Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Definitely not. I'm running my bike without a Cat and it still doesn't ever get as hot as that. For perspective, I'm also from Delhi and commute on the RC and my bike's temp gauge has not gone over 10 bars ever. After it goes up to 10 the fan spins up and the temp actually equalizes at 9 bars where the fan still stays on. In cooler temps like in March and April the bike actually ran at 8 bars (No fan) on highway. Fan was called in only in bumper to bumper traffic.

When was the last time that the coolant was flushed? I suggest you get it flushed and put in new coolant asap. High temps are never good for the engine and this can cause damage in the long run.

I'll make it a point to always get the coolant flushed before start of summer so that the cooling system is well prepared for the summer heat.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Coolant was flushed properly and refilled with MOTUL Inugel(Bought from ASC - 1.0L) 200 Kms back along with Engine Oil(MOTUL 7100 10W 50 - 1.7L) . What coolant are you using?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The buzz in my RC 390 (just completed 31k km) is the only real problem i have with this bike and it only occurs when i am cruising. Thankfully, i use my RC strictly for "sport-riding", so very little commuting (though i did daily long commutes during the first year) and zero touring. I can't in my right mind recommend anyone buy this bike for touring! The ergonomics is unsuitable for long rides, but it's the buzz causing numbness in my hands which would be a deal breaker for me.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

For me it typically stays at 8 bars for the first 20-30min of riding and subsequently goes up to 9 bars. Getting stuck in a long traffic jam is a problem, them it can go upto 10 bars (11 on rare occasions). To cool the engine i try to ride ride at ~80kmph in sixth gear for a minute or two. Anything past 80kmph is simply not an issue, since the air flow through the radiator keeps the temps in check. I avoid shutting off the engine at stop lights as that results in 11 or even 12 bars (not good for the engine). After my ride is complete i take it easy for a minute or two and coast my way home to give the engine a chance to cool down.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Prominent ticking sound shouldn't be present throughout any RPM, if so, you can get it checked during your scheduled servicing. One thing to note is that, the bike sounds like knocking at low RPM, which is how the engine itself sounds, "khata khata" which is normal, just so you aren't getting confused. Secondly, the heating you observe is absolutely normal which almost all the 390s out there do with. When the ambient temperature goes up coupled with bumper to bumper traffic, the warning comes on, and you'll feel loss in performance momentarily. On some extreme cases, the bike switches off the engine to protect itself from engine damage, and will crank once the engine has cooled down sufficiently. Keep moving, and the engine won't complain.

Nothing to worry basically.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Information on heating is a relief.
I would still like to know if spending on Engine Ice Coolant is worthy?
The sound is definitely because of the shims. 800 Kms left to service, will get the required done on service.
Decided to use AMSOIL Metric Motorcycle Oil 15W 50 on next service. Time will tell the difference.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Mine reacts the same way but not with MOTUL Inugel that ASC uses. It's higher than that with MOTUL.
I am currently using a car coolant with water and that has made the difference. The bike runs cooler. But not cool enough.
My friends 2018 Duke 390 is always at 50% and reaches about 70% at Bumper traffic. He uses Liqui Moly RAF 12+ and that is what I compare mine with and it's pretty hot than his.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Definitely Yes, it will definitely reduce the temps by 1 bar and will help the fan kick in much late and also the kick in duration will be reduced compared to fan-ON duration on Inguel.

I am not aware of heat and humid conditions up North, atleast here in South region we can get away with using Inugel or Motocool as outside temps is not more than 35degs with low humidity, so Engine Ice is not needed for our conditions and since it's already in a cooler place it will barely show a big difference.

But you say your bike always stays at 9 bars most of the time and you say temps out their is 45deg+, then better to give it a try and it'll definitely show a difference.

P.S. Even the new Liqui Moly RAF has good reviews, but not many have tried it. Also make sure you do complete drain, flush and rinse repeat 2-3 times to drain out the old coolant completely to get maximum result.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Will do the proper flushing, it's not currently available to buy locally. Amazon and Flipkart is out of stock. Keeping an eye on it and will buy when available.
Thanks for the information.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Engine Ice, I can't comment as I haven't used it, I personally use Motul Motocool Expert Hybrid, but a few of my friends use it in their Dukes and there have been pretty much happy and or neutral results, but nothing extraordinary, at least with the Dukes. Going by the reviews, it does seem to reduce a bar here and there, but, if you like it then, go for it. After all, it's a coolant, so nothing is lost or gained by replacing to another brand.

Secondly, only as a suggestion, don't go for the expensive-est oils out there. They don't really mean outright performance. Though, it's recommended to use the best grade for best performance, why spend more when you get the same recommended grade for a comparatively affordable price.

Nevertheless, keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Sure will. Seems like Engine Ice will take time, still not available online.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I own 2016 rc390 currently clocking 23k, 4 months back I had serviced the bike and upgraded to below things :

1. MOTUL 300 v2 10w 50
2.Iridium spark plug
3. 97 octane fuel

After the service at 21.5k I had a short spin here and there in the city for 4 months and took the bike for long ride of 1000km with the speed range of 110 to 120kmph. On a minimum I rode the bike for 200km without giving rest (stopped only for fueling)
Kms coverage break : Day one 400km and day two 600km.
It was on the highway for 70%of the time and rest 30 %at the hills.

*Reached back home safe yesterday without a hassle*

Today I took the bike for washing and chain lube, after taking the delivery I was off to home while on the way I had strange feedback from the bike as it started stalling at low rpms immediately I took a U turn and went back to the service center and noticed the oil drain(no low oil warning popped up) [emoji15] since they don't store 300v2 he told me to take the bike next day as it was closing time too, as I never leave the bike at svc I had to head back home and get it for them to top up(I had spare 500ml from the last service).

Now the bike is behaving normal.

Note : no smoke was coming out of the exhaust.

My query :

1. 300v2 was meant for racing as it withstand the max heat and delivers the smooth performance but why the oil eat up at just 1500 km [emoji15] and that too about 500ml, only 1000ml was left on the engine.


2. Should I return to stock by switching to 7100 Oil and bosch stock spark plug ?

3.Does 97ron got anything to do with this case(mostly I don't think so)

PS : I'll be doing this changes in a couple of days so need your input on this.

What might cause this [emoji25]

Attaching few pics from the ride because the post might be bit lengthy and boring to read

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

About the oil, since you and i aren't working as or know any chemists at Motul labs, it's best to stick to stock. If someone rides the bike real hard or when the bike get old, it would be better to increase the frequency of oil change (and servicing) rather than experimenting with different oils.

What are hoping to accomplish with 97 octane on a stock rc390?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

The longest ever race to be held was under 500 km's on the IOM circuit as per Google. And here you are using racing oil for commuting several thousands of km's?

Jokes apart, the Motul 300V is not certified to be JASO MA i.e used in UCE's with wet clutch operation.

And it is a fact that oil faces more wear tear on commuting rather than highway riding i.e riding with minimal gear changes. And this statement was made with reference to international highways, as far as our roads are concerned we're always commuting.

So it is only commonsense to not go for the Motul 300V in spite of Motul telling us that though it is not certified to be JASO MA it surely exceeds it in performance. I personally believe Motul missed to include a wink! smiley at the end of the statement.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

While using 97ron I really had a smooth acceleration and yup surprisingly I got more mileage compared to the 91.