperature-11th Bar), it didn't go off but the loss in performance was felt at 12th Bar, i kept riding and as the radiator got some air it went down.


So it was 5%-12th Bar, 15%-11th Bar and 80% 9-10th Bar throughout the 90 Km ride in Delhi.

So does the bike run this way only?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Add a grip cover on the existing grips (costs around 50 bucks and available at every spares shop).. that will reduce the buzz felt on the hands.
Get the throttle body cleaned and plonk in a new air filter and fuel filter and see if that helps with the hiccups.
6800 for the Catcon, that's expensive.. i doubt you will get one aftermarket at cheaper rates (maybe used ones from another bike)