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-   -   The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/138082-ktm-duke-390-ownership-experience-thread-237.html)

I washed my bike once before the first service, out of enthusiasm. Then I havent washed it ever since, not even dusted it. So what will you call me :D

My bike got washed during the first service and in some of my trips to KTM service station.

I guess except for the radiator and the sensor areas, there shoudnt be any problem with pressure wash.

If you live in coastal areas and it's not rainy, a bike wash once in two to three weeks is best. Washing the bike every other day will increase rusting.

Thank you and this is where I went wrong , a friend advised take a ride to evenly spread it and it was even all right along the rim :D Will do as you and Abhinav have adviced .

Thank you for that step by step guide and now I know it is ok to lube without cleaning if I am feeling too lazy but chain needs urgent lubing . I used kerosene to clean the one time I attended to my chain , will purchase wd-40 online for the next time onward .

I was actually referring to me being lazy and not seeking out the 3 other owners here :)

My bike is surprisingly clean for the distance used , a dry but thorough dusting normally gets the job done to an acceptable level .

Which particular area do you mean by sensor area , I have made it a note to be careful around the rear seat as pressurized water may creep in and potentially sort out the ABS fuses located there . Also I always try to not hose the engine directly when washing the enfield and will follow the same with the duke .

I use MOTUL chain clean and chain lube. Costs Rs 500 each. Got it from KTM service center. See pics
Mostly inside the frame, on the throttle body, on the engine, above the radiator etc.

I personally don't use or recommend using a pressure washer to wash a motorcycle, particularly the new ones with fuel injection and high tech electronics.

By pressure washing, I'm referring to the powered units that can create thousands of pounds of pressure per square inch, intended to blast off hardened grease and grime.

The high pressure these devices create can easily overcome the rubber seals that protect the wiring connectors.
As many know, the new electronic systems operate on very low voltage and the slightest corrosion in their electronic circuits can cause problems.

It is not uncommon for high pressure water to enter unprotected seals on the forks, the shock absorbers, chains, the engine and fuel system and the hydraulic brake systems.
Once inside these parts the water contaminates the fluid and can cause great harm.

All of these areas are designed to resist low velocity water such as might be encountered from rain, wet streets or a garden hose so washing a motorcycle with a hose will create no problems. Just avoid high pressure washers to be safe. :)

This is a controversial topic, so just consider this as a personal opinion. Kerosene is a better option than WD40 to clean chains. WD40 might degrease the chain a bit too much. Else opt for a more expensive chain cleaner.

I calculated it like this. My petrol bill for my bike is about Rs 2500 per month. And the bike costs about 2.2 L OR. So Rs 1000 for chain cleaner and chain lube from MOTUL is insignificant.

It's not a matter of cost. If you see the manual, it just says clean the chain with a spray of water. Kerosene is tried and tested for such apps, so do you really need a cleaner?

Disclaimer: I'm very happy with the Motul chain spray, but I did not feel the need for a chain spray if kerosene works just as well. As is usual many a time, I might be wrong on this one. Too. :deadhorse

I guess you are not. The link should help.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=345397

Very comprehensive study. But it omits branded chain cleaners. And also what about the dissolving property of these solvents, for dirt and other sticky bits.

Disclaimer: I don't know if MOTUL chain cleaner is overkill. I thought it wouldnt be harmful and probably be better than home grown solutions.

Yes it does omit chain cleaners. The guys over there in ADVRider are pretty old school tough as nail blokes! May be they dont need the fancy chain cleaners! lol:

But that said, I assume the chain cleaners are purpose made and hence should do their job perfectly without causing any damage to the O-rings or whatsoever.

Thanks, man. That's a great read. By the way, I missed the Edit button. Just to clarify, i use kerosene only to clean the chain. I still use Motul chain spray to lube the chain.

The SVC here doesn't stock on those motul chain products so I had to purchase OKS chain lube meant for bajaj bikes , I suppose until the can is empty , I can use that without any harm right , It is still a chain lube I figure .

So no wd-40 then , will search and order for the motul duo later and use kerosene for the time being .

Most SVCs sell only OKS, even though they may use Motul during service. OKS is not as effective as Motul, and the can finishes very fast. I had to pick up the Motul spray from a Motul distributor.

Here its the opposite. They have MOTUL but they use something else. Sometimes I find a lot of grease on the chain.