KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

[Skanda]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Regarding my earlier Engine Oil Query, I topped up another 150ml and the level is fine now.

When I asked the Service guys at most of the service centers, all of them recommend to just use 1.5L for the Duke390. The manual available online says 1.7L.

I checked mine by putting the bike on the paddock stand, ran it for couple of minutes, left it to cool down and when checked, the oil level was less than minimum. It took 350ml of oil to correct the oil level. I think service centers should not neglect by simply saying 1.5L is recommended. 350ml of oil is not a small quantity by any means and it's better we check the oil levels after every service.

[Skanda]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Installed led aux lights by welding L brackets on crash guards and repainting them by using spray paint. These go by the name Osram Led and were ordered from AliExpress long back. Got time to install them now. Installed the switch on the handlebar next to 12V socket. The connection is taken form accessory point available under headlight and can be switch on only when the ignition is on. The lights are very very bright and produce good spot light. Aligned them to use as high beam. Stock headlight as low beam and aux light as high beam produce brilliant light and it's for safe highway rides.

Another thing to note is, unlike other led lights, this consume very low current. I tested mine and it consumes just 1.6A. I'm running it with 2A fuse and not faced any issues until now. So this thing is very battery friendly.

[niku]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

First Service for me at 12,000kms. (Not sure how many the previous owner did, I bought at 9500kms clocked)
Hoping that my Speedo 0 and Stalling when Downshifting (at times) issues get fixed.
Also I wanted to know if any other KTM folks here coming to the ISG2G at Ooty this weekend? (except the Chennai folks)

[tusharxtreme]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I checked mine by putting the bike on the paddock stand, ran it for couple of minutes, left it to cool down and when checked, the oil level was less than minimum. It took 350ml of oil to correct the oil level. I think service centers should not neglect by simply saying 1.5L is recommended. 350ml of oil is not a small quantity by any means and it's better we check the oil levels after every service.

What I feel is there is the ECU diagnostics which will show an error code/warning if the bike is running low on engine oil. I feel till that time it should be fine with 1.5 ltr of Engine Oil.
I maybe wrong though.

[s1d]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I checked mine by putting the bike on the paddock stand, ran it for couple of minutes, left it to cool down and when checked, the oil level was less than minimum. It took 350ml of oil to correct the oil level. I think service centers should not neglect by simply saying 1.5L is recommended. 350ml of oil is not a small quantity by any means and it's better we check the oil levels after every service.

NEVER check the oil level when the bike is on a paddock or side stand. The correct position is to hold the bike upright without any stand and check the level. Let it idle for a minute or so and then shut it off and check the level after 30 seconds.

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What I feel is there is the ECU diagnostics which will show an error code/warning if the bike is running low on engine oil. I feel till that time it should be fine with 1.5 ltr of Engine Oil.
I maybe wrong though.

1.5 L is probably ok, but one would be having a lower margin of safety if the oil is not topped off to the right level. So rather than blindly going by a set value, take the manufacturers recommendation as a reference and fill up oil to the recommended level in the sight glass. Also try to the drained oil measured if you feel its too little or a lot, that way you will know the rate of oil consumption (if any) or increase in the drained oil (due to coolant contamination).
The check engine light will come on for low oil pressure (not directly for low oil level) and i haven't seen it come on even when the oil was down by around 300-400ml.

[riazmomin]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Installed led aux lights by welding L brackets on crash guards and repainting them by using spray paint. These go by the name Osram Led and were ordered from AliExpress long back. Got time to install them now. Installed the switch on the handlebar next to 12V socket. The connection is taken form accessory point available under headlight and can be switch on only when the ignition is on. The lights are very very bright and produce good spot light. Aligned them to use as high beam. Stock headlight as low beam and aux light as high beam produce brilliant light and it's for safe highway rides.

Another thing to note is, unlike other led lights, this consume very low current. I tested mine and it consumes just 1.6A. I'm running it with 2A fuse and not faced any issues until now. So this thing is very battery friendly.

I too got the switch installed for the LED Projector bulbs on my 390.



Got it for Rs 100. Placed it at left side as there was enough space to fit and thought it must be closer to the existing buttons.
Bulbs i connected are to the pilot lamp wiring and insulated with electrical tape and secured loose wiring with zip ties.

Any specific reason why you fixed them at edges of crash bar? minor fall may damage the lamps.


Also, got this helmet over the weekend.
MT Blade, Rs 6200.

[chip94]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I checked mine by putting the bike on the paddock stand, ran it for couple of minutes, left it to cool down and when checked, the oil level was less than minimum. It took 350ml of oil to correct the oil level. I think service centers should not neglect by simply saying 1.5L is recommended. 350ml of oil is not a small quantity by any means and it's better we check the oil levels after every service.

The service center guys are just following orders like robots. Even when they put in 1.5L, they spill some, so effectively the oil going in is under 1.5L. I've started checking everything myself now.

Interestingly today, my Check Engine Light (MIL) came on on my way back home. The error code was 15 (1 long 5 short). A quick google search revealed the roll over sensor.

Took it to KTM and after telling him the code, he too said that the roll over sensor was the culprit. Connected the Diagnostic tool and it showed nothing. Cleared the Memory and its back. Going tomo to get it replaced. Any insight on this?

[Skanda]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

I too got the switch installed for the LED Projector bulbs on my 390.

[ATTACH]217422[/ATTACH]

Got it for Rs 100. Placed it at left side as there was enough space to fit and thought it must be closer to the existing buttons.
Bulbs i connected are to the pilot lamp wiring and insulated with electrical tape and secured loose wiring with zip ties.

Any specific reason why you fixed them at edges of crash bar? minor fall may damage the lamps.

I have installed action cam handlebar mount on the left, so had to install the switch on the right as I use the aux light only on highway rides and would not need instant access to this considering my headlights are always on. I used heat shrink tubes everywhere as insulation tape becomes lose and sticky in long run. Due to large radiator, I had to install them on the ends.

[Sumit_Singh]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Also, got this helmet over the weekend.
MT Blade, Rs 6200.



Nice helmet

[Sumit_Singh]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

Kolkata monsoon is killing but Duke made it so fun, so thought of giving it back...

[Rohith Rot]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

hi Guys,

I have a june 2016 390 Duke, the thing is with the 1st gear, it is hard. it also makes a THUD!! sound , but the 2-6 gear r soft and fine. Is this how it is with this bike or should i get it rectified .

Please let me know.

[Hemant Singh]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

hi Guys,

I have a june 2016 390 Duke, the thing is with the 1st gear, it is hard. it also makes a THUD!! sound , but the 2-6 gear r soft and fine. Is this how it is with this bike or should i get it rectified .

Please let me know.

It is completely normal. Every duke does that. Every high capacity bike will do that.

[s1d]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

The service center guys are just following orders like robots. Even when they put in 1.5L, they spill some, so effectively the oil going in is under 1.5L. I've started checking everything myself now.

One of the reasons that 1.5L of oil would be sufficient (i.e. showing correct level in the sight glass) during an oil change is when they do not drain out the oil completely. Very few customers know that there are two drain bolts that need to be undone to drain the oil out on the 390's. If your svc is only draining out the oil from the drain bolt on the side (near the stand) then some quantity of oil is left in the crankcase.. but if they also undo the bolt at the bottom-front end of the crankcase then it is considered a complete drain for an oil change (Dismantling the engine is a different case, and in such a case it would take in more than 1.6L)
Am sure the svc mechanics know this, but to just save time n effort they mostly avoid draining it out from the second drain point.

[Skanda]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

One of the reasons that 1.5L of oil would be sufficient (i.e. showing correct level in the sight glass) during an oil change is when they do not drain out the oil completely. Very few customers know that there are two drain bolts that need to be undone to drain the oil out on the 390's. If your svc is only draining out the oil from the drain bolt on the side (near the stand) then some quantity of oil is left in the crankcase.. but if they also undo the bolt at the bottom-front end of the crankcase then it is considered a complete drain for an oil change (Dismantling the engine is a different case, and in such a case it would take in more than 1.6L)
Am sure the svc mechanics know this, but to just save time n effort they mostly avoid draining it out from the second drain point.

I usually stay at the service center and get my bike serviced and my bike has gone through 2 service till now. Both the time, I have seen them removing 2 drain bolts and emptying all the oil that's in the engine and then closing them and refilling the oil.

[Serene George Thomas]

Re: KTM Duke 390 - Ownership Reviews and Experiences

after 10 days of waiting, and after writing a letter to ktm website, i get a revert from KTM COchin dealership, that the bike has a burnt clutch and the debris from the clutch has gone into the oil lines. Now, they are going to open up the engine and that they will assess the actual damage and let me know about the cost of repairs.

mine is a 2013 model and with just around 15K on the odo. I wonder, even if i do 80pc of my riding is traffic, how come my clutch plate has disintegrated to pulp? they can claim a lot of things, but, is 15K enough for the clutch plate to be smashed to smithereens? For the first time, i am starting to doubt my bike that i loved till yesterday's phone call.

Can someone help me understand how it might happen so bad and so quick? I have used biked for the past 20 years and i am yet to face a problem like this. Is it KTM quality or is the service center taking me for a ride? In my course of usage of this bike, i have always serviced it at the requisite intervals and have always done it in the same service center. What is the normal procedure for taking it up with KTM India and how is their complaint redressal policy? I intend to publish the service bill in here, once i get it for the expert scrutiny.