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Re: KTM RC 390 Launched: xBhp News
To me unknown sounds in duke 200/390 are not much of an issue. They are mainly due to loose chain and may be loose chassis nuts. A bit of tightening in general(better if according to the recommended torque) takes care of the general squeaks a lot and vibs too. Of course they can't totally be eliminated owing to the engine config(big singles).
If we look at the entire KTM range you'd see a common binding factor : gear box with an agricultural character, small vibs(not unbearable) which are dowsed when rpms rise, sharp fuelling leading to a bit of jerkiness at low rpms , delicious torque and generally having dollops of character
Refinement is never associated with KTM bikes and in fact Europeans/ Americans go for a KTM(or may be a duc) after being tired of the super refined/ well behaved/dependable Jap bikes.
KTMs are also classfied as being a bit more maintenance requiring, less thanthe ducs of course, but more than the ultra dependable Japs.
The Indian made dukes confirm to all of these characteristics IMO.
The real issue to me is relatively inferior(read made of lesser materials) parts which Bajaj may have chosen to maximise profits. This quality might have suited the regular 150 cc Indian fare, but the same parts gone inside a lot more powerful and stiffly strung Duke give up very early.
The nut threading gives up, oil starts leaking out from engine, small amount of coolant overflows out, mags getting cracked(in case if 390 and NOT the 200 in general) , fan winding gone in about 10-15 k, clutch plates needing two replacements in 25 kms, these are real quality issues to me.
Btw I believe the RC series would have less issues , at least no oil leaks. No one would notice small leaks thanks to the big fairing
Originally posted by Rishabh14
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Some personal views regarding KTM RC series -
If the naked bikes are having so many teething issues like
1)vibrations
2)unknown sounds
3)nuts and bolts (loosen time to time)
And so on(if any)
Then the conditions of fully faired bikes in India would be the worst, since fairing involves a lot of fit , finish and precision while assembling, and we know that how good bajaj is when it comes to fit and finish.
If Bajaj was not able to make it's naked bikes like pulsar 200nd and tge two dukes(200,390)vibe free, then the no. Of these issues will probably increase only.
P.S.- I liked ktm RC 390 and pulsar 400ss very much and I am planning to buy any one of these two. I know that BAL is trying its best to improve there quality and 200ns is a very nice machine but acc.to me its difficult to make fully faired bikes than naked ones.
Cheers
If the naked bikes are having so many teething issues like
1)vibrations
2)unknown sounds
3)nuts and bolts (loosen time to time)
And so on(if any)
Then the conditions of fully faired bikes in India would be the worst, since fairing involves a lot of fit , finish and precision while assembling, and we know that how good bajaj is when it comes to fit and finish.
If Bajaj was not able to make it's naked bikes like pulsar 200nd and tge two dukes(200,390)vibe free, then the no. Of these issues will probably increase only.
P.S.- I liked ktm RC 390 and pulsar 400ss very much and I am planning to buy any one of these two. I know that BAL is trying its best to improve there quality and 200ns is a very nice machine but acc.to me its difficult to make fully faired bikes than naked ones.
Cheers
If we look at the entire KTM range you'd see a common binding factor : gear box with an agricultural character, small vibs(not unbearable) which are dowsed when rpms rise, sharp fuelling leading to a bit of jerkiness at low rpms , delicious torque and generally having dollops of character
Refinement is never associated with KTM bikes and in fact Europeans/ Americans go for a KTM(or may be a duc) after being tired of the super refined/ well behaved/dependable Jap bikes.
KTMs are also classfied as being a bit more maintenance requiring, less thanthe ducs of course, but more than the ultra dependable Japs.
The Indian made dukes confirm to all of these characteristics IMO.
The real issue to me is relatively inferior(read made of lesser materials) parts which Bajaj may have chosen to maximise profits. This quality might have suited the regular 150 cc Indian fare, but the same parts gone inside a lot more powerful and stiffly strung Duke give up very early.
The nut threading gives up, oil starts leaking out from engine, small amount of coolant overflows out, mags getting cracked(in case if 390 and NOT the 200 in general) , fan winding gone in about 10-15 k, clutch plates needing two replacements in 25 kms, these are real quality issues to me.
Btw I believe the RC series would have less issues , at least no oil leaks. No one would notice small leaks thanks to the big fairing
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