Hi everyone,

I'm owning a 2020 OCT gen 1 ADV390.
Would love to share certain critical stuff I noted with the ADV390/D390, It might get a little technical from here.

Cylinder kit update...

So there is this issue of oil burn/consumption across the 390 platform which I wanted to share here for a long time. This is across 390 platforms DUKE/RC/ADV, right from OCT 2020 least that's when I started noticing complaints across owners in India. No matter how sane you keep the throttle. Yes, the oil burn is very evident. When asked at ASC we got a reply that its normal to lose up to 50ml every 1000kms. Which was a case for a 50k clocked bikes.

So the lame reason given by ASC, that made me think of all possible reasons for some months were:
i) Possible valve stem seal wear (quality/material change)
ii) There was a oil wiper rings part update in the past but it was way back in 2015.
iii) Oil leak from shift shaft oil seal.
iv) Oil leak from output shaft seals.

A lil history:
There was a view that the 390 block piston assy. (OLD CYL assy. PART No. - 36JP0031) is very pricy. At least that's what Indian buyers were ranting about when bike needs a replacement. The cost was approximately under 16000/- INR (i.e - 197USD, 189EUR approx. conversion). For a Liner less NiKaSil Vacuum cast block combined forged piston with a hard anodizing and Grafal coated skirts the pricing is very much relatable. The cylinder block was manufactured in India, but the pistons(OLD PISTON PART No. - JY521214) and rings were done at ELKO Konig, Austria (https://www.elko-koenig.com/porducts/pistons/?lang=en) . So all the import cost and taxes made the piston prices to increase.



OLD part number and MRP



GREY colored hard anodized forged piston.

Now the Actual reason:
KTM updated the cylinder kit I guess from October 2020 or something to (UPDATED CYL assy. PART No. - 36JY0251). approx. price was 8200/- (i.e - 101 USD, 97EUR).
Now this kit comes with a localized made in India pistons Sriram Pistons (https://shrirampistons.com/). (NEW PISTON PART No. JY521223). This is also a forged unit but it lost the hard anodization on the surface, different metallurgy even.


NEW PART NUMBER

SILVER COLORED Non Anodized Pistons.

The new one comes with the corrugated oil scrapper ring spacer and two thin scraper rings VS The old one came with spring wire, spring behind the single piece oil scraper ring.
This change right outta the box was shitty and every bike has this oil consumption issue which KTM says its very normal which is BS in my opinion.

So if someone faces this issue try to find the old piston assy. and swap it out. You'll not have this issue of topping up frequently or wearing the engine by running dry.

NOTE: Some of these images are from other Threads/forums. Some of their information regarding the same was a little misleading. Have compiled all the changes and this post clarifies all.(CREDITS to the respective image owners)
HOPE THIS HELPS

For 2017 and 2018 models
The single channel Bluetooth versions there is a TFT update. It fixes some connectivity issue and clock running fast or slow.

How often do you guys top up engine oil? I have recently found that we have to do that regularly. Also, most SVc are saying losing a little bit of engine oil is normal.

Manoj has explained perfectly a post above, do have look, it's very helpful for the current gen motorcycles, especially.

Cheers!
VJ

I am the OP for these images and I've more detailed all posted info from my RC390 engine rebuilt time, mine was the last kit to be available with older forged ones, it was discontinued from 2021.
Those changes were discussed with regional KTM head and run pillar to post to source forged pistons last ones available.

It was a pure cost cutting exercise, new KTM 390's lack what old ones had. You cannot get forged pistons now which is very said, even as a paid spare part!

Hi Everyone,

I have a Duke 390, 2018 model. And the front tires have done close to 12000 km. They are the stock Metzelers M5, 110/70 Sport Interact.
They have served me well and now lot of punctures are happening back to back. And have decided now to change the front tire.

I have 3 options. Please suggest the best. This is purely for in city riding and commuting from to and fro office in peak Bangalore traffic.

1. Michelin Road 5 - 9k
2. Metzeler M7RR - 10k
3. Metzeler M5 - 9.5k

I have had good experience with the stock M5s. The dealer is suggesting to go with Michelin Road 5 as it has close to 15000 kms life.
The stock M5s were super on brakes and very less stopping distance.

But I have read that the stopping distance when you apply brakes goes up high with Michelin compared to M5 or M7.

is it correct ?? Anybody who is using Michelin can please comment on this.

Also in Bangalore, there is rain every other day. So wet performance also is important.
Kindly share your thoughts.

Any other brand if I have over looked please suggest them too.

Thank you.
Sujith

All these tyres are overkill for City runs in Silk Board, KR Puram traffic.
You can look at more cost effective ones - in the order VFM/performance
1) Apollo Alpha H1 - 6K
2) Ceat Rad X1 - 4K
3) Timsun 659 - 7K
4) Michelin Pilot Street - 7K

In my opinion you could have added the the Apollo Alpha to your list, great all rounder. This is the first time I am hearing of the stopping distance BS. I have ridden bikes with both the tires and I can say Michelin is cost effective and has comparatively better life than Metzelers. Once warmed up, I don't see a negligible difference between the both.

Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

Thank you for your suggestions. Will check out this options as well.
I have heard a lot about Apollo Alpha H1 & have read good reviews too but didnt know how they stack up against the M5 and Michelin Road 5.

Hows the order of puncture resistance of this tires on our Bangalore roads. My stock M5s have had their fair share of punctures so asking.

Yes, me too heard the stopping distance thing for the first time. Dont know much about it.
I was also inclining more towards the Michelin as many people have vouched for its wet performance and better life. Just heard about the stopping distance point and again got confused.

Will check out the Apollo Alpha. I am assuming you are also mentioning the same Apollo Alpha H1 as kiran2508 was recommending or you were telling a different variant from Apollo.

Thank you for your feedback.

Yes Sujith. The same variant. Apollo comes in only one variant Alpha for radials.

Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

Thank you.
Sujith

Hi, I must thank you for the images. Bad part was when I visited the SVC regarding this I totally forgot to click some images. Any ways back to the topic, the old grey colored pistons are now available as pistons & rings comp. for rs.8320/- prices are under constant revision. Have confirmed it with the SVC.
Now one can get the CYL. Piston Assy. with silver colored pistons (JY model). Else one can opt for just the pistons (MY17 model). The JP model cylinder kit is no longer available.
Also have confirmed the newer pistons are also forged and not cast aluminum and the grain pattern differs on the valve pockets as these are made while forging vs the old one had a completely machined crown surface. The consumption issue is mainly due to the oil scraper ring design. Older one used a coil spring loaded single piece rings and newer ones use a sidewinder type.

Hi all

i have added a radiator guard as i have seen a lot of stones hitting the radiator during high speed runs , it looks good but fan turns on often due to restricted air flow. Have anyone faced any damages due to stones from the roads ..

I am planning to upgrade to iridium spark plugs .. want to understand what is the difference it makes to stock spark plug. I feel the stock is good enough with the latest ecu update for my 390 (2018) .

ksuresh92 In one word, nothing. The iridum plugs last longer, help improve cold starts and basically extend service life. If you can replace it with Iridum, then there's nothing wrong in it. Secondly, answering the first one stone damages to a unprotected radiator is a real conundrum. There have been cases where the fins are hit from a stone enough to cause leakage and warrant a radiator replacement. A dirty radiator is far worse than a broken radiator. The fan comes on due to a variety of reasons, dirty radiator, a radiator with bent fins unable to provide heat transfer, faulty thermostat, bad coolant, the list can go on. Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ