Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Yes, will do,
Thank you.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

If you don't mind me asking how many kms has your bike done?

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

after you replace the battery.. do get basic voltage tests done.. your ktm svc or local battery should be able to test if the charging circuit is working fine.

on an other note..
has you stator coil ever failed ?
keep us posted if it ever fails in the next few months. tell tale signs of a stator coil giving up is your speedo will randomly show 0 reading.. and the battery might lose charge.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Forgot to thank you
I've decided to change the battery, I've gone ahead with exide battery.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Thank you,
Mine is 4 year old, guess ill change it.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

usually around 3 yrs if the bike is used regularly. you could push it to 3.5-4 yrs depending on usage.
if you are regularly getting a low battery warning, its time to change the battery (get it tested to ensure that the other components of the charging system are not the culprit for the low battery).. running with a bad/low battery might eventually end up frying your stator coil or rr unit.
these bikes depend a lot on electronics, which in turn need a good power supply.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

If it's more than two years, and the dash throws up low warning, it's time to get a fresh battery. No matter, how much it holds charge for now or how well the battery cranks the bike, the battery will eventually give up. Get your battery replaced. If your bike is new and if it throws up error, that would mean, the vehicle isn't being run to charge the battery enough. Make sure the battery is re-charged and then installed on the motorcycle.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Hi again,
How long does an RC 390 battery last, mine is the same since I bought it, weekly like 3 times I get low battery sign on display, but after riding it won't be there next day. I know it's pretty old, how long can I push it, or do I need to change.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Good job! I'd like to share my two cents worth, I would suggest you get the newer 390s master cylinder along with the newer brake pads, they are Brembo semi sintered and cost effective. Just a grand or two more than the EBC, you get a complete brand new MS with pad set with are truly fantastic. Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

your valves were bent. lucky it dint cause much further damage to the piston/block.
classic case of not checking and adjusting valve clearances periodically.. eventually leading to starting trouble and/or valves being damaged.

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Almost same had happened.
The bike failed to start once it went off on highway and it was making loud noises when self start button was pressed.

I trust the ktm here, since 2015 they are the helping me keep KTM's at low pocket damages.
Estimate of 20 to 30k was given since nothing can be predicted without opening engine.
After opening engine 10k repair was counted.
For me, they did the repairs + some good relation deeds and final bill was 6k.

Bike was back to being rocket.
Some valve rods were gone.

Out of 4, 3 were bent to like 70 degree from being 90degree straight when kept on table.

Looked like this:

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Thanks for the support I'm surely planning pen down an extensive write up on the rebuild, hoping it helps for the following reasons.
1) It helps to a lame person to understand the costs and parts that one needs to go through for the process before they get into the 390's.
2) A archive repo that has all the part numbers required, images of the spares for a quick lookup at handy.
3) How the bike feels now after 5years again once that you've replaced every single component possible on the topend of the engine

And yes coming to 2nd part, I've asked them replace the entire 12K consumable kit. New air filter(Last it was replaced ~5000kms back, so it'd almost gone by now having ridden in dust filled Bangalore traffic), new fuel filter, oil filter, new spark plug, oil strainers in the 1st and 3rd in the oil drain points and replace any bad cracked coolant hoses.

Chain sprockets and brake pads are also at EOL, but I'm holding off on that getting it done at SVC. Also because I'm trying to source Rolon Gold(brass chain sprockets) and EBC sintered pads.
I want to mainly get the engine done-up there, everything else externally accessible items I can openup and replace myself DIY or get it by my FNG.

Yes I'm already putting in complete set, new friction plates, new 6 pressure plates (they had some scored lines), the basket and grab plate seemed fine so no need for the outer hub.

At first I thought of putting the entire Slipper clutch assembly from the 2017+ D/RC390, but cancelled the plan as I still like the raw mechanical feel of the normal clutch and love the old school kickback and fishtail wobble from the rear wheel during aggressive downshifts which lacks on the Slipper clutches

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

i'd say put in new clutch plates (At least the friction plates). And even otherwise, when the clutch plates are being assembled.. make sure they are soaked in engine oil for at least 15-30 min prior to installation. a lot of mechanics dont do this and install them dry

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

Great, I'd love to see the end result of this. Also make sure you replace your fuel filter and clear or replace your air filter as necessary, just in case you haven't considered that too.

Coneset is nothing but the bearings for the front steering assembly. Your handlebar moves left and right freely due to these ball bearings present inside the headstock and these are called coneset. If not used, they can rust and hinder the movement, so perhaps that's the reason they mentioned for a coneset replacement. Chain sprocket life can vary depending on usage, and conditions, but if it's deemed to be replaced, then replacing is better. But before replacement, make sure you it's actually end of life, sometimes they can just hoodwink for the sake of milking extra.

Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: KTM RC 390 Ownership Experience

In continuation of my previous post, Had taken bike to SVC, I showed the bike to them and I was told that I should change some cone which is present near front forks and the labour charge is 1100🙁, I soon searched in this forum but couldn't find much details about it, and also he told to change the chain and sprocket, I've done about 18k is it supposed to be this soon?
And rear brakes is very woody, like the pads are too near to disc and upon pressing the rear brake, I don't see any movement in pads.
Needed your help on those two guys.