Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

No what I meant was the last oil change was done almost 2500 kms back when the odo was reading 6669 and now odo reading is just 8980. So will that be the reason? Also sometimes I feel the bike stalls a little bit more like in 2nd gear and it needs a little bit more revs to pick up from a slow move.

Cheers,
Aswin

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Not really. Vehicles that are used on a daily basis, or basically commuter bikes, stay safe when the oil is replaced at this interval i.e 3k is a good interval to replace your engine oil. People can drag it to any number they want, but it's ultimately their engine, and their due diligence and the care they offer to their vehicle, which in turn will reward the user by prolonged life.

It's always a good practice to replace oils on such intervals for motorcycles, as they provide lubrication for the engine as well as the gearbox, which would mean more stress the oil has to endure. Long story short, sooner the better.


Yes, you can consider changing your engine oil now. Make sure, your chain slack isn't too loose or too taut, make sure the right slack is maintained and the chain lubed. A dry chain will produce slinging sound and vibrations. Lubrication is key. Adjust your clutch play, if your bike stalls when releasing the clutch. Too high and too low a clutch play wold mean stalls and clunky gearshifts. Get it checked/adjusted.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Has it started recently? I find my bike to be a bit vibey when it has amassed decent kms after oil change. Gear shift becomes clunky as well.

Also if chain is not lubed in a long time along with dirty swing arm due to muck especially after rains.

But vibes due to these are not too extreme.

Ktm recommend oil change at 7.5 k kms. I am planning to change at 5-6 k kms. I am expecting to average at 2 service per year.

Is changing oil at 3k must for all bikes? Dominar I think has oil change interval of 10 k kms as per manufacturer.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

These vibes are a bit on the extreme side and it started recently. I have lubricated the chain, need to tight it a little bit and then replace the engine oil.

I will try and update.

Cheers,
Aswin

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

So I touched 140 for first time on the bike during a long ride on a wide open road.

It has quite a bit of reserve even at those speeds. Feels a bit like a tiny rocket at those speeds. Also only way to do it is tuck down completely.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

How are you guys touching 140s and 150s? Here I am scared to go past 120. Is this something that comes with practice?

Note: I don't have proper riding gear except for Helmet :P and cheap (500 INR) riding

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

I don't want to lecture you but without riding jacket, these speeds feel harsh and not worth it.

I personally think bike is stable enough so you don't feel scared. Only issue in going above 120 is windblast. So tucking down completely is only way.

I did got upright after touching 140 and windblast is ravenous.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

And I use the upright position as adding resistance so that my body acts as air-brake [emoji16]
But yeah, any kind of riding should happen with all the riding gear. People may call you names or make fun of you but your life is in your hands and you decide whether style is more important than life.
To be honest, full riding gear(jacket+helmet+gloves) looks so cool. [emoji4]

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

The indian weather and riding conditions dont allow the oil to last very long and we're talking about a engine that just loves to heat up.

You want better life and performance from your motor, replace the oil between 2. 5k - 3k kms.

I use 300v 15w50 and i alawys replace it between every 2 - 2.5k kms

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Is this rule of thumb or is their a research behind this?
I can understand due to dusty conditions, all lubrication exposed to elements dry out. So waiting for 10k kms as recommended on most superbikes is not a good idea. Best do it at 5k.

For reference I have crossed 3k kms on my duke with current oil changed at 1st service and vibes due to old, used oil are minimal. Ktm also recommends 7.5k interval which doesn't feel off, going by current situation.

On my r15, manufacturer recommended interval was 3k kms and sure enough vibes used to creep in around 2.5k kms onwards.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Vaibhav, part of the answer to your question is already in your question. Oil grades are recommended depending on the vehicle, depending on the condition/place it's going to be used, and importantly how long it can be used on a "standard test" basis that the designers have designed them for. These so called standard testing won't be applicable to real life. As with any vehicle, the real life usage, mileage, stress/strain, is far higher when compared to the test that the designers carry out.

Oil not only lubricates a piece of machinery or an engine, they also go through the process of cooling the engine, whenever and wherever necessary. It's this repeated heat cycle that wears out the molecules of any oil for that matter and then the engine begins to roughen out. Though manufacturers recommend higher odo interval replacement for any given oil, remember, the bike can give us cues as to what's happening inside itself, starting with vibrations, clanky sounds, rough idle when heated up, and what not when the oil starts to begin deteriorating.

Replacing a motorcycle's engine oil at and around, 3k irrespective of brand, grade, marketing hype, will mean one thing. Prolonged engine life and a smile that's unwavering>

Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

So yesterday I went for my first sort of long ride of 200 kms. I touched 140. I had lubed chain a night before with fresh engine oil.

I must say at those speeds it feels like its completely removed from chain. Chain is feeling a bit like it was before lubing.

Apparently reason for using actual chain lube is so it stays on chain even at high speeds.

Agree if I change oil early as precautionary measure it will be better.

I will keep an eye on engine condition and change oil as soon as smoothness goes away.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

If you use the fully syn motul 7100, you can safely pull 5000 km between oil changes. A bit more if you mostly ride on the highways. It comes down to usage vs type of oil. This is my experience with the 7100.. a good vfm fs oil. Of course you can also change the the oil everyday if you have the money n time to spend On bigger bikes the interval is longer, and one of the reasons that aid a longer interval is a larger oil sump capacity. if its a smaller commuter segment bike, then a mineral oil should be ok, and changed around 2500km.

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use something tackier, like the 90 or 140 gear oil.. of course the spray will be more stickier. but i find some sprays attract more dust too. whatever you use, keep the chain lubed at regular intervals.. thats the key. i use a spray mostly if riding in the rains, otherwise its good old oil... pulling 37k km on stock chain (with only front sprocket replaced at 28k km) on my D200.

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Indeed. Proactively checking the oil level and timely replacement is the key.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: 2017 Duke 390 Owners Reviews and Experiences

Hi Guys,

There is strange metal grinding noise coming from my front disk brake when i turn to the right and brake simultaneously at low speeds.
As if the disk brake is touching metal or something is rubbing against the brake disk or pad. Last time during washing I had sprayed enough water at the disks to rule out dust particles rubbing against the disk.

Dont know exactly what it is.
Anyone faced this issue or point out what it could be. ?

Thank you.