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**KKP** · 02-12-2015, 05:03 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

It's not only the slipper clutch that's being installed on the newer lots, but 20 odd corrections have been made to the bike, nitty-gritty but big deal, as confirmed by the KTM senior mechanic here. Secondly, most 2015 bikes may perhaps be manufactured in September 2014, but the VIN automatically is translated to 2015, as this was touched upon from the dealer.

If you've booked an RC say pre-2014 December or early January 2015, you will be getting the motorcycles manufactured in the fourth quarter of 2014, that's last year, even though the VIN would indicate a January 2015.

Yes, apparently the newer Dukes have smoother clutch play, again as reported by the fellow mechanic here.

Bottomline: Folks waiting to book their RC with the latest gadgetry, let go off this month as a buffer, book your bikes on March, first week. So by the time, you guys get the motorcycle, you'll be getting all the latest potpourri in your bike.

I hope the early adopters aren't offended, and glad to see Bajaj upping the ante with the slipper clutch and corrections batch after batch, kudos to Bajaj. But as much as they improve, I hope they've designed the slipper clutch mechanism in a way that it could be a direct plug and play for the early adopters, at least not to hurt their poor ego.

Cheers!
VJ

B7ACKTHORN i have been following ur comments on the rc 390 forum.

Based on ur comments had a discussion with my dealer and he has agreed to most of updates reflecting on the machines. He is to deliver 2 rc 390 tomorrow and both of them have slipper clutch but no suspension cover like the one in duke.

May be as u said the newer lots will progressively induce all the planned upgrades as the manufacturing batches mature...

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**B7ACKTHORN** · 02-12-2015, 05:09 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by mustang28 View Post

^^ Well, if my bike is manufactured in 2014 as you say, I don't know why I had to wait for a month to get it. Would have been as simple as loading from Pune and unloading at Hyderabad! And i can no way understand how a slipper clutch can be introduced without increasing the price. Kawasaki really puts a premium on the slipper clutch in all N300 brochures. So why do Bajaj and KTM consider it so trivial? And a smoother clutch no way means that it is a slipper clutch!

A smoother clutch doesn't necessarily translate to a slipper clutch, a clutch setup has something called clutch springs, which compress and decompress the plates to cause friction which is how your wheel moves. Now the harder the spring, the more clutch bite and more performance, but obviously, it has its own drawbacks such as hard lever play and hard on palms. A softer spring allows the clutch to feel smoother, though the clutch bite would be reduced to some degree. That's the reason most high end bikes use hydraulic clutch, it feels smooth on your palms but the hard work is done by the hydraulics to aid in a smooth clutch play.

Simple loading from Pune to AP eh! Easier said than done, mustang. Fact of the matter is, there is a lot to take into consideration, you're not the only guy who is in need of a motorcycle, too many dealers are waiting, too much backlog, it's just impossible to discern what is going in the shippers mind, but I always say to take this notion with a pinch of salt.

Thirdly, yes you're right, though emphasis is placed on slipper clutch on the Ninja brochure, but let's wait, Bajaj is notorious for making changes with absolutely no warning whatsoever! Our only consolation are some inside info from the mechanics and service managers who are kind enough to share their little secrets with us.

Said and done I've been long waiting to get the RC, and postponing for close to three months, to get all these updates installed, how do you think I would feel?

Originally posted by suresh0117 View Post

Hi please can you confirm if Duke 390's alloy wheels have been strengthened? I read it in KTM Makes Changes For Indian Conditions, Strengthens Alloy Wheels | MotorBeam – Indian Car Bike News & Reviews but would like to know if it is correct news from someone who works for KTM. Thank you!

Suresh, there is absolutely not a reason to fret. There are continual improvements being made in the Duke series, and alloys have been one of them. All said done, all lesser sidewall profile tires can't handle a pothole at notorious speeds, due diligence is a must when going over such roads. That doesn't mean you can simply fly over potholes, common sense is our best friend.

Go ahead and book yourself a Duke!

Cheers!
VJ

**mustang28** · 02-12-2015, 05:14 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

^^ I agree buddy. But consider this - how would I feel after having sold my D390 and waiting for 3 months for the RC and then missing the all new bells and whistles by half a month!
All said and done, wish we do get a slipper clutch - you get it on your new bike and I get to plug into my old! [emoji1]

**suresh0117** · 02-12-2015, 05:20 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by B7ACKTHORN View Post

Suresh, there is absolutely not a reason to fret. There are continual improvements being made in the Duke series, and alloys have been one of them. All said done, all lesser sidewall profile tires can't handle a pothole at notorious speeds, due diligence is a must when going over such roads. That doesn't mean you can simply fly over potholes, common sense is our best friend.

Go ahead and book yourself a Duke!

Cheers!
VJ

Thank you!

**vernon24** · 02-12-2015, 05:53 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Arrgghh!!!!!! it feels like we should have waited to book our bikes!! I hope KTM at least offers to upgrade the previous bikes at a nominal price

**Divya Sharan** · 02-12-2015, 06:10 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

OT but related

Bikes are like mobile phones. Every 6 months, you get a new model that outshines the previous one in terms of spec/gadgetry.

Learn to make the best use of your gadgets. I know it hurts to miss out on something new by a whisker. Happened to me in 2004 when I bought my Kinetic Zing. 1 month later, they brought in a new provision for mobile charging under the seat.

Back to topic, I guess BAL would have made provisions to retrofit the changes on older batches.

**itraja** · 02-12-2015, 07:33 PM

Attached Files

**chinmayakar** · 02-12-2015, 07:35 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Does your bike have slipper clutch?

**itraja** · 02-12-2015, 07:36 PM

**mustang28** · 02-12-2015, 07:39 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

^^ how do you know that its a slipper clutch?

**itraja** · 02-12-2015, 07:53 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I know becoz when i suddenly downshifted from higher gear due to some obstacle on the road the bike didn't stall

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**Stani Emerson John** · 02-12-2015, 08:07 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by Ivin View Post

Guys, well the source of the news is myself , because I work for KTM . I will post the details with other changes later on the new model so that you can identify the bike equipped with the new clutch when going to take a new one. The bikes were unloaded today only . While the duke390 only is available now as we are also facing a hefty time in getting the RC, but its confirmed that te RC390 also gets the clutch along with the new duke390.Thank You .

It's great news that we have someone from KTM on this forum. Kindly do post pics of the changes on new models so it's easy for us to identify.

I think for most planning to purchase now, it would be prudent to hold back your purchase to after April to enjoy all the upgrades.

The Ninja 300 is going to get one bad ass whooping now.

**Ivin** · 02-12-2015, 08:07 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

There are many changes on Dukes (&RC's) going around right now.Some of them are
Slipper Clutch, New indicators with an extra black layer on top to prevent fogging, rear tyre hugger grew larger, new fork covers, new seats (more cushioned), new handle grips for dukes(taken from respective RC's) etc .
These are some I could remember right now.
AFAIK, the 390 twins with this fork protector has Slipper Clutch.
Thats a pic of the Slipper clutch, Sorry couldn't get the pic before, well, I'm trying to.

Attached Files

**sarveshmehta4567** · 02-12-2015, 08:09 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Bro check your manual provided to you by the company, if the bike is fitted with a slipper clutch it will definitely be mentioned in the manual, and to test the slipper clutch u would hav to atleast downshift 2 gears while riding at high rpm, and then if the rear wheel doesn't skid Dat means your bike has a slipper clutch, but do confirm before trying it out, as if ur bike isn't equipped with the slipper clutch the consequences can be bad

**Stani Emerson John** · 02-12-2015, 08:13 PM

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Originally posted by itraja View Post

I know becoz when i suddenly downshifted from higher gear due to some obstacle on the road the bike didn't stall

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I thought slipper clutch was to prevent wheel locking and skidding on lowering gears aggressively.

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