Totally agree, even after using since 5 years, I feel there's no need for an upgrade no matter what. Probably is giving me ideas to pick up a xpulse or MT15 for kicks in the city and for fun and mainly mileage. Other than that, I see absolutely no reason to upgrade from the D390. Perfect in city and powerful enough in highways, It's got everything that latest and greatest bikes right now do!!

Not a tech post - felt this today

Went for a 1000kms ride inclusive of ghats , highways and city.

such a powerfull machine it is. I was revving hard just to outgrow the 390 and make my mind to get a more powerfull one. But oh man ! Every time i push it harder there is so much adrenaline pump and i never feel i will out grow this machine ❤❤

i have tried twin cylinders in this price range 650's , ninja 300, R3 , benelli 300 .. all these machines felt like a gentleman and was easily outgrown with few 100 of kms.

But the 390 has such a character that it is brutal hooligan. Dropped the plan for upgrade

Hey VJ,

Thanks!

This is what I was thinking as well. However there is one more problem that I forgot to mention. The engine had died during running (maybe three times in 1 month) and it took me a long time to get it running again.

Would this be due to the faulty ring or faulty valvetrain?

In the meantime I'm trying to find out places in Chennai that do a compression test for bikes.

Regards,
The Dukester

Smoke can mean a variety of things, not isolated to bore alone. It can mean weak piston rings alone, or leaky valve stem oil seals alone or a combination of both, all these can and will cause white smoke when revved hard and sometimes during early morning starts depending on the severity. Usually, what SVC does is they replace the entire valve train and bore kit to eliminate the possibility of a recurrence, it's easier for them in that way. Another way is to do a through compression check which can perhaps yield an even better picture, if it's the rings or the valvetrain.

I would recommend you carry out a thorough compression check/test and then proceed with the rings replacement.

Good luck. Keep us updated.

Cheers!
VJ

Hi All,

I own a 2018 Duke 390 and I'm running into a problem. I've seen white smoke coming out of the exhaust for the past few days.

Took it to the service centre today and they mentioned that the bore is weak and the entire kit has to be changed along with valves, etc.

The bike has run for only 29K Kms and the service has been done fairly on time. The only two times where there was a delay was during Covid where it went upto 8 mths.

I did not notice this a few weeks back.

Either way I got it serviced and came back.

Is there any hope other than changing the entire Bore Kit? Would changing the piston rings work?

Thanks!

The DukeSter

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

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) .

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.

Thank you.
Sujith

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

Good luck.

Cheers!
VJ

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.

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.

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

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

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