Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Also where is the coolant drain in rc390


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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hey Guys
So finally i have my baby now for a full month and a day, so i thought to add my one month riding experience with the fellow bikers here.
As of today my odo is a bit above 1000 and i got my first service at 890 km the last sunday. So i have now shared a journey of about 3 weeks of run in and 7 days of post first service to report. Here are a few pointers from my side.
1. Comfort: Well , when i bought it, i knew i am in for a big challenge ahead. At 37 of age scale and after a gap of 5 years of riding a two wheeler, a look at the bike told me the upcoming possibilities. Last time, when i rode P220, that too was slightly uncomfortable, even when at the cusp of youth. To add to it, i wanted to rely on this bike full time (sold off the car), for office commuting, for weekend getaways and those aspiration of long tours (all states one by one). At the KTM store, i was getting inclined to pick Ninza 650 R (2015) as it was in my financial reach. However, i wanted to ride a mid range (45 BHP) bike before committing to bigger power. N true to it, i am yet to utilize the entire power spectrum of RC.

So first few days went without even feeling any breach in my comfort level, due to sheer excitement. A few days and a few jams later i started feeling pain in wrist+Palm or back, depending upon what posture i adopted. Initially i thought that it would gradually go away, but it didn’t. The problem was on stop n go traffic only and on freeways, above speed 40-50, it was better. So i started experimenting with body postures. Also to mention that i carry my backpack of about 5-6 kgs or so, hence the reporting is under upper threshold. In exact three weeks and after first service i have adopted my body positioning to a point where i would say that i may be just a bit short of riding comfort i had on straight back bull.
What exactly i have done is a few things which may help you out as well. First, is the positioning on foot pegs. Rather than keeping the pegs in middle i am placing them under the front foot. I mainly depends upon front brakes so right leg is okay. Left can slightly move ahead when the need be to change the gears. Mind you all this is in stop and go traffic. On freeways, one can probably sit as one wishes for. Further i am 5’9” and about 70 kg. . The second positioning is on seat. Sit in a way so as to leave about half inch gap between the tank and your b***s and do not rest the bum on seat as on couch. Rather stay slightly light as we usually do when facing a sudden bumper. Third pointer is that on the left bar, leave the clutch fully and use only when one need. We are usually in habit of always keeping fingers on clutch. Fourth is to learn the use of lower body in riding. Its just not to sit. I have started using my thighs and grips, while braking in particular and a slight grip in general to feel more planted. Now the fifth and most important pointer, in jams, i usually place my baby in First and let it idle so it runs smoothly at about 10-12 kmps. And the last, stay attentive. As soon as u see a stop ahead in jam, neutral it and straighten up. A second of straitening even would go a long way.
With this i have been able to survive jams ranging from 30 mins to an hour even
2. The Machine: Its just sheer love. As my time to ride approaches, it literally starts calling me telepathically and my heart responds through increased air intake. No hassles till day . Heat issue could be managed even in an hours jam. It was there but manageable . i am still looking forward to how it does so when out in 45 C here in delhi.
3. The Service: Costed me 1700 bucks, including 300 for chain cleaning and lubing. It runs much smoother and lower end rpms are getting smoother and less jerky day by day.
4. Attention: Almost made me a star in office for a few days and i have my 15 mins of fame every morning and evening when going/coming to n fro from office. Took it to my native village and almost entire village came one by one to see the wonder and they still keep coming.
5. Sound: i love the stock exhaust and above 100 or so it gets almost translated to a superbike exhaust (may be i am too much in love and hence biased).
6. High speed Dynamics: Superb. Took it to almost 150 and it was rock solid. The rider confidence on the stability and braking os really huge at high speeds. The dynamics is really effective in cutting through wingd at high speeds in crouching position, though i felt like playing a moto race game in 3D mode looking at the road ahead in that position. Itwill show you glimpses of a meditative stage, where your thought ceases and you live in just the present moment and your entire life planning just gets restricted to the Quarter Mile Ahead on road.
7. Cornering: I am a learner at this but have been able to manage about 80-100 on wide circular loops of DND flyway and still learning the body positioning and other handling factors.
8. Cons: The only cons is that i am yet to buy the riding gear, so couldn’t expore the possibilities in higher thresholds.
I am now looking forward to a long tour ahead as and when it materialises. Till then Ride safe

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

For this you'll have to remove the right side fairing, and the belly underguard to access the water pump. You have a small nut under the water pump, which drains the radiator fluid, after which you need to top it up accordingly. Blindly removing the radiator cap, will leak all the fluid in the reservoir tank, so care must be taken. If you're using the same grade coolant then you can top up, if you're using a different coolant altogether, you need to drain the old fluid, flush the system and refill the system up with new one.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

So today I finally made time and went to the Bharat Petroleum in Residency road, Bangalore and filled Speed 97(97 RON or 93RON with additives) in my RC390. The fuel is on the expensive side at Rs.84.28 per litre but the fuel we get normally is 91RON but the manual specifies 95RON fuel. There is no 95 RON sold here. I did like 20 kms after filling an almost dry tank. The gear shifts became really really buttery(not sure if it has something to do with the fuel at all). The last 5kms have been really really smooth. The first 15km I found no difference but there is some difference now. Not too major but noticeable. One thing for sure is that the actual purity of the fuel can only be tested/felt after another full tank. Will give an update pretty soon.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

I use speed too form day 1 of my bike and I gave a try to use normal fuel and I so major changes in highway riding the Speed gave me more mileage and smoother feel.


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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Which version of Speed do you use? The one that says Speed in Green is 93RON and is available in many places. Speed 97 isn't available in Most places. Just wanted to confirm because if Speed 93 itself has such smoothness, I could give it a try. Price is much lower than Speed 97.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Ya I use the speed 93 Ron that's more than enuf I use it for my other bike (Triumph street tripple).


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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Guys got MY Rc390 delivered on friday, Bike is fun to ride. Just enjoy the grips , cornering ability and its insane power. But yesterday afternoon my radiator fan gave some irritating noise, i stopped took it home and fan stopped working . Called my dealer ,they are sending technical guy . Its bad KTM , Stuck , Dont know wht to do. Help !!

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hehehe..change in fuel quality won't have any effect on gear shift smoothness...it's just your illusion..

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Any increase in price for rc 390 in kerala. I heard that the price will go upto 270000 . Thanks to finance minister

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Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

thats bad,
haven't you checked all the things before taking delivery?
Ask them for replacement if required

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that not good. initially 2.3 then 2.5 and now 2.7???

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

by sound do you mean 'tcch tcch'??
if so do not worry,even i had the same problem at the time of purchase,its the problem with radiator fan & they will replace it under warranty & no service fee.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Get your bike quick mate... prices will definitely boom from next month.. i've been to the trivandrum ktm showroom and they said prices are bound to go up.. by about 2.3%-4% increase in rates..

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

First service update:
First service done at 1096kms.
Issues: gear linkage rod had come off in middle of road, wasnt loctited.
Oil, oilfilter, oil strainers were changed.
Total cost : 1450
Bike has become more smoother as with any bike going from ss to fully synth. Gear shifts are much smoother now. Fe in run in was 24.xx.