Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Guys will these ktm bikes, since they are co developed by bajaj , loose the engine refinement and become harsh over a period of around 3 years or say about 100k kilometers . I currently own an rx 135 and its engine is still a charm to use even after 17years of usage .. So can I expect similar consistency of refinement from RC 390 ? Thanks in advance ! Ride safe

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

nope.. from what i have seen, they are not going to last 1 lakh km like say a splendor or a unicorn. maybe around 60k before requiring engine work if ridden and maintained well.
you shouldn't even be comparing this with a simple (mechanical wise) 2 stroker like an rx.
btw, i own both a ktm and a rx

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hi guys , bad news , bike got overheat today , when i check the coolant level , there is no coolant , and i do not find any leakages, bike just covered 500km ,, can i top up water to see if the level drops again , because 2moro is public holiday

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience


for the time being you can use distilled water yes.. but it wont have cooling properties like coolant. thats just temp fix but better than running whiout coolant.
however i am not sure why is there no coolant and without any leak how can it just vanish...

Ktm guys can pitch in better regarding coolant levels...

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

That's the coolant reservoir, check the radiator to see the volume present, I suggest you pick up a litre of coolant and keep with you, coolant loss could be either a leak or due to an air lock whilst filling at the factory, I suggest as you're under warranty, get it checked at the service centre.

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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Water can be used in place of the 'coolant'. but what is more important is the loss of coolant, which should be to a very very minimum. If you mean that the coolant level went from somewhere around the min or max level in the expansion tank (the white plastic tank shown in pic), then it could be an internal leak that has caused the coolant to mix with engine oil.. unless of course you have spotted an external leak. I suggest you first check out the engine oil by either draining it out completely or if possible extract some using a long tube from the filler cap side (or maybe inspect it thru the clear glass window)
If the oil looks milky white/greyish then its 100% an internal leak which needs to be fixed up at the service center.

another normal reason for the disappearance of coolant from the expansion tank is that if the radiator is not filled fully, then the coolant from the expansion tank has only gone in to the radiator. but i strongly suggest you to inspect the engine oil first.

Only yesterday I came across a rc390 at the ktm service that came in with a coolant loss and turns out it was indeed an internal leak. Even earlier there were two other duke 390's that had a similar problem of coolant mixing with engine oil.

KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I have heard ppl claiming of achieving top speeds of 175 kmph + but i am hardly able to achieve 157 kmph on full throttle. I am 6'3 and weigh 90 kg. Can anyone with simillar set share his exp on the top speed ?


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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience


weight and wind drag plays a major role... they take ideal weight of 66kg.. and 5.8/5.9 as height.. now imagine 30kg less.. i am sure you will hit another 10kmph extra.
also check the tyre pressure and chain slack. both play very vital role in speed runs...

people claim cbr doing 165 on speedo. mine dosent go beyond 140... blame my 6 feet height and 85kg frame and added 5kg bag pack...

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

i would like to pitch in. i touched 180 today crouched. just completed first service.
coming to the service i guess the ktm service here is blessed with good mechanics. everything was smooth.
bike runs like a dream. its an absolute screamer past 7k. huge grin everytime guaranteed.
now coming to the top speed issue. i am about 5 7 and 68 kilos.
and i did run a ninja 250r back in 2010 when i remember the bike just would not go past 160.
i believe somehow this depends on how have you run in the bike? but from experience the top whack of all the bikes of same make and model are not same for sure.
here is my angel being taken care of at service.

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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I am 6' and 95 kgs, I have clocked 173 without intending any top speed run. And this was with a saddle bag weighing 7kgs +.

So it all boils down to the road, slope and cross winds.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

bro u got ur bike from punjab ??????????

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

So, is the performance issue that you were reporting earlier gone after the service?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

yes i am from Ludhiana

yes she accelerates fine. especially around 8k rpm its very strong!

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Guys earlier was complaining about the temperature warning issues and engine shutting down, well after a lot of struggle the problem got fixed but i was in a very bad situation a week back.
The fan had stopped working because of which the temperature issue started so i gave the bike in the SVC and they struggled to fix the temperature issue for 4 days and finally they replaced the radiator and fan assembly, now the bike is working fine.

what i would say is everybody keep an eye on your fan running time, for how long is it running and is it getting cuttoff after some time, because this is were the problem starts, though temperature warning might not come but the engine might not be getting cooled as fast as it should and one fine day everything will break loose and you could be stuck so guys please always keep an eye on the functioning of the radiator and fan as it could leave you strangled in the middle of no were.

I had to face a lot of trouble because of this.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

After the surprise rains today and Blade getting soaked only for second time (first was during the wash at first service), I decided to give it a thorough wash. And to my horror!!

Observe the top of third and fourth ring. There is a consistent rusting of the part. However, there is no rust on the other bottom rings. Just a brief background on the use pattern and operating conditions:

1. Never rode in rain. The bike has been dry since the day I bought.
2. Never washed. Except for once during first service and second time today.
3. Very seldom ridden with pillion and that too for short distances.
4. Never ridden offroad. Did highway speeds on less than perfect highways so that the suspension did get tested there.
5. Bike comes out of garage only once a week and sits in clean, dry and airy place.
6. I live 380 m above sea level with nearest coast at least 800 kms away!!!

Now if this rusting happens on a weekend ride bike, if I make it do daily duties, I believe the pieces will fall off!!!

I can now think of following future course of action. Take this up with svc and ask for part replacement. Also, firm up the suspension so that the springs do not brush against each other. Alternatively, is there some anti rust coat which I can apply and prevent further damage?

How are other RCs fairing on this?